Page 34 of Spilled Coffee

“Ethan!” Devon grinned, all teeth and charm, his short-sleeved shirt rolled up, buttons undone, baring a chiseled chest. “How you doing, brah?” He raked his eyes—quick and appreciative—over the younger man, before scanning the room. “Logan not with you?”

“Er... no,” Ethan sighed, the sound of Logan’s name an arrow in his heart. “Not tonight.”

“So you’re on your own?” Devon’s smile widened, hunger glinting in his eyes. “Let me get you that drink.”

Ethan eyed his empty bottle, and the too many empty shot glasses. More booze was the last thing he needed, but refusal felt rude. “Sure, I’ll take another.” He raised his bottle toward the bartender.

He watched Devon, his shirt straining over those massive biceps, order two beers before he excused himself from his group with a casual salute.

“You wanna grab a booth?” He nodded to the empty one with plush red cushions across the lounge. “You look like you could use a more comfortable seat.”

Ethan slid off the stool, then almost collapsed into the booth, the cushions sinking under his drunken weight.

Devon settled across from him, beer in hand as he studied him. “So, what you doing out in the wild all alone?” His gaze lingered. Ethan’s thighs stretching his jeans, the white tee clinging tight to his chest, every curve honed by SEAL grit. He couldn’t look away, desire flickering as he sipped. “You and Logan good after the spa?”

“Uh... yeah,” Ethan glanced away. Devon knew, he’d seen that heat rise in his cheeks. “It was good, thanks.” He coughed. “But you know... there’s nothing going on between us. We’re just friends… teammates.”

Devon choked. “Really? Nothing going on?” He stifled a grin. “Guess I musta got my wires crossed, cause the way you were eye fuckin’ him during that massage? Hell, you got it bad, dude. But...” he shrugged, “what do I know?”

“Well, you’ve definitely got it wrong.” Ethan shook his head, as bile rose inside him. Someone saw, someone knew. “It’s not like that between us.”

Devon leaned back, hands behind his head, chest flexing under the open shirt. “Oh come on, Ethan, I’ve known Logan for years. He doesn’t bring just anyone for a massage. He likes you, it’s obvious as hell.” He sighed, his grin softening. “You know, I was jealous at first—you with him. But by the end… I was more jealous of Logan, getting to have you all to himself. Still, if you say there’s nothing going on then…”

His hand landed on Ethan’s thigh, warm and firm as he leaned in and unexpectedly kissed him full on the lips.

Too drunk to respond instantly, Ethan let it happen and for one hazy beat he even kissed him back.

“Whoa…” he quickly shoved Devon off. “I’m flattered, but I’m not…” He sighed, flustered as he stared at Devon’s chiseled face. Sharp jaw, dark eyes, a cologne that smelled like cedar and sin. “I don’t… with guys, I mean.”

“Really?” Devon sat back, watching Ethan’s nerves flare. “Could’ve sworn you were giving me the green light.” He leaned in, cupping the younger man’s face before forcing his tongue past his lips.

His kiss was bold and insistent, but Ethan jerked away, head spinning. Sure, Devon was hot… muscles rippling, that scent dizzying, but this… it wasn’t right. “I can’t,” he sighed again. “You are really attractive, but I can’t do this.”

“Oh, boy… you really do have it bad for him, don’t you?” Devon leaned across and grabbed his beer from the table. “There are some things you need to know about Logan. He’s not gay. He just dips in sometimes. So if you’re dreaming of love, and promises—the romance and fairy tales—it won’t happen with Logan. I should know. I was his first, and things got pretty intense for a while, but in the end, he couldn’t give me what I wanted. He won’t cross over that line. And with him being your team leader… that’s a hot mess waiting to happen.”

Ethan frowned, his gut somersaulting before it twisted in knots. “You and Logan...?”

“That’s right,” Devon nodded. “We had a thing. Sure, it was a while back, but I still know how his mind works. He’s your CO, there’s no way he’ll risk more than a casual fling.” He leaned back, hands behind his head, chest flexing, a tempting wall of muscle drunk Ethan couldn’t ignore. “Have you taken it all theway yet, or is he still promising things while he figures out what he wants?”

Devon slid his hand up Ethan’s thigh, slow and firm, eyes boring into his. “You need a distraction, someone to show you what it’s like to be with a real man.” His hand climbed quickly, pulling at Ethan’s neck before he kissed him hard. “You could have anyone you want in here, man or woman. Let’s take this back to your place? I promise, I’ll give you everything you want.”

Devon wasn’t Logan, but the heat, his scent, that offer… it made him hesitate. He resisted. “I need the men’s room.”

“Sure.” Devon sat back. “But don’t take too long. I don’t wanna kill the mood. I’ll grab us some drinks while I wait.”

CHAPTER 17

As Ethan staggered backfrom the men’s room, the pulsing chaos of Lucy’s slammed into him, knocking the breath from his lungs.

The air was thick with sweat, spilled liquor and the acrid tang of vape smoke. Neon violet strobes slashed through the darkness while the relentless thud of music vibrated beneath his boots.

“Ethan, you okay, brah?” Devon’s voice cut through the din, a lifeline in the haze. He rose from the booth, lights glinting off his towering frame. “Probably best if we sit you down,” he laughed, grabbing Ethan’s arm and guiding him back to the booth.

Ethan collapsed with an undignified thud, his elbow grazing a stray shot glass, sending it spinning.

Devon watched him struggle with amusement. “Here, got you another shot and a beer.” He slid a bottle across the table, nudging the small glass beside it.

“No. No, I don’t want anymore,” Ethan groaned, rubbing his temple. The ache in his head pulsed sharper with every beat, and his tongue felt like sandpaper against his teeth. The thought of yet another drink turned his stomach inside out. “I’ve had too much already.”

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