Ignoring them all, he looped his arms around her waist. Her amazing wildflower scent filled his nostrils. She stood stiffly in his arms. This was a mistake.
He was about to apologize and release her when she sighed and relaxed against him. They weren’t really dancing, more swaying from side to side.
Taking a chance, he eased her closer, trapping her hands between them. Even though he had more than a foot in height on her, they fit together perfectly. If she were so inclined, she could rest her head against his heart. Deep contentment, something he’d never experienced, washed over him.
It was crazy to get so intimately involved with her, but he couldn’t seem to help himself. Something about her called to his more primitive side. His bear wanted to keep her. His vampire side was fascinated. And the man, well, he wanted to hold her in his arms forever.
The professional whispered caution.
The music played on. Time was short. She’d said one song and would hold him to it. He hated to break the beauty of the moment, but the clock was ticking.
“What kind of family did you run from?” Before he could make any decision about his next move, he needed facts.
She shook her head, her earrings dancing and sparkling in the light. “Oh no, you don’t. I asked you first.” When he hesitated, she reminded him, “You promised.” Both of them were keeping their voices low, even though there was little chance of anyone overhearing them.
“Polar.” He’d keep the part about him being a hybrid to himself for a while. Even among his own kind, he was viewed as a freak and an abomination.
There was an edge to her laugh that bothered him. “Of course you are. And to think I was worried about you walking home in the cold last night. You must have laughed your ass off.”
No way could he let her believe that. He shook his head. “No. I thought it was the kindest thing anyone had ever done for me.”
That silenced her. She tilted her head to one side, studying him. “You mean that, don’t you?”
He gave an abrupt nod. Before he could say anything else, the song ended, and the cook called out from the kitchen.
Their interlude was over, and he still had no idea what she was. She looked torn between ignoring Pete and questioning Alexei further. Finally, she slipped out of his arms and ducked behind the bar. While he took his seat, she began ferrying plates back and forth, slamming them onto the counter in front of him.
Another song started to play on the jukebox, this one more up-tempo. The patrons, who’d made no secret they’d been watching, resumed their own conversations. Pool balls cracked. Male laughter rang out.
After she delivered the pizza, she crossed her arms over her chest, the pose a defensive one. “I’m not looking for trouble.”
He was hungry but for once ignored food. The urge to pledge his protection was overwhelming. It didn’t come from his brain but his heart. He usually thought things through, weighing facts and possibilities before making judgments, but around her, he was more a creature of instinct.
He kept his mouth shut because there was still a sizeable bounty out on her, and he was one of the Forgotten Brotherhood, with all the responsibilities and expectations that came with that.
His food was getting cold, but it didn’t matter. Nothing was as important as Cassie. Nothing. Whatever she was, whoever was after her, it was his job to keep her safe.
She belonged to him. Now all he had to do was convince her of that.
Easy.
From the first moment he’d laid eyes on her, he’d known she’d complicate his life.
He still wasn’t sorry he’d found her.
Someone wanted her dead. It was supposed to be his task. Everything had flipped upside down. Now, she was his to defend. Didn’t get more complicated than that.
The door opened, letting in a blast of cool air that he enjoyed. It also brought with it a scent of something darker on the wind. He sniffed to double check.
Things are about to get even more complicated.
“Vamp,” he whispered under his breath. Outwardly he remained calm. Inwardly, every sense went on high alert. It was too much of a coincidence that one would simply show up here.
Cassie heard him, but so did the bloodsucker. He claimed no kinship with them. They tended to travel in small packs. Most of them ate responsibly, living and working alongside people, but every now and again a group would go rabid, wreaking havoc and going on a rampage of bloodlust and death. That usually led to one of his brethren being brought in by the Vampire Council to deal with the problem.
“This is the last thing I need.” She seemed more peeved than anything. Now he really wanted to know what she was that neither a polar shifter nor vamp scared her.
He reached for the pizza, helping himself to a large slice. Best to keep his energy up if there was the possibility he’d have to tangle with a bloodsucker.
She shot him an incredulous look. “Really? You’re just going to eat?”
“I’m hungry,” he told her around a mouthful of pepperoni.
The newcomer sidled up to the bar, taking the stool two down from Alexei. Cassie glared at him. “We don’t serve what you want in here.”
She was bold, he’d give her that. He kept eating, looking relaxed, but was ready to move if it became necessary. Most people—normal and paranormal—took one look at him and thought slow and plodding. But the melding of both parts of him made him incredibly fast.
“My name is Damian.” He smiled and flashed some fang.
“Good for you,” she shot back. “Is that your real name or did you make it up because you thought it made you sound cool?” Alexei barely contained a snort of laughter at her audacity. Her sassy side appealed to him.
The newcomer continued as though she hadn’t interrupted him. “I think you do have what I want.” He gave her a not-so-subtle onceover before glancing at the back room where Buck and Tiny were engaged in a game of pool.
“You leave them alone,” she shot back.
He barely refrained from wincing. Last thing she should have done was let the vamp know that these people were important to her. She’d shown Damian a weakness. And there was no other creature alive that exploited a weakness as well. They were sly and devious.
Was he biased because of his personal experience? Probably. But he was okay with that.
Sensing Alexei studying him, the male’s smile widened as he swiveled on the stool. “What do we have here?” He sniffed dramatically. “Bear. I don’t know what kind. You all smell the same to me.”
The insult didn’t bother him in the least. He didn’t get upset by lowly idiots who didn’t know any better.
“Vamp.” He nodded his head in acknowledgment. Since he’d finished off the pizza, which had been delicious, he reached for the nachos.