Yay! Chapter four is here! I got that done faster than I had thought I would. I'm proud of myself!
Empress Tatiana- Thank you so much for review! I'm glad the lemon scene was good, I trust you'd tell me if it needed to be fixed. And I'm glad you like the chemistry between Julian and Jack. I didn't want Jack to have an easy choice. Having Jack just simply run back to Chase the moment the man shows interest just didn't work for me. I want Jack to have self-respect. I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Jack turned to face the one person he wished he'd never see again. The draconian immortal sat on a leather chair, legs crossed as if he actually owned the room both inhabitants currently resided in. How like him to be the authority in the room, no matter whose room it was.
For once, though, Jack met the cool gaze with an equally even one. His heart rate had increased but he did his best to conceal that fact. He wouldn't be that fawning loser that was constantly rejected. Not again. He'd hold his ground.
"May I ask what you're doing in my home?" Jack waited for an answer, doing his upmost to keep his appearance level. Chase merely leaned back into the chair, sizing the young man up. He wasn't fooled. He knew Jack was still very much intimidated, as well he should be. It was quite impressive that he no longer tripped over himself at the sight of the immortal, nor did he stutter. Though, Chase could still hear a slight vibrato of fear.
Yes, Jack was maturing nicely in the time he had been absent.
Chase was also pleased that Jack had chosen a rather dapper outfit. A fitted, gray button-up peaked out from underneath a dark casual jacket. The pants were dark jeans, but they did not come off as cheap. His shoes, while casual, were also of higher quality. Finally, Chase looked over Jack's face. He did look handsome without all of that horrid makeup that the genius had insisted upon wearing as a teenager. His alabaster skin glowed and Chase could clearly see long, elegant eyelashes that fluttered in front of vibrant rubies. He had been surprised when he had last peaked in on Jack to seen white hair instead of the usual red. He actually had not occurred to him that the red was dye. Seeing the shining white hair now, though, it was abundantly clear that this was the hair color meant for the young man. It wasn't thin and it was cut to frame Jack's face handsomely when it was let down, like it was at the moment.
It wasn't until Chase had finished his inspection that he answered. "I was curious as to why you have been absent for the better part of two months. Neither Xiaolin nor Heylin have heard anything about you this entire time."
"…And you care, why?" Chase subdued the urge to growl at Jack's obviously sarcastic response. He had a goal and pursuing Jack would take a delicate hand considering their past. The genius was still upset over the way he was treated. Chase couldn't necessarily blame him, even if Jack had once possessed an extremely annoying attitude. "I suppose it was because I wanted to see if you were alive, and if so, what was taking up your attention."
Jack turned back to his coffee that had finished a few minutes before. He added a spoon of sugar and a little cream before stirring. "I'm taking up the family business. It wasn't a secret that I was awful at showdowns, but I am good at inventing and I have always been money savvy. So, I decided to do something that was actually worth my time." He faced the Xiaolin master once again, sipping his drink. Chase had not been the only one looking over the other. Jack couldn't help but notice that the man in front of him was still devastatingly handsome. He did find it interesting that the warlord had elected to wear a simple training outfit, that by no means looked bad. Even in such a simple outfit, Chase looked regal and dangerous.
It didn't help that the outfit accentuated each hard muscle that the man possessed.
Jack had to inwardly shake himself. This man, while impressive, was still one of the main reasons he had left the showdown life. The way he had looked down on Jack had been snide and unforgivable. Jack refused to let his guard down. He refused to fall under that stare. He had Julian, and he had a future.
"Well, it seems to be going well for you. Very well, actually." Jack's eyes narrowed. What did Chase mean by that?
"I suppose..."
Chase stood from the chair, slowly walking up to the young genius who stiffened at the advance. Surely, Chase had no reason to hurt him. He also never stood too close to Jack if he could help it. Was he dreaming or something? Was he still asleep at the hotel? This entire situation just seemed…off. Jack froze and his breath hitched as he felt fingers brush against his neck. "Wh..what are you doing?"
He felt a slight pull at the collar of his jacket. It took everything he had not to shriek and throw himself back to escape. He looked down at the offending hand to see it had pulled the collar out enough to see one of the many purple bruised on his skin. How in the hell had Chase known it was there?
Chase smirked, though to Jack it seemed almost bitter. "As I said. You've been doing very well."
Jack blushed, jerking his collar back into place. He put some distance between himself and the warlord even though he knew it wouldn't do much good. But he knew he needed to at least feel safe, no matter how much of a façade that was. "What exactly do you think gives you the right to comment on that? Actually, better yet, how the hell do you even know about that?"
Chase gave him a look. Of course, Jack had forgotten about that weird eye-thing that helped Chase spy on whomever he wished. Oh god, he didn't…No Chase wouldn't watch that. No way. But he would still see other things. Ugh, that was all different shades of weird.
"Is this all you wanted to talk about? Or did you come here for something actually important." Yes, probably not the wisest idea to snap at the immortal who held a notorious temper. Still, Jack was feeling extremely defensive at the moment, and he felt he deserved to give some attitude.
