Page 73 of Crimson Born

“Why thank you, sir,” I said. “And you look very handsome in your tux.”

The frivolity of the moment was dampened when Sam turned me, and I caught a glimpse of Reece’s glower.

He stood at the edge of the dance floor, not taking his eyes from me and my partner as we stepped and spun from one side of the room to the other.

When the song ended, Sam escorted me from the dance floor. “May I refresh your drink for you?”

“That would be nice. Thank you.” I nodded and watched him scurry away toward the blood bar.

“Good riddance,” someone grunted on my left.

I turned and saw Reece at my side.

Up close he was even more dazzling than he’d been from a distance. The formalwear suited him. It matched his austere expression and somehow made him seem even more dangerous than he looked in his usual uniform of head-to-toe black leather.

I forced myself to turn away and watch the dancers take the floor for the tango just beginning.

“I don’t know about that. Sam was attentive and complimentary, and he’s a very good dancer. In fact, he’s asked for another dance tonight, and I’m in a mind to indulge him when the next waltz plays.”

“You’ve had enough dancing. You need a break,” Reece said. “You’ve been dancing non-stop.”

“How would you know? Were you watching me?” I challenged.

“Itismy job,” he said in a tone that suggested it should have been obvious. “As your bodyguard.”

“I told you, I won’t be needing your services tonight. Go and enjoy the evening with your newbrothers.”

The Bloodbound stood in a group on one side of the ballroom. They seemed to be in good spirits tonight, drinking freely and laughing loudly.

Female eyes from around the room strayed to that corner often, but like me, the other female vampires here would have to content themselves with the regular guys.

Speaking of... several more men asked me to dance. But before they could even finish the question, Reece informed each potential partner I was “tired” and sent them away with a stern look.

“Excuse me? I am the one who’ll decide whether I’m tired or not or if I want to dance with someone. Why are you acting this way?” I demanded.

“You can dance,” Reece said. “Just not with them. As Bloodbound we’re given the files on everyone in the Bastion. None of those guys was worthwhile.”

“Oh really? And who is? You?”

He crossed his arms over his chest and put on an obstinate expression. “The Bloodbound don’t dance.”

“Okay then, who? Who is ‘worthy?’”

His dark brows dropped lower, shading his lilac eyes. “Not them.”

“What about him?” I asked, nodding toward Gio who was making his way through the crowd toward us.

The bodybuilder smiled at me and mouthed, “Wanna dance?”

I was in mid-nod, when Reece took my arm and turned me away from the dance floor, steering me toward the private alcoves.

“Meathead,” he muttered under his breath.

Stumbling along beside him and working to keep up with his long, digging strides, I asked, “Whatis the hurry?”

“It’s a popular song—there’ll be a rush for the floor. You might get stepped on.”

“Really? A stampede of dancers?” I rolled my eyes. “That’s what you’re worried about? Or are you worried about a certain ‘meathead?’”

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