Page 3 of Dragon Exposed

I ignored the snide comments and the snarky looks they shot my way as I strode up to the bouncer.

“Izobelle Denison and Nina Richmond.” I pulled out the door fee and my ID, smiling softly.

“VIP area’s got a reserved table for you, Ms. Denison.” The bouncer pulled back his velvet rope and waved us through, to a chorus of groans and shouted sneers.

Nina just grinned as we made our way inside. “Damn, girl, we really need to take advantage of your connections more often.”

“Yeah, my connections.” I rolled my eyes and steered her toward the VIP area. “More like we’re going to have to mention Epsilon on the show in the next few episodes, or I lose all credibility.”

“Whatever. You’re a rockstar and you know it.” Nina leaned on the railing, overlooking the crowded dance floor. “We should definitely do this more often. Are we getting bottle service too?”

“Hell no. I’m going to dance, which means you’re coming with me, and there’s no way we’re leaving an open bottle of anything lying around for someone to drug.” It was bad enough I felt like I might literally be feeding my best friend up as vampire bait. I wasn’t going to let either of us get date raped while I was at it.

“Fine.” Nina made a big show of rolling her eyes, but it didn’t last long as the song changed, and she grabbed my hand. “Then let’s go dance.”

We headed to the crowded dance floor, pushing our way into the throngs of people, looking for enough space that we could at least sway to the music. There wasn’t much space for anything else.

As we found a spot close to the bar with enough room that I didn’t feel like I needed to be constantly aware of where my ass was, we started to move, gyrating and swaying along to the beat, dancing with each other, against each other.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching, though.

I tried to be discreet, looking around in every direction, until I saw him.

The man looked like he was built to play defense on a pro football team, with broad shoulders, a wide chest, and solid stance, but he wasn’t anyone I recognized. I was pretty sure I’d remember him, too, with a face that looked like the gods themselves had chiseled his square jawline from stone, brilliant green eyes that almost seemed to glow from across the dimly lit room, and sandy brown hair that hung over his shoulders and down his back with a few intricate braids holding it back from his face.

Not at all who I’d normally go for, but it was hard not to stare. He looked like he belonged somewhere in the past than he did in a trendy bar, with his white button-up shirt loose at the collar and sleeves rolled up almost to his elbows.

“Who is that?” Nina nudged me, grinning widely. “He’s hot, go get him to buy you a drink.”

I reluctantly turned away from the gorgeous guy and kept dancing. “Please. I doubt he was looking at me.”

“More like he’s imagining what you look like naked. I swear, his eyes are locked on your ass like it’s hypnotizing him.” Nina smirked. “If you don’t go over there and introduce yourself, I’m going to drag him over here and leave you to grind on his dick.”

Oh, God.

I rolled my eyes and reluctantly maneuvered my way around people to the bar.

If he didn’t talk to me, then, hey, at least I could say I tried, right?

“Hi. I’m Levi.”

“Like the jeans?” I smirked at him, even as I wanted to mentally slap myself for saying it. Who the hell flirted like that?

“I suppose so, yes.” He just grinned, a look that made the skin around his eyes crinkle just a bit and changed his whole face from battle-ready warrior to playful in an instant. “And you are?”

“Izobelle.” I shifted so that they were more face to face, and he did the same, so that I was nearly caged in by his thick thighs.

Heat wafted off him, and his scent was fresh and masculine. I just wanted to bury my face in his neck and inhale, maybe just climb into his lap.

“Can I buy you a drink?” He gestured at the bar but didn’t take those hypnotizing green eyes off me.

I nodded, suddenly feeling like my whole mouth had dried out. “How about a paloma?” Or a cold shower.

Jeez, what came over me? I never reacted to a guy like this. Ever.

“Sounds interesting.” He waved over the bartender and put in the order. “Something for your friend as well? I would be remiss if I didn’t at least offer.”

I glanced back at where I’d left Nina dancing, only to find that my friend had found someone else to distract her. “I think she’ll be okay for now.”

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