Turning back to the bar, I lift on my toes and lean around him the best I can to flag down a bartender—again.
A deep laugh sounds beside me.
Is he laughing at me?
Out of the corner of my eye, I see him chuckling into his glass before taking another sip.
“Are you done? Laughing, I mean?” I give him my fiercest glare, but that only makes him laugh harder.
I’m scary when I want to be, aren’t I?
What expression do I have on my face?
He wipes a tear from his eye. “I’m sorry. That was not my intention when I came over here. How about we start over? Can I buy you a drink?”
I regard him for a moment, debating my choice. “Fine. I need two bottles of water.”
His brows rise, as if my request is the craziest thing he’s heard while in a nightclub. “Water?”
I place my hands on my hips. “Yes. I need to stay hydrated.”
He flashes me a sexy smile. “Water it is, then. And after that, maybe you’ll let me take you out on the dance floor?”
The way his mouth moves when he speaks has my brain zoning out again. Between my wolf and my hormones, I’m fighting a losing battle.
Fuck me, he’s beautiful.
“You were just laughing at me. You have a lot to make up for before you get me out there.”
“Challenge accepted.” The dark gleam in his beautiful eyes makes my belly flip.
He looks like I made him an offer he’ll fight to his last breath to keep.
Why does that turn me on?
Claudia
Mr. Tall and Sexy flags down a bartender in no time.
And it’s a female.
Figures.
I lift a brow, watching the sway in her hips become more exaggerated as she walks over, eyes glued to the man standing beside me. For no reason at all, I feel a twinge of jealousy and anger flare-up. A low growl mixed with warning barks sounds off in my head.
I dismiss my wolf’s behavior, focusing instead on why I’m bothered by this. I don’t even know this guy. When she stops in front of us, I catch her scent—sickly-sweet. She’s fae. I find myself relaxing a smidge. She’s no threat to me.
Out of the two of us, he’d totally pick me.
I flinch. What is wrong with me?
‘He’d pick me?’
Where is this confidence coming from?
“Hey there, handsome. What can I get you?” The bartender bats her eyes, not even registering my presence. She presses herself against the bar, pushing her chest out in a blatant invitation to get a look at her goods. The growl in my head intensifies, and I find myself swallowing back my own.
“We need two bottles of water and a vodka tonic with a lime.” He smiles at the bartender, and I want to rub the expression off his face. That confirms my initial assessment of him. However, I can’t figure out if he’s this polite and charming with everyone, or just with women.
“Sure thing, sugar,” she beams, still not acknowledging that I’m standing there. I have no reason to be annoyed by her, but there’s this thing growing inside me, a need to stake my claim on this man, so every female knows to stay the fuck away.
“Mmm. Jealousy is a good look on you.”
I gape at him. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I don’t know you, so I have no reason to be jealous.”
He leans next to my ear, and my eyes flutter closed from the heat of his breath seeping into my skin. “Your scent doesn’t lie.”
Scent?
Does that mean he knows what I am? Crap, the spray must be wearing off. I should get out of here while I can, but as the bartender makes her way back over, I find that my feet refuse to move.
I glower at the bartender and snatch a bottle of water off the counter when she places them in front of Granger. Twisting the cap off, I drain half of the cold liquid, hoping it will snap me out of whatever funk I’m in.
“Is there anything else I can do for you?” She leans forward across the bar, showing off her cleavage again. I shake my head at her over-eagerness.
“We’re good, thanks,” he replies, his tone dismissive.
The bartender’s eyes widen, and she blinks rapidly, shocked that he blew her off. When Mr. Sexy turns his attention to me, she follows his eyes, noticing me for the first time. She cuts her eyes at me, and I smirk, watching her huff as she moves to serve the next guest.
“Let’s go find a table over there.” He points to a few high tops across the club.
