Ollie sat next to Dex, giving him a one-armed hug. “How was work?”
“Good, but I’m going to crash after dinner.”
Ollie’s smile was replaced with a sympathetic frown. “What?—”
“Oh, Satan, your nipples are pierced!”
Dex couldn’t have been more thankful for Harper’s shriek, which stole Ollie’s attention. Ollie gaped at Onyx. Dex hadn’t even noticed the piercings.
The demon rolled his eyes. “Yes, little mates. There are many things you don’t know about me.”
“It’s hot.” Harper cleared his throat. “Sorry, I’m staring.” He quickly grabbed a menu and averted his eyes.
Onyx grinned. “Don’t apologize for complimenting me. You think I didn’t see this reaction coming when I put on a sheer top?”
“True.” Harper shared Onyx’s smile, turning to Ollie and Dex. “Maybe I should get a piercing or two. Not my nipples, but maybe my ears. I could have bought earrings to go with this outfit. What a missed opportunity.”
“Give yourself time,” Ollie said to Harper as Onyx poured their wine. “There’s no rush to try everything at once.”
“You’re right. I’m lucky time’s on my side. Pole dancing is next level difficult. It’s going to take me ages to get any good.” Harper pouted.
Dex hadn’t realized Harper was into pole dancing. Good for him.
Onyx handed Harper a glass of wine. “Isn’t that the best part? Think how much fun you’ll have practicing.”
“I already know how much fun I’m going to have. Ash said… Never mind. What are we eating tonight?”
Onyx opened his menu. “The five-course tasting is a must. Unless you want to go for eight.”
“Eight courses?” Dex’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. “How much will that cost?”
“Don’t worry about that. I’m paying for you little m—I mean, young men.”
Harper snorted. “You can’t call us little mates now that Dex is here.”
“Maybe not, but I reserve the right to call you young, given I’m more than a hundred times older than you.”
Ollie choked on his wine. “When you put it that way, you sound ancient.”
Onyx put his nose in the air. “I am ancient.”
Should Dex bother asking about mates? Maybe it would come up enough that he’d finally get what the big deal was. “You don’t have to pay for me,” he told Onyx.
“Nonsense.” Onyx glared, his smile fittingly demonic. “I want to pay. This was my idea. I like sharing meals with these two, and I’m glad we can include you now.”
“But—” Dex began.
Onyx showed no sign of having heard him. “You wouldn’t prevent an old man from spending money on his friends when it makes him happy, would you?”
“I guess not.” But why did Onyx seem excited to includehim? He wasn’t a demon’s mate. He’d tagged along because of Ollie.
Dex wasn’t really part of this group. His heart clenched, and he swallowed the unexpected lump forming in his throat.
Luckily, Harper asked Onyx something about the menu, distracting him.
Dex turned to Ollie. “Onyx told me demons live forever. You forgot to mention that.”
Ollie blinked. “Oh. Yeah. I was getting there, I swear.”
