Page 51 of Push My Buttons
"We can do slow," Theo agrees, then adds with a grin that doesn't quite hide his sincerity, "Reluctantly, but we can."
Their consideration touches me deeply. These men have seen me at my most vulnerable—physically and emotionally—and they're still here, still giving me space to decide what happens next.
"It's not that,"I sign, my movements deliberate and slow so they can follow."I do want you with me."
I pause, gathering my courage for what comes next.
Theo’s brow furrows, and I catch the slight hesitation in his eyes—the moment where he’s still piecing together the meaning. He’s been trying, I know, but he’s only just learning. Before the silence can stretch, Jace quietly murmurs the words I’ve signed, his voice low enough for only Theo to hear. Theo’s gaze warms with understanding, and something unspoken passes between them—an easy, automatic agreement to bridge the gap together.
"We have a lot to talk about,"I continue signing.
They exchange glances, then nod in unison.
"Whatever you want to tell us, we're ready to listen," Jace says, visible relief in his expression.
"Absolutely," Theo agrees. "I think we've established we're pretty good at working together."
I can't help the small smile that tugs at my lips."I've been staying at a hotel,"I sign, watching their reactions carefully.
Theo's eyebrow shoots up in surprise, while Jace's forehead creases with concern.
"A hotel?" Jace repeats. "Why not your apartment?"
I shake my head slightly."It's a long story,"I sign."I'd rather explain in private."
"Of course," Jace says immediately, already reaching for his clothes.
Theo follows suit, pulling on his jeans and shirt. "Hotel it is," he says, his usual playfulness tempered by what I think might be worry.
I duck into the bathroom to change, catching sight of myself in the mirror as I slip out of the robe. My skin bears the faint marks of their attention—a slight redness where Theo's stubble scraped against my neck, the ghost of Jace's fingers on my hips. The sight sends another pulse of heat through me, but it's quickly replaced by anxiety about what comes next.
When I return to the room, they're both dressed and waiting. There's an unspoken question hanging in the air between us, but neither pushes for answers yet. They're giving me space, letting me set the pace.
I appreciate it more than I can express.
We gather our things and leave the building, the three of us walking in companionable silence toward the exit. As we walk, I feel the weight of the conversation to come settling on my shoulders. I'm about to invite these men into the darkest corners of my life—share secrets I've kept buried for a long time with the exception of Maya.
I find myself walking between them, their solid presence on either side of me both comforting and overwhelming.
I'm not sure if I'm making the right decision bringing them deeper into my complicated life. But after tonight, after the masks have literally come off, I don't think I could bear to put them back on again. Not with Jace and Theo.
For better or worse, I've chosen to trust them. Now I just have to hope that trust isn't misplaced when they learn the whole truth about who I really am.
Outside, the night air is crisp against my skin. I wrap my arms around myself, suddenly feeling the chill after the warmth of our bodies pressed together.
"Let me get us a cab," Jace says firmly, already pulling out his phone. "It's too late for you to be taking public transportation."
I start to protest—I've been managing on my own for months—but Theo shakes his head.
"For once, I'm with the Boy Scout here," he says, his hand finding the small of my back. "Let us take care of this one thing, okay?"
The gentleness in his tone disarms me. I nod, relenting.
Jace's fingers move quickly across his screen. "There. Car will be here in three minutes."
We wait in comfortable silence, standing close enough that our shoulders brush. The tension between us has shifted from sexual to something deeper, more intimate—the quiet anticipation of truths about to be revealed.
The cab arrives exactly when promised. Jace opens the door for me, his hand steady at my elbow as I slide in. They follow, one on either side, their warmth flanking me like protective walls.
