Chapter 5: Date Night at the Velvet Room
The white roses were the first thing Cole saw when he opened the door.
Jaxson stood in the hallway of his modest apartment building, looking impossibly out of place in the cramped, dimly lit corridor. His dark suit was immaculate, his jaw freshly shaved, and he was holding a bouquet of white roses so large it seemed almost comical in his grip. Behind him, the evening light filtered through the grimy window at the end of the hall, catching the edges of his silhouette.
"You said you'd bring flowers," Cole said, leaning against the doorframe. "I didn't think you'd bring an entire garden."
Jaxson's lips twitched. "I wanted to make an impression."
"You've already made an impression." Cole reached out, taking the bouquet. Their fingers brushed, and Cole felt that familiar jolt of electricity arc between them. "Several, actually. Most of them involving me in various states of undress."
Jaxson's grin widened. "Those are my favorite impressions."
Cole rolled his eyes, but he couldn't suppress his own smile. He stepped back, gesturing for Jaxson to come in. "Give me a minute to put these in water. I need to change anyway."
Jaxson stepped inside, his gaze sweeping the small apartment. Cole watched him take in the worn couch, the stack of books on the coffee table, the tiny kitchen with its chipped countertops. There was no judgment in his expression, only curiosity.
"It's cozy," Jaxson said.
"It's small."
"Cozy and small aren't mutually exclusive." Jaxson turned, his dark eyes finding Cole's. "Besides, I'm not here for the decor."
Cole's cheeks warmed. He busied himself with the roses, finding a vase in one of the cabinets and filling it with water. He could feel Jaxson's gaze on him the entire time, a physical weight that made his hands tremble slightly.
You're nervous. Why are you nervous? We've already—everything. I've had you in my arms, in my bed, in my heart. But this feels different. This feels like the first time.
Cole's fingers stilled on the rose stems.
You're nervous too, he thought, hoping Jaxson could feel it. That makes two of us.
He turned, holding the vase. The roses looked incongruous in his tiny kitchen, too elegant, too perfect. Just like Jaxson, standing there in his thousand-dollar suit, looking at Cole like he was the most precious thing in the world.
"I need to change," Cole repeated. "I'll be quick."
"Take your time." Jaxson settled onto the couch, looking entirely too comfortable. "I'm not going anywhere."
Cole retreated to his bedroom, closing the door behind him. He leaned against it for a moment, pressing a hand to his chest. His heart was racing, pounding against his ribs.
This wasn't the first time they'd been together. In the past two weeks, since that first night in Jaxson's penthouse, they'd spent nearly every free moment together. They'd had dinner at Jaxson's place, watched movies on his couch, fallen asleep tangled in each other's arms. Cole had even started leaving a toothbrush at the penthouse, a small but significant step.
But this felt different.
This was a real date. A planned, intentional date, with reservations and flowers and all the trappings of a proper courtship. Jaxson had been adamant about it, insisting that Cole deserved to be courted properly, that their bond deserved more than stolen moments between meetings.
Cole looked at himself in the mirror. His reflection stared back, slightly flushed, eyes bright. He'd chosen his outfit carefully—a dark blue button-up that brought out the honey tones of his eyes, fitted trousers that hugged his hips. He'd even dug out the nice cologne, the one he saved for special occasions.
He wanted this to be perfect.
When he stepped back out, Jaxson rose from the couch. His gaze swept over Cole, slow and appreciative, and Cole felt the heat of it like a physical touch.
"You look incredible," Jaxson said. His voice was low, reverent.
Cole ducked his head, a smile tugging at his lips. "You're not so bad yourself."
Jaxson crossed the room in three strides, taking Cole's hand and pressing a kiss to his knuckles. His lips lingered, warm against Cole's skin.
"Ready?" he asked.
Cole nodded. "Ready."
---
The Velvet Room was exactly the kind of place Cole had only ever seen in magazines.
The maître d' led them through a labyrinth of candlelit tables, past walls draped in deep crimson velvet, past patrons who looked like they'd stepped out of a fashion spread. The air smelled of expensive perfume and something savory, and soft jazz drifted from a pianist in the corner.
Their table was on the private balcony, tucked away from the main dining room. The city sprawled beneath them, a glittering tapestry of lights and shadows. But as Jaxson pulled out his chair, Cole found he couldn't look away from the man across from him.
"I've never been anywhere like this," Cole admitted, unfolding his napkin. "I don't think I've ever even been anywhere close to like this."
Jaxson's expression softened. "Then I'm glad I get to be the one to take you."
The waiter appeared, bearing a bottle of wine Cole didn't recognize. Jaxson nodded, and the man poured two glasses with practiced precision.
"Do you trust me?" Jaxson asked, lifting his glass.
Cole picked up his own, the stem cool between his fingers. "With my life."
"Then trust me on this." Jaxson took a sip, his eyes never leaving Cole's. "It's a '91 Burgundy. It's got notes of black cherry and a hint of tobacco. You'll like it."
Cole brought the glass to his lips. The wine was smooth, velvety, with a complexity that made him close his eyes in appreciation.
"Good?" Jaxson asked.
"Better than good." Cole took another sip. "I didn't know wine could taste like this."
Jaxson smiled, and it was that smile—the one that softened his sharp features and made him look almost boyish—that made Cole's heart flutter. This was the Jaxson no one else got to see. The one who looked at Cole like he'd hung the moon.
Their appetizers arrived—seared scallops on a bed of something green and delicate. Cole had to fight not to moan at the first bite.
"Oh my god," he breathed. "This is incredible."
Jaxson laughed, low and warm. "I'm glad you approve."
"I approve." Cole took another bite, closing his eyes. "I deeply, deeply approve."
