Page 93 of Choke Hold

“That’s not as much fun on my own, so, no.”

I continue to glare up at Luca as I remain seated. “I don’t dance.”

His lips tilt up in a smirk. “You’re doing the tiger a great injustice as the symbol of bravery.”

My jaw tics as I continue to shoot daggers at him, but Nadia steps in front of him and grabs my hand.

“Come on,” she says, pulling me so I stand. “You have to.”

“I don’t,” I grumble as she continues to pull me towards the dance floor.

Once we get there and she lets go of me, I immediately turn around to return to my seat. But I come face to face with a grinning Luca.

“Hey there, Tiger.”

I sigh and try to step around him, but he blocks my way. “Uh-uh.” He shakes his head. “Be brave.” Then he gasps. “Oh my god. Of course you would have a hard time with this. Ok, so, dancing is when you move your body in a rhythmic way to–”

“Fuck off, Mitchell.” I turn to find another way to escape through the crowded dance floor, but he grabs my arm with a laugh.

And as I turn back to him, I’m met with sparkling eyes and a huge grin.

He looks so happy.

I look into his eyes, and sigh again. I’m going to deeply, deeply regret this.

As I step closer to him, his hand lands on my waist and he pulls me against him. He’s still smiling as he lightly brushes his lips over mine. “Tigers have two distinct personality types.”

“Do they now…” I murmur as he moves his lips along my jaw to my ear.

“Mm-hm.” He presses his body closer to mine, and his other hand slides up my side. “Majesty or steadiness.”

I take a deep breath in as he starts to slowly move to the thumping beat of the music, and he presses his lips to the skin under my ear.

“Steadiness can be compared to introversion in humans. They’re withdrawn, gentle, loving and friendly.”

My hands lift to his hips, not exactly sure where he’s going with this. He runs his hand up my chest and to my neck as he continues kissing along my jaw, and I feel myself giving in to his touch.

“Majesty is compared to extraversion. They’re dignified, confident, fierce and aggressive.”

He pulls back just enough so he can look into my eyes, and gives me a lopsided smile. “You’re a majestic tiger. Now dance with me, fucker.”

Our lips crash together as he pulls me tighter against him. My hands grip his hips tight, and he holds the back of my neck as we fall into a desperate kiss. The beat of the music urges us on as we take everything we can from each other on this crowded dance floor, and I give everything up to him. I let his hands guide me as I run mine up his sides and over his chest, and his tongue slides along mine. Everything around us starts to fade away, as I get completely lost in Luca fucking Mitchell.

Until a loud voice sounds from somewhere close by.

“Fucking faggots.”

I freeze, and Luca stills as well, holding onto me tightly.

“Take that gay shit somewhere else.”

Luca pulls back from me, turning his head towards a group of three guys at a table near the perimeter of the dance floor.

“The fuck did you just say?” I ask, rage quickly building inside me.

“I don’t want to see that shit,” one of the guys says with a look of disgust. “Fuck off and find a gay bar somewhere.”

Luca smiles and takes a step towards them. “Know of any? You look like you get around.”