Elouan led him to the dance floor, finding a relatively clear spot. His dragon wouldn’t react well to someone getting too close. Snapping at other dancers might not go over well with club security.
Jules studied the other dancers for a moment, gently swaying, then grinned, his lithe body moving to the beat with uncanny timing. No one around them would believe he couldn’t dance. Elouan certainly didn’t.
Now and then, Jules would observe a couple performing a new move, then seamlessly incorporate the action into his own dancing. A mimic. A natural mimic, and nowhere near the atrocious dancer he’d despaired at being.
Elouan learned to dance at a young age for social functions, then relearned upon entering the human world, watching videos on the internet or couples in clubs.
He definitely didn’t watch Curtis, who danced as badly as Jules described himself, his garish club clothing further compelling people to look. That might’ve been the point.
All thoughts fled but keeping time with Jules, who whirled and rubbed his back against Elouan’s chest. The person dancing near them actually did a bump and grind with his partner, but Jules likely wasn’t ready to go so far. May Elouan still be around when he was.
Elouan ran a hand lightly over Jules's chest, not restraining but holding tightly enough so Jules knew he was desired. One song became two, then three, then four. Dancers around them came and went, but Elouan and Jules remained.
Must be the resilience of youth, for Jules possessed the stamina of a dragon, head thrown back, eyes closed, the elegant column of his neck exposed. Elouan buried his face in the crook of that neck. The sudden urge came over him to bite.
What? A mating bite?Here, in front of witnesses?Elouan never wanted the dance to end, never wanted to let go, only barely restraining himself from taking a bite.
He pulled away, taking Jules’s mouth instead. Jules brought one hand to Elouan’s cheek, while wrapping Elouan’s braid around the other. Never once did he miss a beat.
Elouan could barely dance, his cock so hard and aching. He wanted this man. Needed this man more than air. Once more the urge came over him,bite, bite, bite! Make him yours. Never be apart from him again.
A change in tempo provided a reason to pull away. Elouan’s hands shook. Goddess! What had come over him? He’d nearly given a mating bite to a human! With witnesses. No going back. One bite would forever tie him to someone who might find his true nature appalling. Even more unnerving? Elouan’s dragon was totally on board with the idea.
He’s human!He’s mate!
The music went from fast-paced to slow, a sultry beat. Elouan nearly suggested they sit the number out while he caught his breath and regained his composure, but Jules stepped into place like they’d practiced for years, placing his hands on Elouan’s forearms. Without thinking, Elouan copied the movements on Jules’s upper arms. They whirled on the floor until Elouan caught other couples staring from their more traditional human poses.
Elouan stopped.
“Is something wrong?” Jules asked.
Was there? Elouan shook his head, taking Jules into his arms, mimicking the other dancers.
Somehow, Jules had begun a traditional Adrakus waltz.
The outside air felt cool against Elouan’s face. Doubts clouded his mind ever since that waltz. That was definitely a dance Elouan had learned young to prepare for formal gatherings. No mistaking the distinct movements. “What was that dance you were doing when the music slowed?” Through the dimness in front of the club, he watched color creep up Jules's neck.
“It’s something Moira taught me when I was younger. Said I’d need to know how one day. That’s the dance I told you I do in my room sometimes, but it’s totally different without a partner. I didn’t do anything wrong, did I?”
“No! Nothing wrong. It’s just that I haven’t seen anyone dance like that in a long time.” Not since leaving Adrakus. Once more, Elouan sniffed, half expecting to smell dragon. Nothing. He should be able to smell if Moira was a dragon, shouldn’t he? Or maybe not. He’d never tried secondhand sniffing.
“I’m sorry. I won’t do that again.”
“Nonsense.” Elouan pulled Jules to him, placing their hands on each other’s arms. To a beat hummed under his breath, he went through the steps of a dance that had taken him seasons to learn.
Jules followed every motion without hesitation. He knew an Adrakus formal waltz. Coincidence? Elouan didn’t believe in coincidences.
Jules said Moira taught him. Elouan needed to meet Moira, and soon.
Elouan parked near Jules’s house, then walked with him the rest of the way. While he didn’t want to apply any pressure, he had questions. He highly suspected Moira might be a dragon, which would explain her overprotectiveness. If so, did Jules know? Had he figured out anything about Elouan, because a dragon probably would’ve smelled another dragon on Jules when Elouan brought him home? “I’d like to meet Moira and Ray one day.”
Jules stiffened, then relaxed. “I’d like that too. It’s not a good time for Moira, but soon.” He gave Elouan a soft kiss before drifting away like mist.
Elouan stood on the sidewalk for a while after Jules disappeared inside the house, breathing in the crisp fall air. After midnight, most of the houses had turned off their decorations for the night, though a couple of inflatable ghosts bobbed in the light breeze.
He’d almost bitten Julien. Still wanted to, truth be told. The primitive part of him where his dragon lived wanted that too. Then came the dance Jules said Moira had taught him.
I live with my aunt and uncle, and they’re particular about who I bring home.
