Smoke & Mirrors

  he’d just gotten out of the shower. Dex could smell the shower gel from where he stood. God, he smelled so good.

  Sloane made his way over and held out the rose. “I know it doesn’t make up for what I did, but I’m going to spend however long it takes to show you how sorry I am.”

  Dex looked from the rose to Sloane’s face, taken aback by what he saw in Sloane’s amber eyes. Sloane had never look so scared; it almost mirrored Dex’s own fears.

  “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I’m such an idiot.”

  “You’re not an idiot,” Dex assured him. His insides were in turmoil. A mixture of violent heat and desire. Yet at the same time, he wanted to comfort Sloane, hold him, and make love to him.

  “I am. Why else would I do something so stupid?” Sloane cupped Dex’s face, his amber eyes filled with remorse. “I’ve waited my whole life for this. For someone to love me the way you do. For a home. It’s like every time we get settled, I can’t stop myself from messing up. The last thing I want is to drive you away.” Sloane stroked Dex’s cheek with his thumb, his warm breath on Dex’s face, his words quiet. “You are so beautiful. You’re the most amazing thing to happen to me. You always believe in me. Please don’t let that ever change. I can’t keep walking away. I can’t risk you one day not loving me. Not being here. That would kill me. Don’t leave me, Dex. Ever. I… I don’t know what I would do without you.”

  Dex slipped his arms around Sloane’s waist and smiled up at him. “That’s never going to happen. Not while I can help it.” Before Sloane, Dex would have never made promises of forever, and maybe they didn’t have forever—life was unpredictable that way—but as long as Dex had a say in it, he’d be at Sloane’s side.

  “Promise?”

  “I promise. I know when you walk away, it’s just you needing space. I told you I’d understand, and the first time you take me up on my promise, I back out. I’m sorry. I’ll try harder to give you your space when you need it, no matter where it is or how long you need.”

  “That’s the thing. I thought it’s what I needed, but I was wrong.”

  “Sloane….”

  Dex had never heard Sloane talk like this. He had no idea Sloane was beating himself up this badly. Sloane took Dex’s hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss.

  “I love you. I love how you drive me crazy, how you make me laugh, the way you touch me, kiss me, the way you make me a better person.”

  “We drive each other crazy in good ways and not so good, but what I feel for you”—Dex looked down at his arm, scarred by Sloane’s claws—“will never change. What I said about not being here one day when you got back, I said out of anger.” He looked up at Sloane with a smile, his heart pounding. “I’ll always be here, because with every day that passes, I find new ways to love you.”

  Sloane drew in a sharp breath before wrapping his arms around Dex and burying his face against Dex’s hair, murmuring softly, “I know I lose my way sometimes, but if you’re here, I’ll always find my way back.”

  Sloane gently swayed with the romantic ballad, and Dex moved with him, holding on tight. Dex closed his eyes, his body relaxing, and the twisted knot he’d had in his stomach since Sloane walked out unraveled. The two of them stayed in each other’s arms, enjoying their embrace, the warmth, the love as several of Dex’s favorite romantic ballads floated through the house, their house.

  “I just… I need to know you’re going to be here for me,” Dex said quietly. “I need to know we’re in this together. I know saying that might scare you, and we haven’t been living together very long, but I know my heart. I know that I want you to always be a part of my life.”

  Sloane pulled back and met his gaze, his shy smile sending Dex’s pulse racing. “As hard as it may be to believe, that’s what I want. I might not know how to express it at times, but Dex, being here with you, I’ve never been happier. This is it for me. You’re it for me. I can feel it deep down inside. Ash was right.”

  “About what?”

  “He said I was sabotaging myself, my relationship with you, and he’s right.”

  “I don’t understand. Why?”

  Sloane took Dex’s hand and led him over to the couch. He took the rose from Dex and carefully laid it on the coffee table before turning to him. “I’ve been thinking about that a lot. I think I’m just scared this is all an illusion. That any day I might wake up and find myself alone and empty inside, without you. That scares the hell out of me. I’ve never been as happy as I am when I’m with you. I’ve never had a home, a family, the possibility of maybe one day… starting my own family.”

  Dex swallowed hard. “I had no idea you’d been thinking about all that.”

  “I have. I thought maybe we were moving too fast, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized, this is what I want. You’re what I want.”

  Dex couldn’t help his dopey smile. His expression softened, and he ran a hand up Sloane’s arm. “Maybe next time, when you start feeling unsure or scared, you can talk to me about it.”

  “I can do that. I know I’ve broken a lot of promises, and I don’t deserve all the chances you’ve given me, but I understand now.” Sloane put his hand to Dex’s cheek, his amber eyes filled with so much love. “I don’t ever want to be where you’re not.”

  “I’d like you to do something for us,” Dex said, trying not to sound as nervous as he felt.

  “Anything.”

  “I want to put the house in both our names.”

  Sloane’s beautiful smile squeezed at Dex’s heart and took his breath away.

  “Okay.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. If it’s important to you, it’s important to me. I’m serious about our life together.”

