Page 29 of Charmed By Destiny

“Well, what did you think would happen if you snuck up behind someone in a nightclub?” Luke heard Richard reply.

Luke gathered his scattered wits and turned to face the newcomers. Whatever brain cells had survived Gabe’s accidental scare fled in an instant as he caught sight of Richard. He wasn’t wearing clear gloss or any of the subtle cosmetics he applied for work. Instead, Richard’s lips were painted a slick red. It complimented the smokey eye makeup that lightened the blue of his eyes and suited the pretty planes of Richard’s face perfectly. Luke’s dick responded instantly, and he swore the temperature of the entire club went up about twenty degrees as his gaze slid further down to take in Richard’s outfit.

The necromancer’s sheer shirt embroidered with dragonflies showed off more skin than it covered. He’d paired his delectable top with leather pants. Luke had to physically concentrate on breathing so he wouldn’t pass out from lack of oxygen.

Richard had effortlessly twisted him into knots, and Luke wished he could pull out his phone to take about a thousand pictures of the necromancer. The music changed, and Maribeth grabbed Richard’s hand.

“It’s our song, we need to dance,” Maribeth shouted as she tugged Richard and Eric past Luke.

“Are you dancing, or should we grab a seat?” Gabe asked.

Luke swallowed, but his throat was bone dry. His entire being was focused on survival and not running after Richard. He wanted to fall to the necromancer’s feet and announce his intention to dedicate the rest of his life to worshipping the man.

“I don’t know how to dance,” Luke managed.

“Me either,” Gabe replied and led Luke toward an empty booth. It had a reserved sign on the table, but that didn’t stop Gabe from sitting, so he supposed it was set aside for him.

Luke scooted his ass across the seat, and without his permission, his gaze tracked Richard. For the first time, he wished he hadn’t looked at the necromancer. The man was grinding his enticing frame to the thundering beat, and Luke swore his cock was throbbing in sync with every movement Richard made.

The night would be torture, but Luke refused to miss a minute of it.

???

Two hours later, Luke’s libido had calmed considerably. The few beers in his belly had helped relax him, and Luke was enjoying hanging out with Gabe. Rhonda—another important guard for the Marwoods—and her soulmate, Tasha, had joined them. The ladies danced some but mostly stayed at the table to chat.

Gabe had explained that the only humans at the club were ones like Tasha, who were aware of necromancy, which allowed them to speak unguarded. Although they didn’t stick to topics affecting either necromancers or inspirits directly, it was comforting to be himself with no barriers.

The fine company and spirits added to Luke’s enjoyment, but there was a damper on the evening. A large one. Richard hadn’t suddenly grown less enticing. On the contrary. The necromancer was a sexy dancer, and Luke liked watching him move.

Luke had learned—thanks to the wispy fabric of Richard’s shirt—that his tattoos went up to just below his elbows. Like his brother’s ink, the artwork was macabre and suited a necromancer with its skulls and bones. But Richard had added dragonflies. Luke wondered what the significance of that was to Richard.

But he didn’t ask. Luke had said little to Richard even when the necromancer took a break from the dance floor to have a shot or sip a martini at their booth. Little opportunity had presented itself.

Douglas had arrived shortly after Richard and stuck to the necromancer’s side like glue. Although Luke had known they were friends and coworkers, he hadn’t delved any deeper into their relationship. But as he watched them laugh and gyrate to the beat on the dance floor, Luke wondered.

Was there a private romance? It could explain the unbalanced situation at work where they shared a title, but everyone deferred to Richard. Luke didn’t like thinking poorly of others, but had Douglas been promoted because he was more than a friend to Richard?

Or was Luke jealous because Douglas was the one Richard took home at night?

The entire evening was as bracing as a cold shower. Luke wished he could rewind time to avoid learning the truth, or perhaps it was better to have his inappropriate but constant fantasies crushed.

Douglas slung an arm around Richard’s shoulders as the latest tune stopped and the DJ hyped up the crowd. Instead of watching to see what would happen next between the pair, Luke gave his full attention to his beer. The corner of the wrapper had come unstuck, and Luke toyed with it as if it was the most important thing to focus on at that moment.

If he kept his gaze off Richard, he’d miss conclusive evidence that he belonged to another. It was pathetic to use avoidance to justify the crush he wasn’t ready to let go, but Luke couldn’t help it. For weeks, Luke’s feelings for the necromancer had grown unchecked. It was a novel experience for him, and he’d relished it. But now all he felt was stupid.

Douglas, Richard, Eric, and Maribeth crammed onto the round couch around their table, and Luke chugged what was left of his drink.

Maybe he should’ve stayed home and done his laundry.

“We need drinks,” Richard announced.

“Woo woo shots,” Douglas insisted.

Luke glanced up as Richard flashed a sexy grin at Douglas.

“You read my mind,” Richard told the inspirit.

“I know all your favorites,” Douglas replied with a wide smile for Richard.

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