“Why would I run?” Liam asked, back against the bar with his head cocked in question.
Skeptical, I arched a brow, but he tilted his head, earnest and calm. “You’re different than I imagined. Agooddifferent. You’re… fun. Inviting.”
Caught off guard, all I could do was blink at him. I couldn’t remember the last time a man didn’t bolt or treat me like some access pass to my dad or the Syndicate fortune after finding out who I was, but Liam just sat there—steady, warm, and a tad bold.
Taking my silence as an invitation, he stepped closer slowly, giving me every chance to back away before his lips brushed mine, gentle at first. The taste of Hellfire mixed with something sweeter drew me in deeper as my eyes closed.
His hand slid behind my neck, thumb gliding along my jaw, tilting my head just right. My hands found their way under his shirt, gripping his sides and pulling him closer like I’d forgotten why I wasn’t supposed to want this.
This thing between us wasn’t ravenous, not like Aniyah and her wolf behind us. It was slow, teasing, dizzying, and I wantedmoreof it.
“Come on, guys! Dance floor!” Aniyah’s voice rang out, and we broke apart just in time for her to snatch my wrist and tug me with her.
Lifting my head, I glanced toward Ezra, who tipped her glass in a wordless check-in from the booth where she sat beside Calix. I gave her a nod back—all good here.
Aniyah leaned in as we pushed through a crush of bodies. “I need to see what this wolf’s stamina looks likebeforeI take him for a ride.” Her eyes flicked to Liam behind me. “Butyoulook like you’re having a real good time.”
She winked, then opened her mouth and mimed a blowjob.
Groaning, I shook my head. “Aniyah, I’mnotabout to suck a dick in the middle of the dance floor. That’s your lane.”
With a cackle, she released my arm and spun toward her wolf, grinding against him without hesitation.
The beat dropped, pulsing hard in my chest. I raised my hands, swaying into it, letting the rhythm guide my body instead of my brain. For once, I stopped thinking. I justmoved.
A hand slid around my waist.
I jerked, instincts flaring, but the hard chest behind me didn’t shove, didn’t trap. He just moved with me. Slow, steady.
“Is there a square for ‘dancing with someone who tried to ditch you’?”
A laugh escaped before I could stop it. His grip firmed just slightly on my waist, grounding me. I could’ve broken out of it easily.
I turned my head, catching sight of Aniyah in full seduction mode. She was folded over, shaking her ass against wolf boy as he grinned down at her like he had already won. A pang hit my chest. She could justlet go. She never cared what anyone thought. Didn’t have to prove herself every damn second. Aniyah was chaos and charm and impulsive pleasure. I loved that about her, but I envied it too.
Me? As the leader of a rough group of fighters, I had to stay hard. Sharp. Ready to swing, ready to hold the line.
Just once, I wanted to do whatmy bodywanted. To live a little… or maybe a lot.
I glanced at her again, my decision firming up as I let go. It was a special occasion. I deserved a little indulgence. My hips rolled back, grinding against Liam, and heat flashed through me as his cool body met mine.
The song changed. Lights dimmed. A deep red pulse lit the air, slow and steady, like a heartbeat in Hell. I leaned back, resting my head on his shoulder. His hands slid up my sides, mapping me, and I sighed, my hand drifting up behind me to trace the back of his neck.
His nose ran along my throat, drawing a full-body shiver from me. The scent of heat and something darker curled around me… and then his fingers drifted lower, pulling at buttons.
Slipping past the waistband of my pants, he brushed my clit with wicked precision. I gasped, heart stuttering, and he kissed the side of my neck with enthusiasm that said he was barely holding himself together.
“I can’t help it,” he whispered, his voice rough, breath shaking. His other hand cupped my breast as his thumb brushed over my nipple. I had no bra to hide the way it peaked under his touch.
“Oh, fuck,” I exhaled. The words were soft and breathless, something I rarely let anyone hear.
He chuckled against my skin, running his fangs teasingly along my neck. I growled, deep and low.
My wolf stirred—awake now. She only ever came out when we were about to fight or fuck, and right now, she wanted both. I could feel her circling around in my mind, the urge to go farther hitting home.
“You know,” he hissed against my ear, his hand sliding lower, “I’m just getting started, and look how wet you’re getting.”
Without warning, he shoved two fingers inside me. I bit down on my lip so hard I tasted blood.
