Page 81 of Bound By Earth (The Nature Hunters Academy 1)

There were more voices in the background that sounded suspiciously like a group of men chuckling. “Answer the question, Tara,” he said gently. “Are you going to dance withhim?”

Tara shrugged. “I guess, if he asks. I mean, itisadance.”

“Could we make a compromise?” heasked.

“Um, I’m not sure how it will be a compromise when I will be the only one making any concessions,” she pointedout.

“That is an excellent point, and like the shameless man I am, I’m going to ask you to make it anyway. Can it be a fast dance that requires plenty of space between bodies tomove?”

She smiled to herself as she shook her head. “You are too much, EliasCreed.”

“Right you are. I’d tell you that I will change, but there’s no sense in making promises I know I’m not going to be able to keep. No slowdances?”

“Fine. No slow dances. What do I get in return? I never agreed that this would be a one-sided compromise. That wasyou.”

“I sort of thought not having to rub your delectable body against the git was the selling point, but I like an ambitious woman. What would youlike?”

Tara headed for her bathroom as she considered her answer. She grabbed her underclothes and a robe on the way. As she stepped inside and shut the door, she paused as she stared at the lock. She never locked the bathroom door, but the memory of the eyes she’d felt on her as she’d walked home was still vivid. She flipped the lock and didn’t point out to herself that if someone was able to get past the deadbolt on the front door then a flimsy turn lock on a bathroom door wasn’t going to keep themout.

“Luv?” Elias’s voice reminded her that he’d asked her aquestion.

“Sorry,” she said. “Got distracted. What do I want in return for not dancing with a handsome guy who will no doubt make me feel beautiful andwanted?”

“To kick me in the balls? Because that’s where I feel like this conversation isheaded.”

She chuckled. “I don’t know. I like your British accent, but it’s the deepness of your voice that makes it really hot. Kicking you in your man parts might have an effect on that quality.” Tara tapped her chin. “All right, I’ve gotit.”

“This sounds serious,” Eliassaid.

“In exchange for every declined slow dance that I give you, you must answer a question, any question, with the absolutetruth.”

There was a pause, and then he asked, “When will the questionsbegin?”

“Rightnow.”

“He’s already asked you to dance?” Elias’s voice rose just a hair. “Is this a dance where you have a dance card and people fill it out beforehand? Is your card alreadyfull?”

“Dude, you sound like a creeper,” a deep, male voice in the background said. “You need to back off, or you’re going to lose your chance withher.”

“Nobody asked you, Liam,” Eliassaid.

“Studies do show that women are attracted to confident menwho—”

“I sure as hell didn’t ask for your input either, Aston,” Elias barked at the newvoice.

Who are these guys? Other employees of TGTE, sheguessed.

“You do realize this is 2020 not 1820, right? There are no dance cards,” Tara said. “And who are Aston andLiam?”

“A couple of goobers. They work for two of TGTE’s sister companies,” he said. “So, if there are no dance cards, why do the questions start now? Are you simply assuming he will ask you todance?”

“I think it’s a pretty safe assumption since he did ask me to be his date and he’s already attempted to kiss me on a previousdate.”

“Both very good points,” he growled. “Any other questions besides the one you just asked about Liam and Aston? I know you probably need to getready.”

Only a million. “A few,” she said. “But Idoneed to go … so you’re off the hook for now.” She pretended not to hear his sigh of relief. “I’m glad you called,” she admitted because she wanted him to know that she’d missed him,too.

“I’m glad youanswered.”

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