Chapter 6
A Sinful Evening Out
The bar was dimly lit, the music was loud, and there was a crowd of people.
Drew surveyed the room, looking for his friends, acutely aware of Zach at his side.
The demon was dressed in a sharp suit, and despite it being more formal than the usual dress code for such an establishment, he didn’t look out of place at all.
Drew’s mouth had watered when Zach had emerged from the bathroom, and to cover his arousal he’d made a remark about not wanting to know exactly where Zach kept his wardrobe since he’d not arrived with a suitcase.
Zach had laughed and winked and then ushered him out of the apartment, plucking Drew’s phone from his hand and bringing up the rideshare app to order them another ride.
On the drive over they had discussed what they’d tell Drew’s friends about how they knew each other, settling on Zach being a new neighbour so they could explain arriving and leaving together.
Catching a glimpse of Gwen in the far corner of the bar, wearing a sparkly red dress and towering heels, Drew began to head in that direction and then faltered when he also caught sight of Edward.
He hadn’t known his old high-school bully had been invited along tonight, and if he had, chances were he’d have turned down the invitation.
He’d been looking forward to having a few drinks and relaxing, but with Edward here, he’d be constantly on guard for the next verbal attack, the next arrogant and cutting remark.
Zach stopped with him, his eyes following Drew’s, and one of his hands came to settle on his lower back. “Problem?” he asked.
Sighing, Drew shook his head. “No, it’s fine.”
Zach didn’t look convinced. “You worried about that douche?” He tilted his head in Edward’s direction.
“I just wanted to be able to relax,” Drew said. “Don’t worry, I’ve gotten quite good at ignoring him over the years.”
“Years?” Zach asked, his eyes narrowing. “You have a history with him?”
“Yeah,” Drew said with a nod. “We used to go to high school together. He’s gotten better since then. Like, he doesn’t get physical anymore, but he just never gives me a break.”
A flicker of flame danced over Zach’s whiskey-coloured eyes like it had that morning when he was challenged by Simon. “He hurt you?” he growled. “Put his hands on you?”
Biting his lip, Drew nodded. “Mostly just pushing and shoving, but he gave me a black eye once when he shoved me into a pole.” He saw Zach’s nostrils flare and hurried to add, “But as I said, that kind of crap has stopped now.”
Zach took a deep breath to compose himself, and the flames died away. In a much calmer voice, he suggested, “How ’bout we hit the bar first? Get a drink before we join them?”
Drew quickly agreed. Dealing with Edward would be easier with a bit of booze in his system.
Zach had a knack for getting served quickly, and Drew couldn’t quite figure out if he was using his magic to influence the bartender or if people were simply naturally drawn to him.
He supposed he didn’t care much when they didn’t have to stand and wait for ten minutes in the queue.
He tried to order the cheapest beer they had on tap, conscious of how little he could actually afford to blow on a night out, but Zach wasn’t having any of it.
He ordered them both two glasses each of expensive bourbon, and they downed one quickly before moving away from the bar with their second drink.
“Okay, let’s do this,” Drew said, straightening his back and moving with false confidence towards the corner in which his friends—and Edward—were sitting on stools around a high cocktail table.
He was greeted with smiles and hollers from most of the group, and he grinned back at them, but Edward noticed Zach immediately and a predatory look stole over his face.
His lips twisted into a sneer and he slid off his stool, stepping towards them.
“Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in.” His eyes fell on Zach, assessing.
“Who’s this? I didn’t think you could afford to hire company for the evening, Phillips. ”
Drew swallowed hard and tried to keep his face blank. “He’s not a hooker, Edward. This is Zach . . . a friend of mine.”
Edward let out a short bark of laughter. “Yeah, sure, Phillips. You’re not the sort to have friends like this.”
Beside him, Drew was sure he heard Zach growl again, but when he glanced over at him, he didn’t look upset.
Then one of Zach’s arms snaked around Drew’s waist and pulled him close.
“Okay, you got us. We’re not exactly friends,” Zach said and leaned over to press a kiss to Drew’s cheek. “We’re quite a bit more than that.”
