Tried & True
Page 29
Sloane pulled Dex close and licked his cheek as Dex laughed, a flash going off to capture the moment.
“Mm, strawberry.” Sloane waggled his eyebrows. “I always thought you were a little fruity.”
Dex laughed and shoved a piece of cake at Sloane’s face. He poked his tongue out and licked the corner of his mouth.
“Ooh, salted caramel. This was my pick,” Sloane announced.
They cleaned each other off, giggling and laughing like a couple of schoolboys, then Dex stuffed himself full of cake like Sloane had told him he could. He made sure to have a piece of each flavor. By the time dessert was over, Dex was bouncing. He grabbed Sloane’s hand, and they headed back to the dance floor as the music kicked off again. Everyone crowded together, doing everything from the Twist to the Electric Slide. When “Time of My Life” came on, everyone cleared the floor.
Sloane took Dex’s hand, and he winked at the crowd. “Come on, you all knew this was coming.”
Dex nodded. “Because he loves me.”
“Because I’m a sap,” Sloane added before turning to Dex. “Plus, I get to be Swayze.”
Dex threw his head back and laughed as he played his part, dancing the routine with Sloane, their eyes on each other as they dirty danced. Then Sloane kissed his hand, and Dex backed up, watching Sloane go all sinfully sexy Swayze on him, and the crowd lost their minds. Sloane spun around, and the wedding party danced behind him, following his moves. He stopped and nodded to Dex, who couldn’t believe he was actually going to do this without a mat.
Dex ran, and when he neared Sloane, he hopped, and Sloane lifted him, his arms spread out for balance just like the choreographer had taught him. Sloane’s strong hands held him at his waist, and when he lowered Dex to his feet, everyone joined them again on the dance floor.
“Have I told you how amazing you are for agreeing to this?” Dex asked, beaming up at Sloane. Who else would have gone along with his shenanigans? Whenever Dex suggested something crazy, Sloane never thought he was being ridiculous or stupid. He was always receptive, incredibly sweet, and open to being crazy right along with Dex. There was no one who was better suited for Dex than his wonderful husband.
“Are you kidding? And miss the look you’re giving me right now? Never.”
“And what look is that?” Dex asked, feeling as though his heart was going to beat out of him with how happy he was.
“Like you’re the luckiest guy in the world because you have me.”
Dex brought his arms around Sloane’s neck and drew him in for a kiss. “Babe, I am the luckiest guy in the world because I have you. I won’t ever forget that.”
The rest of the night went by in a blur of music, dancing, and laughter. The wedding couldn’t have gone better, and Dex would remember this day for the rest of his life. When the time came for them to leave, everyone blew bubbles as Dex and Sloane walked by their loved ones toward the sleek vintage Rolls Royce waiting for them.
They stopped at the end of the aisle, where the photographer stood to take more pictures. Sloane turned to Dex, wiped the tear from his cheek, and leaned in, murmuring against his lips, “I love you, Mr. Daley.”
Dex returned the sweet kiss. “I love you too, Mr. Daley. For as long as I live, my heart is yours.”
The driver opened the door, and Dex climbed in first, followed by Sloane. The evening was cool but lovely, so the top was down. The driver closed the door and climbed behind the wheel. As they drove away, they waved to everyone. Dex blew a kiss to his dad, his eyes misty. He turned in his seat, his hands in Sloane’s, and smiled at his husband.
“Kind of feels a little bit like the end, doesn’t it?”
Sloane brought Dex’s fingers to his lips for a kiss, mischief in those stunning amber eyes filled with passion and adoration. “Sweetheart, this is just the beginning.”
Dex let out a loud whoop before pouncing on Sloane. Whatever future they faced, they would be doing so together. Sloane was right, this was just the beginning, and Dex couldn’t wait to get started.
