Page 16 of Dancing with My Elf
“I couldn’t be the only one missing this.” Diego closed his eyes and shook his head with a pained expression. “Although I saw one too many swinging banana hammocks and am regretting it.” He reopened his eyes.
“You know you want to see me in action.” I grinned and bumped my hip against his.
He groaned. “I see enough of it at home.”
Sebastian and I loved to rile up our surly roommate to get him to loosen up. Diego was more relaxed since he’d met Nova. He’d even gone dancing with her more than once and appeared to have enjoyed himself. He still had a ways to go before shaking off the mantle of the broody vampire.
“What the hell are you wearing?” Diego asked.
I glanced at my trench coat. “My costume.” I grinned. “Don’t worry, I won’t be wearing it for long.”
Diego blinked a few times. “An image I didn’t want in my head.”
Sebastian peered behind him and frowned. “What is Gianna doing?”
I glanced to the back table where the three ladies sat. Gianna had a wide smile on her face as she applauded. I replied, “Acting.”
When Sebastian dragged his gaze back to me, his mouth was pulled into a tight line. “Don’t hit on her.”
I rolled my eyes. “Did you forget how we’d all planned this out, my jealous friend? It’s pretend.”
His eyes widened. “Who’s that guy dancing for her?” Sebastian gripped a wall rail so tightly, his knuckles turned white.
“Calm down, Seb.” I pulled him backstage, closing the door behind us. “You sure know how to blow your cover.”
He straightened. “Right, right. She’s here to help the Network. It’s a onetime gig.”
The way he said it seemed more like he was reassuring himself more than me.
I put my hand on his shoulder. “Dude, don’t worry. Many times, women leave here all hot, so when they go home, they can’t wait to find their guys and give them a damn good time.”
Sebastian winced. “She doesn’t need to get turned on by another guy.” He pumped out my chest. “I keep my mate satisfied.”
Diego groaned and cocked his head, “And you guys call me broody.”
Sebastian was never like this until he met Gianna. Then some switch flipped in him, and I lost my wingman. He was now a protective, growly, monogamous shifter. What a tragic loss. We used to have so much fun going on the prowl for women.
The beginning of Nine Inch Nails’ “Closer” played, my cue to head on out. I snapped my fingers. “Showtime. See ya.”
I sauntered onto the stage, and women shouted and applauded. The thrill rushed through me. This was the best job in the world.
When I glanced at Zoe, my body froze.Mate, my dragon murmured.
I don’t want that,I snarled back at him, and moved again, pretending it was part of the act. The performance gave me something else to focus on. Moving with slow body rolls, I teased those closest to the stage. The stagehand lowered the red silks. I slowly removed my trench coat, suspenders, and the rest of my clothing until I was down to my G-string.
I wrapped the red silks around me, teasing it between my legs as I worked my way up the rope. Over the next few minutes, I kept the audience entranced as I slowly climbed up it, flipping upside down, and then spinning with acrobatic moves. At times, I’d roll down and hear a collective gasp as they feared I’d fall. Then when I’d move into a split, they’d cheer, realizing it was all part of the performance. I knew how to work the crowd. They loved it, and I adored their admiration.
Tonight, there was one person in particular who I wanted to please, and that was Zoe. I wanted her to be so impressed by my limber moves that she’d want me to carry them over to her bed. Whether that would fly would be a challenge. She seemed totally focused on the investigation and immune to my charms thus far.
I wasn’t going to give up yet.
By the time I finished the performance, the audience was wild with raucous enthusiasm. I loved getting them all hyped up like this.
The next song was Billy Idol’s “Dancing with Myself,” one of my sure crowd pleasers. I worked many of the tables, pulling women from their chairs to dance with me. Several dollar bills were shoved into my G-string.
Since I’d agreed to help with this investigation, I stayed attuned for anything or anyone that could be suspicious, the way I’d promised Zoe. I knew very little about demons, except that they were slippery, shifty beings. Nothing stood out.
I danced my way toward the back table. Gianna wolf whistled. Even Nova, who had been uncomfortable the other night, clapped and smiled, appearing to enjoy my performance. It could all have been part of the act, but I didn’t care. I liked seeing people have a good time.
