Chapter 15 Dex
DEX
Dex set a latte and an iced tea on the counter where Holt was waiting. “Here you go.”
“Thanks.” He grabbed the drinks and lingered.
Did he have something to say? It wasn’t busy enough for Dex to pretend not to notice.
Their eyes locked over the espresso machine.
“I know it’s only Wednesday, but do you have anything exciting going on this weekend?” Holt asked.
A not-so-stifled squeal came from over by the pastry display. Damn Justine.
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 your someone around.” 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 to want to 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?
He swallowed the question, as he’d been doing for days, but it was getting harder to ignore, especially with a demon and his mate right in front of him. “What can I get you now that you’re here at last?”
“No drinks for me. I’m here to check out your mugs.” Onyx craned his neck, looking around.
A flutter of anticipation surged through Dex. “My stuff is on display over there.” He pointed toward the side of the room where his homewares were set out next to bags of coffee, boxes of tea, and other items for sale.
“Perfect.” Onyx sauntered over, pausing along the way to inspect the paintings on the wall.
“Can I get you anything?” Dex asked Nico, who’d stayed behind.
“An espresso would hit the spot.” Nico moved toward the register, a disproportionately fatherly air of concern coming over him. “How are you, Dex?”
He rang up the drink. “I’m good.”
“No, really.” Nico handed over his card, studying Dex a little too closely. “You’ve learned a great deal in a short time, and despite Ollie’s efforts, your introduction to our world wasn’t all that smooth.”
Dex swallowed. “I’ve talked to Ollie. He said what happened when he found me with Luc was an overreaction.”
Dex had a much better understanding of what drove Luc to hurt Ollie, but struggled to see how Ollie could forgive him. Even believing it was fated for Luc to be brought back into the fold didn’t explain it. Why was Ollie willing to believe that? He hadn’t seen the kind side of Luc that Dex had.
Nico folded his arms across his chest. “We were wrong about what Luc was doing with you, but many of the facts remain unrefuted. If you need advice or to talk, I’m always here.”
Dex ran Nico’s card, trying not to reveal his confusion. He didn’t even know Nico. “Thanks, man.”
“I mean it. If you need help dealing with anything, I’ll be there.”
Dex handed the card back, a sense of dread sneaking up on him. “Do you know something I don’t?”
He couldn’t take any more surprises. It was bad enough wondering if he was Luc’s mate.
Nico’s smile lost the serious edge. “No, it’s nothing like that. I’ve made the same offer to Harper and Ollie.”
“Why?” Was it because he was a mate too?
Dex’s pulse jumped into his throat. All this damn worrying wasn’t good for his blood pressure. He had to calm down.
“You’re at a disadvantage when dealing with powerful beings. I don’t want you feeling intimidated.”
“Thanks, but you’re one of those beings.” Dex dropped his voice to a whisper. “You could trick me with magic as easily as any of them.”
Nico seemed startled.
“Not that I’m accusing you,” Dex hurried to add. He didn’t actually think anyone, demon or witch, was tricking him with magic anymore.
“I know you’re not accusing me, but I hadn’t considered it that way.”
“I still appreciate the offer.” If they got to know each other better, Dex might feel comfortable sharing with Nico. Though, maybe not. He hadn’t told Ollie what had happened with Luc.
Who was he kidding? He couldn’t talk to Nico about what he was thinking any more than he could talk to Ollie.
What would they think if he turned out to be Luc’s mate?
Would they be shocked? Unless… Did they already suspect?
They must. All this shit made more sense to Nico and the rest of them than it did to Dex.
He couldn’t be the first to connect the dots.
Fuck. What was he supposed to do?
He couldn’t bond with Luc like Ollie had with Dante. Forfeiting his time in the Eternal Realm wasn’t an option.
Maybe he was wrong and there was some other explanation for Luc’s behavior.
Dex was ready to explore something together. He trusted Luc enough to chase the good feelings, and there was so much he wanted to try that he had no desire to do it with anyone else.
But what was the point in dating if they weren’t mates? What was the point if they were, and Dex would reject the fated bond? They were doomed either way.
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. “I wanted 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?