He dipped me low, his arm supporting my back, and I couldn’t help but laugh, a breathless sound swallowed up by the music. As he pulled me back up, our faces were inches apart.
I could see the desire in his eyes.
I let my hands wander, tracing the lines of his shoulders and his back, feeling the play of muscles beneath his shirt. His hands returned the favor, exploring my body, his touch respectful yet hungry. The air between us charged, the heat of our bodies mingling with the vitality of the club.
As we danced, I lost all sense of time. There was only the music, the heat, the raw energy that coursed through us. I felt alive, free, and consumed by the moment. But as I spun around, wanting to feel the hard chest of the stranger against my back, my eyes caught sight of the bar. And a jolt of ice shot through my veins.
Marcus was leaving the club, his face dark with an animalistic hunger. The woman he dragged behind him kept her eyes locked onto the Alpha, her gaze filled with sexual need. The sight sent a pang of something unexpected through me.
Jealousy, perhaps?
But why?
Marcus had made it clear he was nothing more than my mute babysitter for the night.
I pushed the feeling aside, turning my focus back to my dance partner. But I’d shattered the moment. The spark was extinguished, the warmth from the stamp on my hand dissipating.
I pulled away, offering him a small smile. “Thanks for the dance… Mind if we sit?”
He nodded and led me to his friend’s booth.
“Ay, Pedro,” the Latina greeted, “I told you she was sexy as fuck. You looked like you were gonna come in your pants, motherfucker.”
The Latina and her group of friends laughed. Pedro threw the napkin he was using to wipe the sweat from his brow at her.
“Pero,chica, where’s that fine-ass giant that was with you? I was worried y’all were together or something.”
I shook my head with more aggression than necessary. “Coworkers,” I replied.
She took a swig of tequila. “For your sake, I hope they don’t allow fraternizing. He looks like he’d tear your pussy in two.”
“Camila!” Pedro exclaimed.
As the laughter faded, I passed around the photo of Toya. I watched their faces—scrutinizing every breath, every tic—for any sign they might know something. But all I saw was curiosity.
“She’s pretty,” one girl said, handing the phone back to me. “Is she missing?”
I nodded. “Yeah, you could say that… For a while now. I was hoping someone might recognize her, though.”
The group exchanged glances, shaking their heads.
“Sorry,chica,” Camila said, her voice filled with genuine concern. “We don’t know her. But we can keep an eye out, yeah?”
I smiled at her. “Thanks, I’d appreciate that.” Not that it would do any good.
Pedro leaned in, his voice deepening. “The men here… They’re not all… good.Ten cuidado, bonita.”
Istood up, smoothing down my dress. “I will… Thanks again, Pedro.”
He smiled with a sweet warmth in his eyes.
As I walked away from the group, I felt the weight of their concern. Pedro meant well, but his words only reinforced the danger I put myself in. I was literally dancing with wolves…. And I couldn’t afford a misstep.
I made my way back to the bar, combing the crowd in vain for any sign of Marcus. I took a seat and ordered another drink.
What the hell was I going to do if no one recognized Toya? Nicely request access to their security tapes? I was so fucked. I needed Marcus’s help after all.
As I nursed the rum and Coke, my fingers fiddled with the crystal pendant resting between my collarbones. That’s when I felt a prickling sensation on the back of my neck. I crossed my legs and turned, trying to survey the crowd without being noticed.
