THIRDS Beyond the Books Volume 2 Page 7

  “You know what? Stay here.” Sloane grabbed his crutch and pushed himself to his feet.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I’ll be right back.”

  Sloane gave him a wink and hobbled off toward the kitchen. He slipped past the doors, and Dex waited. Had Sloane gone back there before? No one seemed to say anything to him. A few minutes later, Sloane returned with Mauricio carrying a large insulated bag. When Sloane reached Dex, he held his arm out.

  “Can I walk you to the car, sweetheart?”

  Dex blinked at him. It took him a second to react, and he jumped to his feet. He took hold of Sloane’s arm, and they headed for the car with Mauricio trailing behind. As soon as Dex had unlocked the Challenger, Sloane turned to Mauricio.

  “Thanks so much for preparing the food to go.”

  Mauricio bowed his head. “If you need anything, just let me know.”

  “Thanks, but I have everything I need right here.” Sloane gave Dex’s temple a kiss.

  Was his face as red as it felt? Mauricio chuckled, so probably. Dex helped Sloane into the passenger seat, and as soon as he was settled in, Mauricio handed him the bag and said his good-byes, telling them he hoped they enjoyed their dinner. Sloane placed the bag on the floor between his feet.

  Dex climbed in behind the wheel. He closed the door and turned to Sloane, worried he’d messed up the evening. “You didn’t have to get it to go. I was being an asshat. There was no reason for me to feel jealous. It’s not like the dude was trying to get in your pants.”

  “Actually, he was,” Sloane said.

  “I knew it!” Dex mimicked Mauricio’s soft voice. “Oh, Mr. Brodie, let me get that for you. Oh, Mr. Brodie, I know you’ll love that. That little—”

  “He was,” Sloane clarified. “I made it very clear to him that, although I was flattered, I have a wonderful guy who I love very much. And now I’m going to take that amazing guy home, we’re going to have a cozy dinner in front of the TV, and then I’m going to take him upstairs and show him that he’s the only guy allowed in my pants.”

  “Good. They’re my pants,” Dex mumbled pathetically. “Well, technically they’re your pants, but what’s inside those pants is mine. You know what I mean.”

  Sloane laughed and pulled him close. “You’re adorable.” He kissed Dex’s neck, first one kiss, then another. He trailed kisses up to Dex’s jaw, drawing a moan from him. “You’re mine, remember?” Sloane traced a finger down Dex’s arm where it was bandaged beneath his shirtsleeve. “And I’m yours.” Sloane kissed him, his lips soft and warm. He held Dex tight against him. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  Dex gave Sloane one more kiss before reluctantly pulling away. On the drive home, Sloane held Dex’s hand. He brought it to his lips for a kiss. Dex knew he was being silly. Sloane loved him. They were in this together. Through thick and thin. He felt the bandage on his arm under his shirt and smiled. They weren’t just together, they were bonded. Dex was connected to Sloane in a way no one else was. His heart skipped a beat at the thought. They belonged to each other. That’s all Dex needed.

  Prompt #34: Sloane (and Dex) in a situation with (Therian) kindergarten kids.

  SLOANE ROLLED over and carefully stretched, the scar from his newly healed wound tugging at his skin. With a sleepy sigh, he pulled Dex’s warm body closer and nuzzled his soft hair. A subtle whiff of mixed fruits hit his nose, and he smiled.

  Waking up next to Dex every morning was quickly becoming one of Sloane’s favorite things. He loved the feel of Dex in his arms, loved his scent. He especially loved the sight of those baby blues watching him and the gorgeous sleepy smile that always followed.

  With a soft groan, Dex rolled over to face him. He snuggled up against Sloane, his eyes fluttering open, lids heavy with sleep. Sloane knew what came next, and he held back a smile.

  Dex gave him those dreamy bedroom eyes and planted a kiss on his jaw before muttering thickly, “Coffee.”

  Sloane chuckled. He didn’t mind that coffee was usually the first word out of his lover’s mouth every morning. Sloane needed only to bide his time. Then Dex’s attention would be all his. Dex had attempted to change their routine so Sloane wouldn’t have to go downstairs in the morning while he recuperated, but Sloane put an end to that pretty quick. He wasn’t about to be cooped up in the bedroom, and two days of him being restless and miserable was enough to get Dex to change his mind.

