Rack & Ruin Quotes

“Ash went over to the closet, and Sloane maintained his stoic expression. There was no way Dex would be hiding in the closet. It was too obvious. Ash opened the door, looking unimpressed. “There’s a fuckwit naked in your closet.”
Dex looked up at Ash with wide eyes. “This isn’t what it looks like. I dropped some change, it rolled under the closet door, and when I went to pick it up, my clothes fell off. True story.”
― Charlie Cochet, Rack & Ruin

“You're so cute."
Dex let out a laugh. "And you're such a dork."
"Says the guy who owns Star Wars Lightsaber chopsticks."
"Sushi tastes better when you use the Force."
"You're only strenghtening my case.”
― Charlie Cochet, Rack & Ruin

“Sloan & Dex...

“You skipped puberty didn’t you?”

Dex let out a wistful sigh. “It wasn’t for me.”

Sloane laughed as he carried Dex out of the room. “You’re hopeless.”

“I’m also nonrefundable.”

“Surely there’s a return policy.”

“Forget it. You’re way past the thirty-day refund period. You’re stuck with me now. And before you ask, I’m also nontransferable and nonexchangeable. If you donate me to charity there’s no tax write-off because technically that would be considered Human trafficking.”

“Wow. You’ve got your bases covered.”

“You bet. Should have paid more attention to the Dexter J. Daley boyfriend agreement.”

Sloane dropped him onto the counter and stepped between his legs to pull him close. “I don’t recall this boyfriend agreement.”

“You might have been sleeping at the time, but sleep during the reading of the DJDBA is covered in the fine print. As long as you have a pulse, you’re considered present and accounted for.”

“Duly noted.”
― Charlie Cochet, Rack & Ruin

“Jesus Christ, MTV would make a mint with a reality TV show about their unit. The relationship drama alone would carry the ratings, forget the actual fieldwork.”
― Charlie Cochet, Rack & Ruin

“I guess, whenever I hear a song from back then or watch some cheesy movie I grew up with, it makes me feel… good. Like the world isn’t such a shitty place.”
― Charlie Cochet, Rack & Ruin

“Seriously? Do you ever not think about food?"
"Of course I do," Dex replied with a smirk. "When I'm thinking about sex. Though sometimes I like to think of both at the same time." He wriggled his eyebrows, but his partner remained unimpressed.
"Am I going to have to give you a time-out?”
― Charlie Cochet, Rack & Ruin

“He lifted his face and gave his brother a pout. Where did these two learn to do that pouty-lipped thing? It was devious and highly effective.”
― Charlie Cochet, Rack & Ruin

“Do you mind if I pause this incongruous exchange on water fowl to catch our guy?” Dex held back a smile. “Ooh, someone’s been playing online Scrabble with Cael again. How many points did incongruous get you?” When Sloane didn’t reply, Dex turned to his brother. “Fourteen,” Cael offered cheerfully, earning himself a scowl from Sloane. Dex shook his head. “Could have gotten twenty on Words With Friends.”
― Charlie Cochet, Rack & Ruin

“To a Felid, the neck was the most vulnerable part of the body. Sloane’s hand slid up Dex’s smooth, tan skin to his neck, and his fingers wrapped around it. Dex moaned. Did he know how he was exposing himself? The Felid inside Sloane stirred. At that moment Dex’s eyes opened, and he looked right into Sloane’s eyes. “I’d put my neck in your jaws without a second thought,” Dex said hoarsely, his eyes reflecting fire and a trust the likes of which Sloane had never seen.”
― Charlie Cochet, Rack & Ruin

“What did he say to make you bolt? Must have been big.” Ash leaned his arms on his legs so he could look at Sloane. “He let it slip that he loves me.” “Daley’s in love with you?”
― Charlie Cochet, Rack & Ruin

“Did you say—you love me?” Sloane took a step back, and Dex held his hands up, praying his partner didn’t do what he looked like he was about to do. Then he remembered his brother was in the room. Double shit. Sloane seemed to sense his thoughts. “Cael knows about us.” “What? When the fuck did that happen?” What in the ever-living fuck of fucks is going on around here? Cael glared at him. “Thanks, bro.” Dex didn’t have time to answer his brother because something in his gut told him he had to do something fast. Sloane was about to bolt. Dex could see it in his eyes. “You didn’t answer my question,” Sloane demanded softly. “And don’t try to play it off. I know you too well by now.” What was he supposed to do? Lie? He could lie. No, he was a shitty liar. But he could…. Fuck it. “Yes. I love you.” “When?” Sloane asked, his voice growing more distant. When? “I don’t know? It’s not like I marked it on my calendar.” “Don’t.” It was a subtle but grave warning. Dex wasn’t trying to be a smartass. It’s just what his brain went to when he was on the verge of freaking out about something. And if there was ever a time to freak out about something, this was it. “I know it’s too soon, which is why I wasn’t going to say anything, but with everything going on, it just slipped.” “So you were going to keep it from me?” Dex felt himself deflate and he shrugged. “What’s the right answer here, Sloane?” There was none. They both knew it. He took a step toward Sloane, his heart breaking when Sloane pulled back. “I need some air,” Sloane said, backing up until he hit the security panel. He turned and entered his security code. Dex could feel it all crumbling around him, and he felt sick to his stomach. Even then, he stayed where he was, refusing to force Sloane. “Can we please talk about this?” “Not right now. I need some space.” The door had barely finished opening before Sloane squeezed through and was off, taking Dex’s heart with him.”
― Charlie Cochet, Rack & Ruin

