THIRDS Beyond the Books Volume 2 Read online

  Cory swallowed hard. He put his hands up in front of him. “I’m sorry. I… I didn’t realize he was yours.”

  “You’re lying. My scent is all over him, and he’s marked.” Sloane’s lips crept into a wicked grin. “Are you going to challenge me for him?”

  “I….” Cory swallowed hard and shook his head frantically. “No. I was being stupid. I’m sorry.”

  Sloane put his hand on Cory’s neck. “And you won’t speak a word of this to anyone, will you?”

  Cory shook his head again, a whimper escaping him. “I won’t tell anyone. I swear.”

  “Good. Now get lost.” He put his thumb on Cory’s Adam’s apple. “Or I’ll show you how sharp my claws are.”

  Cory darted from the place like someone had set his tail on fire.

  What the hell just happened? Dex stood frozen to the spot, his current state not helped by Sloane stalking him. Dex remained still as his partner leaned in and sniffed him. This was all very new, very strange territory for Dex. When Sloane seemed satisfied with whatever it was he’d been trying to figure out, Dex let out a sigh of relief.

  “So… um, what was that?”

  “That’s what happens when another Therian takes interest in a mate that doesn’t belong to him.” Sloane’s expression softened, and he pulled Dex into his arms. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to come off as overbearing, but you have to be more careful. He was all but ready to pounce on you.”

  “You know how shit I am at this whole chatting-up thing. It’s a miracle I came on to you after we met.”

  Sloane slipped his hand between them and cupped Dex through his jeans. “You mean came all over me.”

  Dex melted against Sloane. “That’s not helping.”

  “I just… really need to be inside you right now.”

  Dex’s jaw almost hit the floor. “Wow. We’re at the doctor’s office. And um, wow.” He was extremely turned on.

  “I know.” Sloane kissed him hungrily, his hands slipping under Dex’s shirt. “I’m trying really hard not to be so… intense. But it’s hard.” Sloane nuzzled his temple. “You smell so fucking amazing. Your hair is so soft, your skin….”

  A noise of disgust caught Dex’s ear, and they pulled away from each other. With a grunt, Dex leaned over to peer around Sloane. It was the same asshole again.

  “Yeah. I have sex with a Therian. Get over it.”

  “Disgusting,” the man huffed.

  “You don’t get your ass out of here, we’re going to show you disgusting, all over this table right here.” Dex propped his hands on the table and stuck his ass out. “And let me tell you, he likes it rough.”

  The man’s eyes widened, and he fled from the place. That should give the bastard something to think about. Dex smiled at the thought.

  “Dex,” Sloane whined.

  His boyfriend had actually whined. He took hold of Dex’s hips and rutted up against him from behind. Straightening, Dex turned to arch an eyebrow at Sloane.

  “Dude, what’s gotten into you? It’s like you’re in heat.”

  “It’s what needs to get into you,” Sloane purred, nuzzling his temple.

  “That was terrible.”

  “I don’t care,” Sloane huffed. “We need to go.”

  “So when you get jealous and challenge another Therian we have to have sexy times?” Dex considered this. There had to be a downside. Right now he couldn’t think of any.

  Sloane scrunched up his nose. “Sort of. It’s more complicated than that, but let’s go with that version for now, because if we don’t go, I’m going to bend you back over that table and get us both arrested.”

  “Oookay.” Dex let Sloane lead him out of the patio and through the canteen. He wasn’t even going to bring up the fact that his session wasn’t over, but Sloane was a jaguar Therian on a mission. Dex didn’t exactly mind that he was that mission, but this whole mark thing was certainly a bag of surprises. Who the hell knew what lay ahead? He didn’t even want to think about what would happen once they were back out in the field.

  It took them a lot less time than Dex expected to get to the garage where his Challenger was parked, and he let out a surprised yelp when Sloane pounced on him inside the car.

  “I’m not going to make it home,” Sloane growled, unbuttoning Dex’s jeans. He yanked them down Dex’s hips and pulled, his elbow hitting the rearview mirror.

  “My baby!” Dex scrambled to sit up. No way could they have sex in the front seat of his car. There wasn’t enough room. “Sloane, there’s no room. The stick is about to stab me in the spine.”

