Page 241 of Halfblood Deceived

She took a deep breath and allowed herself to feel the buzz of warm energy setting over her shoulders and down her back like an invisible, protective cloak. Jade, almond-shaped eyes met hers, and everything but Zeydan went slightly out of focus.

They were on the dance floor less than a minute later. Zeydan wrapped his arm around her waist and held one of her hands. Aella gripped his strong shoulder. “I feel like this is a good time to mention I can’t dance.”

Zeydan smiled, easily leading them between Aylana and Sebastian, and a dark-haired couple of statuesque vampires.

Aylana grinned at Aella, giving her an appreciative sweeping glance. Aella returned the gesture in kind. Aylana looked like a sexy gothic warrior. It was no wonder Sebastian was all but mesmerized.

“Actually, I think you can dance just fine,” Zeydan said, twirling her easily and then drawing her close again.

Aella realized her feet were indeed moving in a waltz-like dance that didn’t precisely match the music but wasn’t terrible either. “I’m not sure how I’m not stepping on your toes.”

Zeydan hummed. “I think it’s related to the same genetic-combat-memory skills that make you so good with a sword. The less you think about it, the better it goes.”

Aella smiled. “It’s easy not to think about much right now.” She realized how true that was. She was vaguely aware of other couples around them, beautifully dressed and dancing with inhuman grace. She could hear the music and feel it jolting her limbs into movement with invisible warmth.

But most of her attention was on Zeydan. On his masculine, delicious scent. On the way that his jade eyes took her in with suppressed hunger and something like reverence. The heat of his body sped her pulse, and it was all she could do not to slide her fingers into his hair and pull him down for a kiss.

His thumb caressed the exposed skin of her belly.

Aella felt that touch down to her core.

“I think I wasn’t articulate enough before,” Zeydan suddenly commented.

“Hmm? When?”

“When you came down the stairs,” he explained, guiding Aella through a spin and then bending her, holding her weight with just one arm.

Her breath stuttered and her body became overheated looking at those eyes, feeling his gaze like a caress.

Zeydan pulled her upright and pressed her tighter against his solid body. “You look like a goddess, Aella.” His voice was low, and rich like wine. “Aphrodite herself could not compare to you.”

Embarrassment, disbelief, and giddy warmth fought for dominance in Aella’s chest.

The giddy warmth won.

“Can’t a statement like that get you into a world of problems with Aphrodite?” Aella asked, barely recognizing the deeper tone of her voice.

Zeydan shrugged, leaning closer to speak in her ear. “I’m sure she would agree, Amazon. And if not, I’d gladly suffer her punishment.”

The timbre of his voice made something hungry agitate in Aella’s core. A bolt of warmth lit up her body, making her all too aware of how she wasn’t wearing a bra. Her breasts felt heavier and oversensitive. She could feel her accelerated pulse in her ears, lips, and low.

Aella gulped. She slid her hand from Zeydan’s shoulder to his nape, tangling her fingers in his hair. Her eyes drifted to his beautiful lips. She licked hers, anticipation tingling in her nerve endings.

“What do you want?” Zeydan asked.

“You,” Aella said.

His thumb slid on her exposed belly in a back-and-forth, teasing motion. “You already have me.”

Aella’s spine arched reflexively. “Alone. I have a room.” Her eyes widened at her sudden brazenness. “I mean—if you want.”

Zeydan smiled, canines flashing and pupils slitting slightly. “Oh, I want. Now?”

Aella swallowed hard. “Now.”

CHAPTER 47

Zeydan watched Aella try to use the key card to open her room’s door. Her hands were shaking with anticipation, and she couldn’t get the damn thing to work.

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