“God, it’s loud in here,” Holly complained, her gaze sliding over the dance floor. It hadn’t seemed this loud in her dream . . . or maybe it had been and she just didn’t recall because she’d had so many other dreams since that first night.
A tap on her arm drew her attention and she glanced around to see Justin gesturing for her to follow as he led the way to an open table. She fell into step behind him, glancing over her shoulder to be sure the others were following as well and smiled faintly at the size difference between the petite Gia and the two mammoth men behind her. She didn’t think she’d ever get used to how big Dante and Tomasso were. Honestly, she’d never met anyone as big as the twins, but then not many archaeologists were into body building.
“Drink?” Justin asked, leaning his mouth to her ear as she sat down.
Holly nodded, and then turned to say, “Just a Coke.”
There seemed little use to drinking alcohol. Apparently she couldn’t get a buzz anymore. Not that she’d drank to that point much while she was mortal anyway. She’d had a few memorable nights while attending the University of British Columbia, but not more than a handful. She wasn’t much of a drinker.
She watched Justin wave a waitress to their table, then turned to peer at the dance floor.
“Want to dance?” Gia asked, and Holly turned to her with surprise, not because of the suggestion, but because she’d heard her so clearly. She understood why when Gia said, “I’ll dance with you,” without moving her lips at all. She hadn’t spoken the question, trying to be heard over the loud crowd, she’d thought her question at her. Justin probably hadn’t done it because he couldn’t read her mind nor she his.
Holly nodded in response to Gia’s suggestion and stood when the other woman did, then followed her out to the dance floor. She didn’t know if Gia made some signal or simply sent the thought to Justin to let him know where they were going, but she must have done so because Justin didn’t stop her to ask where they were headed.
Dancing was something Holly loved to do. There was just something about moving her body to the primal beat that made her feel free, and sexy. It was also one of the things she’d missed most about the way she’d grown up. There had been no high school dances or nights out clubbing with a fake ID while growing up.
“Make that guy come and dance with us.”
Holly heard Gia’s words in her head and followed the woman’s gesture to a blond guy in a white dress shirt and jeans. He was good looking, and was dancing with a young pretty brunette in a skimpy dress. Hoping she wasn’t going to cause problems in a relationship, Holly slipped into the man’s thoughts.
They weren’t in a relationship, she read as she took control and made the guy think he wanted to come dance with her and Gia. She could have just made him walk over to them without adding the thought that he wanted to, but his movements would have been wooden and possibly noticeable to the others dancing around them. This way, he sort of danced his way over to offer them both a wide, interested smile, looking for all the world as if it had been his idea.
The moment he reached them, Gia turned and concentrated on the DJ in his glass box and within seconds the loud, fast music that had been playing faded away to be replaced by a slow, sexy beat.
“Dance with him.” Gia’s voice sounded in her head and Holly concentrated on making the blond take her in his arms. It wasn’t that hard. She barely had to put the thought in. She could read that he was attracted to her and the knowledge made her feel sexy and powerful as she slid her arms around his neck and pressed against him.
“Feed,” Gia encouraged, and Holly glanced to her with alarm over the man’s shoulder. While she had controlled several delivery men last night, making them clap their hands, jump up and down, and even do little dances, she hadn’t fed off of any of them.
Despite saying she would practice that skill with the delivery men, in the end, Gia hadn’t suggested she try it and Holly certainly hadn’t volunteered. In truth, she was afraid to feed off of anyone. What if she lost control of their minds and they became aware of what she was doing mid bite? Or what if she took too much blood and harmed or even killed someone? Those same worries were in her mind now, along with the concern that they were in the middle of the dance floor where anyone might see.
“It’s dark and no one is paying attention,” Gia assured her. “Remember to stay in his thoughts. Find his vein with your lips and tongue. It’s hard to explain, but you’ll know when you find it. Then count out slowly to thirty as you feed. Stop after thirty and he should be fine,” Gia instructed. “You can always feed off of more than one person if the need arises.”