Page 2 of Fanged Desire
“I must say,” Elliot downed the last of his drink and waved for another, “I’m quite flattered that Jordan is willing to work with me. It’s not often that vampires and elves can see eye to eye.”
I shrugged, glossing over the way he referred to Jordan so casually. She was more than just a business associate – she was queen of the Leyore coven, leader of all vampires that called the city their home. “We could make a fortune setting up shop here. Money can’t buy happiness, but it would seem it can buy a truce.”
On the surface, I made sure to be every bit the charming negotiator I was known to be – smiling, laughing at the right moments, and steering the conversation towards an eventual agreement. But inside, my thoughts were elsewhere. I didn’t like Elliot, and the feeling only deepened the longer we spoke. Somewhere along the way the waitress returned with my drink, and I sipped at the crimson liquid while the Elven man prattled on.
As we relayed the terms of our deal – his protection in exchange for a cut of Jordan’s business in the Elvish territory – my eyes drifted to the stage in the center of the club. A group ofdancers had emerged, bodies moving in time with the music in a way that was almost hypnotic.
Elliot’s words faded into nothing but background noise as I focused on the dancers. They were stunning, every one of them, sequined fabric sweeping the floor, skin dappled in the dim lighting. I could pick out the Elves from the humans. Their otherworldly elegance, limbs flowing like water, was a dead giveaway.
But it was one dancer in particular who caught my attention. A human.
My eyes locked onto the brunette moving across the stage, cinched corset hugging her waist and highlighting the full curve of her hips. While the others danced like elegance was in their nature, this one moved like dancing was an artful craft. Her body arched to the beat, skin shimmering with sweat and glitter. Every movement was clearly practiced, over and over again until every sultry sweep of her leg was perfect, every sway set to drive the hungry crowd to frenzy. It was captivating, watching her calculate each step with care.
There was a quiet confidence in the way she carried herself, like she was aware of the power her body had over the room but didn’t need to flaunt it, and for a moment I forgot where I was, and what I was there to do.
But Elliot’s voice cut through my reverie and I blinked slowly, tearing my eyes away from the dancer. The absence of the sight of her felt like a small betrayal. I begrudgingly turned my attention back to the elf, forcing a smile as he insisted on ordering a final round to close the deal. It was done. I got what I came for, and I should have felt a sense of victory.
Instead, my thoughts lingered on the stage.
After Elliot excused himself, leaving with a satisfied smirk that made my skin crawl, I hung around a little longer. Consideringthe win for Jordan’s business a celebration was in order, and I deserved to indulge a little.
Ordering another drink at the bar, I slid my glass back and forth between my palms, eyes crawling back to the stage where the woman was still performing. The music had shifted to something slower, more intimate, and the crowd was transfixed. But the dancer’s gaze had shifted too. Her eyes flitted over the crowd and locked with mine across the room, catching for a brief moment before moving on. I did my best to look impassive, but she clearly knew the effect she had on her audience.
She slid to her knees, rolling hips moving in time with the music, and caught my eye again. Like a fish on a hook I moved closer, taking my drink with me as I strode toward the stage. Satisfied with her power of seduction the dancer looked away again, and loose hazel locks shrouded her face.
But every movement beckoned me closer, drawing me in, until I found myself sitting at one of the tables right in front of her. It was hard not to be intrigued, for the woman’s dance had taken on a more sensual, flirtatious edge, each glance from her coy and teasing.
I smirked, raising my glass in a small toast.All right, I see you.
Maxine often told me that I had the attention span of a goldfish, mind moving from one interest to the next in a heartbeat. But I wasn’t one to get so easily distracted by a couple of flashy dancers in a crowded nightclub. And yet, something about this woman had me captivated. I was here on business, and that business was done. I had the deal in hand and now would be the right time to leave. But I wasn’t quite ready to go yet.
I stayed until the dance was over and took a last sip of my drink, allowing myself a moment to enjoy the unexpected attention before raising my glass with a parting wave. The dancer, spying the gesture, gave a playful smile, dipping herhead to acknowledge the silent goodbye. I was close enough to notice the dimples in her cheeks and the dark chocolate brown of her eyes.
I rose from my seat, making my way over to the bar to settle my tab. I wasn’t going to end up indebted to Elliot, no matter how insignificant a few drinks might seem. Elves had a way of making everything come with a price, and I knew better than to accept free gifts in a place like Micere.
While I waited for the bartender to ring up my bill, I glanced back at the stage. The music had transitioned to the thumping, incoherent beat of late-night parties, when everyone is too drunk to care what they're dancing to. The brunette dancer had left the stage and was making her way through the crowd. But she wasn’t alone.
A man – human, judging by the look of him, was following her, clearly drunk and getting far too close. His hands were on her waist, and she was trying to subtly pull away, her body language stiff and uncomfortable as she looked around the room for the bouncer.
My jaw clenched, and the instinct to step in, todo something, flared to life within me. But I couldn’t cause a scene. Not here. Not after sealing a business deal that could ripple out disastrously if things went sideways in a supernatural club like this. But there was always another way.
An idea formed quickly, and before I could second-guess myself, I moved.
I approached the pair with calm purpose, stepping between the dancer and the drunk man. He reeked of alcohol, noticeable even amongst the many scents of the crowded club. My hand slipped into my pocket, pulling out a neatly folded wad of cash. Technically, this was the company’s money – a backup bribe if talks with Elliot went south. But I could pay Jordan back later.
“I’m here for the private session I booked.” I wedged myself between them and shot the woman a smile, pressing the cash into her hand. “I believe we’re late.”
Her eyes widened for a fraction of a second before she caught on and she nodded. “Right! I’m so sorry, I almost forgot! Please – uh – follow me…”
The drunk man blinked, confused. “Hey, wait – ”
I turned my full attention on him, expression softening as I lowered my voice to sweet honey. “I’m sure you understand. Besides, you have somewhere else to be, don’t you?”
The man’s frown deepened for a moment, but then his face slackened. The subtle charm that carried me through life, the ability to push thoughts into the minds of others, had done its work. His eyes unfocused slightly and he blinked again, this time looking more compliant, and I liked him much better that way.
“Uh… yeah. Yeah, no problem. I have to… go now,” he mumbled, stepping back and stumbling away into the crowd.
I let out a small breath as I watched him disappear, then turned back to the dancer. She was even prettier up close. “Shall we?”
