36. Dash

36

DASH

Mistakes were definitely made.

I think.

Honestly, I have no idea what happened last night, but I bet it was epic, and I will want to do it again.

Stretching my hands over my head, I yawn, cracking my jaw. The dull ache in my muscles tells me it was a wild night, but the specifics are a blur. It's then I hear the sink running in my bathroom.

"Q," I call, rolling to the side of the bed and off because my legs have decided that they aren't going to work today. "My mouth feels like I ate a bag of pennies."

"Or a bag of dicks," a voice calls from the bathroom.

I roll over, trying to figure out who the hell is in the bathroom. With blankets wrapped around my torso, I blink up at the large form hovering over me. "Logan."

I frown. Why the hell is Logan in my bedroom?

"Morning." He wags his brows while brushing his teeth. Not only that, but not a speck of toothpaste is out of place. He's a magician. I usually have toothpaste all over my face. Still, what the hell is he doing in my house, let alone my room?

"Did we…" I trail off when he begins to chuckle and crouches beside me. "I'm not into tea bagging, bro," I remark, eyeing him suspiciously.

"Noted." He laughs, tugging my blankets from around my hips. "There."

"Why are you here?" I ask carefully as I sit up. Nope, bad idea. My head is swimming, like full-on nose-dive into the deep end of the pool. The whomp-whomp of my heart pulses in my ears, and I damn near box my own ears to curb it.

"Pretty sure that answer is self-explanatory," Logan says, offering me a hand up, which I gratefully take because I'm dizzy as fuck. As I crash back to the bed, I hang my head. "Never drinking again…until next Friday."

Logan chuckles. "That's what you said last night." He disappears back into the bathroom, leaving me to wallow in my misery.

I groan, pressing my palms against my eyes. The room is spinning, and I'm pretty sure if I move, I'll vomit all over my sheets. Not a pleasant thought. I want to invite Aria to my bed, not scare her away from it.

"Here." Logan reappears, holding out a glass of water and what looks like a couple of aspirin. "This should help."

I take the offered items, noting how comfortable he is in my space, and down the pills and chug the water. It's cool and refreshing, and for a moment, I feel marginally better, until I gag and have to put all of my focus onto keeping the water down.

"Thanks," I mutter, setting the glass on the nightstand. "So, uh, what exactly happened last night?"

Logan shrugs, wearing a smirk on his lips. "You got drunk, made a fool of yourself, and I had to drag your sorry ass home."

I wince, my thoughts instantly rerouted to what mischief I could have gotten up to last night. "Did I do anything particularly stupid?"

"You mean aside from trying to climb the DJ booth and declaring yourself the king of the dance floor?"

I groan again, burying my face in my hands. "Please tell me I didn't."

Logan's grin widens as he nods. "Oh, you did, and then some. You tried to start a conga line, but no one would join you, so you decided to do a solo conga, weaving through the crowd and knocking over a few drinks in the process."

I let out a long, pained moan. "I'm never going to be able to show my face at that club again." Which totally sucks, because?—

"Probably not," Logan agrees cheerfully. "But wait, there's more. After your failed conga attempt, you spotted Aria across the room."

My head snaps up, my eyes wide with horror. "No. Please tell me I didn't…"

"You did. You stumbled over to her, got down on one knee, and proceeded to serenade her with a very off-key rendition of ‘I Will Always Love You.'"

I flop back on the bed, pulling a pillow over my face, instantly consumed by embarrassment. "Just smother me now and put me out of my misery," I mumble into the fabric.

Logan laughs, tugging the pillow away. "Come on, it wasn't that bad, because none of it happened."

I might kill him. Instead, I toss a pillow at his head. "Asshat."

Logan ducks, dodging the pillow with ease. "Hey, you asked what happened last night. I just filled in the blanks with what you would have done."

I glare at him, but there's no real heat behind it. "So what actually happened then?"

"Well, you did get pretty drunk," Logan admits, settling on the edge of the bed, "but I cut you off before you could do anything too embarrassing. We talked some shit, and then I poured all of us in my car and drove you all home."

I let out a sigh of relief. He did us a solid by getting us home. It also explains why he's here. "Thank God. I thought I'd really fucked things up with Aria."

"Nah, man. You're good. She wasn't even at the club last night when you got drunk."

I nod, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. "Thanks for looking out for me, bro."

Logan claps me on the shoulder. "Anytime, Dash. That's what friends are for."

He stands up, stretching his arms over his head. "Now, as much as I'd love to stay and nurse your hungover ass back to health, I have shit to do. Are you going to be okay on your own?"

"Yeah, I'll survive." I clear my throat. "What time is it?"

"Nearly two." He frowns. "I was really hoping I'd get a chance to meet Aria, but I'm off."

I choose to ignore his pressing curiosity about my girl. "We don't work today." I yawn.

