“That’s right. Now’s the time to dance.” I turned my backside toward her and twerked, laughing to myself as I pictured her mortification. This would be a great story to tell the other dancers at the end of the night.
I turned around to ensure I gave proper attention to Nova’s friend. As I moved closer, the lights reflected off red and golden streaks in her hair. I wanted to make sure every woman who came here had a good time—if they wanted it. Most did. Some acted like they were dragged here, and if they gave off an uncomfortable vibe, I backed off. Many times, even the most uptight bachelorette let loose and got into it, dancing and touching without restraint before the night was over.
Nova must have been hauled here tonight, judging by her discomfort, which meant her friend was the one who wanted to see the show. Pointy ears poked out from her pixie cut, indicating she was an elf. She tracked me from her large hazel eyes that stared at me like I was a cobra coiling to strike. Had she never had a man dance for her before? If she came here to be entertained, I’d be happy to put on a show for her. I put my hands behind my head and rolled my body from shoulders to hips, watching her pupils widen.
I leaned forward and asked, “Hey, Nova’s friend. I’m Lucas. What’s your name?”
“Zoe.”
That name sounded familiar. Didn’t Nova work with a Zoe? Maybe they were having a girls’ night out.
“Are you having a good time tonight, Zoe?”
“I am indeed.” She tipped her head. “You’re quite the dancer.”
Her praise encouraged me to show off, especially after her disinterest earlier. I bent down, putting my hands on either side of the seat cushion behind her, and maneuvered into a sensual body roll.
Her scent reached me, confirming her elf blood. But also, something else…
Something I never thought possible. My dragon woke with instant awareness, drinking this moment in. Every muscle inside me turned rigid. Mistake.
Instead of the seductive body roll I’d planned, my sudden stiffness knocked me off balance. As I fell on top of Zoe, she braced herself by raising her arms and darted aside. I still managed to pin her left shoulder.
“What are you doing?” She pushed my chest back with surprising force.
Bewildered, it took me a second too long to catch up to what was going on. Part of her was still pinned beneath me, and I pulled back. “Sorry, I stumbled.”
Nova grabbed my arm, helping steady me on my feet. “Are you both okay?”
“Fine.” Zoe slipped away from me, sliding down the cushion.
Stunned by the unfamiliar buzz flowing like a current beneath my skin, I blinked through the confusion. What in blazing saddles just happened? Whatever it was, it swept through me with the literal effect of knocking me off my feet.
My dragon rumbled with satisfaction.Mate.
Chapter 2
Lucas
“No.” It couldn’t be. Not like this. Not now. I stepped backward and stared at the woman who was now shooting eye daggers at me.
As I gaped at her, Tony, a burly dancer with olive skin, swooped in. Why was he encroaching my space? My dragon growled inside.
It was the Ginuine “Pony” song, the one made legendary inMagic Mike. I had to snap out of it. Tony and I often worked an area together during this song, riling up the women and raking in the dough. Technically, no part of the space was mine, so I had no business claiming an area.
I focused on what I should be doing—teaming up with Tony on the performance. We’d done it countless times, so much that it was overplayed, but the ladies loved it, so we gave them what they wanted. I grinded my way over closer to Tony to mirror our moves, which would instigate the ladies into an enthusiastic frenzy.
When he moved closer to Zoe, a growl escaped me. It wasn’t just my dragon inside, but a low, rumbling warning that came out of my mouth. Why did my sleeping dragon decide to wake tonight with a possessive roar?
Tony gave me a confused look. I turned to Zoe. She eyed me with a wary expression as well. Why not make it a trio? If I could, I’d have given myself the same perplexed look to ask myself what had gotten into me.
Mate,my dragon interrupted again.
No, you’re wrong.That was total rubbish. I wasn’t meant to have a mate—least of all a stranger I stumbled upon while dancing at the club.
Not wrong. Mine,he insisted.
Brilliant, just splendid. My dragon decided to fixate on a mate during the middle of a performance. Not only had this led to me falling on top of her in the most ungraceful of actions, but it was knocking me off my game. I had to get back to the routine.