I barely have a chance to nod before he grabs my hand and leads us through the crowd of people. His hands are so big that they make mine look dainty. I try not to focus on the fact that we’re touching, and what those hands could do to the rest of me. My eyes search for a different focal point but zero in on his backside.
Jeez, he fills out everything nicely.
Snap out of it, I chastise myself.
We come to a stop at a table while the butterflies flit about in my stomach, anxiety flaring in their wake. It’s quieter and darker over here—intimate. I fidget with my empty bottle, a comfortable silence falling between us.
He’s the first to break the ice. “My name is Granger, by the way.”
I don’t know if it’s the way his mouth moves, the sound of his voice, or what, but I find myself getting lost in his charm all over again. A devilish smirk lifts his lips, confusing me.
What is he smirking at?
I blink a few times and then it registers.
Oh.
He introduced himself, and I was staring at him like a lovesick female, again.
“Claudia. My name is Claudia.” The words come out huskier than I expected.
“Nice to meet you.” He takes a sip of his drink. “Have you been working here long?”
I pause with the second bottle of water halfway to my mouth. The jitters in my belly are returning, for a different reason this time.
“Not long,” I lie, hoping my voice sounds steadier than I feel. Desperate to throw attention off me, I turn the conversation on him. “What brings you here? Going to gamble your life savings away?”
“My friend and I are here for business.”
He gives no further detail, and I don’t press the topic. Whatever he’s doing here is of no concern to me. The less informed I am, the less risk I take on. I prefer to keep it that way.
“I saw you with some of your friends earlier. Are you celebrating something, or is tonight a girl’s night out?”
Crap—I completely forgot about Kimberly and the water I was supposed to bring her. I glance down and see I’m now holding two empty bottles. “Celebrating my friend’s birthday.”
With fascination, I watch as Granger brings his drink to his alluring mouth, gaze never leaving mine. My eyes drop, heat burning my cheeks, and settling low in my belly. Is there anything he does that isn’t sexy? Maybe I find him so attractive because I haven’t had sex in a while? I think back to the last time I got any, but I’m coming up blank. Hmmm. This seems like the most logical reason and would explain my wolf’s behavior too.
“Am I boring you?”
“What? No,” I squeak. “You’re not a bore. I mean, how could you even think that? You’re like a walking sex dream for every woman in here, even some men.”
Oh no, did I just . . .?
I did. I totally did.
I inwardly groan. Why did I have to say that out loud?
His smile spreads wider. “So, I’m not a bore because everyone in this club is attracted to me?”
“Well, what I mean is . . .”
“Do you find me attractive? Or, are you saying that if I were unattractive, I would be a bore?”
My mouth drops, but I quickly snap it shut when he bursts out laughing.
I scrutinize him. “That’s not what I meant. You have a certain appeal that draws people in—which is intriguing, if anything.” At this point, I’m not sure if I’m making sense. Based on his furrowed brows, I’d say my assumption is correct.
His expression intensifies, and for a split second, I swear I see his primal side flash in his eyes. Hard to tell though, with flashing strobe lights bouncing all over the club.
He crowds my personal space, and I let him, even though the action would normally freak me out. The faster my heart pumps, the more light-headed I become. He’s intoxicating. My poor brain has almost given up trying to convince me that I need to cut ties, now. My body is on a different wavelength and it’s winning.
“Little One,” he says with a voice so seductive I feel myself getting wetter. “You don’t hide your emotions well. It's written all over your face and saturating your essence. You don’t have to say anything, but I also find you . . . intriguing.”
Fucking hell.
I can’t breathe.
He took all my oxygen. Sucked it right out of my lungs without even touching me. I chew on my lower lip, fighting the urge to pull him even closer.
“Come, dance with me.”
“Yes.” I hear myself say before I even realize what I just agreed to. He grabs my hand again and tugs me out onto the dance floor, pulling me flush to his body. My shirt lifts when I put my arms around his neck, leaving a line of skin exposed. He takes full advantage. His hands are on my hips, thumbs caressing my skin, leaving little sparks behind with every movement.
