Pride (Living In Sin #1)

Chapter 25

Pry

“Aww, he ran away.”

I knew it wasn’t much of an issue, but I’d hoped that there would have been a few moments before Des arrived to calm my raging boner. Of course, as they could sense out sexual frustration like a bloodhound I wasn’t surprised they were here at the worst time.

“He’s very cute.” Even though they weren’t on the stage, Des’s body swayed with the music. They straightened my collar all while their skirt flicked from side to side. The patrons that pulsed around us couldn’t help but reach out and touch Des. For their part Des accepted their touches, arching into most of them almost unconsciously.

They licked their lips, peeking up at me. “Why did he leave? Did you scare him away, Pry?”

“No.” I groaned out the word. My body wasn’t quite prepared to be around Des when they were so fully in their element. I should have known the interrogation was coming, but I had been hoping to put it off for longer.

Apparently, I was shit out of luck for many things today. “Alec has problems with me being his boss.”

“How very... human of him.” It was probably the kindest way they could put it. Des was vehemently against anyone actively denying their desires. “I can fix that for you, if you’d like?”

I knew they could. In fact, I’d seen it happen time and time again. Even now the entire club would give just about anything to be in my position right now. With Des dancing ever closer and blinking their bedroom eyes up at me. It also wouldn’t be the first time we’d worked together to bring down some human prey.

Except Alec didn’t feel like prey. He was something more. And I would wait to get my family involved. Even if it was the easiest option.

“Thanks for the offer, Des. But I have to do this on my own.” I put my hands to their shoulders and eased them backwards. My arousal withered and Des’s eyes widened almost comically. They weren't used to having the opposite effect on people. That it was their brother, someone who had been part of Des's life since their inception must have been devastating. Someone who had been part of many of Des trysts, who fed off the lust and ego that surrounded such gatherings.

I could see the flash of hurt in Des's eyes. They were not very good at hiding those sorts of things.

"It's not you, sweetheart-" I tried to soothe but Des was already being swallowed back into the crowd.

"It's me? I didn't think you would be so cliche, Pry. I'll see you around." Even in the busy, loud club we could all make ourselves heard. I wouldn't find Des any time soon. Unless they wanted to be found, Des was the best of our little family at lying low.

I cursed my reaction, but couldn't change it. At least it would be a good night for the club. Even with disappearing early, Des's energy would linger for hours. But I would miss them, and it would have been beneficial to introduce Des to Alec. Even if I didn't want them seducing my prey, Alec might have been more malleable with a creature of lust around.

"I thought you didn't want to share?"

Chef would not make things easy for me either. At least seeing my brother leaning against the archway to the back offices was enough to purge most of the lust from my system. I would not catch a break tonight.

"There will be no sharing yet."

"And if there is, it will be Alec's call, not yours."

As Chef stepped in front of me, blocking the hallway, I realised just how invested my brother was in this. It was intriguing. Chef might be a glutton who enjoyed watching others indulge, he rarely wanted for himself. To basically admit to wanting Alec was unique. I rolled the thoughts around my head.

And I clapped Chef on the shoulder as I danced past him. "Of course, little brother. A little persuasion won't hurt, but Alec is in control of everything."

Chef waited till I was almost at the door before he spoke. He always did like to have the last word. "Even you, older brother? I didn't think I'd ever see you being controlled."

He didn't know the half of it, but I would not feed Chef's ego any more than I already have. My ego was about to be fed.