Damn him, Dex almost smiled. He hopped off his stool and swayed.Shiiiit. Luc caught him with an arm around his waist, and Dex grabbed onto Luc’s sweater.
“Steady there.”
Dex’s head spun, and he tangled his fingers in the fabric.So soft. He buried his face against Luc’s chest, rubbing his cheek over what had to be a cloud.
The spinning sensation ceased. Luc smelled like a campfire on a cold, clear night. Rich, smoky, and bright. Goosebumps broke out on Dex’s skin as memories of childhood trips to the woods with his parents overwhelmed him. He could almost taste roasted marshmallows and feel the heat of the fire. His chest expanded as the sweet sting of happiness filled him.
Dex breathed Luc in, and the sting faded to something as soft as Luc’s sweater. Comfort. Like Dex was living in hismemory. Transported to a place he longed to be more than any other.
A hand came to rest on the back of his head. “Dex,” Luc murmured.
He didn’t want to go. He was home. “I need you,” he said into Luc’s chest.
Luc’s breath caught, and the hand teasing Dex’s hair stilled. “We should talk. I’ll get you something to eat, and we can go to my place. All right?”
Dex disentangled from the sweater, realizing he had both arms wrapped around Luc’s waist in a vice grip.
“Come on.” Luc pulled one of Dex’s arms out so he could slip his around him, guiding him away from the table.
The bar blurred around Dex. “I want to wear your sweater. It’s soft.”
Luc chuckled. “You can borrow it.”
He led Dex outside, pausing to say something as they headed out the door. Dex didn’t catch it, but he didn’t think Luc was talking to him. A moment later, Luc said, “You aren’t going to be walking far, are you?”
“No, carry me.” Dex buried his face in Luc’s chest once more.
That last drink had hit hard, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. Everything was easy right now. Luc was here, and he didn’t have to worry. Ollie told him it was okay.
Luc’s hand returned to the top of Dex’s head. “I can carry you, or we can get a car.”
“Can’t you decide? Can’t you just…” Dex couldn’t find the words.
The pause stretched, and Luc’s arms seemed to tighten around him. “I’ll take care of you. Don’t worry. But answer one thing for me. Would you like me to fly you to my place, or willthat scare you?”
Dex considered lifting his head, but rejected the idea. He breathed in more of Luc’s smoky scent. “Fly me.”
“Okay. Come on. A little farther.”
Luc guided Dex away from Dorthy’s, and he didn’t bother paying attention to where they were going. He felt safe in Luc’s arms, which had to be due to the alcohol.
This man had almost killed Ollie. He wasthe Devil. Not to be trusted. Dex might not understand everything happening with the demons and Ollie’s cryptic encouragement, but he didn’t need to. He was being reckless and didn’t care.
Something cold pressed against Dex’s back, and he yelped, opening his eyes. When had he closed them?
He and Luc were in an alleyway, and Luc had him pressed against a wall.
Luc pulled his sweater over his head, and Dex’s thoughts ground to a halt. Luc loomed over him, bare-chested, his hair disheveled, and Dex’s insides melted.
A shiver wound down Dex’s spine. “Are you going to fuck me?”
“No.” Luc’s red lips twisted into a smile, and he handed Dex the sweater. “Put this on. You wanted to borrow it.”
“Oh.” Dex tried not to pout. Not very hard. He’d rather Luc fuck him than dress him.
“Don’t be sad, Dex. You’re too intoxicated to consent. But that doesn’t mean I don’t desire you. You’re beautiful and deserve better than being penetrated against a wall in a dank alleyway.”
Heat bloomed in Dex’s cheeks, and he pulled the sweater on, getting caught momentarily, and glaring when his head finally emerged. “There’s nothing wrong with wanting quick and dirty. There’s nothing wrong with what I want.”
