A hand clapped me on the back as I was bussing my last table at Lava Java Friday evening. My last table on my last day at—hopefully—my last job as a waiter. I only had about twenty minutes left on my shift and then I was a free man, ready to take on the world.

I glanced over my shoulder to see Andy, a fellow server, smiling sadly at me.

“Gonna miss seeing you around here,” he said. “And Mrs. McCormack is going to be a nightmare to serve. I think you’re the only one she likes.”

Laughing, I finished wiping down the table and picked up the bus tray. “Nah, just remember to switch out her coffee with decaf. She can’t tell the difference and it makes her less feisty.”

Andy shook his red curls. “So that’s your secret. You bastard.”

“And now it’s yours.” I held out my hand, and he gave it a firm shake.

“Take care, man.”

“Yeah, you do the same,” I said, taking the tray to the kitchen. I unloaded the dirty dishes for the new kid taking over washing duties. It was a weird feeling, like even though I’d graduated college, leaving tonight was somehow my rite of passage into adulthood. The internship at the museum was the first step toward my career, and though it didn’t pay much, it would be enough to keep a roof over my head and Pretty Baby running, with some left over for food.

I grabbed a broom and headed back out to the dining room just in time to see Brayden walking through the front door. He scanned the café, and when he saw me, he grinned and cupped his hands around his mouth. “Yo, Clark, your mom’s waitin’ outside.”

Snorting, I shook my head. “What are you doing here?”

Brayden wandered over, his long legs eating up the space, and when he stopped, he casually put his hands in his pockets and shrugged. “Thought I’d take advantage of one last free muffin.”

“Freeloader.”

“Damn right. Now I’ll have to find an in with the owner if I have a craving for blueberries. You should feel bad about that.”

“I do,” I said, rolling my eyes, but I was grinning. “I feel terrible. Especially since I have to tell you we’re out of blueberry muffins.”

“What? How can you be out?”

“That’s what you get for coming in at closing.” I went behind the bakery counter and grabbed the last two plastic-wrapped pastries. “But you can have the last carrot cake and poppy seed if you want ’em.”

Brayden gave a put-out sigh and then held out his hands. “I guess I’ll take those for the team.”

I handed them over, and as he commandeered an empty booth, I filled a glass with ice and Coke. After setting it down in front of Brayden, I slid in across from him.

“You love me. You really love me,” he said, picking up the glass. Then he paused. “Can I get a—”

I grabbed a straw from my apron and tossed it across the table, and Brayden shook his head as he picked it up.

“You see? Who else is gonna spoil me like this?”

“Uh, Charlemagne.”

“Oh yeah.” Brayden unwrapped the straw, stuck it in his glass, and then took a long pull of his soda. When it was halfway gone, he sat back and spread his arms out across the back of the booth, his gaze traveling around the empty café. “You sure you wanna give all this up?”

“Fucking positive.”

Brayden’s brows shot up. “Ooh, look who’s got a mouth on him now. That have anything to do with a certain Wolfe you’ve been heavily petting?” He batted his lashes at me, and I balled up his straw wrapper and flicked it at his face. “I take it that’s a yes.”

I didn’t meet his eyes as I shrugged.

“So, how’s it going between you two lovebirds? I’ve barely seen you this week. I had to eat Charlemagne’s strawberry crepes all by myself.”

“You didn’t.”

“I did. But I’m assuming your mouth was otherwise occupied with something pretty damn tasty, am I right?”

I covered my face with my hands as my skin heated. “Shut up, please.”

“Oh, come on. At least tell me how big he is.” Brayden held out his hands so they measured about a foot. “Yes? No? Bigger, smaller?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“I’m your best friend. It’s my business.”

I thought back to all the times Brayden had given me way more details regarding his sexual encounters than I’d ever wanted to know. But they had helped me live vicariously through him, I supposed, so when Brayden’s hands moved to the length I was becoming more familiar with each passing night, I said, “There.”

Brayden’s eyes went round as he stared down at the size I’d indicated. “Jesus. Okay, maybe I’ll have to forgive him for being a scary motherfucker if that’s what he’s working with. And PS, how are you still walking?”

Rubbing my face, I chuckled again. “Carefully.” Then what he’d said sank in. “Why’d you call him that?”

“What? A scary motherfucker?”

“Yeah.”

Brayden took on a subdued look, his playful side disappearing for the moment as he sat forward and crossed his arms on the table. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course.”

“How are things going with this guy?”

How were things going? Mind-blowingly well was the first thing that popped into my brain, quickly followed by the memory of Wednesday night’s encounter—Tor had forced me to my knees, and I’d sucked his cock until he’d come on my lips, my neck, and my chest. And as amazing as that was, what happened after was what I couldn’t get out of my head. Tor had pulled me into the shower with him, and he’d taken such care cleaning my body and then tucking me into his massive bed. It was that contrast between Tor’s dominant side and the other one that seemed to be slowly emerging. Was it love or something like it? My stomach flipped at the thought, and I bit down on my lip before answering. “He’s unbelievable, Bray. You wouldn’t believe it. He’s just so… I don’t know how to describe it. All about me. Like he would do anything for me.”

