back and laughed. His heart swelled with how much he loved this man. Sloane pulled Dex’s chair out for him, and Dex couldn’t help his blush. He chuckled when Sloane tipped Dex’s chair back so he could bend his head down and kiss Dex. Returning the chair to the floor, Sloane left to get dinner while Dex sat admiring him, taking in the strong set of his shoulders, his muscular arms and legs, the tapered waist. There was a little more silver in his beard and hair since they’d met, but Dex found it sexy. His movements were sleek, catlike, and when he walked toward Dex as if he were stalking him, his amber eyes glowing, Dex all but melted in his chair.
After Sloane brought the food, Dex ate his weight in fried chicken. By the end of the meal, there was nothing left except the pecan pie. They both eyed it.
“What do you think?” Sloane asked, patting his full belly.
Dex let out a snort. “Amateur.”
He pulled the pecan pie toward him and cut a generous slice before adding a big dollop of whipped cream. Sloane stared at him.
“I just realized you ate as much as I did. How is that possible?”
Dex shrugged. “I’ve always eaten a lot. Besides, you make me work it off almost every day.”
“Both very true statements, but you’ve never eaten the same amount of food I have. My Therian metabolism burns through the calories quicker. It requires more. Despite being a Human with a healthy appetite, eating a Therian-sized meal and then having room for dessert….” Sloane worried his bottom lip with his teeth, “Babe, that’s not biologically sound. Not without you feeling sick.”
Dex looked down at his pie. He had eaten more than usual. “Do you think it has something to do with the seizures?”
“To be honest, I’m not sure what to think. It’s been like this for a few weeks now. We need to figure out what’s going on. Your eating has changed, but you don’t seem to be putting on any weight, which means you’re burning through the calories. It’s the only explanation.”
Dex pursed his lips thoughtfully. “So… does that mean I can have a second slice of pie? I feel like I may need a second slice.”
“Need?” Sloane asked, looking amused as he got up to clear the plates. “Do you really need the pie, or do you just want the pie?”
Dex looked up at him innocently. “I think I need it. I need the pie, Sloane.”
“Then have the pie,” Sloane said with a chuckle.
“I love you,” Dex said before stuffing his face with yummy, gooey pecan pie. Oh my God, it was so good.
“I love you too.”
Sloane cleaned up and filled the dishwasher as Dex ended up eating half the pie. He could have gone for another slice but decided not to be so greedy and leave some for tomorrow. By the time he was done eating, Sloane had cleaned everything up. It was the perfect night. Sloane, tasty food, and the two of them curled up on the couch together watching TV. Sloane lay across the couch like he always did, his head on Dex’s lap. Dex had his legs crossed at the ankles and propped up on the coffee table. He ran his fingers through Sloane’s hair, a smile stretching from ear to ear as Sloane purred. It was only on exhale, just like when he purred in his Therian form. Sloane was embarrassed by it, but Dex thought it was the most adorable thing in the world.
“I’m doing it again, aren’t I?” Sloane murmured sleepily.
“Yep.” Dex continued to run his fingers through Sloane’s hair before moving them down to rub his earlobe. The purring intensified, and Dex tried his hardest not to laugh at Sloane’s pout.
“I can’t be the only one this happens to,” Sloane grumbled.
“Well, hard for you to find out when you refuse to tell anyone about it.”
“I can’t.” Sloane opened his eyes and gazed up at him. “I mean, I’m purring. In Human form. That’s like… puppies peeing when they get excited. They can’t help it. I should be able to control this.”
“What is it with you and Ash and puppies peeing? I’m not an excitable puppy.”
He supposed there were worse things Ash could compare him to than a puppy. Sloane arched an eyebrow at him, and Dex rolled his eyes.
“Okay, so I can be excitable. Anyway, why would you want to control it? You can’t help it because your feral half feels as content as you do. Why fight it? I think it’s sweet, and to be honest, it kinda strokes my ego a bit.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. I can make you purr in Human form. It must mean you really love me.”
Dex wriggled his eyebrows, making Sloane chuckle. He turned onto his side and nuzzled his face against Dex’s stomach.
“If my purring affirms that I really love you, then I guess I can live with it.”
Dex let out a massive yawn and stretched under Sloane. “I think I’m ready to turn in.”