More from Charlie Cochet
THIRDS: Book One
When homicide detective Dexter J. Daley’s testimony helps send his partner away for murder, the consequences—and the media frenzy—aren’t far behind. He soon finds himself sans boyfriend, sans friends, and, after an unpleasant encounter in a parking garage after the trial, he’s lucky he doesn’t find himself sans teeth. Dex fears he’ll get transferred from the Human Police Force’s Sixth Precinct, or worse, get dismissed. Instead, his adoptive father—a sergeant at the Therian-Human Intelligence Recon Defense Squadron otherwise known as the THIRDS—pulls a few strings, and Dex gets recruited as a Defense Agent.
Dex is determined to get his life back on track and eager to get started in his new job. But his first meeting with Team Leader Sloane Brodie, who also happens to be his new jaguar Therian partner, turns disastrous. When the team is called to investigate the murders of three HumaniTherian activists, it soon becomes clear to Dex that getting his partner and the rest of the tightknit team to accept him will be a lot harder than catching the killer—and every bit as dangerous.
Sequel to Hell & High
THIRDS: Book Two
When a series of bombs go off in a Therian youth center, injuring members of THIRDS Team Destructive Delta and causing a rift between agents Dexter J. Daley and Sloane Brodie, peace seems unattainable. Especially when a new and frightening group, the Order of Adrasteia, appears to always be a step ahead. With panic and intolerance spreading and streets becoming littered with the Order’s propaganda, hostility between Humans and Therians grows daily. Dex and Sloane, along with the rest of the team, are determined to take down the Order and restore peace, not to mention settle a personal score. But the deeper the team investigates the bombings, the more they believe there’s a more sinister motive than a desire to shed blood and spread chaos.
Discovering the frightful truth behind the Order’s intent forces Sloane to confront secrets from a past he thought he’d left behind for good, a past that could not only destroy him and his career, but also the reputation of the organization that made him all he is today. Now more than ever, Dex and Sloane need each other, and, along with trust, the strength of their bond will mean the difference between justice and all-out war.
Sequel to Blood & Thunder
THIRDS: Book Three
New York City’s streets are more dangerous than ever with the leaderless Order of Adrasteia and the Ikelos Coalition, a newly emerged Therian group, at war. Innocent civilians are caught in the crossfire and although the THIRDS round up more and more members of the Order in the hopes of keeping the volatile group from reorganizing, the members of the Coalition continue to escape and wreak havoc in the name of vigilante justice.
Worse yet, someone inside the THIRDS has been feeding the Coalition information. It’s up to Destructive Delta to draw out the mole and put an end to the war before anyone else gets hurt. But to get the job done, the team will have to work through the aftereffects of the Therian Youth Center bombing. A skirmish with Coalition members leads Agent Dexter J. Daley to a shocking discovery and suddenly it becomes clear that the random violence isn’t so random. There’s more going on than Dex and Sloane originally believed, and their fiery partnership is put to the test. As the case takes an explosive turn, Dex and Sloane are in danger of losing more than their relationship.
THIRDS: Book Four
After an attack by the Coalition leaves THIRDS Team Leader Sloane Brodie critically injured, agent Dexter J. Daley swears to make Beck Hogan pay for what he’s done. But Dex’s plans for retribution are short-lived. With Ash still on leave with his own injuries, Sloane in the hospital, and Destructive Delta in the Coalition’s crosshairs, Lieutenant Sparks isn’t taking any chances. Dex’s team is pulled from the case, with the investigation handed to Team Leader Sebastian Hobbs. Dex refuses to stand by while another team goes after Hogan, and decides to put his old HPF detective skills to work to find Hogan before Theta
Destructive, no matter the cost.
With a lengthy and painful recovery ahead of him, the last thing Sloane needs is his partner out scouring the city, especially when the lies—however well-intentioned—begin to spiral out of control. Sloane is all too familiar with the desire to retaliate, but some things are more important, like the man who’s pledged to stand beside him. As Dex starts down a dark path, it’s up to Sloane to show him what’s at stake, and finally put a name to what’s in his heart.
