Dex was floating on a cloud of heavenly post-sex bliss. His body ached, his ass especially, but it was to be expected after Sloane finished pounding into him against the wall of the utility closet. Thanks to Bradley, Dex had his own personal key to the unused space in the quiet hall behind the bar. Now whenever he and Sloane visited Dekatria with the team, they could escape for some sexy-time. And a sexy time they’d had indeed.
Sloane set Dex back on his feet and pulled him close to nuzzle his temple, his lips brushing down his cheek, leaving kisses in their wake. “We should get back to your party,” Sloane suggested. He delivered another heated kiss before pulling back and helping Dex right his clothes. “Besides, I don’t want to leave Ash on his own for too long.”
Dex actually agreed. Ash was on leave, recovering from his gunshot wound. It had only been a few weeks, and he had a lot of recovery to do. Sloane had suggested his friend sit this one out, but Ash had been adamant. As of two weeks ago, Ash had been staying with Dex, sleeping on his sofa bed. Sloane refused to leave Ash on his own, and although the stubborn Therian tried to decline—complaining he didn’t need babysitting—Sloane put his foot down and refused to take no for an answer. Since Sloane spent most of his time at Dex’s anyway, and it was easier for Ash to move around in than Sloane’s apartment, Ash had reluctantly given in. Dex put the surrender down to Ash’s medication and need of recovery.
Sloane slipped out of the utility closet first, giving Dex the okay to follow. They carefully made their way back to the party where Dex had invited fewer people in order to have a more intimate get-together rather than a crazed drunk-fest. Bradley—the new owner of Bar Dekatria as of a week ago—was happy to offer Dekatria as a venue, and it was awesome.
There was music, food, drinks, karaoke, games, and folks dancing the Hustle while the disco ball above the dance floor leisurely spun, casting a blanket of glittering diamonds across the room. Rosa and Letty came running over to Dex and grabbed his hand, hauling him over to one of the tables where the biggest, most amazing pornographic cake ever was laid out. Dex doubled over laughing.
Before him was the biggest puckered ass he’d ever seen. It came complete with balls and cock. Across the ass in white squiggly frosting were the words “Happy Birthday, Dex! We know how much you love it.”
“You guys are fucking awesome.” Dex wriggled his eyebrows at Sloane and stuck his finger into the cake, defiling it while he made moaning noises. At least until Sloane shoved Dex’s face into it. Dex came up gasping and sputtering chocolate cake and frosting. He stared, stunned at his partner who was laughing his sexy little butt off. The sneaky bastard!
Dex grabbed a piece of cake and smushed it in Sloane’s face. Everyone laughed and teased Sloane, asking him if he enjoyed the taste of ass. Bradley brought them over some wet towels, and they cleaned themselves up. Sloane gave Dex a wink, and everyone broke out into a horrible rendition of “Happy Birthday.” Dex blew out the candles and everyone cheered. He couldn’t remember the last party he’d had where he’d been this happy or had this much fun. Everyone grabbed a piece of asscake, avoiding the actual ass where Dex’s face had been buried. After cake and more booze, everyone went off to the dance floor.
Dex had chosen a classic playlist with music from the seventies up to more modern tunes, which everyone seemed to be enjoying. Rosa and Letty were with their partners, and even Calvin and Hobbs were dancing. Well, Calvin was dancing, Hobbs was shyly moving along with him. Dex was glad to see Calvin smiling again. He didn’t know if they’d worked things out, but Calvin seemed content for now. Maybe he got tired of moping and missed his best friend. Dex had invited his dad, and after the horrified look left Tony’s face, his dad politely declined, saying he’d leave that sort of thing to the youngsters. Like he was old or something. It was just his way of excusing himself so he wouldn’t be there to see what god-awful situations his sons got themselves into. He made a compromise, stating he’d take Dex and Cael out for a family dinner over the weekend.
Over at one of the tables, Ash sat on his own looking miserable. Dex felt bad for the poor guy. He took a seat across from Ash who was nursing a vodka and lemonade without the vodka thanks to his heavy-duty painkillers. Sloane took a seat beside Dex. He looked concerned for his friend.
“Hey, big guy.” Dex smiled widely at Ash, receiving a grunt in return.
“Can’t you two be around each other five minutes without needing to hump like bunnies?”
Dex held back a smile. “‘Bunnies’ sounds weird coming out of your mouth.” Medicated Ash was more fun than un-medicated Ash. The guy had even had some cake. Of course, that had followed him telling Calvin to fuck off when Calvin asked him if he was going to sing along to “Happy Birthday.”
“Your ex was looking for you,” Ash grumbled before taking a sip of his lemonade.
“How is Lou?” Sloane asked Dex. “Did you tell him about Levi?”
“I told him enough,” Dex replied. He was still trying to come to terms with Levi’s betrayal. Although he could understand the reasons behind it, he stood by what he’d told Sloane. There were other ways. How many people would Levi have sacrificed to get his revenge? “Lou was shocked, but somehow I don’t think he was all that interested in Levi to begin with.”
Sloane looked surprised. “Really? He seemed interested at your party.”
“He was being friendly. And I think he found Levi kind of hot. But he had his eye on someone else the whole time.” Dex motioned over to the bar where Bradley was leaning against the outside of it, flirting and laughing with Lou. There was a lot of subtle touching going on, and the space between them appeared to be quickly evaporating.
“I think he was more interested in Bradley to be honest. He’s been asking me about him since that night he first showed up here.” Why Dex hadn’t realized was beyond him. Every time he’d spoken to Lou, Lou had asked if Dex had been to Dekatria. If he’d seen Bradley.
“Why didn’t he introduce himself then or ask you to introduce him?” Sloane watched the two at the bar with interest.
“Lou’s actually pretty shy when it comes to someone he likes. He told me it took him a month to gather up the nerve to ask me out. We’d been going to the same coffee shop and if he hadn’t said anything, I wouldn’t even have guessed he was interested in me. The guy never even made eye contact.”
“Wow.”
“I know. Bradley seems pretty smitten.”
A few minutes later, Bradley had one of his bartenders bring over a tray full of drinks with some snacks for Ash since he couldn’t partake in the alcohol goodness. Cael came bounding over, and Dex wondered how many drinks his little brother’d had. From his wide smile, glassy eyes, and flushed cheeks, Dex would say a lot. That worried him. Cael wasn’t one to get drunk. Charmingly tipsy, yes. But not drunk.
“Hey, big bro!” Cael threw his arms around Dex’s neck and gave him a squeeze. He looked over at the table and gasped. “Booze!” He grabbed one of Bradley’s foggy “specials” and downed it in one gulp before wheezing and coughing. “That was good.”
“Hey, trouble.” Dex watched his brother jump up and plop himself down on the edge of the table, his feet not reaching the floor. He swung his legs back and forth and grabbed another drink.
“Your party is awesome, Dex. Not that I ever doubted you.”
“I’m glad you’re having fun,” Dex r
eplied, his gaze going to Ash who was concentrating awfully hard on his lemonade.
“I am. I’ve been hanging out with Seb. The guy’s a fucking riot. And so hot!”