Page 5 of Misconception (Unrequited 2)

I danced over to him, circling behind his back to his other side. “What are you doing in a place like this, all by yourself?”

He pointed to the guy who looked like my brother’s next-door neighbor, Craig. And Craig looked like pretty much every other Craig I’d ever met.

“Mac and I are having a wild night out. Just two single guys, grabbing a couple drinks, shooting the breeze.”

“Craig doesn’t look like he’s having too much fun,” I said.

“Who the hell’s Craig?” Mo asked with a bemused smile.

“Your buddy over there. I call him Craig. He likes it.” My eyes closed as I started singing again.

“I wasn’t aware you were close personal friends with my security.”

I blinked at him. “Haven’t you ever met someone and just knew what their name was? That man over there is Craig, whether he admits it or not.”

Mo slapped the table, then kicked the chair out from beneath it. “You’ve gotta come join me.” He leaned forward, motioning for me to come closer. I did, catching a whiff of his cologne. Something spicy, mixed with ginger and a touch of sweat. It was delicious. I shifted so close, I felt his body heat. “Don’t tell Craig I told you this, but he’s terrible company. I got attacked by a crazed fan tonight, and I’m feeling all kinds of vulnerable.”

“One condition.”

He tugged on the end of my ponytail, making my stomach tilt in a way it hadn’t since I was much,muchyounger. “Anything.”

I bit my lip, trying to suppress a smile. This was more fun than I’d expected, but if I was going to give up on Declan, I needed guarantees.

“You have to dance with me.”

Without a word, Mo unfolded his long body and stood. He reached a hand into the pocket of his slim, black jeans, then took my hand in his.

“Open,” he directed.

I uncurled my fist, and he placed his palm on top of mine. Only for a moment, but it was long enough to shoot a spark or two up my spine. When he withdrew, he left behind three quarters.

“Guess I just bought six dances,” he said.

I tucked the quarters in my pocket. “As long as you realize I will not be dancing in your lap.”

He huffed a little laugh. “We’ll see.”

I rolled my eyes at his cockiness. “You’re young enough to be my child. Don’t get sassy with me.”

That got him laughing even louder. “What, did you give birth to me when you were five?” ‘November Rain’ came on, and Mo held out his hand. “Come on, Michaela. Let’s do this thing.”

There was no dance floor, but he led me to the clear area by the jukebox, spinning me away before tugging me back against his chest. He tucked one of my hands in his, the other looping around my waist. The position was more intimate than I’d been prepared for, so it took me a few beats to rest my free hand on his shoulder.

He peered down at me with the deepest, darkest, most guileless eyes I’d ever had the pleasure of gazing back at. “What are you doing here, Michaela?”

“I’m dancing with you.”

His mouth curved up, and he shook his head. “No, in Vegas. Do you live here?”

“Mmmm...nope. I’m on tour with Blossoms and Bones. We’re heading out tomorrow. This is my last night of freedom.”

I was a tour manager, which meant I was constantly on the road. Some days, like today, all I wanted to do was go home and curl up under a blanket. But, to me, home was more of a concept than a reality. As much as I bitched and moaned about my job, Ilovedit. It was exciting, high energy, and I got to basically go to a concert every damn day.

I’d managed an Unrequited tour through Asia a couple years ago. Mo was even younger then, a baby rocker really, but that hadn’t stopped him from hitting on me. The kid was a flirt, so I never took him seriously—he used to wear sequined capes on stage for Christ’s sake. Well, that, and he was something like seven or eight years younger than me. I wasn’t about being anyone’s cougar, and Ineverslept with musicians, so Mo was firmly off-limits.

“I guess we better make it a good last night then.” Mo spun me again and again, before pulling me back, dizzy and laughing.

“Who says I want you to be a part of my night?” I asked when I caught my breath.

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