Fire In My Heart
First Meeting
The garage smelled like oil, metal, and burnt rubber....nothing Leo was used to.
He stood there anyway, sleeves of his tailored coat already feeling wrong against the grime-stained air, watching sparks fly as the mechanic worked beneath his car. The sound of steel against steel was sharp, impatient. So was the man wielding it.
The voice came from under the hood. Low. Rough. Not a request.
Leo stiffened, then frowned. No one spoke to him like that.
Unknown
I said don’t move.
The mechanic straightened, finally looking at him. Grease smeared across his forearms, knuckles bruised, dark eyes unapologetic as they dragged over Leo’s expensive suit like it didn’t impress him in the slightest.
Jack wiped his hands on a rag, smirk tugging at his mouth.
Jack
You businessmen always hover this close, or am I special?
Leo felt an irritation flare.... then something else. Something unwanted.
Leo
I was told you’re the best in this area.
Jack tilted his head, gaze lingering.
Then softer... almost amused
Jack
You don’t look like you belong here.
Leo met his stare unblinking.
For a moment, the air between them tightened. The kind of silence that pressed against skin. Jack stepped closer... not enough to touch, but enough to make Leo aware of every inch of space between them.
Jack smiled. Slow. Knowing.
Jack
This is gonna take longer than I thought
Leo wasn’t sure if he meant the car.
Night
Leo should have left.
That
That was the sensible thing. The correct thing.
Instead, he stood by the car, arms crossed, watching Jack work like he didn’t already know this was a bad idea.
Jack
You always stare like that
Jack
Like you’re trying to figure out if something’s worth the risk.
Leo’s voice was cool. Detached.
Jack glanced at him, grin lazy.
Jack
Means you’ve already decided.
The silence stretched... thick, loaded. Jack straightened and leaned against the car, too close again.
Jack
Or are you gonna pretend you don’t?
Leo
I don’t drink coffee at midnight
Jack
Yeah. You look like a guy who lies to himself a lot too.
Jack’s apartment was nothing like Leo expected. Small. Messy. Warm.
No pretense. No walls pretending to be stronger than they were.
They argued first. About nothing. About everything.
Leo accused Jack of being reckless.
Jack accused Leo of being empty.
Leo
You don’t even know me
Jack stepped closer, voice low.
Jack
Then why are you still here?
That was the moment Leo stopped pretending.
The kiss wasn’t gentle. It wasn’t sweet. It was frustration and curiosity and something neither of them wanted to name. Jack didn’t push Leo down... he waited. And that, somehow, undid him more than force ever could.
Leo's lips, soft and hesitant at first, pressed against Jack's. The initial surprise quickly melted away into a warm acceptance. Jack's hands, which had been resting on Leo's waist, tightened slightly, pulling him closer until their bodies were flush against each other. The kiss deepened, becoming more confident as Jack took control.
Leo hummed softly into the kiss, his arms wrapping around Jack's neck. His hair brushed against Jack's cheeks as he tilted his head to deepen the angle. The taste of wine and something uniquely Jack filled his senses.
Jack broke the kiss only to trail his lips along Leo's jawline and down to his neck.
Jack
You have no idea how much I wanted to do this
He murmured against Leo's skin, his voice rough with desire. His hands slid from Leo's waist up to his chest, fingers tracing the outline of his shirt.
Jack's fingers deftly worked at the buttons of Leo's shirt, each one undone with a deliberate slowness that sent shivers down Leo's spine. The fabric parted to reveal the smooth expanse of his chest, pale and unmarked in the dim light of the apartment.
Jack
You're so fucking beautiful
Jack breathed, his lips returning to Leo's collarbone. He pushed the shirt off Leo's shoulders, letting it pool around his elbows before guiding it down his arms completely.
Jack
I want to see all of you
His hands roamed over Leo's bare skin, mapping out every curve and dip with reverent touches. Jack's own shirt was discarded carelessly onto a nearby chair, revealing the defined muscles of his torso.