  Reluctantly, Sloane left his slumbering prince, but not before planting a few strategically placed kisses over Dex’s naked body. A little incentive to get him out of bed before noon. They were still on leave, but he doubted it would be too long before Sparks made preparations to get them back on duty, or at least most of the team.

  After brushing his teeth and getting dressed, he headed downstairs with great care. Last thing he needed was to pull an Ash and fall down the stairs. He snickered at the thought. He was such an asshole. Maybe he’d feel guiltier about pushing his best friend down the stairs during their Therian tussle if Ash didn’t bring it up at every opportunity. At times Sloane suspected it was just so Cael would baby him.

  After turning on the kitchen radio to some classic rock, he got to work making breakfast and, most importantly, coffee. Soon he’d hear the telltale thump of his partner rolling out of bed. There was no way Dex could resist the scent of java.

  Moving around the kitchen was a little slower with his crutch, but he managed. He couldn’t wait to get rid of the damn thing. As he scrambled the eggs, he heard the thump. He had roughly fifteen minutes before Dex crawled down the stairs to the counter. Sloane set the timer on his watch. He finished up their breakfast, and when his watch beeped, he grabbed the etched glass Rebel Alliance plate piled high with scrambled eggs, sausage links, and french toast. With a bright smile, he turned and placed the plate on the counter in front of his disheveled lover, followed by a steaming bucket-sized frothy cappuccino with a dash of chocolate powder.

  Dex’s big lopsided grin gave Sloane butterflies in his stomach. Damn that smile.

  “I love you,” Dex said with a dreamy sigh before taking a sip of his cappuccino. The low moan that followed gave Sloane a tingly feeling somewhere else.

  “Me or the coffee?” Sloane teased.

  “You and the coffee. Don’t make me choose. It would break my heart.”

  “Dork. I love you too.”

  Sloane placed his breakfast and coffee beside Dex before taking a seat next to him. He gave Dex’s cheek a kiss. After a couple of sips to shake off the last of his zombielike state, Dex hopped off the chair and headed for the front door. He returned seconds later with the paper and handed it to Sloane.

  “Thanks, babe.”

  The two of them continued with breakfast, Dex drinking his coffee and reading over Sloane’s shoulder. That kind of thing would have annoyed the hell out of him coming from someone else, but not with Dex. Instead it gave him the opportunity to sneak in kisses while turning the page or when Dex snickered at the comics section. Man, he was turning into such a sap. He could all but hear Ash teasing him about it.

  Dex’s phone beeped, and Sloane left his lover to check his e-mails while he read the Entertainment section. Maybe they could finally go out for their next date night. As much as he loved staying in with Dex, he could really use a day out.

  “Crap.”

  “What?” Sloane frowned at Dex’s troubled expression.

  “I opened an e-mail from work without looking at the sender.”

  “And?”

  “It’s from the PR department.”

  Sloane couldn’t help his laugh. “I’m sorry.” He tried his hardest to stop, but it was difficult with Dex’s uninspired expression.

  “You’re not sorry, you meanie.” Dex studied his phone. “Do you think if I mark it as unread they’ll notice?”

  Dex’s phone pinged, and Sloane put his fist to his mouth to keep himself from laughing again. He knew that sound. It was a follow-up e-mail. PR
was so used to agents going to all kinds of lengths to get out of scheduled events that they made sure nothing slipped past them.

  “Taylor was supposed to be doing something for them later today but cancelled last minute because of a bad food allergy reaction. He’s in the hospital.”

  “Shit. Is he okay?” Sloane wasn’t crazy about Taylor, but he hardly wanted the guy dead.

  “Yeah. He’s fine but obviously not up to it.”

  Dex tapped away at his phone, and Sloane watched curiously as his partner called someone.

  “Taylor, you dick.”

  Sloane could hear Taylor laughing on the other end. He wouldn’t have. Would he?

  “I knew it! I can’t believe you almost killed yourself to get out of a PR stunt! I hate you so bad right now,” Dex grumbled. “No, I’m not visiting you. Scratch that, I am, and I’m bringing you some peanut soup. Asshole.”