  Dex couldn’t help how ridiculously happy he felt. He didn’t want them to be two people who lived together, whose lives happened to be heading in the same direction. He wanted them to be a family, for this to be their lives together, moving toward a future together. “I want this to be our home.”

  “It already is.” Sloane kissed his cheek, and Dex’s heart almost burst. “Come on. I made you dinner. One of your favorites. Homemade fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, and biscuits.”

  Dex all but melted against Sloane. “You’re amazing.”

  “I asked Darla for her recipe.”

  Dex gasped. “Wait, you made Darla Summers’s homemade Southern fried chicken?”

  Sloane nodded. “And gravy, and biscuits, and fried green tomatoes.”

  Dex launched himself at Sloane, knocking them both back onto the couch. Sloane laughed as Dex planted kisses all over his face.

  “Maybe I should have just started my apology with the fried chicken,” Sloane said with a laugh.

  “If I didn’t love Darla’s fried chicken so much I would totally sex you up right now. I really want to sex you up.” Dex was torn. He wanted to jump Sloane’s bones. Not only had he made Dex one of his favorite meals, but Sloane had used a recipe from Calvin’s mom, who was the queen of Southern cooking. The woman needed to have her own supermarket brand or a cooking show.

  “I couldn’t be so cruel as to make you choose.” Sloane got up, Dex straddling his leg. He gave Dex’s buttcheek a squeeze through his jeans. “Also, I know the second I tell you my next surprise, I don’t stand a chance.”

  Dex’s mouth watered. Could it be? “You mean….”

  “I called her up, told her what a bad boy I’ve been, and could she pretty please help me make my boyfriend love me again. So she made her famous pecan pie.”

  Dex threw his arms around Sloane and placed a sloppy wet kiss on Sloane’s cheek before purring, making him chuckle. “You’re my favorite.”

  Sloane got up, carrying Dex in his arms. “I like being your favorite.” He carried Dex into the dining room. The table had been set up beautifully. “Everything’s keeping warm in the oven.” He placed Dex on his feet and kissed the tip of his nose. “I love you, Batman.”

  Dex threw his head
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.”

  “You’re not too full?”

  “Nope. It’s been taken care of.”

  Sloane groaned as he sat up. “TMI, babe. TMI.”

  “What?” Dex got up off the couch and turned everything off as they headed upstairs. “It’s just a bodily function.”

  “Which does not need to be discussed,” Sloane assured him. “Especially before we go upstairs to bed.”

  Dex couldn’t help but tease. “You saying we still haven’t reached that stage in our relationship?”

  “I’m not a poop-discussion kind of guy.”

  “Fair enough.” Dex paused to watch Sloane pull his T-shirt off over his head before draping it over the armchair to the right of the bed. “What shall we discuss?” Dex murmured, his tone husky as he stalked Sloane. He put his hands on Sloane’s shoulders and ran them down his back, over his soft skin and firm muscles, enjoying the way Sloane shivered under his touch. “Should we discuss this?” He followed the delicious curve of Sloane’s spine with the tip of his finger until he reached the waistband of Sloane’s jeans. Reaching around, he unfastened the button of Sloane’s jeans while planting kisses on his back, making Sloane moan.

  With a smile, Dex carefully pulled the zipper down. “What about this?” He slipped his hand inside Sloane’s jeans, massaging his hard cock through his boxer briefs. “I think I might like to discuss this, Mr. Brodie.”

  Sloane turned in Dex’s arms. He hooked his thumbs under the waistband of his underwear and jeans and pushed them down. His cock sprang free, jutting up toward his stomach, the tip leaking precome. Dex ran his tongue over his bottom lip, heat exploding through him at the sight of Sloane’s naked body. Damn, he was gorgeous. Powerful, strong, yet when he brought Dex into his arms, he was so gentle.

  “Mm, yes. I think I would very much like to discuss a few things, Mr. Daley.” He leaned into Dex, murmuring in his ear, “Such as, how long will it take for me to make you scream my name?”

  Sloane stepped out of his clothes, his lips meeting Dex’s for an ardent kiss before he took the hem of Dex’s T-shirt and pulled it up over his head. He tossed it to one side, and Dex helped him with the rest, getting rid of his pants, socks, and underwear. Sloane walked him back toward the bed while they kissed, and Dex was a goner. He could kiss Sloane all day. The taste of him, his scent, the feel of his skin, it was driving Dex crazy. When Sloane pulled back, his pupils were dilated, and Dex could see the fire burning in his molten amber eyes. He dropped his gaze to Dex’s lips before moving it back up, his lips curling into a wicked grin.

  As if Sloane had whispered the words into Dex’s ear, Dex lowered himself to his knees, his hands caressing Sloane’s thighs on the way down. Dex took Sloane’s cock in his hand and swallowed it down to the root, his lips pressed tight against the hard shaft. Dex moved slowly, his hands slipping around the back of Sloane’s thighs before moving up to his ass as he sucked, pulling almost all the way off before tonguing Sloane’s slit. Sloane bucked his hips forward, his cock pushing into Dex’s mouth. With a low moan, Dex dug his nails into Sloane’s asscheeks. It didn’t take long for Sloane to take control. He pumped himself inside Dex’s mouth, his fingers curling into Dex’s hair and his soft groans filling the otherwise silent room.