Brayden’s forehead creased. “You think you know enough about him to be getting serious?”

“Well, I mean, we’re still getting to know each other.” And Tor flat-out said he isn’t looking for a boyfriend. So, what does that make me? I shoved the thought aside. “Why do you ask?”

“Look, you know I care about you, right? And I just want to make sure you’re not getting into something too heavy.”

“Bray, if you’ve got something to say, can you get to it already?”

Brayden blew out a breath and ran a hand through his short brown hair. “I was at the Wolfe’s Den last night. I got approved for membership right after the night we visited, but last night was the first time I’d gotten a chance to go. And I…saw something.”

My stomach dropped to my feet. Please don’t let him say he saw Tor with another guy. Please don’t tell me that. I cleared my throat. “What did you see?”

“Wolfe was in this room behind the bar—it might’ve been his office—and I saw him with this guy. Like, he had him up against the wall.”

Oh no. I’m gonna be sick…

“He was choking this guy out, and I don’t know what happened before that, but Wolfe was pissed. It was…” Brayden shook his head. “It was crazy, man. I meant it when I said your guy’s a scary motherfucker, because I wouldn’t want to be on his bad side.”

My breathing had returned to normal after hearing Tor hadn’t actually been screwing someone else up against the wall. “I’m sure he had a reason.”

“Why don’t you seem bothered by that at all?”

“I thought you were gonna tell me you saw him with some other guy.”

“So you couldn’t handle fucking, but you can handle violence? That’s messed up, my man.” Brayden’s tone was lighthearted and teasing, but I could see a hint of concern in his eyes.

The Tor I knew was intense, yeah, but I didn’t think he’d actually hurt anyone, and he’d never let anyone hurt me. He must’ve been protecting someone, or maybe it was someone messing with his club.

“He wouldn’t do anything like that unless he’d been provoked,” I said.

“You sure about that?”

I narrowed my eyes. “Why do I feel like this is suddenly an intervention?”

“It’s not,” Brayden said quickly. “I just… I don’t know. I saw it and I felt like I should tell you, and…you know. Make sure everything’s cool between you two.”

“Of course it is.” I knew I was getting defensive, but Tor had been nothing but the perfect gentleman from day one—outside the bedroom, anyway, which was exactly how I liked it, I was learning.

“Don’t be mad. You’ve just never been in any relationships since I’ve known you, and you’re kind of an innocent.” When my mouth fell open, he held up his hands. “I don’t mean that in a bad way. Calm your tits. It’s just…you…dating Salvatore fucking Wolfe. You gotta admit, that’s heavy.”

I couldn’t hide my smile. “I see what you’re saying. Thank you for looking out for me, but I swear you have nothing to worry about.”

“Yeah. Yeah, you seem happy.”

“I am. Promise.”

Brayden’s face relaxed, and then he unwrapped the poppy seed muffin and took a bite. “This isn’t blueberry, but it’ll do.”

“Free’s free,” I said with a shrug.

“You about done? Want to go get a drink somewhere?”

“I would, but Tor’s picking me up soon.”

“Tor?” Brayden’s eyes bugged out. “You call him Tor?”

“Only outside of the bedroom,” I said with a wink.

“Holy fuckballs, Jesse. I’m proud.”

I rolled my eyes and slid out of the booth. “Yeah, yeah.”

“I mean it. And, you know, this is all due to me, right? He wouldn’t even know who you were if I hadn’t dragged you out to the den that night.”

“You want a thank you?”

“Uh, fuck yes, I do. And feel free to let me know what you call him inside the bedroom.”

I grinned at Brayden, who was currently chewing a piece of the muffin he’d stuffed in his mouth, and decided, what the hell? “I call him Wolfe when we’re in the bedroom. And he calls me little lamb.”

Brayden frowned and wiped a crumb off the corner of his mouth. “Okay, Wolfe I get. But little lamb? Don’t wolves eat lam— Ohhhh.” When I started laughing, Brayden shook his head and grumbled, “Okay, now I really fucking hate you.”

When he stood up, I grabbed the broom and swatted him in the ass.

“Hey, take it easy,” Brayden said, rubbing his backside. “I told you I was at the den last night.” Then he waggled his brows and I lost it.

“You’re a deviant, you know that?”

“I do. Damn proud of it.” He balled up the empty muffin wrapper and tossed it in the trash can. “Call me this weekend,” he said, heading for the door. “We’ll do something a little less provocative, since I’m sure your throat needs a break.” I lifted the broom again, and he laughed and jumped out of the way. “I kid, I kid. I meant your ass.”

