Luciano woke slowly, expecting the familiar warmth of Jax beside him—but the space was empty. A small ache tugged at his chest, but he pushed it down. He rose, moving quietly to the bathroom, letting the cool water on his face wake him fully. Today would be long—there were deals to close, contracts to finalize, and too many responsibilities piling up. Dressed sharply, he passed by Jax’s study, pausing at the doorway. The faint scent of his lover still lingered, and the sight of the quiet room made his chest tighten. Without a word, Luciano stepped inside. Before he could even think, Jax appeared from behind his desk, looking up with that calm, piercing gaze that could melt any resolve. Luciano didn’t hesitate. He crossed the space between them, wrapping his arms around Jax in a tight, li

