When was the last time I felt this comfortable?
Deke didn't know and he didn't want to dwell on it. Instead, he pushed to his feet and washed up.
Maybe fifteen minutes later, wrapped in a robe, Deke meandered out of his room in search of tea. The sun had come up enough to shine long beams of light along the massive bay windows, illuminating the room in a soft glow.
Deke spotted several men at the counter, reminding him that he wasn't actually in Dirk's home. When he'd fled Sacramento, his instinct drove him to head east. At the first gas station, he'd bummed a cell phone and contacted his best friend. He hadn't seen Dirk in four months, but that hadn't stopped Dirk from giving him an address in a little podunk mountain town called Stone Ridge, Colorado.
Upon arrival, two men he hadn't recognized had greeted Deke. He'd just about run, but then the shaggy-haired, heavily muscled, blond guy had pulled him into a shockingly gentle bear hug. After several seconds, the man had released him and-his massive paws on his shoulders-had held Deke at arm's length.
The man had introduced himself as Frankie Drunger. He'd released one of Deke's shoulders while sliding the other arm so it wrapped around his torso, gently turning Deke toward the house. Then, Deke had faced the other man … who gazed upon Frankie with an amused, loving expression.
"This is my mate, Vincent Marché," Frankie had blathered on, leading Deke toward the house. "He just talked to Seb and he and Dirk just landed at Colin City airport. They should be here within the hour."
That had settled some of Deke's nerves, as had Vincent's offer of a cup of tea and a shower. He'd been living in Frankie and Vincent's home for the last three days, holed up in his room, recovering from-
Deke focused on the here and now and moved toward the five men clustered around the bar. He joined the group and smiled at the newcomer. "Hey, Lex," he greeted the vampire. "When did you get here?"
Having flown to Vegas to rescue his friend, Deke had planned to hate all paranormals. When Deke had met the tall, blond vampire, Lexington Paistro, to his surprise, he'd found he'd liked the man. He was glad, too, because he enjoyed flirting with the male and appreciated knowing he didn't have to worry about the guy expecting more. Lex was just as big a flirt as Deke was.
Lex peered at him over his coffee mug, his pale brown eyes sweeping over Deke's face for a second before he replied, "This morning at about two."
Glancing at the clock, Deke grimaced. "Damn," he murmured, reading the time on the microwave. Six-thirteen. "I'm sorry I woke you."
Shrugging, Lex winked. "Don't worry about it, cutie. I've gone days without sleep before. I'll still have plenty of energy to kick your ass at poker tonight."
Deke appreciated the vampire downplaying why everyone in the house was awake on a Saturday morning before seven AM. "How about I sit on your lap and watch, instead?" he teased, batting his eyelashes. "I'm sure that'll be more fun for both of us."
He didn't care for poker, but had told the guys that he'd go that evening. He'd never been one to sit at home all day, so after being cooped up for so long, he was more than ready to take any opportunity to get his social fix.
Lex chuckled, his eyes warm. "Oh, cutie, then neither of us would win anything."
Deke snickered as he reached out and took the cup of tea Dirk offered.
Walking into the home of Carson Angeni, Deke had to admit-just to himself-that he felt a bit nervous. He heard the noise of dozens of laughing men and realized he was about to be surrounded by a hell of a lot of large males. Vivid memories of Michael's big friends grabbing him pushed at Deke's psyche. He shivered, pausing in the foyer.
"Relax, no one here will hurt you," Lex purred into his ear, slinging an arm around his shoulders and using the hold to get him moving again.
Deke glanced at Lex and gave the friendly vampire an appreciative smile. "Sorry, just getting stuck in my head too much these days," he admitted softly.
Lex nodded as he continued to guide him down the hall, past a couple of closed doors to a massive great room. On the right, a pair of poker tables had been set up. Filled to capacity, six men sat around each table, talking and joshing each other.
His heart feeling as if it skipped a beat in his chest, Deke found his gaze captivated by a big, blond man sitting at the far table. Luther Caldwell. Deke shivered as he watched the wolf shifter pick up his beer, bring it to his lips, and drink from the can. He stared as the man's Adam's apple bobbed and the arm holding the can flexed.
Deke swallowed the saliva pooling in his mouth. Blood flowed south, filling his dick. Damn, he wanted some of that.
"Someone you want me to introduce you to?" Lex teased, leaning close to speak quietly, directly into his ear.
Turning his head just enough to glance at Lex, Deke mumbled, "Huh?"
Lex snickered. "You just got turned on by someone," he replied. "I can smell it." Then, moving his head to rest on Deke's shoulder, Lex swept his gaze around the room. "Oh, look who's here. Luther Caldwell. Maybe we should go say hi."
"No, uh, no," Deke instantly responded. "I think I want a drink." He pulled away and headed left, away from the poker players and toward the open concept kitchen. "You want one?"
Chuckling, Lex followed. "Sure, then I'm gonna find Carson and put my name down on the list to play next. You want me to add yours?"
Deke shook his head. "No. I really don't want to play. I just came to get out of the house," he admitted. Having reached the kitchen, he grabbed a couple of beers from the ice-filled sink and handed one to Lex. "I'm not one to sit at home, even when-" He bit off his words and grimaced.
Lex nodded in understanding. "Find someone to talk to and relax, cutie," he recommended. Then, squeezing his shoulder, he reminded, "No one here will hurt you." Then, he winked. "Just don't flirt with the wrong man."
His jaw sagging at that parting shot, Deke watched Lex stride away. Wait, how was he supposed to know who the wrong man was?
"Hey, Deke," a deep voice called, drawing Deke's attention.
Sweeping his gaze around the room, Deke spotted a massive African American male lounging on a sofa. Opposite the great room-in what probably should have been the dining room-a number of sofas and cushioned chairs lined the walls. It created an arc around a large coffee table heavily laden with a myriad of chips, dips, and other snacks.
The African American smiled at Deke. "Will ye bring me a beer, Deke?"
Curious how the big male knew his name, Deke nodded. He grabbed another beer and headed toward the man. "Do I know you?" he asked, handing it over.
"Nay," the man replied. "Have a seat," he ordered, indicating the space next to him.
Uneasy, Deke settled on the edge of the cushion. He clutched his bottle in both hands, trying to keep the scowl off his face. "Who are you?" he asked softly.
Holding out a hand, the man replied, "Declan McIntire."
Deke's eyes widened. He'd heard that name … this was the alpha wolf shifter of the area? He commanded all the other shifters and their mates. Deke hesitated a second, then took the man's hand. Surprise filled him when the man's grip was firm, but not painful, and brief … just the standard, functionary handshake.
Declan's dark gray-eyed gaze swept over him. "Thanks," he said, surprising Deke further. Grinning, showing off an even set of pearly whites, Declan added, "For the beer."
"You're welcome," Deke responded immediately. Glancing from the man to the men milling around the area, laughing, talking, and playing, he asked, "Why aren't you playing?" He pointed toward the tables with his beer.
"I hate poker," Declan replied. As if sensing Deke's confusion, Declan added, "Me mate, Lark, enjoys playing with his friends, so when we can get a sitter for our daughter Sara, we come. Besides," he added. "It's a great way to get a feel for how me pack is doing."
Deke nodded slowly. Still, why had the man invited him over? He wasn't pack. "Then, uh, shouldn't you be talking to some of them?" He tried to express confusion, and not come off as rude.
Declan just smiled and shrugged. "The night is young." He cocked his head. "I noticed ye had an eye out for Luther. Have ye met him?"
His jaw sagging open, Deke just stared. How the hell?