“We had sex in your bathroom during my party!” Sloane gaped at Dex who clamped his hands over his mouth, as if doing so might miraculously take back what he’d just blurted out. Ash’s words echoed Sloane’s thoughts. “What. The. Fuck! You had sex in my bathroom?” Ash went from flabbergasted to disgust in point five seconds. “Oh my God. Please tell me you didn’t jizz on my towels.” Dex held a hand up in promise. “I swear we didn’t jizz on your towels.” “Why should I believe you?” “Would it ease your mind if I told you I jizzed in Sloane’s mouth?” Sloane and Ash groaned at the same time. Just when he thought this day couldn’t get any more ridiculous. He should have known, really. “No. No, it doesn’t ease my mind. I’m going to have fucking nightmares for the rest of my life! I have to buy all new towels. Bleach the whole fucking place.” Ash shook his head, seeming unable to accept it. “My bathroom, man. You fucked in my bathroom.” He made a gagging sound, and Dex opened his mouth, but Sloane put his hand to it before his partner could say anything to make things worse because with Ash and Dex in the same room, things could always get worse. “Dex, can you wait downstairs. Please.” Dex”
― Charlie Cochet, Rack & Ruin

“Ash is out of surgery. He has a shit-ton of recovery to do, but he’s going to live to roar another day.” Cael threw his arms around Dex and squeezed him tight. Dex chuckled and hugged him back. “Okay, Chirpy. Let’s go.” His brother pulled back and wiped a tear away. “I’m”
― Charlie Cochet, Rack & Ruin

“Dex, what if Ash doesn’t make it?” Cael’s voice was quiet, as if saying the words alone might make it so. “Ash is a fighter. You know if death comes knocking, he will beat the shit out of it.” And Dex believed that. Ash was the hardest, toughest, meanest son of a bitch Dex knew. The guy wouldn’t go down without a fight. “What if he can’t?” Cael pulled away, his eyes puffy and red. “I need to be there with him. I need him to know I’m not pissed off with him. That I understand why he did what he did.” Just”
― Charlie Cochet, Rack & Ruin

“You’re lucky you’re cute.” “And damn good in the sack,” Dex added. “And damn good in the sack,” Sloane agreed. “So…”
― Charlie Cochet, Rack & Ruin

“Really? Your clothes fell off? That’s the best you could come up with?” Dex”
― Charlie Cochet, Rack & Ruin

“I’ve been calling you for the past hour. I was driving by, so I figured I’d see if you were in, except you weren’t answering your door. I thought maybe something happened. You’re usually up by now.” Ash eyed him before cursing under his breath and storming into Sloane’s bedroom. He looked around the room before facing Sloane with an accusing glare. “I fucking knew it!” Sloane”
― Charlie Cochet, Rack & Ruin

“That. Was. Fucking. Amazing,” Dex managed, his voice muffled against Sloane’s neck. All Sloane could do was nod.”
― Charlie Cochet, Rack & Ruin

“I want you to ride me.” “Fuck.” Dex shivered from head to toe. “That’s the idea.” Sloane put his hands behind his head, and Dex crawled over him. He sat on Sloane’s thighs and wrapped his lubed hand around Sloane’s hard cock, sliding it up to the head and drawing a sharp breath from Sloane. He loved watching his partner. The heated look in Dex’s eyes, the way those plump lips were slightly parted as he slowly eased his hand down to the root, twisting as he went. Sloane closed his eyes with a moan. When Dex had slathered him up good and driven Sloane to the point where he thought he’d come, he grabbed Dex’s wrist and pulled him over. He needed to taste those lips, to claim them as his, and he started by forcing his tongue inside Dex’s mouth, his kisses hungry and needy. Gripping Dex’s ass, Sloane moved Dex onto him, pulling away from Dex’s lips long enough to demand hoarsely, “Fuck yourself on my dick.” “Oh God.” Dex shifted back and reached behind him. He took hold of Sloane’s cock, and Sloane felt it being pushed between Dex’s ass cheeks. With gritted teeth he watched Dex gradually push himself farther back onto Sloane. “Fuck. Dex,” Sloane groaned, his hands gripping fistfuls of the sheets as he felt the tightness of Dex’s ass swallowing Sloane little by little. Sloane’s brow was beaded with sweat, and he gritted his teeth until Dex was sitting on him with Sloane shoved all the way up. Dex leaned slightly forward, and Sloane ran a hand up his lover’s chest. “You’re so fucking beautiful.” Dex”
― Charlie Cochet, Rack & Ruin

