She tilted to peek around me, then straightened. “And by the look of it, that vampire’s not the one. He’s yours.”
I choked on my drink, sputtering. “W-what?”
She casually set her glass down, fluffing her hair and smoothing a hand down the few inches of fabric pretending to be a skirt.
“I can just tell,” she said with a shrug. “He looks like the type who wants to hearyoumoan forhim. I’m looking for someone who’ll moan formetonight.”
What the fuck did that even mean? In my experience, moaning was usually a good sign—regardless of who was doing it.
Before I could respond, the wolf leaned in, bracing both hands on the bar to box Aniyah in, his voice eager. “Now, Iknowme and my buddy are out of our league here,” he said, practically inhaling her scent, “and you can shoot me down if you want, but even your rejection would make my night.”
Resisting the urge to roll my eyes, I took another sip. Aniyah, of course, giggled at the line and fired back without missing a beat.
“You’re right. Wearefar above the likes of you,butit’s my birthday. I’m feeling generous, so I’ll give you a once-in-a-lifetime shot… if you’re a good boy.”
I turned away, took another drink, and found myself locking eyes with a pair of deep orange ones.
The vampire.
He was watching me now, but he threw his chin toward his friend and my sister. “Looks like those two hit it off. Guess our job’s done.”
Job?I blinked.Wasn’t he eyeing Aniyah, too?
Keeping it light, I gave a small, amused smile and shrugged. “Right? Who would’ve guessed.” The sarcasm came out a little strong as I gestured over my shoulder. The wet sounds they were making got louder. “Definitely didn’t havethaton my bingo card tonight.”
He chuckled, finishing the rest of his drink. His broad chest was on display in a tight black T-shirt that strained across thick arms, and his gray slacks hugged muscular thighs that looked strong enough to choke a fighter out all on their own. My brain immediately went into recruitment mode, wanting to ask him where he worked out and what his profession was. Aniyah moaned behind me, snapping me out of it, the sound a reminder that tonight wasnotfor work. Tonight was for fun.
“There’s a bingo card?” His orange eyes lit up, lips stretching into a grin that flashed the tips of his fangs. “Knew this place had more going on than drinking and dancing. I always miss the good stuff.”
“Oh, yeah.” I nodded toward the doorman, who looked like he’d rather be strangled than listen to the music that was blaring. “Just ask Mr. Sunshine over there. He’ll hand you a little sheet.”
I chuckled, finishing off my drink before lifting the empty glass in a salute. “I’ve already got ‘drink two drinks’ and ‘shake your ass on the dance floor’ marked off.”
A loud thud hit behind me. No need to look. I already knew those two had moved frommaking outtomountingeach other on the bar.
I smirked, tipping my head toward the chaos. “Looks like Aniyah just scored ‘make out with a stranger’ and ‘make the bartender nervous’ in one go.”
He laughed, full and genuine. My stomach fluttered. I leaned on the bar and waved at the bartender. “Another,” I said, pointing to my empty glass. “Actually, make it two!”
“Is there a square for ‘get a drink from a beautiful woman’? Because I think I just scored it.”
I laughed for real that time and rolled my eyes. “Oooh, smooth.”
The drinks landed between us, perfectly timed. We lifted our glasses to each other, eyes meeting over the rims as we drank.
Something about him put me at ease. He didn’t feel like someone I had to keep a wall up with. I could breathe around him. Maybe even have a little fun.
“What’s your name?”
He leaned in, still smiling. “Liam.”
“Nova,” I replied.
“Oh, I know. I don’t think there’s a single supe in Las Vegas whodoesn’tknow the Syndicate heirs. You’re in line to take over the Rossey clan, right?”
I nodded and took a gulp of my drink. “And now you’re going to run for the hills, right?” My voice was light, teasing, and a laugh even tumbled out, but deep down, I was bracing myself.
It always happened. Once a guy figured out who I was and what I could do, they bailed. The kind of woman who could pulverize a man with her fists wasn’t exactly top-tier fantasy material—at least, not for the ones who needed to feel bigger than me. I was too strong, too dangerous, too emasculating.