  With a frustrated growl, Sloane grabbed Dex and pushed him into the backseat, ignoring Dex’s flailing before he landed face-first.

  “Ouch.”

  Sloane crawled into the backseat and finished tugging Dex’s jeans down to his thighs along with his underwear.

  “Oh fuck.”

  Dex pushed himself to his hands and knees and arched his back. The feel of Sloane’s hand around his neck had him painfully hard. He let out a low moan when Sloane took hold of his chin to deliver a sloppy, needy kiss, his free hand kneading Dex’s ass.

  Forced to come up for air, he pulled away to order gruffly, “Hold on to something.”

  “Oh, sweet fuck.” Dex nodded and threw a hand out against the car door. Thank God for tinted windows and hella good suspension.

  Sloane didn’t waste any time, and thanks to their habit for impromptu sexy times, his boyfriend was well prepared. He also broke the world record in getting Dex lubed up and cursing up a storm as he was entered. Dex shut his eyes tight, fighting through the sting until there was nothing but the sweet friction of Sloane pounding into him over and over.

  “Maybe this will remind you whose mark that is on your arm,” Sloane growled, thrusting into Dex hard and deep.

  Dex let out a cry of surprise, but he quickly bit down on his bottom lip. Like he could forget the guy who was pounding him into fucking oblivion. Sloane folded himself over Dex’s back, his breath hot against Dex’s ear as he growled softly.

  “I think I need to hear you say whose mark that is.”

  “It’s yours,” Dex breathed, receiving a hard thrust in response. “Fuck.”

  “I didn’t hear you. Whose mark is that on your arm?”

  “Yours! It’s yours, Sloane.”

  Dex’s knees hurt, and a bead of sweat rolled down the side of his face. His dick was painfully hard, and if he didn’t do something about it soon he was going to keel over from the need. As if sensing his thoughts, Sloane pulled out and flipped Dex onto his back. He hooked his arms under Dex’s knees and hauled him up against him. Dex sucked in a sharp breath as Sloane lined himself up and plunged inside him again, a low growl rising up from deep within his chest.

  Dex arched his back and dug his fingers into the seat, holding on tight as Sloane fucked him, the Challenger rocking along with the force of Sloane’s thrusts. “Sloane,” Dex pleaded. Sloane took mercy on him and lay over him, their chests all but pressed together, with Sloane’s hand in between them to take care of Dex.

  Dex came hard and fast, his teeth biting down into Sloane’s shoulder to keep him from shouting. His orgasm slammed into him seconds before he felt Sloane losing his rhythm and coming inside him. Several thrusts later and Sloane collapsed on him. They held each other tight, the windows of the Challenger fogged up and the car smelling of hot, sweaty man sex. Dex grinned sleepily.

  Sloane groaned and kissed Dex’s neck, his voice gravelly when he spoke. “I uh, might have gotten a little carried away.”

  “You think?” Dex chuckled. He ran his fingers through Sloane’s hair, smiling warmly at him when Sloane lifted his head to meet his gaze, concern in his bright amber eyes.

  “Did I hurt you?”

  “You know I’d tell you if I couldn’t handle it.” Dex kissed Sloane, his heart swelling at his boyfriend’s tenderness. Sloane had a habit of worrying he’d hurt Dex, though Dex knew it had to do with the night Sloane had lost contro
l of his shift. Dex did his best to reassure Sloane whenever he began to doubt himself.

  “I know.” Sloane kissed Dex’s lips, murmuring against them. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.” As much as he wanted to stay pressed up against Sloane, they needed to get out of here before security showed up. “Let’s go home. We’ll have dinner, chill in front of the TV, maybe have a little workout session since you didn’t finish your therapy today.”

  Sloane pulled off him with a reluctant sigh, but not before giving him a quick kiss on the lips.

  “You drive a hard bargain, rookie.”

  “Rookie?” Dex wiped his stomach with his T-shirt and sat up. “Get your ass in that front seat, Brodie. Them’s fightin’ words.” Dex pulled up his underwear and jeans, pausing only long enough to give Sloane’s ass a smack as his partner climbed into the passenger side. “I’ll show you rookie.” Dex climbed in behind the wheel and put his seat belt on. He made sure Sloane’s was fastened before running a hand through his hair and revving the engine. With a wicked grin, he hit the gears. “Hold on tight.”