“Size fourteen, man!” Dex waved Sloane’s huge black boot at him. “Somewhere on the Hudson, a duck’s using your sneaker as a flotation device.” “Ducks”
― Charlie Cochet, Rack & Ruin

“Rosa and Letty came running over to Dex and grabbed his hand, hauling him over to one of the tables where the biggest, most amazing pornographic cake ever was laid out. Dex doubled over laughing. Before him was the biggest puckered ass he’d ever seen. It came complete with balls and cock. Across the ass in white squiggly frosting were the words “Happy Birthday, Dex! We know how much you love it.” “You”
― Charlie Cochet, Rack & Ruin

“What surprised Sloane the most was the sheer pain in his friend’s eyes. He thought back to Bar Dekatria and Ash’s rambles about Cael after he’d had one too many. He recalled Ash’s behavior toward Cael over the years. The way his friend had taken a bullet for the young Therian. “You’re in love with him?” Ash”
― Charlie Cochet, Rack & Ruin

“Look at you,” Ash said, a deep frown on his face. “All smiley and glowing like some teen who’s just popped his cherry.” “Glad”
― Charlie Cochet, Rack & Ruin

“Damn. He never thought he’d feel worse for Ash than his brother. As much as he hated that Ash had broken his brother’s heart, as Dex had feared he would, whatever was going on with Ash had to be just as difficult. Why else would he push away someone he clearly wanted to be with so badly? Dex didn’t know what else he could do other than say, “I’m sorry.” Ash”
― Charlie Cochet, Rack & Ruin

“So what am I in for with your brother?” Dex cringed. “I’m not going to lie to you. He will fucking shred you like string cheese if he gets the opportunity. The only thing worse than him miserable is him fucked off and hurt when he doesn’t know why. He’ll hurt you, Ash. He might not mean to deep down, but he’s in serious pain, and the only way he knows how to deal with it is to lash out at whoever caused it.” Dex expected Ash to growl about it or get annoyed. Instead he closed his eyes. “Whatever he does, I deserve it.” Damn.”
― Charlie Cochet, Rack & Ruin

“He hates me.” “He doesn’t hate you. He’s protecting himself. When something really bad happens, he shuts down.” Dex had seen it happen plenty of times. He didn’t envy Ash’s position. Cael was sweet and kind, but when he was truly fucked off, his claws came out. And no one wanted to be at the end of a cheetah Therian’s temper. “I never meant for him to end up hurt. I just… I couldn’t help it. Wherever he was, I needed to be there too. I was weak.” Dex felt for Ash. He didn’t know the reasons behind his gruff teammate turning Cael away, but he hoped it was worth the personal hell he’d just unleashed. “Ash,”
― Charlie Cochet, Rack & Ruin

“If that’s what you want. Fine. Thank you for saving my life. I don’t take such an act lightly.” “Cael….” Ash pleaded. “It’s fine, Ash. Just get better. Our team needs you.” There”
― Charlie Cochet, Rack & Ruin

“Ash closed his eyes. “Why did you say that?” “Because it’s true. I’ve been in love with you for a while. I kept hoping you would realize it. I just don’t understand. Can’t you at least tell me why?” Cael waited, the room uncomfortably silent. Ash looked up at Cael, the pain evident in his eyes. “Cael, I don’t want to lose you. But I’ve got a lot of shit to work out. You deserve to be happy, and right now, I just don’t think I’d make you happy.” Cael”
― Charlie Cochet, Rack & Ruin

“Please don’t.” Ash raised a hand to Cael’s cheek and wiped a tear away. “I hate to see you like this.” “You almost got yourself killed. Why? Because I’m your teammate? Your friend? Because I’m the little brother you never had? What exactly am I to you, Ash? Every time I get my hopes up that you might…. You pull away or do something to make me think I’m wrong.” “You’re not wrong.” Cael took hold of Ash’s hand. “Then why can’t we—” “No.” Ash pulled his hand away, and Dex saw his brother’s heart split in two. Dex would have been royally pissed off at Ash for breaking his brother’s heart like this if it weren’t for the fact the guy looked equally devastated. What Dex couldn’t understand was why? Ash obviously felt something more for Cael than friendship. Dex could see how much he wanted to be with Cael. So why wasn’t he? “I’m sorry, Cael. I can’t.” “Because you’re not gay? Bi? Whatever you want to call the fact you feel something for me? For fuck’s sake, Ash. You’re lying in a hospital bed after surgery for taking a bullet for me. How can that be harder than telling me the truth? I love you.” Ash”
― Charlie Cochet, Rack & Ruin

“I couldn’t let them know the truth about you.” “And what’s that?” Cael asked softly. “That you mean more to me than anything. I couldn’t let them use you against me.” Cael sucked in a sharp breath. “What you said—” “Was all bullshit to keep you away.” Cael nodded. “Good to know. But that’s not what I was referring to. I meant I can’t believe you took a bullet for me.” Ash’s next words took Dex aback. “I’d die for you.” “I”
― Charlie Cochet, Rack & Ruin