Page 52 of Connected

“Yeah, well that might not last—not when you see the amount of your bar tab. Ouch… that’s sure as hell’s gonna sting in the morning. You know how pricey this place is, right?”

“Kat, why are you here? I mean… really, why are youhere, with me now?”

“I don’t know. Just checking you’re okay, I guess. Part of my job—as M.O.—to check on the health and welfare of my team,” she smiles, sipping from the vodka placed in front of her.

“That’s bullshit. And anyway, why wouldn’t I be okay? According to you, I don’t do emotions, because…I’m dead. I can’t feel anything. I don’t—”

“Darius, I told you I was sorry I said that. That I was angry. I just wish you would have told me yourself, then I might have understood better. But you kept it a secret when I thought we were being honest with each other. Hell, I told you stuff… stuff that I never told anyone else.”

“Kat, I really need to see you again. I realize I can’t be without you,” he leans forward his purple eyes stare deep into hers as he drops a firm kiss on her lips. “You look so damn beautiful tonight and that dress really does bring out the color of your eyes—and your breasts,” he smiles, “it really,reallyshows them off to perfection.”

“Right…” she laughs and adjusts the dress. “Yeah, well thanks for that. Darius I—”

“Shhh… shh,” he places his finger against her lips. “Just tell me you still want me and I’ll find a way to make it work. I’ll find a way to share you—I’ll talk to Digby. Hell, packs have shared she-wolves before—this pack is no different.”

“I don’t know. This is all so messed up. I just wish you weren’t a…” she looks around and hushes her voice. “I wish you weren’t one of them.”

“I thought you didn’t care. You said you wanted themanI was, not any other bullshit. You said as a woman you wantedmeand not the wolf. Kat, I need to be with you again—be with this… this sexy woman, I need her. I can’t stop thinking about all the times we’ve been together.”

“Me either,” she sighs and gently touches his face, staring him in the eyes. “I don’t know why it is, and I’ve tried to put you out of my head, but I can’t.”

She takes a breath as the bartender pushes another drink in front of them. “I should go. I can’t leave Digby, not tonight. You know how crazy the full moon makes him.”

“Sure. Tell you what, I’ll come with you. Just to make sure he calms down. I’ll settle my tab and get my jacket.”

“Yeah, I… I think I’ll leave you to that. I don’t really wanna be around when you see the size of that bar bill,” she laughs.

Kat crosses the club to leave and is suddenly stopped in her tracks by a tall, well-built, slightly older but charmingly good-looking man.

“Excuse me, but I need to get past,” she coughs apprehensively.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” he smiles, staring at her. “Well now… aren’t you most delightful.” He brushes his hand against Kat’s cheek, and she flinches at the coolness of his touch. “So unique. Allow me to buy you a drink.”

“Um no, no I’m just leaving.” Kat looks at him and for a moment she hesitates at the sound of his accent—British with a twang of something else.

“Oh, now that is a shame. Michael told meallthe girls were available. So, please just one drink?”

“No. And for your information, I’m not… I’m not here for that. I told you I’m just leaving.”

“Really, so you’re not a va—”

“No, the hell I am! What is it with the guys in here tonight, not being able to take no for an answer? I said I’m leaving.”

“Well, I think that’s a shame because you are truly beautiful,” he strokes his icy fingers on her hot skin, and Kat immediately pulls away. “Those green eyes are absolutely stunning, really intriguing.”

“Please, just keep your hands off me.”

“Oh sorry, but of course. Where are my manners? My apology. It’s just… well, it’s a long time since I saw anyone like you. So please, just let me buy you one drink, or how about another night when you’re less busy?”

“I don’t think so. You’re not… well, you’re not my type.”

“Oh, really? But I just saw you and…” he gestures to Darius. “I thought I was exactly your type. Maybe I was mistaken?”

“No, it’s not like that. We work together.”

“Really? Well, lucky him. Oh, do excuse me,” he pulls his phone from his pocket, “my son. He’s waiting for me and he gets so impatient. The young ones these days are so demanding.”

“You have a son? But I thought you were a… sorry. Sorry, that’s none of my business. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go.”

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