Chapter 250 - Who do you want?
Shao didn’t know what came over him.
One moment, he was rolling his eyes at Jai’s bratty retorts, biting the inside of his cheek to hold back a smirk, and the next, something shifted inside him. It wasn’t the words. It wasn’t even Jai’s silly declaration about Zei being bigger. It was the way Jai kept stubbornly marching ahead, tossing things into the cart without a glance back. The way his voice cracked slightly when he repeated, "I’ll sleep with him."
It was ridiculous. Utterly frustrating. And so painfully, maddeningly tempting.
Shao hadn’t meant to move. But before he realized it, his body had acted on its own. His arms came around Jai from behind and pulled him in tight—tight enough that he could feel every shallow breath, every twitch of hesitation. It wasn’t lust that took hold of him in that moment. It was need. A need so fierce it shook his core.
He buried his nose against Jai’s shoulder, his hands clutching the smaller man with a desperation that made him feel exposed. Vulnerable. Like if he didn’t hold Jai just right, the man would vanish into thin air.
"Shao..."
Jai’s voice was small. Strained.
Realizing what he was doing, Shao loosened his grip and stepped back quickly, his heart racing in his chest. "Sorry," he muttered, averting his gaze.
But Jai didn’t walk away. Instead, he turned to face him, reached out, and caught hold of Shao’s sleeve.
That single touch froze Shao in place.
He dared a glance down. Jai’s face was flushed—a deep pink creeping up to his ears. His eyes blinked slowly, lashes fluttering like he was struggling to stay composed. And then—God help him—he licked his lips.