“I didn’t think you’d be up to anything that warranted a knock.”
Jesse ignored him, not interested in seeing Peter’s face, but his reflection appeared in the glass regardless. Their eyes met, and Jesse saw the moment that understanding dawned.
“Ahh. The human’s got you all in a tizz.” Peter came to stand beside him, arm brushing Jesse’s, making him want to shy away, but he held his ground. “Things not going as planned?” He didn’t try to hide the amusement in his voice; then he mock gasped, bringing his hand to his mouth. “You’ve not bitten him, have you?”
“No, I’ve not fucking bitten him.”
“Good, because that wouldn’t go down well with our illustrious leader. Can’t have his Golden Boy breaking the rules. Especially not with our littleinspectiontonight.” His nose scrunched up as he said the word and Jesse wanted to lash out, but he refused to give Peter the satisfaction of getting a rise out of him.
“I’m not seeing him anymore, so it’s a non-issue.” As soon as the words left his mouth, Jesse wanted to suck them back in.
Peter’s shoulders straightened, and his eyebrows rose. “Oh?” He moved a little closer, his front almost flush to Jesse’s back, but not quite touching. “Do tell.”
There was a time when he would’ve leaned back into his embrace, yearning for the feel of Peter’s arms around him, his mouth on his neck... But that was before. Now it was all he could do not to turn around and throw him across the room. Knowing Peter as he did, he’d probably enjoy it.
“There’s nothing to tell.” Jesse kept his tone light. Peter didn’t need to know how much he wanted to take it back, to be looking forward to meeting Ian at the bar this weekend and going home with him again. He shrugged a shoulder. “I fucked him. And now it’s over.”
“Oh Jesse,” Peter crooned softly. “You can’t lie to me.” He trailed a finger down Jesse’s spine, the touch firm against his skin.
Jesse flinched. “Don’t touch me.”
Peter ignored him, leaning in so his cool breath ghosted over the back of Jesse’s neck when he spoke. “I know what it’s like to get a little... fixated.”
“I’m not fixated.” Was he? He spun around, knocking Peter’s hand away and forcing him to take a step back. “Now get the fuck out of my room.” He met Peter’s gaze as he spat the words, and something in his eyes made Jesse stop and stare into them.
“Come on, Jesse,” Peter whispered, his voice far softer than it had been a minute ago. It soothed Jesse’s anger and he felt himself relax, tension bleeding away. “You can tell me.” He took a small step closer, eyes never leaving Jesse’s. “We used to be so close, you and I. We can be that way ag—”
“Jesse, I need—” Lys burst into the room. “What the fuck’s going on here?”
Peter took a leisurely step back, his smile not quite meeting his eyes as he turned to face Lys. “Nothing. I was just checking Jesse was all right after his split with the human. I know how they can get under your skin.” Lys’s eyebrows rose to her hairline, and she glanced between them, gaze settling on Jesse.
He gave a short shake of his head.
Not missing a beat, she gestured to the open door behind her. “A few of the others were looking for you downstairs, Peter.”
“Ahh. Duty calls.” Flashing Jesse a wicked smile, he gave his shoulder a squeeze. “You know where I am if you need someone to help take your mind off things.”
And then he was gone.
Lys rushed to shut the door behind him, giving an exaggerated shudder as she walked back to Jesse. “He’s creepy as fuck sometimes.”
“Hmm.” Jesse shook himself, trying to clear his head.
“What’s up with you?” She poked him in the chest. “And what was he doing in here?”
“I’m not sure what he came in for, but he was going on about Ian. I stupidly told him it was over, and he was...” He waved his hand about, unable to find the words to describe it.
“Oh yeah, I bet he was over the moon. No wonder he was all up in your face.” She cocked her head to the side, studying him. “Why didn’t you tell him to fuck off? You usually do.”
“I know. It was weird. I think... I think he tried to do that mind thing that Raph did the other day, maybe.”
“Fuck, really?” Lys glanced uneasily at the door. “Arse. That’s all we need. Peter roaming around brainwashing people. Did it work?”
“I’m not sure.” Jesse frowned, trying to remember how it felt and put it into words. “It was different to what Raph did. I mean I still hated him, still wanted to snap his neck—”
Lys snorted. “That’s a relief.”
“But it was like the thoughts were slow to form... I don’t know. It was weird.” He leant back against the window.
