Chapter 35
CHAPTER 35
It was a full fifteen minutes before Ethan returned to the table. His footsteps were hesitant, his expression clouded with unease. “I’m gonna go home,” he said, firm enough to carry his resolve as he avoided Devon’s gaze. “I shouldn’t have come here tonight.”
Devon’s tilted his head slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his features before it was replaced with that easy grin that always seemed to have an answer for everything. “It’s still early,” he countered, reaching to grab Ethan’s hand. His grip was firm, not forceful, as he tugged him down into the seat. “You’re not into the threesome thing? Fine. We’ll palm her off on Brick later. Hell, she’ll be too drunk to care who she’s fuckin’ or blowin’.”
Ethan recoiled slightly, an uncomfortable knot forming in his stomach. The casual cruelty in Devon’s tone hit like a slap to the face, and his frown deepened as he tried to process the man sitting across from him.
“She’s not my type,” he said, choosing his words carefully. “This kinda thing... it’s not me.”
Devon leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “I told you it’s fine. Hell, I was only playing along cause I thought she’d help you unwind.” His grin softened into something more intimate as he brushed a thumb over Ethan’s cheek. Then, without warning, he leaned in and bit Ethan’s lower lip with a playful nip. It was meant to disarm, but instead it sent a jolt of confusion pounding through Ethan’s chest.
“We can go one-on-one, if that’s what you prefer.” His lips curved into a smirk as he tugged the collar of Ethan’s shirt. “You’ve been giving me the come-on since the bar, all those flirty eyes, little touches, that kiss. Everyone can see how much you want it.”
Ethan’s breath hitched sharply, a cold wave of nausea rising in his throat. Was I? The question swirled around in his mind even as he struggled to think of a response. The insinuation made him want to shrink into himself and disappear entirely. “Uh… sorry,” he stammered, the words tumbling out as heat crept up his neck and cheeks. “I didn’t realize I was... I didn’t mean?—”
“Oh, c’mon… seriously?” Devon interrupted with a scoff, rolling his eyes as his hand slid under the table and landed possessively on the worn denim of Ethan’s jeans, and worked slowly upward with deliberate intent. “God, you feel good. You’ve got perfect muscle tone,” he purred, his voice thick with desire as he continued to knead Ethan’s thigh. “And you playing all innocent. I like it, but don’t drag it out too long,” he added. “I get frustrated easily.”
Panic clawed at Ethan as Devon grew bolder. He felt trapped and every nerve in his body screamed for him to get away from here, but he couldn’t move and remained frozen in his seat as conflicting sensations warred within him.
The heat of Devon’s touch was impossible to ignore, and it burned through the fabric of his jeans sending an involuntary spark of arousal coursing through him despite himself.
A low groan betrayed him, and Devon grinned triumphantly at the reaction. “See… you’re such a fuckin’ tease,” he murmured smugly, his hand shifting higher until it grazed against Ethan’s growing erection. “You can’t fool me, I know how much you want this.”
Ethan felt outmatched as those strong hands roamed over his chest and shoulders with increasing insistence. His eyes darted around the club, searching desperately for an ally or even just a witness to what was happening, but all he saw were couples locked in their own worlds, bodies grinding with breathless kisses. To them, this probably looked nothing more than another hookup spiraling toward its inevitable conclusion.
“Um... maybe we shouldn’t, not here,” he said, gulping down air as he tried to keep his voice steady.
“Not here?” Devon repeated, his smirk widening as his hand grazed dangerous territory. He leaned closer until their noses nearly touched. “Okay, so how do you want to do this?” His voice was raw with hunger, and he pressed their foreheads together briefly before pulling back. “You’re turning me on so bad, you’re going to have to give me a little something. How about a blowjob in the bathroom, just to calm things down? Hell, I’m hot to explode all over you, baby bear.”
The words were like a punch to the face, a vulgar demand wrapped in faux sweetness. Ethan felt vomit rise in his throat as he scrambled to find an escape route. “How about some more drinks?” he blurted out. “I’ll grab some. You want another JD and coke?”
