Page 11 of Edge of Darkness

“Thanks, man.” Connie grinned at the vampire as Hudson dragged him inside the club. The vampire smirked back at him, flashing his fangs.

They ate, then hit the dance floor. Lights flashed, and the music beat in his chest. People danced in groups, and hands trailed over his body—a teasing touch here, a quick grab there. A growl from Hudson and they disappeared.

Hudson ended up behind him with one of his hands resting against Connie’s stomach. He let the music fill him and take over. Moving his hips, Connie began to rock to the beat.

Hudson moved with him, grinding against his ass. Connie leaned his head against Hudson’s shoulder and wound his arm around Hudson’s neck as they rubbed against each other. A vampire ended up in front of Connie—moving with them but not touching.

Smart vampire. Dragons were possessive to begin with and touching was off the table unless Hudson granted permission—which Connie didn’t see happening. But that didn’t mean the other male couldn’t dance with them, as long as he behaved.

A few humans joined their little circle. Maybe they picked up the vibes Hudson was giving off because they also did not touch either of them. That suited Connie. The only hands he wanted on him belonged to Hudson.

Several songs played before Connie turned and grabbed Hudson by the hand, leading him off the floor. He headed straight for the bar. Thanks to being paranormal, regular human alcohol didn’t affect them, but he did like the taste of certain things.

“Beer?” Connie asked when they reached the bar.

Hudson nodded as he lifted his hair up and fanned his neck, trying to cool off. “Yes. That sounds good.”

The bartender, a vampire in his true form, drifted over to them and nodded discreetly to Hudson. “What can I get you?”

Connie gave their orders, then turned back to Hudson. Even though Hudson was dressed in jeans, black boots, and a black silk T-shirt, in Connie’s eyes, he was sexier than any other person there.

Hudson’s hair was down, with a simple braid by his face. His temples were slightly damp, and his cheeks were flushed from dancing. And even though he was leaning against the bar, grinning at Connie, there was an air of danger, of immense power, around him.

The male was sex on two legs, and he was all Connie’s.

The bartender brought their drinks, and Connie paid him. Hudson grabbed Connie by the hand and led him to one of the seating areas. He pulled a chair out for Connie, then sat down across from him. Almost immediately, he felt a cooling breeze flow over him.

“Whew. Much cooler here.”

“Yeah.” Hudson pulled a hair tie off his wrist and twisted his hair on top of his head. “Much better.”

Connie indulged himself by staring at his lover. Hair up or down, it didn’t matter. Hudson was still striking.

Connie sipped his drink as they chatted. The conversation mostly revolved around subjects that were safe to be overheard since there were definitely paranormals, and humans for that matter, in the building.

As they talked, the hair on the back of Connie’s neck stood up and a feeling of menace wrapped around him. Calmly, he swallowed the sip he had just taken and nonchalantly scanned the area as he answered a question Hudson had asked.

Dragon gods, there were so many people here. Way too many for him to figure out if there was someone staring at him—them?—with such loathing. But there was, he’d bet his scales on it.

“Connie?” Hudson demanded softly.

He shouldn’t be surprised that Hudson noticed his attention had wandered. “Someone seems particularly interested in either me or us. Andnotin a sexy way,” Connie whispered back. “Do you feel it?”

CHAPTER THREE-HUDSON

HUDSON LEANED back in the chair and sipped his drink as he casually looked around. He hadn’t noticed what Connie said he felt, dammit, but he also hadn’t really been paying attention.

And shame on him for that. He knew better. Just because Nox was dead, that didn’t necessarily negate the threat of hunters.

There were so many people around them, even though they were off the dance floor. Then there were the folks upstairs who could stare down into the bottom level. It would be impossible to pin down whoever was giving them the hairy eyeball.

Nevertheless, Hudson discreetly drew air into his lungs and tried to shift through the various scents he inhaled. Unsurprisingly, everything was muddled thanks to the humans’ sweat, cologne, hair products, and so on.

It didn’t help that they were sitting under an air vent that was running on high. Then add in the identifying scents from the various paranormal there, and it was definitely messing with the scents.

As luck would have it, though, the air-conditioning kicked off for a moment. What perfect timing. Hudson made himself wait before inhaling again so the scents could settle.

Oh yes. That was much better.

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