"Why?"
The force of my question surprised me. I usually wasn't one to be so firm. I didn't want to stop whatever we were doing. It felt too good.
Malachi's rose coloured eyes searched my face, looking almost pained. I felt the cold wave of guilt swamp me. Had I done something wrong?
"I'm sorry, I know I should've read the waiver properly before signing it," I said. "But I was nervous. If I stayed a second longer at the door, I might've changed my mind and went home. But now I'm really glad I didn't."
Malachi stared at me for a long moment before slowly closing his eyes and exhaling. After composing himself, he opened his eyes and offered me a hand. My heart leapt. I jumped out of the chair and took his hand.
"It's not safe to discuss things here," he said. "Come with me."
"Why not?"
"The others might get the wrong idea."
I didn't know what he was talking about, but he obviously knew more about the club than I did. Either way, I was happy to follow him obediently. Well, I wasn't exactly following him. Malachi's cold hand grasped my wrist, firm yet gentle, and he led me out into the hall. In the heat of the moment, I'd almost forgotten where I was. The hall bustled with bodies and noise. It was a sudden shock after being in a secluded room.
"Don't be afraid," Malachi said. "I'm with you."
How did he sense I was nervous? Maybe he felt my pulse racing in my wrist.
"Okay," I said, smiling shyly. Whether this was part of the play scene or not, I liked that he was being protective of me.
Malachi stormed through the halls with purpose. His movements were smooth and confident as he glided across the floor. I was a clumsy oaf by comparison, stumbling behind him. It wasn't because he was going too fast, but because I felt dizzy with bliss and my shoes kept getting caught on the carpet.
I suddenly tripped over somebody's foot.
Malachi whipped around. Before I could barely stumble, he grabbed me by the shoulders.
"Are you all right?" he asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just embarrassed."
His eyes flitted to my rosy cheeks, still flushed from a mixture of arousal and shame. He blinked hard and turned around before a nearby voice called out to him.
"Malachi? Is that you?"
The voice came from a female vampire roleplayer leaning against the wall in a sultry way. She winked when she caught my eye. Her long pale leg was stretched out in front of her, ending in a red leather high heel. I realized it was her foot that I'd tripped on.
"Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am," I said.
She smiled, her fake fangs poking out from beneath her lipstick. "Don't be, little human. I'm glad you stopped to talk to me." She turned to Malachi. "I'm surprised to see you mingling."
"I'm not mingling," Malachi said sternly.
His grip tightened on my wrist.
The woman didn't seem to notice. She looked back at me, batting her long eyelashes. "Having fun tonight?"
I nodded. Since Malachi saved me, I was having way more fun than I anticipated.
"Want to have a little more?" she purred.
I felt like I was struck by a baseball to the face. Now I understood what she meant. My face flushed deeper.
"Um, I'm not really looking for—"
She cut me off by striding closer in a swift motion. Her long black hair trailed behind her like a velvet curtain.
