Page 51 of The Jorogumo

I hummed, taking another sip of my drink as I bobbed my head to the music.

Smiling at me, Liam pointed toward the dance floor. "Wanna dance?"

"I...uh, I don't know how."

Liam waved that off. "Just let the music move you, babe. That's all you have to do."

"Babe?" I asked softly, and he blinked, as if he hadn't noticed what he was saying. "I like it," I added before he could question himself.

Finishing my drink, I held my hand out to him, raising a brow. "Well, then?"

Liam grinned, slammed the rest of his drink down, then stood up, taking my hand.

We walked to the edge of the dance floor, then stopped, turning to face each other as Liam circled his arms around my shoulders. I placed my hands on his hips, and we swayed slowly even though the music was much too fast-paced.

It didn't matter, though, not as long as our eyes were locked, our bodies pressed together in the best of ways.

Meeting Liam was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. Not only did I find my mate in him, but I also found my best friend.

I found someone who was just as in love with comic books as me, who could be as dorky as me sometimes, who accepted all of me with all my limits and limitations, wholovedme, and whom I loved just as much.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Liam murmured softly, and I smiled at him, utterly amazed by just how perfect this human was for me.

"Just thinking how much I love you," I said, and even in the sparkly, strobe lights, I could see the blush race up his cheeks.

Liam ducked his head as his arms tightened around my neck, hiding his face from me. "I love you too," he whispered back, eyes on the ground, and I hummed softly. He could be so exuberant sometimes and so shy at others, and I adored every side of him.

We danced for what felt like hours, stuck in our own little bubble that no one else could enter.

"Shit, I need some water. And the washroom," Liam mumbled as sweat trailed down his temple, and I hummed, pulling him away from the crowded dance floor.

"How about you go to the washroom and I'll get you some water?"

With a grateful nod, Liam headed toward the restrooms while I made my way to the bar.

As the bartender turned to face me, I gave a huff of surprise, realizing he was a supe. A very very old and rare one at that.

He raised a brow when he spotted me, clearly clocking me just as easily as I'd done him. The piercings in his lower lip shone under the lights, and I pulled my gaze to his as he spoke.

"What can I get ya?"

"A bottle of water, please," I said, and he nodded, leaning back before sliding one across the bar to me.

I took it, paid for it, and then lingered for a moment, curious.

"Do you own this place?"

He smirked. "I do. What gave it away? The totally obvious name?"

I chuckled, then nodded. A dragon bartender in a club named The Lair? What else was I supposed to think?

"Yeah, that was one of those impulse decisions you regret right after it's settled in stone. Or paperwork," he said with a roll of his bright green eyes, making me laugh.

"I'm Haruto. It's nice to meet you," I said, realizing that my mate's friendly nature was starting to rub off on me. I never would've struck up a conversation with a stranger before I met him, supe or not.

"Nolan," he said with a nod.

Conversation done, I started feeling awkward, so I gave him another nod before turning around and making my way toward the restrooms.

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