  Sloane bit down on his lip. He shouldn’t laugh.

  “Yeah, all right. Feel better. But you’re still a dick.” Dex hung up, his eyes narrowed when he turned to Sloane. “You think that’s funny, huh?”

  “I do,” Sloane replied with a smile.

  Dex pursed his lips and answered his e-mail. The wicked gleam that came into his eyes had Sloane sitting up.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Telling PR I need an assistant.”

  “No.” Sloane shook his head. “Hell no. There’s no way you’re dragging me out to whatever it is they’re dragging you out for.”

  Dex sent off his e-mail and turned to Sloane with those big puppy eyes. Goddamn it.

  “But… think of the children.”

  “There’s gonna be kids? Hell no infinity.”

  “Aw, come on. Think of all the sweet little Therian children who are so looking forward to being read a story by a super cool THIRDS agent.”

  “You’re the one reading the story. There’s no reason for me to be there.” Sloane got up to take his plate to the sink. There was no way in hell he was going anywhere near one of the PR department’s events. There would be reporters, who knew how many people, and then the icing on the cake, kids. “I’m not good with kids.”

  “They’ll love you. You’re so warm and fuzzy.” Dex slipped his arms around Sloane’s waist from behind.

  “Nope.”

  “I get stage fright. You being there will help.”

  “Bullshit.” Sloane turned in Dex’s arms. He refused to give in to those big blue eyes. “You have never in your life had stage fright. You love the stage.”

  “You’re right. I’m totally an attention whore, but is it wrong of me to want my amazing boyfriend there to support me?” Dex placed a kiss on Sloane’s chin, then another on his jaw. “You won’t have to interact with the kids. I promise. Just be there with me.”

  He’d already lost. He was man enough to admit it. Didn’t mean he had to like it. He glared at Dex. “You play dirty.”

  Dex wriggled his eyebrows. “You love it when I’m dirty.”

  Sloane laughed. “Damn it. Okay, yes. I’ll go with you.” It’d be good to get out of the house, anyway.

  “Woot!” Dex gave his lips a quick but passionate kiss before pulling away. “Come on. Who knows, you might even have fun.”

  “I doubt that,” Sloane muttered, following Dex upstairs. He was so not looking forward to this.

  Dex dressed in dark blue jeans and a blue-gray button-down shirt that brought out his eyes. He looked casual yet sexy. The organization had chosen the story he would read to the Therian kids. A fairy tale. When they arrived, Sloane tried his best not to feel anxious. The place was crawling with media people.

  Instead of focusing on his nerves, Sloane focused on his partner, watching in awe as Dex worked the crowd, his dazzling smile and personality winning over even the most jaded of reporters. He teased, flirted, joked, or charmed, depending on who he was interacting with, always knowing what to say or insinuate.

  The assistants fixed a mic to Dex’s shirt and gave him an earpiece while Sloane stood to one side of the stage, out of sight, until Dex whispered something to one of the stagehands. A comfy chair materialized next to Sloane, and Dex gave him a wink. As soon as they were ready, one of the organizers went on stage to make the introductions. Dex took the opportunity to dash over to Sloane and deliver a quick kiss.

  Sloane returned his kiss and gave him a playful swat on the ass. “You’ll be great.”

  “Thanks.”

  With another kiss, Dex was off as his name was said. The room broke into applause, and Dex waved at everyone. He introduced himself again, telling them who he was and what he did at the THIRDS. Then they brought in all the kids. Sloane fidgeted in his seat. There were dozens of them, all kindergartners. At least their attention was focused on Dex.

  “Hi, everyone!”

  There was a soft collective greeting from the kids.

  With a pout, Dex planted his hands on his hips. “Hm, where is everybody? I thought we were going to hear a story, but I can’t find my pals.” He looked at his watch. “They were supposed to be here. Maybe if they shouted really loud I could find them.”

  He threw his arms up, and the kids all shouted. Dex shook his head, then put a hand to his ear.

  “What’s that? You’re here? Give me a big, super loud ‘Hello, Dex!’”

  The kids all jumped up and down with a scream. “Hello, Dex!”

  Sloane chuckled. There wasn’t one serious face in the crowd. Everyone smiled and laughed as Dex gave a start and reeled back, falling onto the tufted forest green wingback chair behind him. His hand went to his chest.

