Speed wasn’t Nate’s strong suit, but he let Aki have his way. The dance was about him after all—and Nate was pretty sure that the pace of the dancers immediately surrounding them had slowed as they watched.
He glanced around, seeing a space had formed around them. Time to step it up. The next time Aki cruised by him, Nate pulled him close. He put his hands on the small of Aki’s back, as Aki settled his hands on Nate’s chest. “Ready?”
Aki’s mouth curved. “Always.”
They had rehearsed this, but the combination of moves always felt fresh. A lot of that was Aki. He invested whatever movement he made with the sexuality he freely embraced—and he wasn’t above changing the rules. His hand wandered toward Nate’s fly.
Nate caught Aki by his hips, holding him midair a moment before tossing him up, and on the downward catch, sliding him through his legs across the floor.
The crowd murmured with appreciation. Aki smoldered, body rippling as he caught Nate’s hand and levered himself back to his feet. It was only too easy to imagine the same maneuver beneath the sheets.
That’s Aki’s specialty. Now for mine. Nate made his movements preemptory. His strength kept Aki locked tightly against him, their movements like one.
Nate was keenly aware they were practically alone on the floor. Everyone’s watching. The thought excited him. He loved the feeling of being on display, and the next time Aki rippled against him, Nate swayed with him.
When the music stopped, Aki was pressed against him, breathing rapidly. There was a long pause before the house lights came on.
As the DJ announced the end of his set, Aki licked his lips. “Okay. So maybe you haven’t forgotten everything I taught you. But we should probably do that again. To practice.”
Nate snorted, stepping back. “And keep you from your adoring public? Pass.”
“Your loss.” Aki released Nate, before stalking toward the bar. As Nate watched, a couple of men slipped out of the crowd to follow him. Aki would have no trouble finding his next client.
Once Nate would have been content to join the crowd and find a new partner for the next set. Now, as much as he enjoyed putting on a show, the audience couldn’t hold him the way it once had—the way only one man could.
Nate made his way to the shadows. He didn’t need to see Ben to know he was there—and had been for some time. His heart beat in a way it hadn’t throughout the entire dance. “Enjoy the show?”
Ben’s gasp was breathless. “Nate.” Without another word, he broke the distance between them, throwing his arms around Nate.
Nate grinned, settling an arm around Ben comfortably. If this is the reaction I get, Aki and I need to dance more often. He raised his other hand to brush Ben’s hair. “I’m taking that as a yes.”
Ben didn’t reply.
Nate’s forehead furrowed. This was—unusual. Yeah, he was used to making an impression on the floor, but Ben seemed less turned on, more—
More needy. Nate swallowed. Ben was never needy. He thought back to their brief phone call that afternoon. “Something’s happened, hasn’t it?”
Ben’s body tensed beneath Nate’s touch.
“What’s the matter?”
Ben sighed, settling his face against Nate’s shoulder. “Let’s leave it at I had a really bad day.”
A bad day for Ben could involve anything from kidnapping by necromancer, to having to put down multiple undead, to being found by the vampire family he had left. “Anything I can do?”
Ben tightened his arms around Nate. “Exactly what you’re doing now.”
This is really serious. Ben wasn’t just hugging him. He was hugging Nate in a public place—and didn’t seem to care that anyone could see them. Nate stroked his fingers over Ben’s skull in what he hoped was a comforting gesture. “Let’s go outside and you can tell me all about it.” Nate shifted his arm to settle on Ben’s back. “Or if you’d rather, we could just go home.”
Ben lifted his face to Nate’s. He looked tired. “Can we just stay like this for a while?”
Nate’s heart constricted. He liked it when Ben leaned on him, but to hear him sound so lost was—wrong. “Yeah. Whatever you want.”
Ben leaned back against Nate. He shut his eyes. “Sorry to ruin your evening.”
“You kidding?” Nate gave him a squeeze. “You’ve got no idea how long I’ve been wanting to get you out on the dance floor.”
Ben snorted. His breath tickled Nate’s neck. “And when you succeed, no one’s dancing.”
