Perception (Club Destiny #6)(70)
Author: Nicole Edwards

According to Trent’s earlier introduction, Elijah had been in the United States for roughly two decades. At forty-two years old, Elijah Penn spent the majority of his time working, which involved a significant amount of travelling all over the world. He had enlightened them with a little of his history, also informing them that he routinely went back to visit his aging parents. He had, however, assured them that he considered Dallas his home. That had been his excuse for many of his “American-isms” anyway.

“Are you planning to attend later this week?” It was Logan’s turn to ask a question and Xander glanced over at him, then peered at Elijah for a response.

Xander wasn’t privy to the applications that were submitted, but he knew if he wanted to he could get his hands on them. Based on Logan’s sudden interest in Elijah’s attendance, he figured Logan was interested in getting his hands on it as well.

“I’ll be out of the country until early Sunday,” Elijah informed them. “However, I hope to make it there on Monday.”

Logan nodded. “I’d like to introduce you to my wife.”

“I’d like that very much.”

Elijah and Samantha? It was obvious which direction Logan was heading, but Xander tossed around the idea in his head for a moment. “Are you into threesomes?” Xander asked Elijah bluntly.

Elijah didn’t seem at all put off by the question. “As a matter of fact, I am,” he answered easily. “Why? Are you offering to include me?”

Xander laughed stiffly. “Not a chance.” Xander had no intention of sharing Mercedes, but he knew for a fact that Logan was interested in pursuing something that might have some lasting benefits. He’d known from the beginning that suggesting Logan and Sam might find some interest in BDSM was a gamble. But it had provided him an opportunity to get cozy with Mercedes, and he’d taken it. Yes, he was a manipulative bastard when he needed to be. “But definitely good information to have.”

“Are you married?” Shane asked casually.

“Thirteen years this month,” Elijah confirmed.

Everyone’s attention turned to him. That would’ve had Elijah married sometime in his late twenties if Xander’s math were correct. But what Xander couldn’t wrap his head around was that he was married, but he was interested in a threesome with other couples? There was no way Logan had understood Elijah’s situation correctly if he wanted to introduce this guy to Sam.

“I met Beth through a business conference when I was fresh out of college. She stole my breath the moment I saw her. I pursued her for three years before I finally wore her down and convinced her to marry me,” Elijah explained with a huge grin. “Of course, she wasn’t the type of woman to ever jump into anything, so she insisted on a long engagement. Two years later we were married.”

Everyone’s attention was focused on Elijah. Xander watched him carefully. The man wasn’t disguising just how much he loved his wife.

“My Beth passed away four years ago,” Elijah told them when no one said a word, anguish dripping from every word. “As far as I’m concerned, we’re still married. We always will be.”

You could’ve heard a pin drop.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Cole added, taking a step closer to Luke as he did.

“Thank you. We were together for a very long time. As you can imagine, you don’t get over the love of your life. And I have no intention of replacing her.”

Shane nodded as though he understood. Xander didn’t. Nod that is. He had a good idea of what Elijah was saying. He wasn’t sure he’d ever get over Mercedes if something were to happen to her. God willing, he would never have to.

He didn’t care if they were together for five days or fifty years. The woman was seared into his soul at this point, even if she didn’t know it.

But after last night…

“How’s Dylan?” Luke asked, gently changing the subject and directing his question at Alex, who was standing nearby.

While the others picked up the conversation, Xander watched Elijah for a moment longer. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t fathom what the man must’ve gone through or the pain he must’ve suffered from losing the one person who would forever hold his heart.

Xander shook off the thought and then turned his attention to the explanation Alex was giving. Dylan Thomas was doing better. Not great, but better, Alex said.

The depression he’d been living under since his wife passed away from cancer nine years ago had taken a drastic turn after his son graduated from high school last year.

From what Xander understood, Dylan felt as though he wasn’t needed anymore now that his children were practically grown, despite the fact that everyone, including his children, tried to convince him otherwise.