CHAPTER FIVE

Clause's POV

Alvin sat across from me, swirling the ice cubes in his whiskey glass. We were tucked away in a dim booth at our usual spot, a cigar lounge styled with black marble and leather seats, the kind of place where billionaires whispered secrets under the hum of jazz.

It had been a while since we had time to catch up. Ever since my sister's funeral, everything had been heavy. Alvin had been surprisingly supportive, checking in, hanging around me like a younger brother would. We never spoke about her for too long, but sometimes her name slipped into the conversation like a shadow.

“So…” Alvin leaned forward, voice low. “How have you really been holding up? After… everything.”

I stared into my glass for a beat too long. “I’m coping,” I said. “Trying to, at least. Some days are harder than others. But I’m still breathing, so that’s a win.”

He nodded slowly, then laughed quietly. “That’s such a Clause answer. Stoic as ever.”

I gave a half-smile, but my chest tightened. If only he knew how far from stoic I was these days. If he had even the faintest clue about what I’d done… what Gary and I had become…

My phone vibrated against the table.

Gary.

A message popped up on the screen.

“Room 704, Royale Hotel, Come now. I need you.”

My pulse spiked instantly. It was like the entire room narrowed to just those words. I locked the phone quickly and looked up at Alvin, forcing a casual tone. “I have to go. Something urgent just came up.”

Alvin raised an eyebrow. “Now? We just got here.”

“Yeah... I know. ummm, Rain check?”

He sighed but shrugged. “Fine. But next time, I’m choosing the place.”

I gave him a grateful nod and stood. “Thanks, man.”

As I walked away, I could feel Alvin’s eyes follow me. His instincts were sharp. Too sharp.

I slid into my car and headed straight for the hotel Gary mentioned. My hands were shaking on the steering wheel. My chest felt like it would burst. What did he mean by “I need you”? Was he okay? Or was this about last night?

I didn’t have time to overthink. I pulled into the underground parking, handed the valet my keys, and bolted inside. The elevator ride felt like forever. My reflection in the mirrored walls showed a man both excited and terrified. My hair was messy from the wind, my shirt slightly wrinkled from rushing out. I tried to steady my breath, but anticipation buzzed beneath my skin.

Room 704.

I reached the door and hesitated for a second. My hand hovered above the handle.

Then I pushed it open.

And froze.

Gary stood by the window, completely naked. Not even a towel. His back was broad, his skin golden under the soft lights. He turned at the sound of the door and when our eyes met, I forgot how to breathe.

Everything in me lit up.

“Lock the door,” he said softly.

I obeyed.

Then I took two steps forward and my body betrayed me, I was already hard. Gary’s eyes dropped to my crotch and he smirked faintly. The sight of him, his strong thighs, his toned abs, the way his chest rose and fell like he was already aroused made me dizzy.

I reached for the buttons on my shirt, fumbling. He walked over, hands warm on my wrists, and helped unbutton them one by one. His touch was gentle, but his eyes were burning. My belt was next. I shivered when he undid it slowly, like he was unwrapping a gift.

Then We kissed.

It was urgent, hot, open-mouthed. His hands were everywhere. On my waist, my chest, sliding down my back. Mine were in his hair, gripping, pulling. His body was fire against mine. The taste of him was intoxicating. We stumbled toward the bed, lips never parting.

I shoved my pants down as he laid back on the sheets, pulling me over him. Our legs tangled, our hips ground together. I kissed down his throat, across his collarbone. He gasped when I bit gently at his shoulder, then arched into me when I licked the mark.

I was kissing lower, tracing every line of his stomach when a knock sounded. Sharp, Loud.

We both froze.

“Room service?” Gary whispered breathlessly.

“Probably,” I muttered, groaning in frustration. “Should I...?”

Another knock, harder this time.

“Just say come in,” he murmured, already reaching for the sheets to cover us. I grabbed a throw pillow and tucked it over my lap, still panting. Gary adjusted the duvet around his waist.

“Come in!” one of us shouted.

The door swung open violently.

And our world cracked.

There, standing in the doorway with his eyes wide and mouth parted in shock… was Alvin.

Gary’s younger brother and my best friend.

His gaze dropped from Gary’s bare chest to the mess of our clothes on the floor… to me sitting on the bed, flushed and shirtless, hair a mess, clearly not just "visiting."

He didn’t say a word. His face was stone. Cold fury layered beneath the surface.

My stomach dropped.

Gary sat up fast, sheet clutched to his chest. “Alvin…”

But it was too late.

Alvin had already seen everything.