This night just kept getting better.
“Where is the vampire king?” Keir asked, swirling his martini. “I expected Angelo himself, not a... representative.”
The pause before “representative” was deliberate. Pointed.
I’d bet a hundred bucks he already knew something. Keir always knew something. “I was just told to come and represent him.”
Keir took a slow sip of his drink, watching me over the rim of the glass. “An offer you couldn’t refuse?”
My blood ran cold.
He smiled—a kind of smile that made you feel like you’d already lost a game you didn’t know you were playing. The bastard was fishing, and I was the stupid trout circling the hook.
Before I could dig myself deeper, the band shifted into a slow song. The melody drifted across the ballroom, and couples began moving toward the dance floor.
Perfect timing.
I clasped Selena’s hand. “If you’ll excuse us...”
Keir’s smile widened, but he stepped aside with a graceful nod. “Of course. Enjoy your evening, Rocco.” Those pale eyes slid to Selena. “Both of you.”
I didn’t like the way he said that. I didn’t like any of this.
I escorted her to a table near the back. She set down the infamous purse, then her drink. I put mine next to hers. “Let’s dance.”
“Rocco, are you sure?” Selena whispered as I guided her toward the floor.
“Yeah. I’m sure.”
I swept her onto the dance floor and pulled her close—closer than I probably should have. One hand settled on her lower back, the other clasping her fingers. She fit against me like she’d been made for this. For me.
And her scent—God, her scent. Something floral I couldn’t name, soft and subtle, wrapping around me like silk. It inflamed something deep in my chest, imprinting on my senses like a fine wine I’d never be able to forget.
This was dangerous.
She was dangerous.
And I was already in too deep.
We moved together, swaying to the slow melody. I tried to keep my distance—tried to remember why I was here, what I was supposed to be doing. But every time she shifted closer, every time her fingers tightened on my shoulder, my resolve crumbled a little more.
I twirled her around, watching her gown flare out like dark water, then drew her back against my chest. She came willingly, her body pressing against mine, and I had to bite back a groan.
Then I dipped her.
Her dark hair cascaded toward the floor. Her throat was exposed, pale and perfect, and my fangs ached with the urge to taste her. Her eyes found mine—wide, surprised, trusting—and something cracked open in my heart.
I eased her back up slowly, keeping her close. Too close. Her breath was warm against my jaw.
“You’re full of surprises tonight,” she murmured.
“I could say the same about you.”
“Me?” She tilted her head, a small smile playing at her lips. “I’m just following your lead.”
Don’t, I wanted to tell her.Don’t follow me. Don’t trust me. Run as far and as fast as you can.
But the words wouldn’t come.
