Dex couldn’t lose his chance to see his parents. He had to move on and live his life, deal with his grief, and not let it rule his whole world, but he wanted to share it all with them one day. He loved his mom and dad, and no matter how much he might love someone else, it would never cancel out his love for them.
Dex needed both.
But if he belonged to Luc, how could he have it all?
He made Nico’s espresso, and thankfully, Nico seemed done reaching out, or whatever he’d been trying to do.
“Thanks, Dex.” Nico sighed into his coffee as if the caffeine gave him strength.
“You better not complain that you’re tired,” Onyx said as he rejoined them, setting two mugs and a serving bowl on the counter. “I’ll take these, but I was wondering what else you make. I assume there’s more than what’s on display?”
“Yeah. I’ve got a studio full of stuff. I’m starting an online shop.”
Onyx’s face lit up. “That’s awesome. Ollie hasn’t mentioned it.”
“I haven’t told Ollie.” Dex quickly rang up the items. “Iwanted to get it going first. See how it went. I’m not the best with promoting my work.”
He stopped short of voicing his worry that no one would buy his pottery, thank god. No need to look completely incompetent in front of Onyx.
“I can help you with promotion ideas,” Onyx offered without hesitation. “An online store can help you get your stock into more brick-and-mortar shops, too. You could have wholesale information listed, or a note to contact you for large orders.”
“That’s a great idea.”
Onyx paid for the items, and Dex wrapped them in paper. The demon checked his phone. “You better be free on Saturday night.”
“I am.” Dex had lied to Holt about dinner with friends, hoping something would materialize.
“Good. I’ll text the group. We’re starting the nightlife section of the tour. Harper is going to have a field day.”
“I might even be allowed to tag along,” Nico added.
Onyx stuck his nose in the air. “If you’re lucky. Don’t forget you can text the group, too, Dex. Anytime.”
“I know.” He playfully rolled his eyes. Why were they being like this? It wasn’t as if he didn’t know how to socialize. “I get it, I’m one of you now.”
Onyx’s haughty air evaporated. “You are. See you Saturday.”
But was Dex truly one of them? Could he ever be if he didn’t bond with Luc?
16
LUCIFER
Luc waited for Onyx in the main showroom of Gallery Four, feeling antsy.
He should have said something about seeing each other again before Dex left the loft, but Luc hadn’t wanted to push. Now that it had been a few days, Luc worried he’d misread Dex’s departing mood. He’d been quiet, and Luc had told himself to give him time to think.
What if he had been waiting for Luc to initiate more?
Luc was obsessing like only an unmated demon could.
Every one of his senses urged him to seek out Dex. When you’d lived countless lifetimes and disregarded one of the ultimate rules to fall to Earth and find your mate, it wasn’t unbalanced to make your mate the center of your world. But Luc was committed to acting at least a little bit human.
He unlocked his phone, opened his message thread with Dex, and sent a text.
Luc:
Hi. How’s work this week? I’ve been thinking about you.