Thankfully, Chase merely raised an eyebrow in response. Of course, Jack was still curious. Was there actually anything important or did Chase only come here to mess with him? Things were not making sense at all right now.
And apparently, they were about to become worse.
Jack was startled when he felt something brush against his back. He gripped the handle of his mug tightly to avoid spilling it. A safe move as he then felt lips with by his ear a second later. "Maybe you could do better." Jack whirled around to face golden eyes looking at him intensely. Did Chase seriously just say that?
Despite his attempts to eradicate his feelings for the warlord, Jack still felt a slight twinge of happiness when Chase spoke. If he had heard that correctly…No! Be strong!
Jack pushed back from Chase once more. "Seriously?! I practically fawned over you for years and you had nothing to do with me! Now that I've left and found someone, you want me? And what makes you think I'd choose you over him? It's not going to be that easy! I'm not that easy."
Chase merely crossed his arms, not at all concerned with the outburst. "I'm well aware of that. You've grown up. That is one of the reasons I've come here. I am impressed with your growth both mentally and…physically. Part of that is seeing you stand up for yourself instead of cowering at my feet. I don't wish to be with someone who is weak."
The young man's mouth opened but finding no words he closed it again. He never expected this from Chase. Ever. Still, he wouldn't betray Julian. He was the first person to look at him like he was special; the first person to care. Jack wasn't sure if it was love. It was much too soon for either Julian or Jack to say. He wasn't even sure if Chase was genuinely interested or merely feeling oddly possessive.
"Chase, I will not just choose you. I am with someone, and you have only treated me like dirt. I'm doing what I want now. So, I have to ask you to give up."
"Giving up is not what I do. But no matter. I will win in the end." Jack found himself against a wall. Damn Chase and his speed. He attempted to push against the other man, but like Julian, Chase was athletic and strong. His feeble attempts were probably barely registering on Chase's radar. Even then it was equivalent to a fly landing on an elephant. A strong hand gripped Jack's chin, forcing him to look back into those dangerous golden eyes.
A gasp escaped his mouth as he felt warm lips cover his own. His normally articulate mind screeched to a halt, his eyes widening in disbelief. Chase took the opportunity to explore Jack's mouth with his tongue. Jack's heart stopped and he felt himself losing control of his reactions. A soft noise seemed to come from the back of his throat, receiving a dark, graveled growl from the immortal in return.
As soon at it began, it was over. Jack stood against the wall in a daze as Chase stood back, licking his lips. Another smirk crossed the man's face before he spoke, his voice causing a zip of electricity to go down Jack's spine.
"We'll meet again, Spicer. I plan on changing your mind about me. That other man had better enjoy his time while he can."
With those words Chase was gone. The study was empty save Jack's own presence which was baffled and in shock. He couldn't wrap his mind around what just happened. Chase wanted him? After all of this time, his former hero was finally noticing him. Was it truly attraction, though. Yes, Jack knew he had grown up, but he didn't think that there had been a large change other than his appearance. The genius finally could not understand something. He slid down the wall to sit and catch his breath.
The only thing understood was that he was now in a so-called "love triangle." Love being a strong word but two men were vying for his attention. On one side was the sweet, caring Julian. The man who listened to him and treated him like gold despite their need to keep things secret. On the other hand, was Chase, a sexy evil warlord he had swooned over for years. Someone who he had idolized despite all of the negative treatment. All logic pointed toward ignoring Chase.
It was unfortunate that logic didn't work when it came to his feelings for the immortal. A disciplined immortal who was now determined to win over Jack. He'd have to stay strong to refuse him. He didn't want to leave Julian; their chemistry was nuclear.
Jack rested his head in his hands. "Oh, I am in so much trouble."
….
….
Chase sat in his throne, mulling over what had occurred. He had gone a little further than he had originally intended, but when Jack had refused to be taken in easily, something had snapped. He had wanted to pin Spicer to the wall and take him right there. To show him how wrong he was.
It had taken quite a bit of discipline to only kiss the boy. The warmth of those lips and the taste of his mouth were still tingling in his own. That one kiss was more addicting than he had anticipated. Chase knew it was the same for Jack no matter how much the boy would resist it. If he hadn't had met that other man, Jack might have submitted easily.
Chase wasn't sure if he would have wanted that.
He hadn't lied when he said that Jack standing up to him was attractive. It was. To see the young genius grow into a man was-if he was being honest- a turn on. He was torn between wanting Jack to submit and wanting to earn Jack's affections. Chase had understood the boy's skepticism. He had every right to feel that way.
But he still wouldn't lose. He knew Jack was still attracted to him on the most basic level. He just had to work past Jack's wall of skepticism and concern.
With that thought, Chase walked out of his throne room to his training area, followed by a few of his warriors. He would visit Spicer again soon.
'Ok!I'll get started on the next chapter. Remember to review the story, I am always willing to take advice or ideas that my readers would like to read in the story!
