at a more leisurely pace, a broad smile on his face. The two disappeared backstage, and Jack made a mental note to stay away from the area. He had no intention of becoming a casualty of Joker and Gio’s war.
Jack turned back to Fitz with a smile. “So, I was thinking…”
“Thinking? You mean you’re not just a pretty face?” Fitz teased.
Jack laughed. He loved the easy way Fitz teased him, as if they’d been friends for years and were just shooting the shit. “I’ve been accused of lots of things, but being a pretty face has never been one of them.”
“Really?”
“Really. Why? You think I’m pretty?”
Fitz gave him a knowing look. “What were you thinking?”
“I was thinking that our date doesn’t have to be one night. I mean, we can start it now.”
“Oh? What did you have in mind?”
“How about a dance?” He motioned to the dance floor. The auction was over, and the music was back, the lights dimming. “Come on. It’ll be fun.”
“Okay.”
They reached the dance floor, and Jack turned to face Fitz as the upbeat tune switched to a slow love ballad. Fitz arched an eyebrow at him, and Jack shook his head. He held his hands up in front of him.
“Wasn’t me, I swear.” He let Fitz decide, his heart skipping a beat when Fitz stepped into his space and slipped an arm around Jack’s waist.
“I believe you. I blame Ace.”
“What makes you say that? Not that you’re wrong. We all blame Ace. He’s usually done something to warrant it.” Jack took hold of Fitz’s right hand in his before placing his free hand on Fitz’s waist.
“Because he’s standing next to the DJ and giving you a thumbs-up.”
“What?” Jack glanced over his shoulder and groaned. Ace’s grin stretched from ear to ear, two thumbs held up. “Are you kidding me?” He turned back to Fitz. “I’m sorry. He’s… well, he’s Ace.”
Fitz chuckled. “It’s cute.”
“With the wedding just a few months away, he’s got love on the brain.” Jack tried to ignore the heat that spread through him at having Fitz so close. The firmness of his body, his scent, the way the lighting softened his features, giving him an almost ethereal look.
“I still can’t believe he and Colton are getting married.”
“Why?”
“They’re so… different.”
“True. So are King and Leo, and Lucky and Mason, but their differences seem to work well together, complement each other.”
Fitz hummed. “You’re right.”
They swayed to the rhythm of the soothing ballad, and a few steps in, Fitz removed whatever little distance had been between them and laid his head on Jack’s shoulder. With a smile, Jack closed his eyes. He tentatively laid his head against Fitz’s but moved it when Fitz shifted. He thought Fitz was going to pull back, but instead he turned his head so he faced Jack’s neck instead of away. He snuggled close, and Jack laid his head back against Fitz’s. Having Fitz in his arms this close felt right, as if Fitz had always been there. Jack couldn’t explain it. His relationships had always started with some awkwardness. How soon was too soon for this or that? So much time was spent trying to figure out how they fit, but with Fitz there wasn’t any of that.
The song ended, and Jack reluctantly let Fitz go. The music changed to the fast and sensual beats of salsa. Jack held out a hand, and Fitz’s eyes lit up.
“Hey now. What’s this? You salsa dance?”
“Ace and Colton have us taking dance lessons for the wedding.” Jack shrugged. “I’m a quick learner.”
“That so?” Fitz accepted his hand. “Let’s see just how quick you are.”
“Ooh, that sounds like a challenge, Mr. Harlow.”
Fitz hummed as he stepped close. “I like the way you say my name. Just for that, I’ll let you lead.”
“I appreciate that.”
“Try and keep up.” Fitz turned and positioned himself with his back pressed to Jack’s front.
Fitz’s moves were sinful, but Jack wasn’t surprised. Fitz had a long, lean dancer’s body, all sleek and fluid motion. Jack was faintly aware of the men around them stopping to watch them, but his focus was solely on Fitz and keeping up with his steps. He twirled Fitz away from him and turned so they were dancing side by side, hips moving, their feet seeming to speed up with every strike of the bongos and blow of the horns. Jack had gotten more of a workout during the weeks of salsa lessons than he ever had at the gym. His legs muscles hadn’t hurt