Leo gasped softly when Jack's teeth grazed his earlobe, pulling it between his lips.
Leo
Jack.... We should take this to the bedroom
His hands slid from Leo's back to grip his hips possessively, guiding him toward the bedroom.
The apartment was dimly lit by the city lights filtering through the window, casting long shadows across the hardwood floor. Jack's bedroom was messy but comfortable, with a large bed covered in soft gray sheets and pillows. Clothes were strewn across a chair in the corner, evidence of his hurried arrival home.
Jack
Sit on the edge of the bed
His voice dropped to a husky register.
He knelt before leo, hands resting on his things as he looked up at him though dark lashes
Jack
I want to worship every inch of you
His fingers began to work at the button of Leo's jeans, his touch slow and deliberate.
Jack’s fingers moved with practiced ease, unfastening the button of Leo's jeans. The denim slid down his legs slowly, pooling at his ankles. Leo stepped out of them, standing before Jack in nothing but his underwear.
His gaze raking over Leo's exposed form.
Jack
You look even better than I imagined.
His hands skimmed up Leo's calves, over his thighs, pausing at the waistband of his briefs.
Jack
Tell me what you want, baby. I'll give you anything.
He leaned forward, pressing open-mouthed kisses along the line of Leo's hip bones. His tongue darted out to taste the sensitive skin just above where the fabric met flesh. One hand reached behind Leo to cup his ass cheek firmly while the other traced patterns on his thigh.
Jack murmured against Leo's stomach.
Jack
I want to bury myself inside you so deep we both forget our names.
Leo left without a goodbye.
Jack watched the door shut, already knowing:
this wasn’t over.
Excuse
Leo’s car did not need to break down again.
It didn’t make sense. It was new. Perfectly maintained. Expensive enough that it shouldn’t dare malfunction.
And yet, there he was... standing outside the same garage, the engine ticking uselessly, night air biting at his skin.
Jack looked up from under another car and froze.
For half a second, Leo thought Jack might pretend not to see him.
Then Jack slid out, wiped his hands on a rag, and smiled like he’d been expecting this all along.
Jack
Didn’t think luxury cars liked coming back for seconds
Leo’s expression stayed cool. Composed.
Leo
My engine light came on.
Jack leaned closer to peer under the hood, voice dropping.
Jack
Uh-huh. And you drove all the way here for that?
Jack straightened, eyes sharp now not teasing, just curious.
Jack
You sure it’s the car that’s broken?
Leo held his gaze. Didn’t look away this time.
Jack stepped back, gesturing inside.
Jack
Alright then. Let’s take a look
The garage was quieter than last time. Dimmer. Just the two of them and the low hum of machines cooling down.
Jack checked the car. Slowly. Too slowly.
Jack
Annoyingly perfect. Just like you.
Leo exhaled through his nose.
Jack turned, arms crossed.
Jack
So what’s the real reason you’re here, Leo?
Using his name did something to him.
Cracked something open.
Leo
I don’t make impulsive decisions
Leo
I don’t repeat mistakes.
Leo
But I kept thinking about you
Leo
And I don’t like unfinished things.
Jack’s smile softened... not smug now. Real.
Jack stepped closer, careful this time.
Jack
Not gonna disappear in the morning?
Jack
Not gonna pretend I was just… convenient?
Jack searched his face, like he was afraid to hope.
Leo
I want to try. Properly.
The silence stretched... gentle, not heavy.
Jack smiled, warm and slow.
Jack
That’s the worst fake breakdown I’ve ever seen.
Leo’s lips twitched. Just barely.
Jack reached out... not touching yet. Waiting.
Jack
No running. No games.
Leo closed the distance himself.
Leo
I don’t run.... I choose.
And this time, when Jack kissed him, it wasn’t rushed or desperate.
It was deliberate. Certain. Like the beginning of something that would last.
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