I’ll be there soon.
A tightness released from Dex’s chest. He didn’t see how Ollie could support this, but knowing Luc was on his way felt better than anything had in weeks.
Figuring out what was happening was one reason to see Luc. The easy reason. The other was harder to face.
Dex burned for the closeness he felt during their date. Something about their connection was calling out to him, even after all this time.
It was ridiculous. No matter what Ollie said, Dex shouldn’t want Luc like this.
He wouldn’t act on it. All he’d do was hear Luc out. Then leave. That way, he could move on from this and date literally anyone other than the Devil.
Mind made up, Ollie ordered another drink and emailed his realtor, saying he wanted to make an offer on the condo across the river. He wasn’t letting Luc ruin a good property for him.
“Dex, I’m so glad you messaged me.”
Dex whirled around at the sound of Luc’s melodic voice, and there he was in slacks and a dark-gray sweater that seemed unnecessarily cozy for a summer night. Maybe demons couldn’t feel the heat.
A flash of Luc with his horns and wings crossed Dex’s mind, and his heart skipped. He looked so normal now. Well, maybe not normal. Luc still looked like a model, and towered over Dex even more than he remembered.
“May I sit?” Luc gestured to the stool opposite him.
“No, stand there.” Dex had no idea why he said it. What an asshole move.
“All right.” Luc leaned an elbow against the high table, angling toward Dex. “Are you comfortable being around me without your friends?”
Dex swallowed, mouth dry, and had a long sip of his drink. He was comfortable. He couldn’t seem to help it, even if he shouldn’t be.
Eventually, he nodded, stifling a hiccup.
Luc’s gaze zeroed in on the beer. “Have you had a few?”
“Maybe,” Dex muttered, taking another sip out of spite. “Is the Devil going to judge me?”
“No, but your state of mind is important.”
Dex snorted and had another sip. “God forbid you take advantage.”
Luc pushed off the table and crowded Dex’s personal space. “I’d never take advantage of you.”
“No? You’d only kiss me, knowing you almost killed my best friend.” Fuck. Dex’s vision blurred. Maybe he was too drunk for this. He should have had dinner or at least some water.
“I didn’t realize Ollie was your best friend. I’d have done everything differently if I’d known.” Luc’s voice was low and harsh, his gaze intense. Dex swore he caught a flicker of red within his brown irises.
“Why does Ollie suddenly believe you? He said you weren’t going to hurt me, but the other day, he was terrified. I don’t understand.” Dex turned away and finished his drink as if that mighthelp.
It didn’t.
Luc was too close, and Dex didn’t hate it.
Luc took the empty glass and set it aside. “There’s a great deal of history to fill you in on before any of this will make sense. Dante, Ash, and Onyx’s belief that I wouldn’t hurt you is rooted in our shared past and a new understanding of how I acted over the years, something their mates understand.”
“Can everyone shut the fuck up about mates?” Dex jabbed a finger at Luc’s chest. “That’s another thing that makes no sense. Explain it to me. Now.”
Luc grabbed Dex’s hand, surprisingly gentle. “We can’t do this here.”
Dex glanced around, suddenly aware of how loud he’d been. “Take me back to your place then. I hate being home. Anywhere would be better, even if you have some sort of creepy evil lair.”
Luc’s gaze remained stern, but his lips twitched. “I don’t have an evil lair. Sorry to disappoint.”