  Hitting the accelerator, Dex burned rubber. He sped through the quiet parking lot and down the ramp. Sloane laughed and held on as Dex took a sharp turn, the back of the Challenger sliding against the asphalt. Once he was out on the street he was forced to slow down, thanks to city traffic, but as soon as they got home, Dex was going to take Sloane on a whole different kind of ride. Trips to the doctor were about to get a lot more interesting.

  Prompt #36: “Kiss and make up”—Dex really, really mad with Sloane and Sloane trying his best to make up for it.

  SLOANE LOVED date night, especially now that they didn’t have to go outside the city. With Sparks knowing about them, all they had to do was be discreet. Instead of having to drive upstate or to Jersey, they just made sure to stay away from headquarters. After a delicious dinner where Dex had eaten his weight in noodles, they were walking off some of their food in Central Park. It was a gorgeous night, but the most beautiful sight was that of his boyfriend walking in the soft glow of the park lamps and the moonlight in the night sky.

  “Come here.” Sloane came to a stop and snagged a hold of the loop in Dex’s jeans, pulled him against him, and smiled when Dex wrapped his arms around Sloane’s waist. He leaned into Dex and bent his head down, murmuring quietly. “How about we go home, shower, and get into bed. We can watch some TV….” He trailed a hand discreetly down to Dex’s hip and squeezed. “Maybe get cozy.”

  Dex kissed Sloane with a hum. “How can I say no to that?”

  “Freak fucker.”

  They both turned, frowning at the two Humans standing there sneering at them in disgust. With a sigh, Dex took Sloane’s hand and tugged him along with him as they headed for the street. A shitty end to an otherwise perfect evening. At least Sloane wasn’t on crutches anymore. Not just because it meant he could pick up his pace, but more so he wasn’t tempted to knock some sense into these assholes.

  “You’re disgusting. Spreading your perversion,” one man spat out at Dex as he and his friend followed Dex and Sloane. “Fucking an animal. It’s sick.”

  Dex came to an abrupt halt, turning to the two men, his blue eyes blazing with anger.

  “What did you fucking call him?”

  “Dex, leave it,” Sloane urged gently, putting his hand on Dex’s shoulder. “Let’s go.” Sloane was used to the names. To people spitting at his feet. He’d dealt with it all of his life and made peace with the fact it would take time before the world came around to the idea that he was just a regular guy like every other guy, with a few Felid exceptions. Dex, on the other hand, wasn’t used to it, and Sloane’s view on the matter was a sore point for his partner.

  The man’s friend stepped forward with a leer. “He called your boyfriend an animal, a rabid beast that should be put down with the rest of the freaks.”

  “You ignorant son of a bitch!”

  Dex lunged forward, and Sloane caught him. He picked Dex up and moved him to one side, blocking his view of the two Humans.

  “Babe, why don’t you go call us a cab, huh?” He cupped Dex’s face and smiled. “Let’s not have our evening ruined by these jerks. Come on.”

  Dex inhaled deeply and let it out slowly through his mouth. He nodded. “Okay.”

  “I’ll be right there.”

  Dex’s brows drew together. “What? I’m not leaving you here with these assholes.”

  “I can handle two Humans. I’m just going to talk to them, okay? Then I’ll be right beside you and we’ll go home and continue our date night.”

  Dex was ready to argue some more, but his phone rang. It was Cael.

  “Go on. Talk to your brother. Get us a cab.”

  It was clear Dex didn’t want to, and if he didn’t have Cael on the other line, he probably wouldn’t have. As soon as Dex was out of sight, Sloane turned back to the two men.

  “You know, we’re not going away,” Sloane said, shoving his hands into his jacket pockets. “So, what then?”

  “We’re going to change the world, put you animals back in your cages.”

  Sloane nodded. “Right. I hate to break it to you, but the world’s already changed, and people like you will either have to resign yourselves to the fact that we’re not going anywhere, or you can be decent Human beings and turn all that energy toward a cause that truly needs it.”