Nate looked across the floor. The DJ was signing autographs at the bar and most of the crowd had dispersed to find drinks. The house music was turned up, and a few hardcore couples remained on the floor. “Just means more floor for us.”
He’d hadn’t meant it as anything more than a throwaway comment, but he felt Ben tense. “I can’t dance. I’ve never even tried.”
“And if you had, you’d know there’s nothing to it.” Nate gave Ben’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “Trust me. I’ve seen you fight. I know you can move.”
Ben raised his head to look at Nate. “There’s a big difference between fighting and what you and Aki were doing.”
“Wanna bet?” Nate shifted, rocking gently to the music filling the club. “What you saw was the continuation of a long-running argument between us.”
Ben snorted. “Is that what you call it?”
Nate cocked an eyebrow. Now he’s teasing me? Am I sure this is Ben? He studied the man in front of him. The club’s lights caught Ben’s pale skin, making him look skeletal and vulnerable. “You’re not jealous?”
Ben had relaxed enough to loosen his grip on Nate, looking around the club. He studied each of the groups of people nearest to them in turn, seemingly reassured by the fact that none of them were looking their way. “No. I know how close you and Aki are, and that it doesn’t change how you feel about me. I also know you like to dance—and I could never dance like Aki does.”
Nate felt a warmth settle over him. Ben spoke like he’d given serious thought to the nuances of their relationship. “You don’t have to dance like Aki does. The way you focus so intently on whatever you’re doing… That’d translate really well to the floor. Especially once you’ve found your vibe.”
Ben tilted his head. “You’ve thought about this.”
“I think about you a lot. This shouldn’t be a surprise.”
“But about us dancing, specifically?” Ben frowned.
“Yeah.” Nate wrapped his arms around Ben, rocking him in time with the music. “There’s a power on the dance floor. Once you get into it, the energy of it just picks you up and carries you along. It’s like unfurling new leaves—you never want to stop.”
He saw Ben’s mouth quirk. “You’re the only person I know who could compare dancing to growing leaves.” He glanced toward the floor again. “Let’s do this.”
Nate paused. “You really want to? I know you’ve had a bad day. If you’d rather talk—”
“I don’t want to talk. Or think.” Ben tightened his hold on Nate. “I want to feel—and you always make me feel good.”
Nate’s breath caught. Don’t pull any punches. He lifted Ben’s hands from his shoulders, squeezing them before drawing one hand over Ben’s head, guiding him around in a circle. He dropped his hands to Ben’s hips, pressing against his back. “You can start by relaxing. You’re not going to enjoy yourself wound up that tightly.”
“Easy for you to say.” Ben’s movements were abrupt. “You know what you’re doing.”
Nate settled his arms around Ben, drawing him back against his chest. “Feel the rhythm. Go with it.” He felt Ben relax, starting to sway with him. “Yeah, like that.” He let go of Ben, raising his arms above his head as they moved.
Ben glanced back at him. His eyes gleamed in the dark and then he looked away, mirroring Nate’s motions. “How’s this?”
“It’s a good start.” Nate stepped back, circling Ben. “Use your whole body. Let it flow.” He demonstrat
ed, letting the music pulse through him.
Ben shut his eyes. The intermittent flashing lights caught his blush. “Promise you’ll tell me if I’m making a fool of myself.”
“No one would see you even if you were. There’s a reason Century keeps its lights low.”
Ben glanced up. His smile was wicked. “To prevent patrons embarrassing themselves? I thought they had a different purpose.” He swayed toward Nate.
Nate felt his breath catch in his throat. There was an intent in Ben’s gaze that sent an immediate surge of need through him. “So, maybe there’s more than one reason.”
Ben took hold of Nate’s shirt with both hands, tugging Nate toward him. With every step they took, he brushed against Nate.
Heat coursed through Nate’s skin at the contact. He couldn’t resist, wrapping his arms around Ben, pulling him closer. “Knew you’d be good at this.”
Ben straddled Nate’s leg, sliding against him. “Know what else I’m good at?” His fingers closed around Nate’s fly.
Nate’s body reacted with immediate interest, his hips thrusting toward Ben. Is this really happening? Him. Ben. On the floor, in full view of anyone. “Are we still talking about dancing?”