Drew felt himself blushing, but at least the dim lighting would hide it. What was Zach doing? They’d agreed on a cover story and it didn’t include fake dating! He reached down to pinch Zach’s arm, but all Zach did was pull him even closer against him.
“You’re seeing each other?” Dom asked, eyeing Zach. He then winked at Drew. “Damn, Drew, he’s hot. Nice!”
“He’s right here!” Drew protested, causing Dom to laugh at his indignation.
“And I’m well aware of how hot I am,” Zach said, waggling his eyebrows in a ridiculous fashion.
“And we’re well aware of just how paid for you are,” Edward sneered.
Zach shot him a withering look. “You sound like a jealous, petty man-child. It’s quite unbecoming.”
“Yeah, shut up, Edward,” Gwen snapped, and she patted the only remaining stool next to her. “Come and have a seat. I’m sure we can hustle up another one from somewhere.”
Zach guided Drew over to the stool and gestured for him to take it. Once Drew had climbed onto it, Zach stood behind him, chest pressed tight to Drew’s back, and arms circling his waist. “We’re good like this,” Zach told Gwen. “No need to find another stool.”
“So,” she said, sipping her drink. “You gonna introduce us, Drew?”
“Oh, sorry. Everyone, this is Zach. Zach, this is everyone.” He took a gulp of his bourbon, unsure of how to proceed.
Gwen just laughed, her blonde hair cascading down over one shoulder. “Helpful, Drew.” She waved at Zach. “I’m Gwen. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Likewise,” Zach said, tilting his head. One of his hands had drifted down and he was rubbing small circles onto Drew’s thigh with his thumb. It was extremely distracting. But the last thing Drew wanted was for Zach to stop.
“So, how long have you two been together?” she asked them.
“Not too long,” Zach said, saving Drew from having to explain and risk giving away the lie. “I moved into the same building a few months back and Drew helped me with some of my furniture. We clicked instantly, and after being oblivious to my advances, I finally just told him I was interested.”
Gwen laughed. “That’s our Drew. He’s rather oblivious to stuff like that.” Drew wondered if Zach had been wrong about Gwen also being interested in him, as she didn’t seem at all bitter he was seeing someone else.
“Yeah, he is,” Zach said, with more fondness than Drew could ever remember anyone directing at him.
Soft warm lips pressed against his temple and he felt Zach’s nose in his hair.
“But you finally got the message, didn’t you, sweetness?
” He pressed up even closer against him, and Drew was shocked to feel hardness pressing against his ass.
Zach had an erection, and he was making it perfectly clear.
It was like time came grinding to a halt as Drew processed this.
Zach was attracted to him too. Holy shit, it wasn’t unreciprocated at all.
His breath came out slightly faster, but he managed a smile in Gwen’s direction and his hand blindly sought out Zach’s.
He linked their fingers together and squeezed.
“Yeah. It took me a while, but I finally got it.”
Zach’s lips again pressed against his temple, lingering there, and he could feel when they turned into a smile. “Good,” he whispered.
Across the table, Edward rolled his eyes as he took a sip of his beer.
Drew felt something a little like a shiver go up his spine and the pressure in the room changed ever so slightly.
Suddenly, Edward’s beer was spilling down his front, soaking into his expensive, pristine white shirt.
He gasped and clunked the half-empty glass down onto the table before grabbing a handful of napkins to mop himself up.
Drew heard Zach snicker in his ear. Wondering if it would work when Zach wasn’t in his cat form, and figuring if it didn’t, no one would be the wiser, he thought . . . Did you do that?
Of course, Zach’s voice replied, loud and clear, but most importantly, silently. The little shit deserves even worse, but I figured you wouldn’t want me to cause too much of a scene.
Drew grinned. I wouldn’t mind a little scene, he admitted, feeling gleeful. But yeah, he was being a dick. Thanks for having my back.
Anytime. Zach pressed another kiss to his hair, and Drew shivered.
He wondered whether, by the end of the night, he’d know what those lips felt like on his own?
From the way Zach’s bulk was still pressed tightly against him, he figured it was a pretty safe bet. Drew almost vibrated with anticipation.