The food continued to arrive—a salad of heirloom tomatoes and burrata, then a main course of herb-crusted lamb that fell apart at the touch of a fork. Cole ate with enthusiasm, occasionally pausing to sip his wine or to catch Jaxson's eye.
He noticed, with a thrill, that Jaxson was barely eating. He was watching Cole instead, his dark eyes tracing every movement.
"What?" Cole asked, self-consciously wiping his mouth.
"Nothing." Jaxson picked up his fork. "I'm just enjoying the view."
Cole flushed. "You're incorrigible."
"I'm honest." Jaxson took a bite of lamb, chewing slowly. "There's a difference."
The dessert course came—a chocolate tart with gold leaf and a quenelle of salted caramel ice cream. Cole shared it with Jaxson, their forks meeting in the middle in a small, intimate dance.
Under the table, Jaxson's foot brushed against Cole's ankle. Cole looked up, and Jaxson's eyes were dark with promise.
I want to take you home right now. I want to lay you out on the table and taste you until you forget your own name. But I'll be patient. I'll be good. I'll wait until you're ready.
Cole's cheeks burned. He took a long sip of wine to hide his reaction.
I'm ready, he thought, hoping Jaxson could hear. I'm always ready for you.
Jaxson's fork paused halfway to his mouth. His eyes met Cole's, and there was something almost feral in his gaze.
"Let's get some air," he said, his voice slightly rougher than before.
He rose, extending his hand to Cole. Cole took it, letting Jaxson pull him to his feet. They made their way through the restaurant, past the velvet curtains, out onto a small side balcony that overlooked the city.
The air was cool and crisp, a welcome relief from the warmth of the dining room. Below them, the city hummed with life. Above them, the sky was a deep, endless indigo, scattered with stars.
"Beautiful," Cole breathed.
Jaxson moved behind him, his hands coming to rest on Cole's hips. His chest pressed against Cole's back, warm and solid.
"You're beautiful," Jaxson murmured against his ear. "Every time I see you, I'm stunned all over again."
Cole's breath hitched. He leaned back into Jaxson's embrace, letting himself be held.
"I love this," he said softly. "I love being with you. I love the way you look at me. I love—" He paused, his voice catching. "I love everything."
Jaxson turned him around, cupping his face in his hands. His eyes were dark, intense, filled with something that made Cole's heart ache.
"Move in with me," Jaxson said.
Cole blinked. "What?"
"Move in with me." Jaxson's thumb traced Cole's cheekbone. "Into the penthouse. I know it's fast. I know we haven't known each other long. But I can't—" He paused, swallowing. "I can't imagine waking up without you anymore. I can't imagine going to sleep without you beside me. I want to wake up next to you every morning. I want to make you coffee and watch you read the paper and argue about who gets the shower first."
Cole's eyes were stinging. "Jaxson—"
"I know it's a lot," Jaxson continued, his words tumbling out in a rush. "I know I'm asking for everything. But that's what I want. I want everything. I want you."
Cole reached up, covering Jaxson's hands with his own. He could feel the tremor in them, the vulnerability beneath the confidence.
"Yes," he said.
Jaxson's eyes widened. "Yes?"
"Yes." Cole's smile broke through, bright and watery. "Yes, I'll move in with you. Yes, I want everything too."
Jaxson let out a breath, something between a laugh and a sob. He pulled Cole into his arms, crushing him against his chest.
"Thank you," he whispered into Cole's hair. "Thank you, thank you, thank you."
Cole laughed, wrapping his arms around Jaxson's waist. "You're welcome."
They stood there for a long moment, wrapped in each other, the city sprawled beneath them like a promise. Then Jaxson pulled back, his eyes bright.
"There's one more thing," he said.
Cole raised an eyebrow. "More?"
"Just one." Jaxson reached into his pocket, pulling out a small velvet box. "I had this made. I was going to wait, but—" He laughed, shaking his head. "I can't wait."
He opened the box. Inside, nestled on a bed of black silk, was a ring. It was simple but elegant—a band of white gold with a single diamond that caught the light and scattered it like stars.
"It's a bond ring," Jaxson said. "In our world, it's not as official as a mating bite, but—" He paused, his voice growing thick. "It's a promise. A promise that I'm yours and you're mine. A promise that I'll spend the rest of my life trying to make you happy."
Cole stared at the ring. A tear slipped down his cheek.
"Jaxson," he breathed.
"Are you—" Jaxson's voice cracked. "Is this okay? Is this too fast?"
"It's perfect." Cole's voice was barely a whisper. "It's absolutely perfect."
Jaxson slid the ring onto Cole's finger. It fit perfectly, like it had been made for him. Because it had been.
Cole looked at it, then at Jaxson. The man who had been his boss, his tormentor, his secret desire. The man who had become his mate, his partner, his everything.
"I love you," Cole said.
Jaxson pulled him close, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "I love you too. More than I ever thought I could love anyone."
Cole buried his face in Jaxson's chest, breathing him in. The scent of sandalwood and warmth, the steady beat of his heart.
"So," he said, his voice muffled. "When do I move in?"
Jaxson laughed. "Tomorrow. I'll send movers to your apartment first thing in the morning."
"Tomorrow," Cole repeated. "I can't believe this is real."
"It's real." Jaxson tilted his chin up, kissing him softly. "This is real. We're real."
Cole kissed him back, tasting the wine on his lips. When they broke apart, Jaxson was smiling, that soft, private smile that was just for him.
"Ready to go home?" Jaxson asked.
Cole looked at the ring on his finger, then at the man before him. The city glittered below, but all he could see was Jaxson.
"I'm ready," he said. "Take me home."