Inside, in the semidarkness, arcade games flashed and played various competing sounds. Quest never knew where tolook first.
“This way.”
It wasn’t like he had a choice. Dodge still held his hand.
“Two for course one, please?”
Quest awkwardly accepted the club he was handed, and he picked a yellow ball. Even once they were outside, his head didn’t clear. Still, he placed his ball at the first hole and swung. He hit it too hard. “Damn. I’m rusty. It’s been a while.”
“I know. Go get your ball and try again. That one doesn’t count. Call it a practice swing.”
With a smile, Quest jogged to get his ball and came back. The happiness in Dodge’s expression was contagious.Dodge never let him stay down for long.
Before he got set up to swing again, Dodge crowded his space, pressing against his back. He wrapped his arms around Quest. His lips brushed Quest’s ear. “You just need the right pressure.” He helped Quest swing. Quest didn’t even see what happened to the ball. He was turned on and blind to everything except Dodge. Then Dodge didn’t let up. Hole by hole, he touched Quest. Kissed him. His gaze fucked him. The air felt too thin. Everything had a haze to it. It was like the only thing clear in his eyes was Dodge. Maybehis beauty simply outshined the rest of the world. Quest couldn’t say anymore.
At the eighteenth hole, Quest tried to focus. The game was almost over and he could end this torture. He moved to hit his ball. Dodge stepped into his path, blocking him. Without warning, his mouth covered Quest’s in a kiss so carnal, Quest nearly came right then.
Dodge pulled away and swiped the moisture from Quest’s bottom lip with his thumb. His gaze never wavered from holding Quest’s stare. “Let them spread that rumor. It’s long past time for everyone to know you’re mine and they can’t have you.”
Quest had never felt weaker in his life, or stronger. There was nothing he wouldn’t give this man, and he would tear apart the world if anyone tried to harm him. He had been drowning in love since they met. Dodge was right. It was time everyone knew.
Chapter Five
Salemdidn’thearthechirp of the alarm from the back door opening until he pulled the last dish from the oven. The scent of food filled the kitchen. He didn’t doubt they smelled the steak he had just fetched from the grill. The pair ambled into the room. Salem felt their overwhelming presence, but he didn’t turn. He simply seasoned the chopped potatoes and stayed focused on his task.
“Something smells good.”
Salem’s eyes fell closed. He wanted to cry, but he wouldn’t. From the very beginning, he had known he was the third wheel. The outsider. He hadn’t had any illusions about them. They would always choose each other first and Salem last. He didn’t doubt they had spent the day fucking whoever it was they picked up from the bar. It was Salem’s fault. He was cold. That was life.
He swallowed the hurt. “You’re just in time. I just finished. No doubt you worked up an appetite today.” Salem might have bitten off his tongue if he hadn’t managed to cling to a bland tone. They could have his heart, but Salem wouldkeep his pride.
He found himself squashed between two massive bodies. With a spatula in one hand and salt in the other, Salem stood like an awkward statue while they squeezed him. They didn’t smell like sex. They smelled like sunshine.
“You missed mini golf.”
“And then real golf,” Dodge tacked on, finishing Quest’s claim.
“I don’t enjoy either of those things, so I’m good.”
“Are you good?”
At Quest’s question, Salem wanted to scream at the top of his lungs. No. He wasn’t okay. Salem hated absolutelyeveryone, and he never had anywhere to go with that.
“I had already said I’d go to lunch with Shaw and join him for a society banquet before last night. I’d never hurt either of you. It truly was just lunch. We didn’t even shake hands when it was over.” Salem had no idea why he explained himself. They had each other. He meant nothing.
“Stop talking, Salem.”
Salem’s teeth snapped together at Quest’s demand.
“Is everything turned off—like the stove andwhatnot?”
Salem nodded.
The world tilted. He ended up draped over Quest’s shoulder.
While smiling like an idiot, Dodge plucked the items from his hands and set them aside. “I’ll make our plates.”
Salem had no idea what was happening. They were both bad about using their size against him. Quest could have anything planned. He fought the urge to laugh when Quest paced a circle around the kitchen island. Then Quest started talking, and he fought not to panic.