Ben smiled. “That depends”—his gaze settled on Nate’s mouth—“on how you define ‘dancing.’”
Nate cupped Ben’s chin. The friction between their bodies was nothing compared to Ben’s tongue, slipping between his lips like this was all part of his master plan—
“You guys really are dating then.”
Nate winced. As he turned to face Aki, he settled his arm around Ben. “I told you it was complicated.” He frowned at Aki. Surely he could see they were in the middle of something?
Ben bumped his elbow against Nate’s. “Nice to see you too, Aki.” He settled his hand on the small of Nate’s back. “You joining us on the floor?” He sounded like he meant the invitation, and Nate was relieved.
Aki scowled and shook his head. “It’s nothing. Sorry to crash your date.”
“It’s not nothing.” Aki could be thoughtless, but he wouldn’t have interrupted without a reason. “What’s up?”
“Can you spot me?”
Nate straightened. He looked over the heads of the people on the dance floor to the crowd at the bar. “Did something happen?”
Aki shook his head. “It’s just a feeling—it’s probably nothing.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “I wouldn’t be asking, but it’s been building all night and keeps getting stronger.”
Ben tilted his head. “By ‘spot you,’ do you mean—”
“Spot like in training. You know, when you get someone to keep an eye on you, make sure you don’t get into trouble?” Nate placed his hand on Ben’s arm. “Aki and I spot each other. If there’s a situation or a client that gives us a weird vibe, but there’s nothing concrete enough to call in security—”
“You look out for each other.” Ben considered Aki. “And you don’t know why you’ve got this feeling?”
Aki shook his head, shooting Nate an apologetic glance. “I thought it was to do with Rick. But he left early, so your guess is as good as mine.”
“Could it be a client? Something someone said?” Ben looked toward the bar.
“Forget it. It’s just a feeling.” Aki wheeled around. “Enjoy your date.”
Nate hesitantly placed a hand on Ben’s shoulder. “So—” The moment was definitely gone. “What now?”
“Now?” Ben tangled his fingers in Nate’s. “We spot Aki.”
“You mean that?”
“He’s your friend,” Ben said. “And if we didn’t, you’d spend the rest of the evening fretting about him.”
Nate felt a warmth entirely unrelated to the previous heat between them. “You know me too well.” He led the way across the club. There was a couple just leaving the bar, and Nate and Ben took their place, a few meters from where Aki was deep in conversation with one of his admirers.
Aki didn’t halt what he was saying, but his eyes rested on Nate a moment and the corner of his mouth turned up.
Really worried then. Nate weighed up the guy talking to Aki. He was a well-dressed man in a suit. He played with his tie, leaning in to whisper something that made Aki smile. Looks like a professional of some sort—but you can’t always tell.
“Here.” Ben placed a glass beside him. “I needed something and I thought you might too.”
Nate picked up the glass. “A coke?”
“No sense in tempting fate. Especially if Aki’s right and something is going to happen.”
Nate toyed with the drink. “You don’t have to buy me anything you know.”
“Why not? You bought me groceries.” Ben made a motion as if to brush his hair out of his eyes, but his fingers closed on nothing. He dropped his hand to his glass. “I never thanked you for that, by the way.”
“It’s cool. I figured you had a lot on your mind.”
Ben pursed his lips. “I did. But that’s still no excuse. You were looking out for me—even if you did go about it in a backward way.”
“You’re being way kinder than you should to a guy who broke into your apartment.” Nate’s fingers tightened around his glass. “At the time, I didn’t think that through, but now—”
“I wouldn’t let anyone else get away with that,” Ben said. “But you’re always the exception that proves the rule.”
Nate glanced at him. “Is that a good thing?”
“Depends what the rule is.” Ben took a sip of his coke.
Nate followed suit. He wanted something a lot stronger than the soft drink, but Ben’s call was wise. Nate glanced down the bar. I really hope Aki’s feeling clears up soon. “Huh.”
“What have you seen?” Ben was instantly alert.
