Page 105 of Warrior's Captive
“You’re human. They might try.” His expression darkened. “Some people learn things the hard way.”
Vivian just laughed again and laid her head on his chest. They danced, and a shiver ran through her body. Tai’ri’s hands caressed up her back, light and possessive.
“If we go home now, I can take care of that for you,” he purred.
“Shira is having too much fun.” Vivian lifted her head and looked around. “WhereisShira?”
Tai’ri tensed. “You don’t know?”
Vivian stopped dancing and turned in a slow circle, searching the crowd for a woman with honey gold skin in a sea of blues. “She found a dance partner. I didn’t think she’d leave this level. She knows better.”
“Let’s go,” he growled, taking her hand.
Vivian wasn’ttooworried—Shira had the same amount of training Vivian did, and would signal through the comm if something was wrong. But still, better be safe than sorry. Vivian initiated contact.
“Shira?”
It took another request, then Shira’s voice came through. “Viv?” She cleared her throat.
“Where are you? Tai’ri and I are worried.”
“Tai’ri is here?”
There was the murmur of a deep male voice.
“Who is that?” Tai’ri growled. “Shira?”
“I’m good, I’m good,” Shira said. “I’ll be back up in a moment.”
She cut the comm. Vivian glanced at her mate, smirking. “I think we interrupted something.”
Tai’ri shook his head. “I’m giving her five minutes.”
“Don’t be a spoilsport. Let’s go get a drink and wait.”
They made their way to the bar on this level, ordered nonalcoholic shots, and lingered for several minutes before heading back out to the dancefloor again.
Vivian did her best to distract him, knowing Shira was up to absolutely no good.
He glared down at her. “I know what you’re doing. Let’s go find her. There was a male with her.”
Vivian grabbed his arm. “She’s a grown woman, Tai’ri.”
He opened his mouth to protest, and she placed a finger over his lips. “No. She’s in no danger. We’ll wait for her.” She stepped into his body, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Dance with me.”
His expression shifted, going from outraged indignation to something hungry. Then he blinked and shook his head. “Fine, but if she isn’t back in—”
“I’m here, hold your horses, Gramps.”
Vivian snickered.
Shira appeared a second later, her dance partner at her back. “Tai’ri, just so there is no misunderstanding, this is—” she paused “—you know, I didn’t get your name, but I don’t think it matters. Future One Night Only, this is my guardian, Tai’ri. Is everyone happy, now? Can I go back to what I was doing?”
Vivian pursed her lips against a sly smile, and glanced at Tai’ri, who was staring at the man, expression completely blank. Vivian stilled, glancing between them.
But Tai’ri didn’t move, and didn’t say anything, just nodded. The other man met his gaze, equally inscrutable.
Shira caught on as well. “Do you two know each other or something? You’re doing the weird alpha stare down.”
