Page 1 of Mates & Mercenaries

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SKYLAR

Ishouldn’t be here. I know I shouldn’t be here, but it’s so much fun to throw caution to the wind and have some God damn fun. I can’t actually remember the last time I enjoyed myself this much. The lights flickering in time with the beat of the music, the sweaty writhing bodies on the dance floor, the warmth of alcohol tearing through my veins.

“Skylar Santorini, you are going to be the death of me.” My best friend, Maeve, tosses her head and laughs loudly. “I can’t believe we’re still here. Youknowyour father is going to kill you, don’t you? When he finds out that you escaped, he’s going to lose it.”

I roll my eyes and snort. “He needs to learn that he can’t keep me locked away forever. There has to be some freedom for me. Chicago is a huge city and I want to explore it.” He does it for my own safety, and it isn’t like I’m completely ungrateful for everything that my father does. But I do need to cut loose sometimes. I don’t want to miss out on the world around me.

I’m so grateful that Maeve is here with me, even if she’s terrified of me getting in trouble. I don’t want that any more than she does, but I’m sick of being trapped in a life I didn’t ask for. Sometimes the risk is worth the reward, even if I know as well as Maeve does that the punishment will be severe.

“Hey there, beautiful.” A man grabs my waist and yanks me back against him hard. Instantly my hackles raise. “Come and dance with me. I’ve been looking at you all night long…”

I wriggle away from him. Screw this guy and his entitlement. I’m not here to find a guy to fool around with anyway. I’m here to have fun with Maeve.

“I don’t think so.” I screw my nose up in disgust. “I don’t want to be hit on, thank you very much.” I flip my hair over my shoulder. “And don’t just grab a woman like that.”

Honestly, the audacity of men. Just because I’m here having fun, dancing away, doesn’t mean I want to be hassled. I don’t see why I can’t just have fun without men. Maybe they should make a night club that’s just for women. I should suggest that to Maeve.

“Wow, Skylar, you keep sending guys away. Don’t want to have a real wild night with one of them?”

Again, I screw up my nose in disgust. “I haven’t seen anyone here that I’m interested in. But if someone comes along to change my mind, then maybe.”

I can’t see it happening, but who the hell knows? This night might end up being my only night of freedom for a very long time, so I need to make the absolute most of it while I can. The guys in this night club haven’t exactly caught my eye, but things could change.

“Want another drink?” Maeve waves her empty glass at me. “The cocktails here are on fire, don’t you think? I want about three more of these fruity looking ones.”

My lips part to tell her to be careful so she doesn’t go overboard, but I immediately shut that idea down. Why should she be careful? We’re not here for that. I want three more cocktails as well. This is my one night out, isn’t it?

Grinning, I follow her to the bar, weaving my way through the never-ending crowd of people. For someone who spends way too much time alone, I’m enjoying being surrounded like this. It makes me curious about every single person in here, what their lives are like. I would love to know each and every one of their stories. I don’t think Maeve will let me ask everyone, though, so instead I allow my imagination to run wild.

The woman dancing with her eyes closed is a busy businesswoman who has to blow off some steam from all the work pressure she’s under. The man with a beard reading something intently on his cell phone has a baby on the way and he’s worried about his wife going into labor while he’s here. And the couple making out like there’s no tomorrow in the corner of the room are conducting a sordid affair, snatching a moment alone while they can.

I would love to swap places with her, just for a moment, to feel that sort of passion surging through me. To have a man ache for me like that. I crave every damn inch of that because it’s definitely not something I’ve had before.

Maeve nudges me hard in the ribs, stopping me from staring like an idiot. “Girl, what the hell are you doing? Come on, we need to get another drink in us. You want to kiss a guy like that, then look around. You can have anyone in here. They all want you.”

My heart thunders, but I don’t just wantanyone. I want someone I have an actual connection with. Not someone who grabs me by the waist without my consent. I don’t know if Maeve gets that though. I wonder if she’s craving some electricity with someone as well.

When the bartender turns to us, a coyness overcomes her as she locks eyes with the cute guy smiling at her.

Sothat’swho she likes. Well, if Maeve wants to hang around here, then I am all for that. I haven’t seen anyone I like, so I can live vicariously through her instead. I hope Maeve knows that this night isn’t just for me. I shoot her a wink as she hands me a drink and let her know that I’m here for her. Whatever she needs. I take a spot on the dance floor near her so I can have fun while she sits on a barstool and flirts her little ass off.

I slide my eyes closed, really trying to feel the music like the busy business woman was. I like dancing this way, blocking the rest of the world out, just living in my own little bubble. I’m not worrying about eyes on me or all the stress going on back at home. I’m no longer thinking about my father and how much he’ll kill me if he ever knows that I’m here. Instead, I’m worried only about the soothing beat of the music.

“Nice moves,” a voice whispers in my ear, sending a strange shiver tearing down my spine. “You’re the best dancer in here.”

I almost don’t want to open my eyes to look at another man who wants to ruin my fun by hitting on me, but I can’t seem to stop myself. Intrigue gets the better of me and I run my gaze up his body until I’m looking at him through my eyelashes. Holy shit, he is nothing like the guys who have been talking to me tonight. There is somethingverydifferent about him, and it isn’t just because he’s exactly my type—tall, dark, and incredibly handsome—but because he also screams out danger, or a sexy dark energy that I can’t get enough of.

I bite down on my bottom lip as I take in his muscular body once more, which leaves me completely unable to ignore the brand new fizzle of excitement bursting like fireworks inside me. Fuck, I don’t know who this man is, but he is gorgeous. He may be the hottest man I have ever laid eyes on.

Seeing the desire dancing behind his intense gaze makes me think he wants me just as badly as I want him. Already I’m completely intoxicated by him, seduced, desperate for his touch.

He licks his lip as he runs his gaze all over my body. “You need another drink?” he asks in his husky, seductive voice.

“I don’t think I’m thirsty for another cocktail, if you know what I mean.”

Wow, did that flirty tone just come out of my mouth? I didn’t know I could act so cool.

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