We move in sync like we’ve been doing this together our whole lives; a seductive dance that tells a story, and only the two of us know how it ends. The club, the crowd, everything fades into the background until we’re the only two people here. He turns me around, my back pressed against his chest. We continue our grind, my current favorite song, (I Just) Died In Your Arms by Komodo, playing overhead.
Laying my head back, I close my eyes, losing myself in the music and the feel of him. I reach up and wrap my arms around his neck. He immediately lowers his head, placing a kiss right below my ear. My breath hitches, and a shiver runs down my spine. Goosebumps spread over my skin from his hands trailing up and down the sides of my body.
He cups my chin, turning my head toward him. “I need to taste you,” he says with an undercurrent of urgency. He hesitates, giving me an out, a chance to deny him what he’s craving—but I don’t. Desire darkens his eyes when I don’t say anything or pull away.
His lips graze over mine ever so softly like a tease. I whimper, needing more and hating the anticipation. His lip twitches in amusement before he presses his mouth to mine, searing me with a toe-curling kiss—the kind that will haunt my dreams for years to come.
His taste.
His touch.
His smell.
All of it, all of him, has my pussy aching. I need more, so much more. Knowing our connection will be short-lived, I want to take advantage of our time. Never, in all my years, has a man made me this drunk with lust.
I spin in his arms, then lift onto my toes and deepen the kiss. Arms hold me secure and steady, and I can’t help but relish that as well. Why couldn’t I have met him years ago? Why now?
“Little One,” he purrs. His eyes have brightened, his primal side surfacing. “I’m trying to remain a gentleman, but please, say you’ll come back to my room with me. There’s so much more I want to do, to taste. I want to lay you out on my bed and bury my head between your thighs until you scream my name. Then, because I won’t have had my fill of you yet, I’ll fuck you until you see stars with those gorgeous eyes of yours.”
Holy. Shit.
How long can someone go without breathing before they pass out?
Better question, is it possible to combust from words alone?
No one has ever talked to me the way he does. His offer was . . . I envisioned everything he proposed with such clarity—my pussy clenches, picturing it all over again.
“Uh . . .” Words fail me. There is not a single consonant or vowel floating around in my head.
He rests his forehead against mine. “Fuck, I’m sorry, but your arousal is . . . damn, you have no idea how good you smell.” He pulls back a few inches, his gaze sliding over my face like he’s searching for something. “How about this: I’ll leave you for now. If you decide you want to come back to my room, I’ll wait for you by the door over there.” He jabs his head back and I peer over his shoulder to the entrance of the club. “The choice is yours.”
“But . . .”
“Go check on your friend.” He smiles, cutting me off. Frankly, I have no idea what I was going to say anyway. “If you do decide to come with me, don’t leave me waiting too long. I want every second I can get with you.”
The fact that he’s placing the decision in my hands makes me want him even more. I lick my lips; his pupils dilate as they track the movement. The heat in his eyes intensifies, and his nostrils flare, taking in my scent. “Now go. I’ll be waiting.”
I nod as he releases my body. The loss of his warmth has my fingers itching to pull him back to me. He walks away, and I wait until he’s completely out of sight, then go in search of Kimberly. The more the distance grows between us, the clearer my head feels, making me grateful he gave me a chance to walk away and ‘think’.
“Claudia!” Kimberly calls when I enter the VIP area. She’s totally trashed. Hopping up from the couch, she runs over to me and throws her arms around me. She gets very friendly when she’s had a few drinks.
“Where's hash yo beens?” Having been friends with Kimberly for as long as I have, I’ve picked up a new language. I call it Waste-berly.
“You look like you’re enjoying yourself.” I glance around at all the other women, who are as glassy-eyed as Kimberly. “I’m sorry I didn’t bring you water.”