  “Goodness! You all scared me! There you are.” He swiped a hand over his brow. “Phew. For a second there I thought I’d be telling a story to myself. Thank you for joining me.” He sat upright and pulled the storybook out from the pocket on the chair’s side.

  Sloane sat back with a smile, listening to Dex tell the story. His expression and voice changed to go with the tone of the story or the different characters speaking. His partner’s easy nature amazed him. He was so comfortable in his own skin, rarely intimidated or afraid to face whatever challenge came his way. And he somehow managed to keep his warmth and that smile Sloane loved so much.

  “Hi.”

  A quiet voice brought him out of his thoughts, and he looked around, trying to figure out where it came from. There was no one there. At least that’s what he thought until something prodded his leg. He looked down into big blue eyes. “Um… hi.”

  A little Therian girl with an untamed mane of black hair stood watching him. She was dressed in a superhero T-shirt, a pink princess tutu, sky blue tights to match her eyes, and red Chucks. The mark on her neck said she was a jaguar Therian. She was awfully small for a jaguar Therian.

  “I’m Alexis.”

  Sloane smiled at her. “Hello, Alexis.” He discreetly looked around. Where were her parents or her guardian? She couldn’t be any more than six years old, and she was so tiny.

  “You’re supposed to say your name,” Alexis stated very somberly, her gaze intense.

  “Oh, sorry. I’m Sloane.”

  “What happened?” she asked, pointing to his crutch.

  How much was he supposed to tell a kid? “I was hurt in an explosion.”

  Her big blue eyes got bigger. “An esplosion? Was it the bad people?”

  Sloane smiled at the mispronunciation. “Yes. But we stopped them. It’s all okay now. And I’m getting better.”

  “Are you a officer?”

  “I am. I’m a THIRDS agent,” Sloane said with a nod. He almost jumped out of his chair when Alexis started to climb over him. “Uh, I don’t think, um….”

  She almost fell, and he grabbed her tiny waist, hoisted her up, and sat her down on his good leg. It was preferable to her falling and hurting herself. She made herself comfortable and played with her tutu as she talked, not a care in the world.

  “Mommy says THIRDS protect us from the bad people.”

  “Y
our mommy’s right.” Speaking of mommy… “Where is your mommy?”

  Alexis nodded toward the stage. “With Donnie. He’s my baby brother.”

  “And you don’t want to hear the story?” Sloane asked, uncertain of what to do. He had no idea how to entertain a small child, or any child for that matter. What if she had to go potty? Or if she started crying. Oh God. Please don’t cry.

  Alexis shook her head. “I wanted to play superhero space princess.”

  “Does your mommy know you’re playing superhero space princess? She might be worried.” How much longer was this story? Dex would know what to do. And just his luck, all the stagehands were off with the crowd.

  Alexis put her tiny hand to his face. “You’re prickly.”

  “Um, I guess so.” Not the first time he’d been told as much. Sort of.

  Alexis studied his face, and Sloane did his best not to fidget too much.

  “If you protect us from the bad people, who protects you from the bad people?”

  Sloane thought about it. “Well, I have a team that protects me.” He smiled and pointed to the stage. “That’s my partner. He also protects me.”

  “He’s pretty,” Alexis said with a big smile.

  Sloane chuckled. “Yeah, he is kind of dreamy, isn’t he?”

  Alexis gave him a nod. “You like him. I can tell.”

  “I’ll tell you a little secret.” Sloane leaned in, whispering loud enough for her to hear him. “I love him.”

  Alexis clapped her hands together, her voice a loud whisper. “Are you gonna marry him?”

  Sloane’s jaw nearly became unhinged. “Uh, well, we uh, it’s kind of complicated, and—”

  “You don’t want to marry him?” Alexis asked curiously, her head cocked to one side.

  “No, it’s not that I don’t want to, or um, that I uh, well….” Was he really explaining his relationship to a little kid?

  “Well what? You said you love him.”

  “And I do.” Was it getting hot in here? It was hot. He wiped at his brow with his free hand. Damn it, Dex was still talking. His partner needed to wrap this up. Where was Alexis’s mother? Someone, anyone? Why the hell was he even sweating over this?