Page 49 of Taste of Forever
“This okay?” He had to yell the question in my ear.
I answered by reaching up and finding the back of his neck with my hand. Our eyes met for a few seconds, the chemistry between us as palpable as the beat of the song. Laith was smiling gently, like it made him happy to see me this way.
The music swelled into its crescendo and I threw my head back, brushing it against his chest. We moved together,rhythmic and synced to the same moment. His palms rested on my ribs but he still kept a respectful distance behind me. It wasn’t the type of music to grind and simulate sex to anyway.
We danced for three more songs and, like stars caught in each other’s orbit, found ourselves coming gradually closer. By the time my unpracticed feet were screaming for a rest, Laith’s arms were wrapped loosely around my waist, his chin resting on my shoulder.
I could rationalize it as friendly, platonic affection. My friends and I back in school would be slumped all over each other after hours of dancing all night.
But with my head leaned back on Laith’s shoulder, letting him support my weight as my hands rested on top of his, it didn’t feel platonic at all.
I realized I never wanted the night to end.
And for him to never let go.
Chapter 13
Laith
“How does his head not explode with all the blood rushing to it?” Cyan was slumped on the couch next to me, asking the important questions with a darakt cigarette between his teeth.
I stubbed out my own cigarette in the tray on the end table. “His ears release the pressure, I think.”
“I would’ve thought his mouth, the way he’s gasping for air.”
“True. His nose might start bleeding any second.”
“Hey! I don’t see either of you assholes trying this!” Des huffed from his inverted position on the stripper pole in the middle of our living room. “No one is tipping me either, which is extremely bad etiquette.”
“It has to be a good show to get a tip.” Cy slid his palms across each other in themake it raingesture. “What exactly are you trying to do?”
“That hands-free thing Irina did the other night. She dared me to do it next time we came in and I couldn’t say no.”
“Well, you’ve been eating shit every time you let go, so…”
“Yeah I know, Laith! I might have underestimated the required leg strength, okay?”
Cyan chuckled dryly. “Never underestimate the squeeze of a woman’s thighs.”
I fought the urge to punch him. Not hard, just in the shoulder or something. Did he have to be such a smug asshole about being mated? So what if he was getting delicious blood, fulfilling sex, and emotional validation all the time? He didn’t have to rub my face in it.
“Speaking of.” He nudged my arm.Aw fuck.“Where’s your blood mate? That was her up in the loft at Pulse the other night, right?”
“Yeah.” It had been three days since that night. Since Heather and I danced together. Since I got the sense that she was actually reluctant to leave.I’d never seen her look so happy and in her element as she was on the dance floor. She’d looked beautiful with the lights highlighting her features and the way she moved, so confident and uninhibited. Despite the crowd, she danced like no one was watching. And I couldn’t take my eyes off her, couldn’t resist being drawn to her. I never wanted the night to end.
“Well? Why isn’t she here?” Cyan pressed.
“She’s from the human world.” I’d said it as an excuse from the moment we’d met, but it was becoming less convincing with each passing day. “This stuff is weird to her. So we meet at the club for feedings. Talk and whatever. We’re taking it slow.”
Dusk was falling soon and I was meant to see Heather in a few hours.Maybe this is the time, I thought.Maybe she’s finally left him and is ready to be with me.
Before Cy could respond, Thorne cut across the room, his phone in hand.
“Inessa just called,” he said. “She found out where some cage fights are happening tonight. Let’s go see if Kalix is there.”
“Fucking finally.” Cyan got to his feet. “But you shouldn’t go, Thorne. You’re guaranteed to be recognized.”
Thorne’s eyes narrowed but he didn’t argue. “The two of you, then.” He nodded at me and Cyan.
