Dex shrugged. “I’ve got dinner with friends. How about you?” It was polite to return the questions, but fuck, maybe he sounded too interested.
He wasn’t. Holt was hot, but not for Dex.
Holt’s expression shifted, giving him an air of unexpected intensity that might have had Dex blushing under different circumstances. “I need to let loose. Heard there’s a new club in the Docks that’s having a leather night.”
Well. Dex tried not to imagine it… Holt’s glasses, those arms bare, and leather. Fuck. How was he supposed to respond?
Holt chuckled. “Hey, if it’s not your thing, don’t worry. I guess I won’t be seeing you there.”
Dex’s face heated. “I know the place you’re talking about. My cousin DJs there. But, I, uh… I’m kind of seeing someone.”
“Oh.” Holt’s brows rose, and he ran a hand through his salt-and-pepper hair. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay. Wait, were you even asking?” Fuck this was awkward. Holt hadn’t actually invited Dex to go with him.
Holt seemed to relax, his easy smile returning. “I was testing the waters. But it’s all good. Maybe I’ll see you and yoursomeonearound.” He lifted his coffee in acknowledgement and turned to go.
Dex’s shoulders relaxed. Somewhere along the way, they’d crept toward his ears.
Had Holt purposely come in later so he could catch Dex when he wasn’t busy? He must have. It was the first time Dex had seen him outside the morning rush. Justine had been right about him after all.
She appeared at his side. “Um, what? Since when are you seeing someone?”
Dex’s tension returned. “It’s new.”
“I’ll say. You never date exclusively.”
Dex gave her a pointed look. “I never date. Period.”
“But that’s what you’re doing? You have a boyfriend?”
Dex had no idea. He and Luc hadn’t talked about it. Could you call it dating when someone admitted they’d fantasized about ensnaring you with magic, only to hold back because you had towantto let them give you everything?
“Maybe. While I figure it out, I’m not interested in anyone else.”
Justine squeezed his arm, her smile nothing but encouraging. “That’s awesome. He better come in so I can meet him.”
Dex needed to figure out what was going on before that happened, so he made a noncommittal sound.
The café was in a slow patch, so Dex restocked the milk fridge and cleared a few tables. More customers came in, and at the next lull, Justine went on her break, leaving Dex to stamp pastry boxes with the Seaside Coffee logo as he waited for his turn.
“Hello, Dex,” a familiar voice called.
He spun around, finding Onyx and a man Dex vaguely remembered being introduced as his mate, Nico, approaching the counter. “Hey, what are you guys doing here?”
“We’re finally allowed on the premises now that you know all our secrets.” Onyx grinned mischievously, and Nico shook his head in loving exasperation. Onyx slunk closer, whispering, “Ollie wouldn’t let me or my brothers visit. He didn’t want to drag you into anything.”
Dex laughed, his insides churning. He’d been dragged into their midst, all right. Even if Ollie hadn’t told him about magic, he still would have met Luc. Almost like it was fate.
Fate. Dex couldn’t get the notion out of his head. His palms prickled, breaking out in a sweat as they always seemed to when his mind wandered this week.
Had fate brought Luc into his life?
Luc openly admitted that he wanted to keep Dex. Care for him. He said he’d seen Dex for the first time and had an urge to possess him, and ever since, he’d behaved as if it was vital for Dex to see who he really was.
It was intense, but it wasn’t an act. None of it had been. Luc had been truthful, just as he’d claimed the day they’d met. And once Dex finally understood the gravity of mates, nothing else seemed to fit.
Was he Lucifer’s fated mate?
