Dex laughed. “Yeah, I love coffee as much as the next person. I’ve been at the same coffee shop for years andwouldn’t want to work anywhere else. The team is great, and it’s the perfect job to give me time to do my pottery.”
Luc leaned closer, repositioning his legs so his knees bracketed Dex’s but didn’t touch. “Pottery?”
Dex shifted slightly, resting a knee against Luc’s inner thigh. The touch sparked and smoldered. Dex didn’t pull away. “I make pottery and sell some of my pieces at work. Mugs and bowls and things. I’m opening an online shop.”
So, Dex and the red mug were connected. Luc hated himself for breaking it, but even that couldn’t bring him down while Dex’s knee pressed against him. “I love that. Handmade items are precious. Do you have pictures of your work?”
Dex’s eyes widened a fraction. “I can show you my website. I haven’t promoted it yet, so no one’s really seen it.”
“I’d be the first?” Luc could have purred.
“Pretty much.” Dex grabbed his phone and unlocked it. As he clicked around on the device, he rested his other hand on Luc’s knee, leaning in to show him the screen. As if he’d suddenly remembered himself, Dex stiffened. “Sorry.” He snatched his hand back.
Luc’s lips twitched. “You have my permission to touch me.”
Dex cleared his throat, a slight flush bringing a rosy undertone to his soft brown cheeks. He refocused on the phone and his hand returned to Luc’s knee, his touch delicate. “This is my site. I’ve only got a few items listed so far. Mugs are always popular at Seaside Coffee, so I’m hoping they will be online too.”
Luc could hardly concentrate on Dex’s words. Another man’s touch had never been this captivating, never called for more the way Dex’s did. “I like the mugs. The earthy colors you’ve chosen are striking.”
Dex chuckled softly. “Thanks.”
“Show me the other items?”
Dex clicked the back button and brought up a bowl, scrolling through the different glazes, his other hand unmoving on Luc’s knee.
Did he feel the tug between them as acutely as Luc? Dex’s touch filled Luc up, proving he wasn’t an empty shell after all. Perhaps he could show Dex who he was without words. They could connect in the most pure sense.
Luc leaned closer. “Can I touch you?”
Dex’s gaze snapped from the phone to him. “Yeah.”
Luc snaked an arm around Dex’s shoulders, and Dex’s breath stuttered. He squeezed Luc’s knee before sliding his hand higher.
Luc swallowed a growl. His little mate was forward. Luc loved that. Not shy in the face of their connection. Dex must feel it too, even if he had no clue what it was.
Dex set the phone on the bar, his lashes fluttering as his fingers stroked Luc’s inner thigh. He angled his face ever so slightly upward as if he couldn’t help being a little needy.
Luc’s voice dropped low. “You have gorgeous lips.”
Dex’s breath caught. “Kiss me?”
Pulling Dex in, Luc slid him off his stool and nestled him between his thighs. After the briefest pause, he covered Dex’s lips with his.
Stubble scratched Luc’s cheeks. Dex didn’t hesitate, meeting Luc motion for motion. He fell into it, licking Dex’s sweet lips, the hint of sour from his beer sharpening his senses.
Dex smelled earthy and rich. Luc breathed deep, then plunged his tongue into Dex’s mouth. Dex’s fingers stroked his thigh, not quite high enough to brush Luc’s growing arousal, and his other hand settled on Luc’s hip.
Luc tangled his fingers in Dex’s short, thick hair, deepening the kiss. He should hoist Dex onto the bar and make a meal of him, show him what the Devil’s wicked lips couldreally do, then claim him in front of any humans who dared look at them.
My mate. Mine.
Dex pulled back, his lips wet and swollen, gray eyes dark with lust. “Who needs small talk when you can kiss like that?”
Luc let out the ghost of a laugh. “I can be a charmer when I want to be, but it’s refreshing to be real.”
Dex dragged his teeth over his bottom lip. “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone quite like you.”
“Oh?” Pride expanded in Luc’s chest. “I’d say you’re right about that, and I know for a fact that I’ve never met anyone like you, Dex.”