 
Dex relished the sounds Sloane made. The way he quickly lost his rhythm before he pulled out, grabbed Dex’s arm, and spun him, bending him over the side of the bed. Dex heard the drawer to the nightstand open, and he moaned, writhing against the bed with need. The snap of the lube being opened was unmistakable, and all at once Dex’s hole was breached. He hissed at the sharp pain but wriggled back, overcome by the desire to have Sloane inside him. Sloane draped himself over Dex’s back as he pounded into him. He laced their fingers together and moved Dex’s arms in front of him, his groin slapping against Dex’s ass.

  “Tell me you’re mine,” Sloane growled. “Please.”

  “I’m yours,” Dex promised. “Always.”

  Sloane reached down under Dex, lifting himself just enough. He pumped Dex’s cock, his fist keeping in time with his thrusts. He rotated his hips and changed his angle. Dex cried out Sloane’s name as he came into Sloane’s hand. His muscles ached, but it was so damned good. Sloane lifted off him, his palms pressing down against Dex’s lower back as he fucked him, his thrusts going deeper and harder. Dex looked back over his shoulder, riveted by Sloane’s flushed skin, the sweat on his brow, and the way his head was thrown back, his eyes closed, and his lips parted. God, he was beautiful, and when he came inside Dex, his muscles tightening and his expression one of ecstasy, Dex would have purred if he could. Somewhere in the back of his mind, in his sex-induced haze, he was doing just that. Or maybe it was Sloane, because it was right in his ear.

  Dex opened his eyes, the cool air against his skin. He must have dozed off and dreamed about the purring because Sloane wasn’t there. Dex was still draped over the side of the bed, his ass in the air. He was too tired or sleepy to move. Sloane came back and cleaned him up before disappearing for a moment and then returning to gently get him moving onto the bed under the covers. Dex lay down, snuggling up close to Sloane the moment he was at his side. Dex dozed for some time before waking up. He tried—unsuccessfully—to go back to sleep. Why wouldn’t his brain just shut up?

  “Why aren’t you asleep?” Sloane mumbled, giving Dex a squeeze.

  How could he sleep with everything going on? He snapped his fingers, and the room was filled with the soft sounds of classic rock. Sloane’s chuckle rumbled against Dex’s back.

  “You still haven’t told me how you got it to do that.”

  “I have a brother who’s a tech nerd, remember?”

  “Right.” Sloane snuggled closer, their legs intertwined. “So what’s with Guns N’ Roses in the middle of the night?”

  Dex turned in Sloane’s arms so they were face to face, his voice quiet. “So TIN doesn’t hear us.”

  Sloane was wide awake then. “What is it?”

  “I think it’s pretty obvious they weren’t accidents.”

  Sloane frowned, puzzled. “I’m not sure what you’re referring to.”

  “I set up an algorithm on Themis to do a search. A list of Therians and Humans who are marked. The list of Therians who’d marked Therians in New York City wasn’t all that long, but I didn’t expect it to be, but the list of Humans marked by Therians was even shorter.”

  Sloane went pensive. “Makes sense. What did you find?”

  Dex took a deep, steady breath. “Everyone on the list of Humans marked by Therians is dead.”

  “Wait, all of them?” Sloane stared at him.

  “They all died in either accidents or in prison after being arrested for the murder of their Human mates.”

  Sloane’s eyes widened. “Dylan. Something in my gut told me something wasn’t right with how he died.”

  “Yeah. Of course that’s just Humans who sought medical treatment after being marked. There’s no telling how many more Humans there are in the city who’ve been marked and didn’t go to the hospital.”

  “Like you,” Sloane replied softly.

  “Like me.”

  “It makes me wonder if any additional tests were run on those Humans, and if they also came back inconclusive.”

  Dex nodded somberly. “I’m willing to bet they did. Alicia Reynolds had been marked by her Therian husband. She suffered seizures, her tests were inconclusive, and then she was killed. Dylan was charged for her murder and ends up killing himself.”

  “He was on suicide watch,” Sloane said thoughtfully, stroking Dex’s arm. “But I’m following you.”

  “So why am I still alive? Why are you still alive? I doubt it’s because TIN’s been keeping such a good watch on us. I think it’s because I never went to the hospital.”

  Sloane stilled. “You think someone’s been killing them off?”

  “And using the hospital records to do it. It would explain why they haven’t come after us.”

  “What about Wolf?”

  “That was about my mom and the file. He never mentioned anything about my being marked, and there’s no way he wouldn’t have known.”

  Sloane sat up. “You said Wolf told you he’d been instructed to kill you after retrieving the information.”

  Dex followed Sloane, sitting up. He planted a kiss on Sloane’s bare shoulder, needing to touch him. Always. “True. But if it was because I was marked, wouldn’t they have made another attempt to kill us? Maybe Wolf didn’t tell them.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t know. Sparks said the guy was one of their best. That he was the job. You know how these spooks are. Maybe it wasn’t in his contract, so once the