“Itsh okay. I saw that hots guy ya weres with. Oh, he here?” She spins, searching for him, and I do my best to steady her, so she doesn’t knock us both to the floor.
“No.”
“Didsh you runs him off?”
“No. He’s waiting on me, actually,” I admit hesitantly.
Her whole face lights up. “Girrrllll. If yous don’t hits that, then I wills.” Of course, that’s her answer.
I chuckle at her brashness. “I’m here with you. It’s your birthday.”
“NO! You wills marsh that pretty ‘ittle ash over to hims now. For the lovesh of all women, pleash gets laid.” She sticks her bottom lip out, like her pout has magic power over me.
“You’re drunk. I need to stay and make sure you’re okay.” Part of me wants to stay with her, but the craving for Granger is still gnawing at me. I ache all over for him, and I know the only way to fix it is to take him up on his offer.
“Claudia, looks at me rights now! Sersly, I will not speaksh wit yous ever ‘gin. I swear its.” She spins me around, in the opposite direction from where Granger’s waiting.
“Now, go!” She pushes me. I try turning around, but she stops me and pushes me again. I let her, even knowing I could stop her if I wanted. “Go! I mean itsh…stops bein’ a moms. Get hots stuffsh between those legsh now.”
I hesitate, waiting for the responsible side of my brain to explain how spending the night with Granger is wrong and risky. I came here to do a job, not a man. The longer I stand here, the more I realize that part of my brain is either not working or I’m not listening, because every reason why I should go to him is jumping to the forefront.
I face the entrance, my body thrumming with desire. Before I can talk myself out of going, I make my way toward him. In the grand scheme of things, one more bad decision won’t hurt.
And this is going to hurt so good.
Claudia
Each step I take that brings me closer to Granger awakens my once quite rational brain. The questions I needed answers to earlier begin to sound off in my head again. I chew the inside of my cheek, reevaluating my decision, but with every reason to waver, a little devil sitting on my shoulder points its finger and pokes the concern into oblivion.
My wolf, on the other hand, is bouncing around in excitement. For some reason, she legitimately likes this guy. There’s no denying how attractive he
is; I just don’t understand how I’m more apprehensive about this than she is. We’re supposed to be a team, on the same wavelength.
Halfway to the door, I scan the area and lock eyes with Granger. He’s standing off to the side, cloaked in the darkness. The only light shining on him is the occasional flashing strobe from above. My heart is pounding in my chest, the sound echoing in my ears despite how loud the music is playing. I can’t stop the smile lifting my lips.
My feet falter when a man approaches him. I slow my pace, taking in the beast of a man. He leans toward Granger, whispering something in his ear. Granger’s eyes are locked on me, though. The bigger man steps to the side, hand clasped on Granger’s shoulder. As if sensing me, a second set of eyes snap to me at the exact moment lights cast across his face.
I’ve seen him before.
Why does he look familiar?
I search my brain and realization dawns on me. This is the man who was with Granger earlier, outside the room I planted the bugs in. The man says something else to Granger and then disappears into the crowd without glancing my way again, leaving me wondering.
Should I be worried about him?
When my gaze returns to Granger, his head is tilted to the side. He moves in my direction, closing the space between us. “You sure about this?”
No. “Yes.” I sound less confident than I felt on my way over to him.
“Wonderful.” He grabs my hand, linking our fingers together. Why does it feel so right every time he does that? His thumb caresses my skin, sending sparks shooting up my arm and down to my core. Every soft brush chips away at any lingering trepidation.
We step into the elevator, and when the doors close, I realize this is the first time we’ve been alone together. Sexual electricity buzzes in the air between us. He lets go of my hand and he faces me, hunger darkening his eyes.
Placing a hand on either side of my head, he runs his nose along my neck. “Seriously, you smell delicious.” His deep husky voice slides across my skin as I clench my thighs together.
The Chase Is On (Pack Everhart Book 1) Page 6
