That was one of the things about city life, anyway. The bars and clubs were always booming until the wee hours of the night. “I don’t think so. I’ll see you two later, okay?”
Karen slid off the bar stool, trying not to let the short, black leather skirt ride too far up her legs. She precariously balanced on stiletto heels and prayed she’d make it out of the bar without falling flat on her face. She reached carefully for her coat, not wanting to bend too far over in fear she might spill out of the tight black bustier. Before she could grasp the fabric, a deep voice stilled her hand.
“Excuse me.”
The man’s voice washed over her like a lover’s caress. She squeezed her eyes shut and wondered how such a simple thing could turn her blood hot. She turned and stared into the eyes of her dream man. She barely caught a gasp from escaping and her overheated mind nearly forgot to remind her to shut her gaping mouth before she made a complete fool of herself. This could not be happening. He was not real, yet there he stood not a foot from her. Her heart hammered in her chest and she swallowed and closed her mouth after uttering, “Yes?”
“I was wondering if you’d dance with me?”
He was drop-dead gorgeous. She glanced at Jenny and Sal. Both were sitting at the table, mouths hanging open. She looked back at the man standing in front of her. He was well over six feet tall, and his dark T-shirt clung to every muscle of his broad chest and shoulders, defining each flawless line perfectly. She wished the lights were brighter so she could see the details of his face. Even though it was too dim to see exactly what shade his hair was, she knew it was inky black. “Um, well, I was getting ready to leave.”
“Just one dance?” One thick, dark brow lifted in question, and he flashed a smile that sent butterflies dancing in her tummy.
As if on cue, the music changed to a thumping, sensual beat. “Okay.” Before she could say another word, he took her by the hand and pulled her through the crowded room to an open corner of the dance floor. He wrapped his arms around her and began moving his hips. She had never known a man could move with such graceful, sexy fluidity.
All her thoughts quieted, and every cell in her body responded to the sensual music, as she swayed in time to his every step. Her skin tingled everywhere he touched and she ached for more contact. Her body was in tune to his every move, every breath, every heartbeat, leaving no room for the confusion that would no doubt surface later. The confusion as to why she would react so strongly to a complete stranger.
She’d never been this turned on by a man, much less by a man whose name she didn’t even know, yet at this particular moment in time, she didn’t care. The only thing she cared about was getting as close to him as possible. “Um, where’s your costume?”
He let out a low laugh that sent fire burning deep in her belly. “I don’t really need one.”
Her brow raised in question. “Why’s that?”
“Let’s just say that I have my own built-in costume I can use whenever I want.”
Her brows drew together as she tried to figure out exactly what that meant, but she promptly forgot all about the remark when his hard body rocked against hers. She bit her bottom lip to keep a groan from escaping.
He’d waited so long to touch her. Her skin was as soft as satin, and he’d dreamed about holding her in his arms so many nights that he’d finally begun believing it might never become reality. He breathed her scent deep and swore he could feel it interweaving around every molecule in his body, branding him. He’d watched her for the past year, barely able to stay away. Now that he’d actually touched her, he knew he’d never stay away again.
He dipped his face near her hair and let the lustrous strands tickle his skin. She was soft everywhere. He nearly drooled at the thought of tasting her. His heart thundered in his ears, and his breathing quickened. The beast in him awakened, lurked right beneath the surface, waiting for a chance to show itself. It didn’t understand the rules of humanness. All it understood was the need to hunt, the need to protect, the need to take, and it wanted to take Karen at this very moment.
When he’d caught a glimpse of her in her tiny leather skirt, tight black bustier, fishnet stockings, and stiletto heels earlier, he thought he’d shoot a load right there on the stool he’d been lounging on. There wasn’t a curve on her feminine figure that wasn’t hugged by the tiny outfit. His cock had grown so hard he hurt. But, chasing the heels of desire was white-hot jealousy nearly driving him insane at the mere thought of other men seeing his mate dressed like that. Yes, she was beautiful, but she was for his eyes only.
His muscles quivered in anticipation, and sweat covered his skin from the effort to control his urges. He wanted her under him. He wanted inside her. He wanted to taste her, hold her, caress every inch of her delectable skin. The beast demanded possession while the man fought to maintain the boundaries of humanity. His palms itched, and he ran his fingertips down her back. She swayed in perfect sync with his, as if they had danced a million times before.
His heart thundered harder, and he gritted his teeth. His control slipped another notch in the beast’s favor. He had to get away or he’d do something they’d both regret. He took another deep breath, imprinting her on his very soul. As long as the sun lit the sky and the stars twinkled at night, he’d never forget her tantalizing scent.
He leaned in close to her ear. “Thank you for the dance.” As he walked away, he knew the only thing that gave him the strength to leave her was the knowledge that she would soon be his. He couldn’t wait any longer. This very night he’d claim his mate.
Chapter Two
Karen watched the man she’d just been dancing with walked away. Although, walking was the last thing she would call what he was doing. He was swaggering, and the fluid motion of his hips drew her attention to the way his jeans hugged his perfectly sculpted ass. His lazy stroll screamed sin, sex, look at me. Every woman he walked past did look, and she didn’t like it. Something deep inside her screamed to chase after him, but common sense held her rooted to the floor. She was not going to run after a complete stranger. Yet, the thundering of her heart argued, and her heated body begged her to do just that. She waited until the last glimpse of his broad back disappeared into the crowd before she walked back to the table.
Sal whistled under her breath. “Who was that?”
“Yeah, he was a god.” Jenny’s eyes were wide.
“I don’t know.” Karen sighed.
“You don’t know? How in the hell could you let him get away? Karen, that man was gorgeous and all over you like hot butter on popcorn.”
Karen laughed. “Okay, whatever.” She knew that as long as she lived, she’d never forget the brief encounter with the green-eyed stranger. Jenny was right. He looked like a god. “I’m going home.”
“Do you want a ride?” Jenny started to get up.
“No. You stay here with Sal and have fun, okay? I’ll call a cab. My apartment is only a few blocks from here anyway.”
The women hugged, and Karen shrugged her black knee-length coat on over her hooker get-up. She noticed a couple men glance her way as she walked out. She knew she was passably attractive, but for some reason, she couldn’t seem to find a keeper. A little over a year ago, her last boyfriend, who’d professed to love her more than life itself, had cheated on her routinely. She’d been crushed when she finally found out. Chuck had been the first guy she’d actually thought she was in love with. After throwing him out on his ear and telling him she never wanted to lay eyes on him again, she had decided to take a break from dating, believing it was the only way to clear the horrible and humiliating incident from her mind. She hadn’t regretted the decision, and really didn’t miss dating all that much. Her dreams of Green Eyes had started soon after.