Page 43 of Shifting Fate
Dallon
“Let’s go dancing,” I announced, on a whim. The winds of winter were whistling through the trees, attempting to chase autumn right out the door. It was colder than a stepmother’s kiss out there, and I knew what would warm me right up. I bounced my brows at Arias, who just stared at me.
“I don’t dance,” he said.
“What?” I gasped and jumped up off the couch. My hand flew to my chest to clutch at my invisible pearls. Who the hell didn’t dance? EvenGagedanced, albeit badly, but still. “You don’t dance?”
“No.”
“Ever?” I demanded. “Not even when you’ve got the tunes cranked up and you’re cleaning the house?”
He wrinkled his nose. “Nope. I have two left feet. I’d step on your toes.”
I snorted at that.Oh, sweetheart…“Babe, you definitely wouldn’t be stepping on my toes, not the way I dance.” I bit my lip and gave my ass a shake. “I’m talking nightclub dancing. Shaking our money-makers and getting down and dirty on the dance floor. The ol’ bump and grind?” My smile curled into a smirk.
Arias barked out a laugh, but I could tell I’d taken him by surprise. “I don’t know. It’s not really my scene.”
I threw my head back on a groan. “C’mon, Ari. Live a little. YOLO, you know? Besides, no one’s going to see us. It’ll be dark, the music will be loud, and I promise you, I’ll have your undivided attention. Pretty please?”
His sigh puffed out his cheeks. He scratched at his face. “Dallon.”
A naughty thought nipped at my mind. I plastered on an innocent smile. “Okay. You don’t dance, but that doesn’t meanIcan’t. I’m sure I can find plenty of other suitable partners at the club. After all, Iampretty damn sexy.”
He went still in his seat, his blue eyes frosting over. “No.”
I pouted. “Why not?”
“Because you’re mine.” His voice was oddly calm, but I could feel his beast’s wild energy stirring.Hedidn’t like the thought of me grinding on some random Chad at the nightclub. I raised my brow at that, but the word sent a thrill shooting down my spine.
His.
“Then dance with me,” I insisted. “I’ll make it worth your while, I promise.” His groan was halfway to a growl, but I knew I had him. Hook, line and sinker. I clapped. “Yes! I’m gonna run home and change, put on a new face, yadda-yadda. How about I pick you up around nine?”
“You’re picking me up?” He said it like the thought hadn’t occurred to him.
“Well, duh?” I deadpanned. “I have the nicer car, so obviously I get to drive. 9 PM. Wear something sexy. Ta.”
Waggling my fingers in farewell, I pranced out of the cabin and drove home. My insides felt all bubbly, like a freshly popped bottle of champagne. Arias was going dancing with me and even though I knew I didn’t need to impress him? I wanted to. Good god, I wanted him to stare at me like I was the most delicious thing on tonight’s menu…and then I wanted him to do something about it.
I settled on black on black, with heavily-made up lids in varying shades of matte gray. Donning my favorite pair of dancing shoes—which were the most comfortable-yet-sexy boots I’d ever bought—I jogged back downstairs to tell Rhine I was headed out.
He gave me a once-over, then cocked his head. “You look like you’re headed to the club.”
I beamed and ran a hand through my hair. “That’s because I am. I haven’t gone in so long, and a certainsomeoneagreed to join me.”
My Alpha paused to consider. “You two are getting pretty cozy, huh? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this amped up over a guy, and I’ve known you a long time. Sure, you and Gage had a thing going, but you’re really serious about Arias.”
“I am,” I admitted, my cheeks tingling. “I don’t know if it’s the mate-bond? I don’t really care. All I know is that he makes me feel like I’m dancing on the moon and I fucking love it.”
“Does he?”
I laughed. “Well, he agreed to go dancing with me, so probably.” I knew, though. The way Arias stared at me when he thought I wasn’t looking. The lopsided smile he wore whenever we were together, a smile I’d never once seen him wear around anyone else. The way he held me at night, like I was precious to him…
Oh, fuck. Was I seriously falling in love with the guy?
The look on my face must’ve been a dead giveaway, because Rhine chuckled and patted my arm. “Have fun, Dallon. Enjoy it.”
“I will. Thanks, Rhine. Catch you later!”