Devon nodded slowly, clearly reluctant but willing to play along—for now. “Sure, why don’t I get them,” he drawled as he stood from the table and sauntered toward the bar with an air of confidence that made Ethan want to throw up.
As soon as Devon was out of sight, he slumped forward in his seat and buried his face in his hands. "Shit..." The word slipped through gritted teeth, muffled against his palms. His thoughts spiraled out of control, spinning faster even than the lights flickering across the dance floor. Logan’s voice entered his head, like a judge delivering a sentence. You’re not cut out for this, Ethan. You think you are, but you’re not.
He’d laughed it off, but sitting here now he felt the weight of those words settle deep in his gut.
Logan’s right... I can’t handle this.
He exhaled then straightened just as Brick materialized, conjured from thin air, his usual broad grin plastered across his sweaty face. “Wheyey, man… What’s happenin’?”
Brick radiated energy, and tonight was no exception. Flanking him on one side was Abbey and Lisa joined them, each latched onto one of his massive arms like glittering ornaments on a Christmas tree.
Abbey’s dress clung precariously to her curves, her neckline plunging so low it seemed to defy gravity. “Ethan…” she chirped, her words slurring in a drunken melody as she leaned in closer. “You gonna join us? ” She tilted her head and giggled.
Ethan flicked a glance toward the bar where Devon stood, nursing a drink, and laughing at something the bartender said. “You know…” his voice came out tight and clipped as he pushed himself out of the seat with sudden urgency. “I don’t feel so good. I’m gonna head off.”
Brick tilted his head like a curious dog as he tried to process Ethan’s sudden shift in demeanor. “Okay… Uh, where’s Devon? He goin’ with you?” His words stumbled over themselves as Abbey distracted him by pressing kisses along his jaw.
“No,” Ethan replied quickly, forcing himself to remain composed. “He’s at the bar. I’m heading home alone.” He grabbed his jacket from the seat and slung it over his shoulder. “Tell him I’ll catch up with him later or something. My head’s spinning already. I can’t do this again tonight.”
Before anyone could protest, or worse, ask questions, he turned and with purposeful strides that betrayed none of the chaos roiling inside him, walked away.
Devon returned just as Ethan disappeared into the crowd. A faint furrow creased his brow as he glanced around. “Where’s your boy?” he asked, his voice carrying a hint of concern.
Brick squinted through Abbey’s insistent kisses, trying to focus as her lips continued along his neck, her hands tugging his shirt collar. “Ethan…” Brick finally managed, blinking hard as if that would clear the haze of distraction she was pulling him under. “Oh, he said he didn’t feel do good. Said he’d catch you later.”
Devon shrugged, his lips quirking into a sly grin as he caught sight of Abbey climbing onto Brick’s lap, her giggles soft but insistent. “You two need a room,” he added with a low chuckle. “I’m almost tempted to join in.”
Brick’s smile faltered, brows knitting together ever so slightly before smoothing out again as he reached for a drink. “Here,” he said quickly shoving the glass forward like it was some kind of peace offering.
Devon accepted without question, taking a slow sip before settling back in his seat. The tequila burned pleasantly warm in his throat and he watched as Lisa approached—her steps deliberate, her hips swaying just enough to catch his attention and hold it.
“Don’t leave me out,” she purred, sliding into his lap without waiting for an invitation. Her fingers trailed the line of his jaw before slipping lower. “I wanna play too.”
She leaned so close that Devon could smell the faint scent of her vanilla perfume as she shifted against him, her movements slow and deliberate, as though testing how far she could push him, or maybe herself. Letting out a soft moan, she tilted her head back and ground her hips against him with increasing urgency, her fingers slipping beneath the waistband of her panties in a way that made Devon’s pulse quicken despite himself.
“Aren’t you full of surprises,” he challenged, his hands settling instinctively on her hips.
Abbey let out a loud giggle from across the table, a high-pitched sound that added fuel to the fire already simmering between them.
Brick shifted uncomfortably but said nothing, choosing instead to drain what remained of his beer in one long swallow before slamming the empty bottle onto the table.