Page 67 of Essa

Adam

This is bullshit.

I project the thought into Seth's mind over and over again, waiting for him to respond to me even once. He's just sitting on the other side of Essa, eating and listening to the chattering around us as though we weren't promised we'd only be at the reception long enough to congratulate the newly married couple, and then we were leaving.

We've been sitting at this table for at least an hour as Essa introduced her crew to her sister. They've exchanged congratulations already, shared stories of their time apart, and made plans for our next visit. I'm currently not paying attention to Sloane trying to convince all the other females at the table to go dance.

If you spent less time sulking and more time smiling, maybe you'd be having a better time.

Seth's words cut through my definitely not sulking, and I attempt for the hundredth time today to cross my arms overmy chest just to remember the paint at the last moment and stop myself from smudging it. Essa notices the action and how I snarl at my arms in displeasure. She reaches over and wraps her fingers in mine, soothing some of my anger.

"I think we'll need to leave soon," Essa says, her voice almost sad at the prospect.

I should be rejoicing that we're leaving this place and hopefully returning to our room on the ship. The pleasure crew room because there's no way the three of us will fit in Essa's closet of a room.

I shoot a glare at Alik when I remember the room Essa had on the ship like it's his fault she had the smallest room. Essa's had to tell me multiple times when I rant about the size of her room that it was her choice because it was just enough for her. She lived her early life with exorbitant wealth and didn't need more than she had on the Jolly Folly, and she said guarding a small space was easier than a larger one. Her reasons make sense, but I still don't like it.

Alik's lips turn downward when he sees my expression, but he just shakes his head and continues speaking with Jovi about something. Essa pulls on my hand and drags my attention away from being upset with Alik and the other crew for her tiny room.

I don't like that her usual happiness has been dulled at the idea of leaving so soon. And because I apparently do nice things for my partners now, I do something that surprises everyone at the table.

"Dance with me," I tell Essa, tugging on her hand when I stand.

I can't drag her toward the dance floor since she's stronger than me, but I can encourage her. Other Haventh couples are all paired off and dancing some sort of ballroom dance that I don't know the steps to.

"You wish to dance?" Essa asks, her eyes going wide. She looks at me like I've gone mad. I might take offense to her surprise if not for the fact that no one here is more surprised by my actions than me.

"I wish to dance."

This time, when I pull her, she follows after me. My collar is still fastened around my neck, but I released my leash from her belt when we sat down to eat and talk. I heard more than a few gasps, but Essa only latched her tail around my ankle and shot a few glares at Havenths at other tables.

"Do you even know how?" Essa sputters, but she can't hide her excitement. We've barely stepped onto the dance floor when she spins me around to face her, placing a hand on my shoulder and another in my hand.

"I think you'll need to lead," I tell her, fighting the smile threatening to pull at my lips.

It's not that I don't want her to know that I'm happy. But I do have an image to uphold. One that's purpose is sorely dampened if it's proven that I enjoy dancing with my beautiful female.

"First, you ask me to dance, and now you ask me to lead without a fight?" Essa asks, her brows raised in faux concern. Next, she's going to be asking me if I feel all right or if some other creature has taken me over my body. "Who are you, and what have you done with my surly male?"

How cliché.

I tighten my hand on her waist, pulling her closer to me than any other Haventh men on the dance floor have their partners. Essa could easily decide she doesn't want to be this close, but she doesn't.

She likes the affection Seth and I show her in front of everyone. Enjoys knowing Seth and I want everyone to know that she's ours. And because I need to remind her that I'm still an asshole even when I'm being sweet, I make sure to rub mychub that's slowly rising to full salute right up against her bare hip where her dress doesn't cover.

Essa hits my shoulders, her face showing off how scandalized she feels more than what we're actually doing ever could.

"Stop that."

"Stop what?" I cock my head to the side, rubbing against her again as my fingertips bite harder into her.

I thought my antics would get a rise out of her in the way of constricted pupils and maybe a bite, but her pupils are blown out, her fangs long but dry. She licks at the tips, and I want to guide her head to my shoulder so she can bury those fangs in me. Of course, as soon as I reach up and tunnel my fingers gently between her braids, the music stops, and Seth stands in our periphery, waiting for his dance.

"Which of us do you want?" Essa asks, her voice strained as my fingers tighten on her hair once, giving it a quick little tug before I release her.

I turn to head back to the table but am grabbed before I take even the first step.

"I'm taking one with you first," Seth tells me as he spins me around to face him and Essa again. She's watching us with unfocused eyes, her tail lazily twitching behind her. If we weren't in a crowd of people, I think our girl would be getting off while watching us dance.

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