Chapter 5: Chasing Shadows

 

Lucas spent the next few days in a haze, his mind consumed with thoughts of Ethan. Each moment felt heavy, filled with the weight of unfulfilled desire. He threw himself into his art, splattering paint onto canvas with a fervor that both exhilarated and exhausted him. But no matter how hard he tried to distract himself, Ethan lingered in the corners of his mind, a shadow that wouldn’t fade.

The intensity of their last encounter haunted him. The way Ethan had held him, the whispered promises that sent shivers down his spine. Lucas felt trapped, a moth drawn irresistibly to the flame, knowing the risks but unable to pull away.

His phone buzzed again one evening, pulling him from his thoughts. He glanced at the screen, half-expecting to see Ethan’s name again, but it was a text from his agent.

Agent: Great news! A gallery wants to showcase your work next month. Let’s meet to discuss details.

Lucas sighed, a flicker of excitement lighting up his chest. It was an opportunity he couldn’t ignore, but a part of him felt unfulfilled. The thought of facing the gallery without Ethan by his side left a hollow ache in his stomach. As much as he wanted to push Ethan away, the connection they had forged felt undeniable.

The night of the meeting arrived, and Lucas dressed carefully, choosing a simple yet elegant outfit that made him feel confident. He arrived early, wanting to familiarize himself with the space before discussing his work. The gallery was spacious and bright, filled with natural light that highlighted the beauty of each piece.

As he examined the walls adorned with art, he couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. Glancing around, he spotted a familiar figure leaning casually against a nearby wall—Ethan. His dark suit contrasted sharply with the bright surroundings, and his intense gaze was fixed firmly on Lucas.

“Ethan,” Lucas breathed, his heart racing at the sight of him. The frustration and desire that had simmered since their last encounter surged within him.

Ethan pushed off the wall and walked toward Lucas, the corners of his mouth turning up in a knowing smile. “I had a feeling you’d be here.”

“Is this what you do? Follow me?” Lucas shot back, trying to mask the tremor in his voice.

Ethan stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. “You should know by now, I’m not one to let go easily.”

Lucas’s breath hitched as Ethan moved even closer, their bodies nearly touching. The tension was palpable, thickening the air between them. “What do you want, Ethan?” Lucas asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“I want to show you something,” Ethan replied, his gaze dark and alluring.

Before Lucas could protest, Ethan took his hand, guiding him toward the back of the gallery. Lucas felt his heart pounding in his chest as they moved through the quiet space, anticipation and dread swirling together.

They reached a secluded area where the soft lighting cast shadows across the walls. Ethan turned to Lucas, his expression serious, almost predatory. “You’ve been hiding from me, Lucas.”

“I’m not hiding,” Lucas shot back, though he knew it was a lie. He was hiding from his feelings, from the intensity of what he felt for Ethan.

Ethan stepped closer, their faces inches apart. “But you want to be found, don’t you?” he murmured, his voice low and seductive.

Lucas’s breath caught in his throat as Ethan’s hand found its way to the small of his back, pulling him closer until there was no space left between them. The heat radiating from Ethan ignited a fire deep within Lucas, and he felt himself melt under the intensity of Ethan’s gaze.

“You think you can just come in here and—”

But Ethan silenced him with a kiss, a deep and passionate melding of lips that sent Lucas’s mind reeling. He melted against Ethan, surrendering to the overwhelming desire that coursed through him. The kiss was possessive, demanding, and Lucas felt himself responding in kind, his hands finding their way to Ethan’s hair, pulling him closer.

The world around them faded away, leaving only the two of them wrapped in a cocoon of heat and passion. Lucas could feel Ethan’s desire pulsing through him, a rhythm that matched his own.

Ethan pulled back slightly, his breath hot against Lucas’s face. “I told you, you’re mine,” he whispered, the promise laced with an unmistakable intensity.

Before Lucas could respond, Ethan’s lips were on him again, and he lost himself in the heat, the urgency, the raw desire that threatened to consume him whole.

• To Be Continued...