  The first guy turned to his friend with a laugh. “Sounds like a load of Therian hippie bullshit to me.”

  Well, he’d tried. Sloane shook his head and followed the path Dex had taken when something hard struck him in the back, knocking the wind out of him. He hit the ground with a groan and rolled onto his side when he was kicked in the stomach. Motherfuck!

  “We weren’t done with you,” one man snarled.

  Sloane let out a growl and lashed out, grabbing one by his leg and swiping it out from under him. He went down with a flurry of flailing limbs and colorful expletives. Sloane made to get up when he found himself surrounded. Shit. Where the hell had the other three come from? He put his hands up in front of him.

  “Listen to me. You don’t want to do this.” Slowly he reached for the inside of his jacket where his badge was. Before he could pull it out, they were on him. A punch to the face split his lip, and a kick to the back of his healing leg had him seeing stars. He reached into his jacket, and his badge fell onto the ground. Before he could grab it, one of the men snatched it up.

  “Oh fuck.” He stared at the badge tucked in the wallet before pushing his friends off Sloane. “We need to get the hell out of here.”

  “What?” His friend snarled, ready to land another punch when he was shown the badge.

  “He’s a THIRDS agent.”

  The men flew off him and bolted. That was fine. Sloane had gotten a good look at them and even heard them addressing each other by their names. They’d be brought in by the end of tomorrow. With a groan, he pushed himself to his feet. He stretched out his leg. It was a little sore, but he was okay. At least until he got to the sidewalk where Dex was waiting for him. The moment Dex saw him, he rushed over.

  “What the hell happened?”

  “I got jumped.”

  Dex stared at him. “Those guys jumped you?”

  “And their friends.” Sloane tongued his split lip and winced. “Five in total. I’ll call it in tonight. Everything okay with Cael?”

  Dex’s eyebrows nearly reached his hairline. “Is Cael—Are you fucking kidding me?”

  “What?” Sloane cocked his head to one side. “Are you mad? Why are you mad?”

  “I’m not mad,” Dex replied through his teeth. “I’m beyond mad.” He took a deep breath and calmed down. “We’re going home.”

  “Okay.” Sloane had no idea what had gotten into Dex or why he was so pissed, but he agreed this wasn’t the place for an argument. Sloane hated arguing in public. He waited quietly as Dex called them a cab. As soon as they were in Dex’s living room, his boyfriend exploded.


  “What the hell, Sloane?”

  “What?”

  “You’re really going to stand there and tell me you have no idea why I’m pissed off?”

  Sloane shrugged. Shit. Bad move. Dex threw a hand up.

  “Un-fucking-believable.”

  Whatever it was, Sloane had fucked up. Bad. Dex was pissed at him. Not Dex pissed but really pissed. He just wished he knew why.

  “Could you at least tell me why you’re pissed at me? I just got jumped by five guys. I’m feeling a little sore.” It was clear Dex was doing his best to keep himself calm.

  “You can’t keep doing this to me.”

  “Doing what? For fuck’s sake, just say it!”

  “You were in trouble and you didn’t call me.”

  Was that it? Because Sloane hadn’t called him for help? “Dex, I’ve told you before. I’m—”

  “So help me, if you tell me it’s because you’re Therian….” Dex shook his head, unable to finish his sentence.

  “I handled it.”

  “Really? Is that what that was? How many more times do you have to end up in the hospital because you don’t trust in me? In us?”

  Sloane frowned at him. “Bullshit. Next to Ash, there’s no one I trust more. If I didn’t have faith in us, I wouldn’t be here.”

  “Really? Then why, when it comes down to a fight, do you push me out? I’m a trained agent. I can handle myself, and those assholes.”

  “I know that.” This argument was stupid. Why couldn’t Dex understand? Sloane could take a hell of a lot more of a beating than Dex. Sloane was bigger, stronger, and healed quicker. The last thing he wanted was to see Dex hurt.

  Dex held his bandaged arm up. “When we agreed on this, what did you tell me? That this was a reminder of us. To think about us.” He thrust a finger in Sloane’s direction. “You don’t get to pick and choose when to uphold that promise. We’re equal partners. At work, don’t I have your back?”

  “Dex—”

  “Do I or do I not have your back on the job?”