"One shift with you guys doesn't make a paycheck." He claps me on the back. "I'll see you bright and early Monday morning. When I saw Malachi earlier, he said nine."

"Yeah." I swallow bile. I need greasy food. Stat.

"See you then." He takes off whistling. How that man is so happy is beyond me.

Reaching over, I grab my phone and scroll through the messages. I don't remember sending any of these, but that doesn't mean I didn't do it.

I feel like shit.

Rolling out of bed, I shuffle to the bathroom and turn on the shower, then I grab my toothbrush but see that Logan left his there.

He's moving too fast.

I pause, staring at Logan's toothbrush. It's a simple thing, just a blue and white plastic handle, but seeing it there next to mine feels oddly intimate and invasive, like a sign that he's becoming a permanent fixture in my life.

Logan's sudden presence in our lives is like a catchy song I can't decide if I love or hate. On one hand, he's cool and helpful, but on the other, his quick integration into our pack feels like an invasion. I'm torn between welcoming him and guarding our pack's tight-knit dynamic. Maybe I'm overthinking it. He got us home last night and looked out for us as any decent person would. That's all.

Shaking my head, I start brushing my teeth, trying to get rid of the lingering taste of last night's bad decisions. The mint helps, but my stomach still churns uneasily. I definitely need some greasy food to soak up the alcohol.

After rinsing my mouth, I strip off my clothes and step into the shower. The hot water feels amazing, pounding against my aching muscles. I stand there for a long time, just letting the steam envelop me.

When I finally emerge, I feel marginally more human. I towel off and throw on some clean clothes, then I head to the kitchen in search of sustenance.

To my surprise, there's a plate of bacon and eggs waiting for me on the counter, along with a note from Logan.

Figured you could use some hangover food. Eat up and feel better. See you Monday—L

A smile tugs at my lips. Logan might be an enigma, and a pushy one at that, but he's a thoughtful one. I dig into the food, savoring each greasy, delicious bite. It's exactly what my body needs right now.

As I eat, my mind drifts back to last night. Was Logan actually lying? Did I really try to start a solo conga line? I must have looked like a complete idiot. Aria would have laughed her head off if she saw me, but maybe that's not such a bad thing. Her laughter is worth a thousand embarrassments.

My luck perseveres, though, because right then, the woman of my dreams walks through the front door. Granted, she slams said door in Zane's face, but he probably deserved it.

"Hey, beautiful." I stand up and rush to her, only to sweep her up in my arms and carry her back to the table with me.

Her laughter is music to my ears, and I nuzzle her neck. Do I scent mark her? Fucking right I do.

Aria giggles as I carry her, her arms looping around my neck. "Well, hello to you too," she says, pressing a kiss to my cheek. "Someone's in a good mood."

"How could I not be with you in my arms?" I grin, settling her on my lap as I sit down at the table.

She rolls her eyes but smiles, stealing a piece of bacon from my plate. "Flattery will get you everywhere, Dash."

I waggle my eyebrows at her. "That's the plan, beautiful."

She laughs again, the sound brightening my entire world. I tighten my arms around her, marveling at how perfectly she fits against me, like she was made just for me.

As I'm about to suggest lunch, Zane bursts in, his face a storm cloud of irritation. The tension from their earlier conversation crackles in the air. "Aria, we're not done talking about this," he rumbles.

Aria rolls her eyes, the playfulness from our interaction disappearing. "I think I made my point clear when I slammed the door in your face, Zane."

I look between them, feeling like I've missed a crucial piece of the puzzle. "Whoa, what'd I miss? You two having a lovers' quarrel without me?"

Aria shrugs, completely unapologetic. "You were being annoying."

"I was trying to talk to you!"

"And I was trying to ignore you. Guess which one of us succeeded?"

I glance between Zane and Aria, sensing the tension crackling in the air. Something's off, but I can't put my finger on it. Zane's jaw is clenched, his body angled towards Aria even as he keeps his distance. It's like watching a man fight against gravity. I've known him long enough to recognize when he's at war with himself. But why? What is it about this beta that has Zane so wound up?

I snicker as Zane stomps off, cursing under his breath. He definitely deserved it. "Come have lunch with me."

"Dash, it's nearly dinnertime."

"Lunch is for all the time."

"What did you have in mind?" she asks, petting me.

I'm not surprised when I begin to purr for her. It's the first time I've ever purred in my life, and it feels so right and natural that I just hug her closer, even though she freezes. "Don't worry, beautiful, that's all for you."

"That's the problem," she mutters.

I frown at her words, pulling back slightly to look into her eyes. "What do you mean, that's the problem? Don't you like it when I purr for you?"

