BOUND BY FIRE

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Chapter 38 – Bound by Fire

Vincent didn't move.

Didn't breathe.

Didn't pull away.

Zane could feel it—the tension in Vincent's body, the war he was fighting with himself.

And he loved it.

Slowly, deliberately, Zane let his fingers trail down Vincent's wrist, tracing over his skin. "You're letting me touch you."

Vincent's jaw clenched. "You're testing me again."

Zane smirked. "And?"

A slow breath. A hesitation.

Then—"And I'm letting you."

Zane's heart skipped.

Not because he was surprised.

Because Vincent admitting it made something hot coil in his chest.

He stepped closer, lips hovering near Vincent's ear. "What are you so afraid of, Graves?"

Vincent exhaled sharply. "You."

Zane chuckled, low and dangerous. "I should be the one afraid of you, don't you think?"

Vincent finally turned, his gaze burning. "Then maybe you should start."

Zane's breath caught—just for a second.

Because this?

This was something else.

The air between them crackled.

Zane reached up, fingers brushing against Vincent's jaw. "I think you like this."

Vincent swallowed hard, but he didn't move away. "You think too much."

Zane's smirk deepened. "And you feel too much."

Silence.

Then—Vincent grabbed his wrist.

Not to push him away.

To hold him there.

Zane's pulse spiked. "Vincent—"

A mistake.

A crack in control.

Because the moment Zane said his name like that—low, breathless, wanting—

Vincent snapped.

His grip tightened.

And then—he kissed him.

Hard.

Desperate.

Like he was trying to erase every moment of restraint.

Like he was done fighting.

Zane gasped against his lips, the shock hitting him like a rush of fire.

But he didn't pull away.

He grabbed onto Vincent's shirt, dragging him closer, deepening the kiss like he'd been waiting for this.

And maybe he had.

Vincent's hands moved—one sliding into Zane's hair, the other gripping his waist, holding him in place like he was afraid Zane would disappear.

Zane shivered.

Because this—this was different.

Not just control. Not just a game.

This was something raw.

Zane's fingers curled against Vincent's chest, feeling the rapid thud of his heartbeat.

Fast. Unsteady.

Just like his own.

Vincent finally pulled back, breathing hard. His eyes were darker now, like he was barely keeping himself together.

Zane licked his lips, still tasting him.

Still wanting more.

He let out a shaky laugh. "Well… took you long enough."

Vincent didn't smile. Didn't tease.

He just stared at Zane.

And then, voice rough and low, he said—"This doesn't change anything."

Zane raised a brow, stepping back just slightly, but not enough to break the moment. "Really? Because it sure feels like it does."

Vincent's jaw tightened.

Zane smirked. "You can lie to yourself all you want, Graves. But I felt that." His gaze flickered to Vincent's lips, then back to his eyes. "And so did you."

Vincent didn't deny it.

Didn't confirm it, either.

Instead, he turned away, running a hand through his hair, breathing deep like he needed to reset.

Zane watched him, something warm and dangerous curling in his chest.

Vincent could fight this all he wanted.

But the truth was already out.

And Zane?

Zane wasn't going to let him forget it.

Not now.

Not ever.

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End of Chapter 38.