Page 51 of Misbehaving With Minotaurs
Catherine glances up at me. “That part happens tomorrow, right? You mentioned something about staying out of the street between noon and four.”
“Oh yeah.” I chuckle. “Don’t wanna get trampled. It’s more symbolic than anything at this point, but the local ranchers drive their cattle through downtown to the pastures south of town for winter. It gets cold up in the mountains, and most of them own southern land too.”
Catherine gasps anew when we arrive at the barn doors and find monsters already swirling around a jam-packed dance floor. Another dozen or so monsters hang on giant rings dangling from the ceiling. They spin, gyrate and swirl, putting on a show for those of us below.
I point toward the left-hand wall. “Bar’s over there. Let’s grab a drink. The opposite wall’s all food for when you’re hungry.”
Keeping her protected with one arm around her, I guide us through the milling throng to the bar, where four monster bartenders work quickly to provide drinks.
The moment I catch a stout shorthorn’s eye, he comes over, slinging a rag over his shoulder. “Dad’ll be happy to see you here, Manorin. Been talkin’ lots of shit about your team this year.”
“Which one?” I snark back. “Seeing as how I’ve got responsibility for two.”
The shorthorn snorts and smiles down at Catherine. “Don’t know how such a beauty got mixed up with this rabble-rouser, but what can I getcha to drink?”
Catherine strokes my forearm. “Surprise me.”
The minotaur bartender jerks his head toward me. “You?”
“I’m afraid to say ‘surprise me,’ so how about an autumn mead if you’ve got any?”
He disappears behind the bar as I press Cath to it, wrapping both arms tightly around her. “You hungry, Sunshine?”
“No. Dying to dance, though.”
“Admit it,” I say as I nuzzle my way along her shoulder. “You just want these big hands all over you, moving you around where I see fit.”
She spins in my arms, irises flashing gold. “Perhaps, Manorin.”
That look tightens my balls, my cock hardening in its sheath.
“Catherine,” I warn. We can’t play like that here, or I’ll lose my mind and fucking stampede the place to get her home.
Red-painted lips curl into a wicked smile. “Yes?”
I bend down and collar her throat, my touch light but commanding. “Don’t unleash me here, woman. I just managed to get us out of the bedroom, and I’m bound and determined to get at least a few dances in.”
She snorts. “You started it.” But she can’t resist swaying along with the raucous music.
And I can’t resist staring as she moves those hips and sidles along next to me.
The bartender returns, saving me from myself as he slides two drinks across the bar. I drop a few bills into his tip jar and thank him, but he’s already moved on to the next partygoer.
“Manorin Longhorn, the nerve of you to show up here.”
My laughter rumbles as I spin in place to see Rip Shorthorn standing there, a lazy grin on his face. His scarlet eyes drop to Catherine and wrinkle at the edges as he holds out a big hand.
“Hello, darlin’. I know you by reputation, of course, on account of you breakin’ Manorin’s bitty heart, but how’d you get wrangled into comin’ to my party with this ruffian?”
Catherine laughs and tucks herself close to my side, lifting her chin. “You’re the second monster to ask me that in the span of sixty seconds. He convinced me with those gorgeouslonghorns.”
I hold back raucous laughter as Rip’s smirk becomes a playful scowl.
“Length ain’t always a good indicator of value, if you know what I mean,” he offers, tapping the short, pointed tips of his own horns. He waves around at the party. “Party’s never been quite this big, but I’m lovin’ it. Enjoy yourselves. There’s food on the opposite side, and apparently, I’m supposed to give a quick speech here in a minute.”
He steps closer to me, clapping his hand on my shoulder. “Call me sometime tomorrow, if you would.”
Oh fuck. If he’s asking for a call; I’m gonna guess Alarion’s in even more trouble than I thought. Rip Shorthorn doesn’t get involved in others’ business, not if he can help it. I don’t want to open that can of worms here at the party, though, so I nod. “Will do, Rip.”