Aria sighs, her fingers still running through my hair, despite her hesitation. "It's not that I don't like it, Dash, but this is all moving too fast. We barely know each other, and yet here we are, acting like we've been together forever. I need to catch my breath."

My brows furrow. "Come on, Aria, you can't deny this electric connection between us. It's like we're two halves of the same crazy, beautiful puzzle. Tell me you don't feel the sparks flying every time we're together."

She bites her lip, conflict swirling in her beautiful eyes. "I do feel something, Dash." She pauses and exhales slowly. "Let's get some food." She kisses my cheek, and I scoop her up.

My girl will never have to walk again. I will be her legs.

I carry Aria to the car, her laughter still ringing in my ears. I gently set her down in the passenger seat and buckle her in. Her eyes sparkle with amusement as she watches me, and I can't help but lean in for a quick kiss on her forehead before shutting the door.

She's sunshine, and I want to keep her in my pocket.

"Where are we going?" she asks as I slide into the driver's seat.

"It's a surprise," I say with a wink, starting the engine and pulling out of the driveway.

The winding road to the café by the bay is a familiar route, yet today, it seems to hold the promise of something new and exciting. The sun dances on the surface of the water, casting a warm, inviting golden glow over everything in its reach. As we near the café, I can't resist stealing glances at Aria, her face finally relaxing after the earlier tension with Zane. Her features are illuminated by the sunlight, bringing out the softness of her skin and the sparkle in her eyes. It is as if we are driving toward a peaceful paradise, leaving all our worries behind in the wake of the glistening waves.

Fucking purr-fect.

Once we arrive, I hop out and rush around to her side, opening the door with a flourish. "Milady," I say, offering her my hand.

She giggles, taking it and stepping out. I never want her to stop laughing with me. "You're such a dork."

"Only for you," I reply, leading her inside.

The café is a cozy haven, all weathered wooden beams and soft, amber lighting that makes everything glow like a sepia photograph. The rich aroma of freshly ground coffee beans mingles with the sweet scent of cinnamon and vanilla, wrapping around us like a warm hug. It's the kind of place that feels like it has a thousand stories to tell, and I can't wait to start writing ours.

We sink into a plush corner booth, our seats offering a perfect view of the tranquil bay in front of us. The water glistens in the sunlight, beckoning us to relax and take in the peacefulness of the scene.

"What do you want?" I get up to order.

"Chocolate chip muffin and a hazelnut latte."

"Want to think about it?"

"Nope."

"I'll be right back." I head to the counter, order our coffee, and grab the number before rushing back to the table. Any amount of time away from my girl is too long.

"You know," I begin, leaning back in my chair, needing her attention on me, "I've always been a bit of a troublemaker."

Aria raises an eyebrow, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Oh really? Do tell."

I grin, knowing this story will get a reaction. "Well, once, I decided to ‘borrow' a neighbor's go-kart and race it through the town square."

Aria chuckles, her eyes sparkling with interest. "You didn't!"

I laugh, the memory as vivid as if it happened yesterday. "I thought I was invincible. That is, until I crashed into the mayor's flower bed. I had to spend the entire summer weeding his garden as punishment, but it was worth it. Those were the days when nothing seemed impossible, and every day was an adventure."

She laughs, and it's a genuine, delighted sound that makes my heart skip a beat. "I can imagine! What did your parents say?"

My smile falters slightly, but I push forward, determined to keep the mood light. "That's the thing. Our parents weren't really…around. It got to the point where they couldn't take care of us, and we were put into the system. Quinn and I ended up in different foster homes, but we always found a way to stay in touch."

Aria's expression softens, and she reaches across the table to squeeze my hand. "I'm sorry, Dash. That must have been hard."

I shrug, trying to appear nonchalant. "It was, but it also made us who we are. Quinn and I got into a lot of trouble, but we always had each other's backs."

A small beta comes over with our treats and sets them down. "Thanks." I give her a big smile, appreciating her blush before I turn back to Aria.

Tilting my head, I watch as she grips her coffee cup, irritation spilling off her in waves. "You're jealous."

"Never." She sips her coffee, looking away from the barista. "Tell me more."

With pleasure.

"I got into plenty of trouble as a kid," I admit between bites, "but it was all part of growing up and learning the hard way, you know?"

Aria nods, her eyes full of understanding. "I get it, Dash. It sounds like you and Quinn made the best of a tough situation. It must feel good to always have someone like a sibling."

"It was amazing," I agree, my tone more serious now. "And it's made me appreciate the family I have now even more. Malachi, Zane, you…you all mean the world to me."

Aria smiles, her hand finding mine again. "Aww, you're growing on me like a wart."

"I'll take it!" Hell, I'll take anything from her. "Want to walk along the bay?" It's perfect, enjoying the sunset with my beautiful girl.

She is my perfect date.

