Pride (Living In Sin #1)

Chapter 34

Alec

When I finally came into the Club through the back door, I realised lunch was going to be an interesting affair.

“What the fuck are you doing here?”

So far, Envy was the only one in the family who smoked. Well, vaped anyway. During my time here I’d seen him try to get away with sneaking a few puffs behind the bar. Chef would have none of it. Usually there was just a stern look, but sometimes there was a broom involved.

I didn’t have siblings, but I got the distinct feeling these were normal sibling antics. Except they were both grown men who ran a business together. Maybe they were a little more out there than other brothers I’d met.

Apparently, the flavour of the week was peppermint and Envy smirked as a cloud of it went straight into my face.

“I wish you wouldn’t do that.” I coughed, pulling back to keep the open door between the hallway and Envy’s cloud of smoke.

Normally, I didn’t bother responding to Envy. He always seemed to needle everyone. The best way to deal with arseholes had always been to ignore them. They got bored eventually. But I also would not put up with smoke in my face. I also wished he’d give it up, too, but saying that out loud seemed a little too much. Envy did not seem like the type of guy who could handle being told what to do.

As it was, the look he gave me could melt lead. For a moment I actually thought the tall, thin guy might actually take a swing at me. Envy looked like the boxers on TV that Dad used to watch and I struggled to remember the two years of karate I’d taken as a kid. I did not know what to do if he actually tried to fight me and I took a step back, hands raised.

He caught the door, and it hit the wall with a loud smack.

“Whatever,” he muttered, stalking past me through the service entrance. The cloud of peppermint had already disappeared as the e-cigarette went away.

Bewildered, I could only watch him go. Had Envy actually looked hurt?

“You made it!”

Pry looked like all his Christmases had come at once and the butterflies in my belly did the mambo. I didn’t know what to do with those feelings. Pry’s face fell even as I stepped closer. I was going to have to learn how to watch what my facial features did. Just because I was confused about my feelings didn’t mean I should ruin it for Pry.

“I wasn’t going to miss out on free food.”

“Ah.” His smirk did funny things to my knees. “The way to your heart is through your stomach? That’s good to know.”

Sitting down was more uncomfortable than I was ready to admit. The bed had been soft and my shower after was soothing. Everything felt over used and well stretched, but it was a nice feeling. Until I sat on a hard chair and the sharp reminder of just how many times we’d done it. It was remarkable how much it hurt even though I wasn’t the one being fucked. Hissing, I could only glare when Pry chuckled.

“Don’t look at me like that. It sounds like your body wouldn’t be able to handle another round.” His smirk was annoying but endearing. He was entirely too proud of causing my discomfort.

Still, I squirmed again, and Pry’s eyes narrowed. He watched me closely, and I bit my lip, holding back my groan. Pry leaned back into his chair; it was like his eyes glowed in the dark of the club. Never had someone watched me with the intensity that Pry did.

I think I liked it. Little Alec was all for Pry’s attention.

“My My! The aura here is amazing.”

Pry’s dancing sibling stood by the table. They had worn a skirt and crop top the evening before, but today it was the tightest pair of leather pants I’d ever seen and a neon purple glitter vest that showed their washboard abs. I didn’t think I’d ever seen anyone look more like a Renaissance sculpture than the Club’s dancer.

“Good morning, Des.” Pry stood to kiss the shorter sibling’s offered cheek. The action was beautiful, and I had to take a second to adjust myself.

I couldn’t believe Little Alec was ready to go again. It was going to get me in trouble if he was going to suddenly be interested when family greeted each other.

“You must be the delightful Alec that all my brothers are in such a tizz about.”

I could tell Des was younger than Pry, but I could not figure out by how much. They were beautiful, as sexy and alluring as the night before. And when I stood to greet them I was surprised that I was taller than them. Unsurprisingly, they bypassed my held out hand to come into my space, stand on tiptoes, and kiss my cheek.

Their lips were soft, and my heart skipped a beat.

“I’m Desire, Club Midnight’s principal dancer and… entertainment.” When they said it, their tongue ran across their bottom lip. I wanted to chase the movement. To get a taste.

Thankfully, I had more than enough customer service experience to fall back on. I wouldn’t have to be a bumbling fool about it all.

“That’s me, Alec Bane. I’m here to help with the paperwork.”

“On the weekend? The horror!” I shouldn’t have been surprised, but Des took the seat between the two of us. Apparently they were joining us for lunch. I didn’t quite know what to do with my libido about that. Little Alec seemed to enjoy the two of them looking up at me.

I was going to hell.