Dash rolled his eyes.
“You can dance with me to make up the shortfall,” Emerson murmured.
Dash searched his face, fighting the yes that wanted to rise from his lips. For months, he’d regretted missing that kiss. How difficult would it be to miss a chance to press his body against Emerson’s, if only for a few minutes?
No! He’s too dangerous.
It was then that Dash realized he wasn’t having the same wild reaction as the last time he’d come face-to-face with Emerson. Yes, there was attraction. Powerful,primalattraction—but there was no mind-numbing need for him to surrender. No call in his blood to drop to his knees and beg for release.
Hewasn’tlosing control.
And from the looks of Emerson, he wasn’t either.
What was different?
Reaction or not, Emerson was still too dangerous. Distance was their only saving grace.
“I’m not here to dance. I’m here to work.”
“Uh-huh,” Emerson said.
“I am,” Dash said. “I’m on a case.”
“Okay.” Emerson leaned in closer—and inhaled deep.
Dash backed up a step, narrowing his eyes.
“You smell different. Not like you did last time,” Emerson said, frowning. He inhaled one more time. “I don’t feel the same, either.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Dash muttered.
Emerson leveled a glare at Dash. “I nearly lost control the last time we were close to one another—and I sense you were close to it, too. I didn’t like feeling that way. I’d love to know what that was so I can avoid it.”
“Leave me alone and we’ll both be fine,” Dash said.
Emerson glared for a few seconds, silent. “Can you stop being such an asshole for two seconds? We need to know what that was.”
“No,” Dash said. “We don’t.”
Whywashe lashing out at Emerson? He had no idea—other than the fact being near that alpha scared the fuck out of him. Less so now, without the reaction, but who knew if it would last. He had a job to do, and that job had nothing to do with Emerson.
“Is it you? Or is it something I might stumble across with another alpha? I need to know, Dash.”
“I don’t know!”Dash spat. “I don’t know what it was.”
“Shouldn’t we find out? That way we can avoid it happening again.”
Dash took a deep breath, shaking his head. “I don’t have time for this. I need to get to work.”
“Sure,”Emerson said, clearly not believing him.
Dash rolled his eyes before marching down the hallway, doing his level best to forget the man behind him.
Before he could get more than a few steps in, he paused and took in the Lucky Dragon. The place was larger—and classier—than expected. He stood on a mezzanine of sorts. An L-shaped bar was across from him, taking up all the back and right wall. Above it a long neon dragon lit up the array of liquor bottles displayed, its many colors glinting off their glass exteriors. Atrio of tuxedoed bartenders mixed drinks and chatted with the customers lining the stools.
Many of the tall tables on that level were occupied, men gathered around them, standing and chatting. Well-dressed servers in all black rushed trays of drinks, moving in serpentine patterns to deliver their orders.
A balustrade took up the left. He walked closer to it and looked down. There were two wide staircases on either end. Both were short—only five or six steps. The rest of the action wasn’t too far away. Pale champagne satin lined all the walls below, too. Large banquettes and circular booths in dark magenta upholstery lined the outer two walls. There was a stage across from him where a full band played updated, modern-sounding swing music. At least three dozen alphas glided along the parquet dance floor.
