I searched the dance floor before us, watching a young couple gyrate to a recent hit song.
Anything to divert my attention from that look Kale was giving me.
Of course, I hadn’t known Arys skipped town, but the thought had occurred to me many times. Shaz had tried to assure me the vampire wouldn’t do that, but I knew his reassurance was false, as had he.
“I’ve had my suspicions, but you’ve just confirmed it for me.” I cast a sidelong glance at my vampire companion then. “Funny how you and Arys rarely interact, and yet you know so much about each other.”
“Oh?” Kale raised a brow, looking uncertain. “Why do you say that?”
I thought back to Arys telling me that Kale was in love with me. He’d been so sure of it. I debated keeping it to myself. Kale was family though. We definitely had our odd moments. Good Lord, he’d almost screwed me on my own desk, but he was a true friend regardless of anything else. I knew that.
“He told me that you’re in love with me.” I forced myself to meet his eyes when I said it. I felt the blush that stole over me, my cheeks growing hot. I didn’t say another word about it, simply left that statement to linger between us amid the constant clang of jackpots being won and money being dropped into slots.
Kale’s gaze dropped, and it was in his sudden inability to look me in the eyes that I knew Arys had been right.
The band came to the end of a fast song, launching into a slower melody that had dancers coupling up. I was vaguely reminded of school dances back in junior high. A song like this would drive girls and boys to the opposite sides of the gym. It was so different in adulthood.
The warmth of Kale’s hand was startling as he slipped his fingers between mine. He said nothing, merely flashed me a soft smile and tugged me onto the dance floor. I barely had time to abandon my drink before he pulled me into his arms.
I felt awkward in his embrace. I couldn’t find my rhythm, and I felt like a total fool stumbling along with him. He held me so that our bodies touched, and I cringed when my heart raced, knowing he would sense it.
Drawing my arms up around his neck, he leaned close and murmured, “Relax.”
Calm swept through me, followed by the awareness that he was doing it, manipulating my energy with his. Gradually, I began to move with him to the music in a fluid, natural motion. Kale’s energy taunted me, enticing my hunger for his power as it often did. I had more control now. It tempted, but it didn’t command my attention.
He held me protectively, the way friends do before they become lovers. I don’t think Kale knew how much I appreciated him. He was one person I didn’t doubt I could count on no matter what. That kind of friendship was priceless. I wouldn’t let anything change that.
“You’re amazing, you know that?” I dared to lay my head on his shoulder, ignoring the itch to sink fangs into his pale throat. “I hope you find someone as amazing as you are. You deserve it.”
His response was to tighten his hold on me, pressing closer. He said nothing, but I knew he’d heard me. I couldn’t keep doing this. It wasn’t fair to Kale that I sought solace in him when Arys left me hanging. It wasn’t right that he allowed me to.
I longed to shove the storm of emotions deep down inside me. I didn’t want to feel tonight. Everything from love to anger and pain, even guilt, I just wanted to escape it all, but doing so in Kale’s arms was not the way. It was too easy. More importantly, it was wrong.
Knowing that, I still let him press a warm kiss to my temple. I didn’t stop him when he tipped my head up and pressed his lips to mine in a gentle gesture. However, Kale knew better than to take it too far. The kiss was nice but chaste. It ended as quickly as it started. He really was a terrific friend.
After a second slow song, the band picked up the tempo and launched into something faster. Jez bounded up to us with a grin from ear to ear. She grabbed my hand and dragged me into the center of the dance floor, motioning for Kale to join us.
“I won two thousand bucks, baby!” She shrilled. “And, I got the number of the hot redheaded waitress. It’s a good night.”
I smiled, genuinely happy for her. “That’s kick ass, Jez. Watch out for those redheads. I hear they’re a feisty bunch.” I flashed her a wink and couldn’t help but laugh at her enthusiasm. It was infectious.
Kale looked hilariously out of place in the midst of a crowd of people dancing to a trendy new song. I laughed so hard at the look on his face, and it felt so good to do so. I wasn’t surprised when he offered to go get us drinks. He’d have done anything to get off the dance floor.