He downed his drink. “As long as Dominic doesn’t get mad.”
I snorted, taking his hand and yanking him onto the dance floor, maneuvering us through the crush. “Dominic trusts me just like I do him.” I pointed with my free hand to where Dominic was dancing with two Shifter women who were plastered all over him. “It’s a Shifter thing.”
He chuckled, watching. “Must be nice.”
“It’s not like that and you know it,” I retorted, turning to face him. The Shifters needed their alpha; touch was essential to the distraught. Jack still just stood there. “We gonna dance? Or watch everyone else have fun?”
Wary eyes flicked to Dominic. “You’re mated.”
“Yes, but that doesn’t mean I can’t dance and save your butt at the same time.” I made him dance with me. For half a song he moved stiffly, but finally got with it and loosened up when Dominic nodded to us. Trust. We had it.
At first, I thought Jack’s dancing style was…odd. That was putting it nicely. I blamed it on our cultural differences, a bopping skill I wasn’t accustomed to, but I quickly realized he kept ducking because the two Elementals hadn’t given up their chase. I laughed, breathless, four songs down, as I watched him duck for, like, the thirtieth time. “You’re a love ‘em, and leave ‘em, kind of guy, huh?”
He shrugged, moving his hips with mine. “I don’t want anything serious right now. I’m enjoying myself without attachments.” He ducked again, rolling his eyes. “Everyone I get involved with knows it, but some take it better than others.” He glanced over my head, tilting his chin up in greeting. “Hey, Ezra. Enjoy your time with Lana?” He grinned. “I’ve heard she has her talents.”
I felt heat against my back, and smelled a hint of what was possibly cigarette smoke, right before I was sandwiched between Jack and Ezra. I stiffened at first, but within a few moments’ time, the three of us were moving together to the hypnotic beat. Jack’s hands were still on my hips, and Ezra slid his around my waist to my stomach, holding me casually as he said, “Lana’s cool.” He paused. “Too talkative, though.”
I chuckled quietly. “Don’t say bad things about the woman you just screwed.” I tilted my head to the side, looking up at him. “It’s not polite.” I paused. “You should wait at least a few weeks, and never to anyone who would blab. Too many ears around here.”
His lips curved. “And here I thought it would be impolite to list her talents around you.”
I shook my head and looked back down. He was different.
The three of us grooved on the dance floor for another two songs, and soon we were surrounded by Elementals and Vampires, their heated bodies pressed against ours, vying to dance with the Prodigy hotties. I stayed in the masses, not feeling at all nervous or uncomfortable, but actually enjoying myself. It was probably my hybrid nature, but I didn’t get freaked when other Mystical factions were around me in large numbers.
You alright over there? Dominic asked.
I’m having a blast, I replied, meaning it. But I am getting a little tired. How about you?
Seriously enjoying myself, he answered. Not tired at all.
Jack lifted me straight into the air, twirling and tossing me a foot away to Ezra, who caught me around the waist, lowering me in a fluid dip before I was quickly sandwiched again.
After this song, I think I’m gonna head home, I added. I was a little breathless from all the twirling, jumping, and such. Plus, the rivaling Mystical women were totally throwing off body heat. Can someone give you a ride if you don’t want to head out?
I’m sure someone can. He paused. You sure you don’t mind?
No. I really didn’t. I’m good, but don’t take too long.
He growled. I may wake you when I get there.
Sounds good, my big, bad wolf. Wiping sweat off my forehead, I continued dancing, glued between Ezra and Jack, but began to glance to the left and right.
Jack asked, “Looking for a way out?”
I laughed, caught, but seeing no breaks in the dancers around us. “Yeah, I’m getting tired,” another swipe of my forehead, “and hot. It’s time to call it a night.”
Jack’s expression turned woeful.
I guessed, “You came with those two, didn’t you?”
Sluggishly, he nodded. “Can you give me a ride?”
“And me?” Ezra asked instantly, bending to speak against my ear. “The jackass brought me here in their car.”
“I heard that,” Jack muttered absently.
I sighed. “As long as you two don’t mind riding in a truck, not a limo.” They didn’t actually ride in limos to school, but the implication was clear. My truck wasn’t a luxury vehicle.
Both quickly agreed, and then were making their own tunneling hole through the crowd, with me still stuck in the middle, swiftly and safely exiting into the outer area of the pulsating, crowded dance floor.
I breathed in fresh air as I lifted my hair off my neck, trying to get a breeze.