Page 57 of Edge of Control

“Me too,” I admitted. “Between murder investigations and… whatever it is you’re juggling, a night of mindless fun sounds like paradise.”

He let out a breath, some tension in his shoulders loosening. “It’s a deal then. Let’s plan it.” He paused, eyes roaming the rooftops like he was trying to store this memory, lock it away for darker days. “If I vanish for a bit, though, don’t freak. I might have to… handle things.”

I swallowed, mind conjuring up all sorts of scenarios. “Just keep in touch. I might be a detective, but I don’t want to go sniffing after you if I don’t have to.” It came out lighter than I felt.

Truth was, I would flip the entire city to find him if something went wrong.

He gave a solemn nod. “Deal.” Then, like he couldn’t bear the weight of that seriousness, he held up his beer in a small toast. I tapped my can to his again.

“You cold?” he asked, noticing the slight shiver I tried to conceal.

“A little,” I admitted. The night air was crisp.

He peeled off his hoodie and handed it over without a second thought. “Here. I run warm.”

I didn’t bother refusing. Slipping it on felt like a hug from him—a comforting, subtle closeness that made my cheeks heat. Smelled like him, too. Like pine and leather. Sexy. “Thanks,” I said, voice quieter than usual.

We both looked out again, the city lights glowing, a million stories intertwining below. Even from here, I could see headlights creeping along jammed roads. Such small movements that amounted to an endless swirl of life.

“You sure you’re okay with heights?” I asked again, half-joking.

He snorted softly. “I’m not about to jump, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

I flinched at the dark humor. “I just… want to make sure you’re good.”

Theo’s gaze met mine. Loaded, heavy. “I’m good,” he said. “Here, with you, at least.”

And that. That shit stripped me bare. I managed to smile, hooking a finger lightly with his. The simplest contact. He let it happen, squeezed back gently, and let go.

“Someday,” I murmured, “we’ll do this in a more normal way. Maybe we’ll find a rooftop bar that actually allows us up there, no danger of security chasing us off.”

He huffed a laugh. “Now where’s the thrill in that?”

I couldn’t help but grin. “True. Guess we’re both drawn to the edge.”

The wind picked up, swirling behind us, rattling the door we came through. Storm clouds loomed, turning the horizon black and hazy. The hush felt final, like the city giving us permission to call it a night.

“I should probably get going,” I said eventually, draining the last of my fruity IPA. “Still got case notes to flip through before tomorrow. Lucky me.”

Theo’s fingers brushed my arm lightly. “Thanks,” he said again, “for coming up here with me.”

“Anytime.” I shrugged. “You need me, you’ve got my number.”

He dipped his head in acknowledgement, eyes saying more than his voice ever would. It was almost odd experiencing him out here, away from Chained, away from that sexually loaded environment.

Odd and thrilling and intoxicating. Same way I felt when he rescued me from that terrible Tinder date.

Theo was a rush of pleasure and passion even when he simply stood next to me.

Fuck. I was really falling for this man…

We started back toward the metal door, leaving behind the hum of the rooftop. The moment we were inside and descending the stairwell, it felt like the world closed in again—narrow walls, the whiff of stale air. My phone buzzed in my pocket, probably a reminder about the Stonewall dinner in a day or two. I ignored it for now.

At the hallway leading to his apartment, we paused. I felt the quiet tension, the weight of what wasn’t said. All the secrets he kept, all the details I never asked. But maybe that was okay. Maybe we were building trust one step at a time.

I took of his sweater and handed it back to him before reaching out and touching his arm. “Take care of yourself, Theo.”

He nodded, mouth forming a small, grateful line. “You too, Jace.”

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