I gave him a lopsided smile and a happy wave. His lips parted in a smile so slight I might have imagined it.
Brax stood next to him, arms folded across his chest as he watched Caroline with a dark look. He looked less than pleased to find one of his wolves dancing on top of a bar with half the spook population of Columbus egging her on.
The alpha was a tall, imposing man, with a harsh masculine face and a body that would have made a gym rat jealous. I wondered idly if running around on all fours helped build all those muscles.
He looked ex-military with his hair cut close to his head and a rigid, upright posture. It was apparent he had experience with martial arts, his stance perfectly balanced, weight distributed so he could move to avoid an unexpected attack.
Even relaxed like he was, he projected the sort of presence that demanded obedience from those mortals around him.
The two were a matched pair, a circle widening around them as the crowd unconsciously gave them space.
I nudged Caroline and jutted my chin at the two. “Busted. Looks like Sir Crankypants and Mr. Grumpsalot don’t approve.”
I snickered at my joke.
Caroline’s expression was curious as she looked where I indicated. A comical look of dismay crossed her face. She missed a step in her dance and toppled off the bar. I tried to grab her but missed.
One of our erstwhile fans caught her in his arms, his face creasing into a pleased smile. “Woah there. You don’t want to crack your head.”
He set her down gently, even as he grinned at her flirtatiously.
Caroline gave him a drunken smile that changed to a grimace as Brax loomed over his shoulder, a dark glare aimed at the man.
The man noticed and let go of Caroline, holding his hands up and backing away. “I’ll just go then.”
“You do that,” Brax said.
The man beat a hasty retreat, leaving a morose Caroline in his wake.
I suddenly noticed I was standing alone on the bar, holding a microphone in my hand as the last notes of the song played.
I bent a goofy grin on Liam. “Sing with me?”
His gaze was faintly amused. “I don’t think so.”
I gave him a mocking frown. “Come, Sir Crankypants, a little bit of fun won’t kill you.”
A choked laugh from Liam’s side drew my attention.
“Nathan, you tattled again. No one likes a tattletale,” I said, shaking my finger at him.
The motion upset my balance and I wavered before righting myself. I gave the two of them a proud smile at the feat.
Nathan snickered as Liam reached up and grabbed my hand, using it to drag me down off the bar.
“I think you’ve had enough fun for the night,” Liam told me.
“Poppycock,” I said, waving his words away. “We’re just getting started.”
The crowd around us booed at the delay in entertainment, before edging away from the dark scowl he aimed at them.
“I’ll take that, Aileen,” the DJ said.
“I’m trusting you’ll bestow this on only the most worthiest of individuals,” I said, handing over the mic with an expression of grave seriousness.
He gave me a small bow. “As my lady commands.”
I beamed at him, then frowned as Liam shot the minor Fae a look that invited his absence.