“Brayden—”

“Later, lover boy,” he called out, and I could only shake my head.

Turning away, I began to finish the cleanup, sweeping the floor as well as all of Brayden’s needless worries away. Tor would be here soon, and he’d said to be ready to celebrate. I didn’t know what he meant by that, but I couldn’t wait to find out.

* * *

It had just turned nine as I pulled my car into a vacant spot in front of Lava Java. It was the time Jesse had told me his final shift at the small coffee shop would be over.

The wind was whipping tonight, howling through the streets like a lonely animal, and as I stepped out onto the curb, I fastened my black trench coat in place. They’d called for rain later tonight, and judging by the dip in temperature and the whistling wind, it wasn’t far away.

I walked past the large wall of windows that made up one side of the Lava Java and looked inside, searching for the man I’d come for. It was empty inside, and as I scanned the interior, the adrenaline started to course through my veins.

It was always like that the moment before I saw him. The rush I got from watching Jesse without his knowledge. And tonight was no different. I wanted to see him in this space he was familiar with. I wanted to watch the way he behaved with others and not me. But as my eyes finally located and latched on to his light hair, the man in the booth he was talking to had my feet coming to a stop—Brayden Fairchild.

You little fucking troublemaker.

My hands curled into fists as I watched Brayden pop a piece of food into his mouth and look at Jesse, who stood beside him with a broom but must have just said something that made Brayden frown before he started to talk.

I wanted to know what he was saying to Jesse. Needed to know. But when Brayden stopped talking, and I saw Jesse’s shoulders begin to shake, my irritation increased. Laughing… He made Jesse laugh. And I hated that. I hated that someone else had the ability to make him laugh, smile…react in such a personal way, and I was done standing outside in the cold watching from afar.

I walked up the sidewalk and rounded the corner, heading toward the main entrance, and as I opened the door, Brayden came to a halt opposite me. This was the first time I’d seen Jesse’s friend up close, and from an outside perspective, I could see the appeal. He was your typical all-American guy, from the short haircut to the chiseled jaw and well-built physique—he, no doubt, does very well in the den—but that was little comfort to me, and hardly going to save him, when all I ever saw him doing was trespassing on what was mine.

I ran my eyes over his designer shirt, jeans, and shoes, and once I was done inspecting him, I brought my gaze back to meet his. I wondered what he was thinking as he stood there doing his own inspection, and hoped he was remembering the way Richard Wagner had looked in a heap at my feet. That way he might decide the smart thing to do here would be to get the fuck out of my way.

“Good evening, Brayden.” He visibly swallowed, and I allowed the side of my mouth to curl up in a sinister smile as I moved aside and held the door open for him. “You were leaving, I assume?”

“I…uh, yeah. Yeah, I was just leaving,” he said, looking over his shoulder, as though searching for Jesse. Searching for someone to witness what was going on here because he could feel the fuck you vibe I was throwing off. Unfortunately for Brayden, all the staff, including Jesse, seemed to have up and vanished.

“Good,” I said. “Don’t let me stop you.”

Brayden frowned, much as he had earlier with Jesse, and then shrugged. “Wasn’t planning to. You have a good night,” he said, and then went to walk by me.

As he did, I lowered my head slightly and said by his ear, “Oh, I plan to.”

Brayden looked right at me then, and I bared my teeth in a wicked grin before I straightened and walked away from him, effectively dismissing him with no more than my disregard. I heard the door shut behind me and knew Brayden had gone on his way, and as if fate had it in for Jesse, he stepped out from the back at that exact moment with no knowledge whatsoever of what had just passed between me and his friend.

“Tor,” he said, a beautiful smile crossing his lips as his eyes landed on me.

I walked over, stopped in front of him, put a finger under his chin, and tilted his face up. “Hello.”

His eyes roved all over my face. “Hi.”

I bent my head and brushed a kiss across his lips, making him sigh, and as his lips parted, I slid my tongue along his lower one. He was so pliant whenever I touched him. Whenever I put my mouth on him. And it only added to the strong pull I already had to him, making me want him all the more.

“Are you almost ready to go?” I asked, replacing my lips with my thumb. I gently grazed it over that plump lip, and he nodded.

“Yes.” He pulled his apron off, balled it up in his hand, and grinned. “It’s so nice to know I won’t be having to untie anything from around myself anytime soon.”

“Perhaps you should leave that up to me, then?” I said, and chuckled when his face turned red. “Come on, let’s get out of here. I have you for the entire night for a change; no early morning job to rush off to. Are you ready?”

Jesse’s eyes sparkled as he stared up at me, and any jealousy from earlier began to dissipate with all of the awe and adoration I could see in their blue depths.

Jesse wanted me. He craved me. And by the time I was done with him, Jesse would know only me.

“Yep, let’s go,” Jesse said, and I reached down to take his hand in mine.

Yes, let’s, I thought. Let’s go where no one else can follow.