Chapter 2 Glass walls

Elliot couldn't sleep.

He sat on the edge of his bed, hands tangled in his hair, the taste of Jaden still lingering on his lips. The sheets smelled like cologne and something earthy-maybe cigarette smoke, maybe youth. Whatever it was, it felt dangerous. Addictive.

He looked over at the dent Jaden left in the pillow. He'd slipped out sometime after midnight, left without a word. No note. No text.

Elliot told himself it was a one-time thing.

But he knew he was lying.

⸻

Jaden rode the bus home with the city still clinging to his skin.

He stared out the window, hoodie pulled low, earbuds in but no music playing. Just static silence and the low hum of the engine. His uncle would be waiting for his cut. Always did.

The money was folded neatly in his jacket pocket. Elliot had been generous. Nervous, but generous. Jaden didn't even have to push. No games. No power play.

And maybe that's what made it worse.

He liked Elliot.

Fuck.

He never liked clients.

⸻

The apartment reeked of cheap weed and fried eggs when Jaden walked in.

Uncle Ray was at the table, shirtless, beer in hand, gut spilling over his belt. His eyes flicked to Jaden like a wolf scenting blood.

"Well, well. Early morning, huh?"

Jaden didn't answer. He tossed the money on the table.

Ray scooped it up, counting like a bank teller. "Damn. This one paid well. Told you these lonely suits are worth it. That CEO life's a goldmine."

Jaden lit a cigarette and leaned against the wall, exhaling slow.

"He wasn't like the others."

Ray snorted. "They're all the same when they unzip their pants."

Jaden flicked ash onto the floor. "You don't know shit about people."

"I know they'll pay to fuck a pretty face who knows how to shut up," Ray said, voice turning slick and cruel. "You better keep him warm, kid. Guys like that? They pay for loyalty."

Jaden didn't flinch. But inside, something twisted.

He wasn't some toy. Not to Elliot. Not to Ray. And the longer this went on, the more dangerous it felt.

Because the moment feelings got involved, the whole game changed.

⸻

Elliot showed up to the office late, tie undone, eyes red.

Vivian raised an eyebrow as he walked past her desk. "You look like you've seen a ghost-or worse, slept with one."

He froze. "Excuse me?"

She smirked. "Relax. Just saying you're off today."

He muttered something and shut himself in his office.

Vivian stared at the door.

Elliot Pierce never looked rumpled.

Whatever happened last night, it left a mark.

⸻

Three days passed. Then four.

Elliot didn't call.

Jaden didn't either.

By the fifth day, Jaden's pride was unraveling. He found himself scrolling through Elliot's business profile online-stupid articles, interviews, press photos. That shy smile. Those soft eyes.

He remembered the way Elliot's hands had trembled when they kissed. The way he had said, "You are more than a paycheck."

No one ever said that to him before.

⸻

Elliot finally broke.

He dialed the number Ray had given him and nearly hung up twice before it rang.

Jaden picked up on the second tone. "Yeah?"

Elliot's voice was low. "It's me."

"Didn't expect to hear from you," Jaden said, tone guarded.

"I-couldn't stop thinking about you."

Silence.

Then a soft sigh from Jaden. "Where?"

⸻

They met at a café this time. Neutral territory. Daylight.

Jaden wore sunglasses and a leather jacket, sipping an iced drink like he wasn't nervous. Elliot showed up in a navy coat, hair slightly tousled, eyes scanning the room like someone afraid of being seen.

"You're braver than I thought," Jaden said, taking the seat across from him.

Elliot gave a tired smile. "You're...not what I expected."

"That makes two of us."

They sat in silence for a beat. Then Elliot said, "I'm not good at this."

"This?" Jaden asked. "Dating? Flirting? Sleeping with someone who makes you question your entire life?"

Elliot chuckled under his breath. "All of the above."

Jaden leaned forward, taking off his sunglasses. His eyes were sharp and dark, cutting through Elliot's walls. "You want me to lie and tell you this is easy?"

"No."

"Good," Jaden said. "Because I'm not here to be your experiment, Elliot."

The man blinked. "I'm not-"

"Yes, you are." Jaden leaned back. "And I don't blame you. You're a scared, lonely man who finally tasted something real and now doesn't know what the hell to do with it."

Elliot looked away.

Jaden tilted his head, softer now. "But I'm not going to be your mistake."

"I don't want you to be," Elliot said, voice barely above a whisper.

Jaden smiled.

And this time, it wasn't cocky. It was gentle. Real.

⸻

They walked around the city for hours after that. No holding hands. No touching. Just two men learning each other.

Elliot asked about music. Jaden said he liked old punk and early 2000s pop because "it sounds like chaos and heartbreak." Elliot laughed. Said he preferred jazz because it gave him space to breathe.

They talked about books, movies, life. Jaden made fun of Elliot's Kindle obsession. Elliot teased him for never finishing anything longer than 200 pages.

At one point, Elliot reached for his hand-then pulled back.

Jaden noticed.

Didn't say anything.

But the look he gave Elliot said: When you're ready, I'll be here.

⸻

It was almost dark when they stopped in front of Elliot's car. He opened the door, but Jaden didn't get in yet.

Instead, he stepped closer, closing the space between them.

"You wanna kiss me again?" he asked, voice low.

Elliot swallowed hard. "Yes."

"Then do it."

Elliot hesitated for half a second-then leaned in.

The kiss was slower this time. Less nerves, more want. Jaden gripped Elliot's collar, tugged him closer, and deepened it. Their mouths moved together like a promise.

When they pulled apart, Elliot was breathing hard. His pupils blown wide.

"I want to see you again," he said.

Jaden's voice was a whisper against his lips. "Then you better call me, Mr. Pierce."