As we make our way out of the quaint café and toward the bustling riverbank, I can't help but feel a sense of anticipation building within me. Today feels like a turning point, a new chapter in our story, ready to be explored. With Aria's hand in mine, I am filled with excitement for what lies ahead. The warm sun shines down on us, casting long shadows along the cobblestone path that leads us to the water's edge. The gentle hum of city life surrounds us as we walk, adding to the vibrant energy of the moment.

"You know," I start, my voice quiet, "I don't usually talk about my past, but with you…I feel like I can. Talking with you is easy."

Aria looks at me, her expression encouraging. "You can tell me anything, Dash, within reason. I don't need to hear about anything illegal or related to blood."

Aria's words fill me with a sense of warmth and comfort. As I look at Aria, the words I've kept locked away for years suddenly feel like they're bubbling up, desperate to be free. My hands fidget, and I take a deep breath, surprised by the urge to spill every secret, every fear, every hope I've ever had. It's terrifying and liberating all at once. Usually, everyone just sees me as a fool or a joker, but Aria sees me.

"I appreciate that, Aria," I say softly, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. A nagging voice in the back of my mind wonders if she'll still feel the same when she knows everything about me, about our pack. I push the thought away, determined to enjoy this moment. "Growing up, it was always just me and Quinn against the world. We didn't have much, but we had each other, and that was enough."

We continue walking along the riverbank, the setting sun painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. A gentle breeze caresses our skin, carrying with it the crisp, salty scent of the bay. The rhythmic lapping of waves against the shore creates a soothing melody, punctuated by the distant cries of seagulls. The rough texture of Aria's hand in mine grounds me in this perfect moment.

"After we aged out of the system, things got tough for a while," I admit, my gaze fixed on the horizon. "We struggled to make ends meet, taking whatever odd jobs we could find, but we never gave up on each other or on our dreams."

Aria listens intently, her thumb rubbing soothing circles on the back of my hand. Her touch grounds me and gives me the courage to keep going.

"What dreams are those?" she asks as she leads me toward a park bench. "To be a world-famous guitarist?"

"No." I laugh. "I love the band, but I don't think fame is it for me." I see her look of surprise. "I like to be able to go home and take a few days to decompress and relax."

"You're a closeted introvert." She tugs me to the bench, and I go. I'd follow her anywhere.

"Maybe," I hedge, tugging her close. "All I ever wanted was a home," I whisper, turning to her. She's so close, and although she doesn't have much of a scent, I feel drunk on her. "Aria."

"Dash," she murmurs.

"Can I kiss you?"

She licks her lips, her hazel eyes blinking up at me as a crooked smile crosses her face. Time seems to slow as I await her answer, my heart pounding in my chest. Aria's eyes search mine, a flicker of uncertainty passing through them before being replaced by a soft, inviting warmth.

She leans closer, her lips just a breath away from mine. "Yes," she whispers, the single word sending a shiver down my spine.

I lean in, my heart pounding so hard, I'm sure Aria can hear it. Our lips meet, and it's like fireworks exploding behind my eyelids. The kiss starts soft, hesitant, but then Aria's fingers tangle in my hair, and something inside me snaps. The kiss deepens, growing hungry, desperate. I pull her closer, every nerve in my body screaming for more, even as a small voice in my head warns me we might be moving too fast.

Her lips are soft and pliant against mine, molding perfectly as if they were always meant to be together. I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her closer until there's no space left between our bodies. In this moment, nothing else exists except the two of us, lost in the magic of our first real kiss.

Our tongues meet in exploration, tangling in an erotic ballet that imitates what our bodies crave to do. As the kiss deepens, our breaths mingle, creating an intimate symphony punctuated by soft moans.

I feel the crescendo building between us. This is no longer just about relieving biological urges, but about expressing desires that have been simmering underneath for too long now.

My hand slowly moves upwards, caressing the arch of her back before settling just below the swell of her breasts. My thumb idly circles the sensitive skin through the fabric of her shirt, sending visible shivers down Aria's spine.

When we finally pull apart, both breathless and flushed, I rest my forehead against hers. "Wow," I murmur, a goofy grin spreading across my face. "Let's go back to the house and snuggle."

I definitely want to do so much more than snuggle.

Aria rolls her eyes and stands, holding her hand out to me. "I'm picking the movie."

"Anything you want, beautiful." Hell, I'd give her my soul if she asked for it.

The drive back to the house is filled with a comfortable silence, the air between us charged with the electricity of our kiss. Every so often, I steal glances at her, marveling at how radiant she looks in the fading light of day. The setting sun casts a golden hue over everything, making her look like she's glowing. A cocktail of emotions swirls inside me—exhilaration, joy, and a touch of fear at the intensity of it all. It's like standing on the edge of a cliff, knowing the fall might hurt, but unable to resist the thrill of jumping.