Sequel to Rise & Fall
THIRDS: Book Five
As the fiercest Defense Agent at the THIRDS, Destructive Delta’s Ash Keeler is foul-mouthed and foul-tempered. But his hard-lined approach always yields results, evident by his recent infiltration of the Coalition. Thanks to Ash’s skills and the help of his team, they finally put an end to the murdering extremist group for good, though not before Ash takes a bullet to save teammate Cael Maddock. As a result, Ash’s secrets start to surface, and he can no longer ignore what’s in his heart.
Cael Maddock is no stranger to heartache. As a Recon Agent for Destructive Delta, he has successfully maneuvered through the urban jungle that is New York City, picking up his own scars along the way. Yet nothing he’s ever faced has been more of a challenge than the heart of Ash Keeler, his supposedly straight teammate. Being in love isn’t the only danger he and Ash face as wounds reopen and new secrets emerge, forcing them to question old loyalties.
Readers love the THIRDS series by Charlie Cochet
Catch a Tiger by the Tail
“I love the THIRDS series. It’s fun, action-packed, and hella sexy.”
—Just Love: Romance Novel Reviews
Smoke & Mirrors
“If you aren’t reading this series, well, you absolutely should be. And I, for one, have no qualms about recommending it to you.”
—Joyfully Jay
Thick & Thin
“This series has always amazed me and the amazement continued when reading this one…”
—Three Books Over the Rainbow
Darkest Hour Before Dawn
“The briskly paced novel is packed with exciting action, steamy sex scenes, melodramatic passion, and tender moments of romance.”
—Foreword Reviews
Gummy Bears & Grenades
“Gummy Bears & Grenades was pure fun.”
—Birdie Bookworm
CHARLIE COCHET is an author by day and artist by night. Always quick to succumb to the whispers of her wayward muse, no star is out of reach when following her passion. From adventurous agents and sexy shifters to society gentlemen and hardboiled detectives, there’s bound to be plenty of mischief for her heroes to find themselves in—and plenty of romance, too!
Currently residing in Central Florida, Charlie is at the beck and call of a rascally Doxiepoo bent on world domination. When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found reading, drawing, or watching movies. She runs on coffee, thrives on music, and loves to hear from readers.
Website: www.charliecochet.com
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By Charlie Cochet
Between the Devil and the Pacific Blue
Beware of Geeks Bearing Gifts
Healing Hunter’s Heart
Love in Retrograde
A Rose by Any Other Name
THE AUSPICIOUS TROUBLES OF LOVE
The Auspicious Troubles of Chance
The Impetuous Afflictions of Jonathan Wolfe
DREAMSPUN DESIRES
#7 – Forgive and Forget
#41 – Finding Mr. Wrong
NORTH POLE CITY TALES
Mending Noel
The Heart of Frost
Vixen’s Valor
Loving Blitz
Disarming Donner
SOLDATI HEARTS
The Soldati Prince
The Foxling Soldati
THIRDS
Hell & High Water
Blood & Thunder
Rack & Ruin
Rise & Fall
Against the Grain
Catch a Tiger by the Tail
Smoke & Mirrors
Thick & Thin
Darkest Hour Before Dawn
Gummy Bears & Grenades
Tried & True
THIRDS Beyond the Books Volume 1
THIRDS Beyond the Books Volume 2
Thick & Thin and Gummy Bears & Grenades (Print Only Anthology)
Published by DREAMSPINNER PRESS
www.dreamspinnerpress.com
Published by
DREAMSPINNER PRESS
5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886 USA
www.dreamspinnerpress.com
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of author imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Tried & True
© 2017 Charlie Cochet.
Cover Art
© 2017 L.C. Chase.
http://www.lcchase.com
Cover content is for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted on the cover is a model.
All rights reserved. This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of international copyright law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines, and/or imprisonment. Any eBook format cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press, 5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886, USA, or www.dreamspinnerpress.com.
ISBN: 978-1-64080-115-8
Digital ISBN: 978-1-64080-116-5
Library of Congress Control Number: 2017953215
Published November 2017
v. 1.0
Printed in the United States of America