“Check out that guy in the denim jacket.” The guy was middle-aged and swarthy, overdue a shave by a good couple of days. He made his way down the bar, interrupting conversations to show people a photo, oblivious to the looks of annoyance shot his way. “Anything goes at Century—but he’s way underdressed.”
“He seems very intent on getting people to look at that photo,” Ben agreed. “And he’s not making very many friends in the process.”
Nate had a sudden hunch. He took a step toward the man, but he’d already reached Aki and his client.
Aki shot the man a glare. He glanced at the photo, his lip curling. He made some comment to the man and turned back to his client.
The swarthy man was having none of it. He grabbed Aki’s arm, jerking him back to face him. “What did you say?”
Aki tried to pull his arm back. “Let go of me.”
“You think I’m going to let a little runt like you insult me and get away with it?” The man slammed his hand down hard on the bar, centimeters away from where Aki stood.
Aki flinched. “Once again. I’m sorry your hot boyfriend ditched you, but face facts. If you’re looking for him here, then you already know it’s over.”
The man growled. “How dare you! I’m not some fag—” He raised his fist again, but before he could swing, Nate caught his arm from behind.
“Not a good idea.” Nate hoped his tone was calm. Inwardly, he was anything but. “Century doesn’t tolerate violence. You got the choice of leaving now or getting tossed out by security.”
The man stiffened, turning to face Nate. His eyes flashed in the light from the bar. His nostrils flared. “What the hell are you?”
Nate stared at him. The man’s eyes were yellow. He was suddenly reminded of the man he’d seen at Department Seven. “Aki, call security.”
“Done,” Aki reported immediately. Each of the hosts had an alarm built into their wristbands that could be activated with a single touch. “They’re on the way.”
They might even be making their way to the bar now, but Nate couldn’t risk taking his eyes off the guy to check. His heart beat fast, like an animal suddenly realizing it was cornered.
“Aki? We need to leave.” There was movement in N
ate’s peripheral vision, Ben hauling Aki away from the bar.
“Why? Nate’s got this.”
Nate clenched his fists, readying himself for the attack that could come at any moment. “Do it. This isn’t a regular asshole.”
The guy met his eyes and smirked. He knew the power he had, and he wasn’t afraid to use it. “That’s right. And I can tell you now—you’re going to regret ever picking a fight with a werewolf.”
Chapter Five
“YOU’RE GOING TO regret ever picking a fight with a werewolf.”
Already do. Ben stayed where he was. Sudden movements and werewolves were not a great combination—especially when the wolf was already agitated. He must have scented Nate’s abilities. As Ben watched, the man’s nostrils flared again. His lip curled back, exposing his teeth in a snarl that was too canine for comfort.
Nate held his ground. His mouth pressed together thinly, but he refused to be intimidated, staring down the man before him.
Doesn’t he know not to meet a wolf’s eyes? Ben couldn’t look away from the two of them.
Someone hit the lights. Ben heard the sound of protest quickly muffled as those on the dance floor realized the reason for the disturbance. There must be at least fifty people in here. Fifty untrained civilians—and one wolf. Ben forced himself to take his eyes off Nate, sizing up the club’s escape routes. Where’s security? We need to get these people out of here!
Aki drew a deep breath beside Ben.
The werewolf’s eyes flickered toward them. His eyes narrowed.
Ben grabbed Aki’s arm. He stepped backward, pulling Aki with him. “Aki, we have to get out of here.”
“What are you doing?” Aki hissed, refusing to budge. “We can’t leave Nate!”
“We need backup.” Ben dragged Aki back another step. “You need to call Department Seven.”
“For this loser?” Aki scoffed. “Look, security’s already here. The guy’s going to be tossed out on his tail faster than you can say ‘karma.’” He tugged his arm free of Ben’s grip.
“He’s a werewolf.”
“So? He’s just one guy.”
Ben glanced around the bar. Thankfully, the club-goers kept a safe distance—you didn’t get to legal drinking age in New Camden without acquiring a sixth sense for supernatural situations—watching the altercation with varying degrees of concern and alarm. Ben scanned their faces, looking for anyone who seemed more than usually alert. Wolves are never alone.
Life After Humanity Page 8