Niko(Love Me Harder #2)(8)

He didn’t say a thing. He just stared at her, making her even more uncomfortable in her stilettos.

“Well, if you will excuse me. I was just heading out.”

He didn’t budge. In fact, she wasn’t sure if he was blinking. He just stood and stared. Her mouth felt dry, like she needed another drink. The beat of her heart was louder than her heels on the floor and her knees that had already proven so weak were close to shaking again. She needed out.

“Dance?”

His voice went through her like the crack of a whip. The drops of moisture between her legs kicked up, leaving her wet. Her heart was beating out a wild song at the thought of melding her body against his on the dance floor.

Her mind screamed at her to run. Danger Will Robinson was going through her mind, but her traitorous heart made her head shake yes.

He held out a hand and she took it. He led her to the dance floor. The song was slow and seductive and she moved into his arms like she had lived there all of her life. His strong lithe frame melded into hers and she sighed.

Darn it. She had actually sighed and laid her head against his chest as she closed her eyes. She was going to milk this for all it was worth, this sense of peace. The monsters had fled when his arms closed around her.

She knew he could feel her heart beating against his chest, but took comfort in the fact that he couldn’t know the trickle between her legs had turned into a flood in his arms.

Her panties were soaked. How often did that happen to her? Never, before now. She let go of that thought. She refused to care for the next few minutes. She only wanted to enjoy the unexpected feeling of being a desirable female.

Ironic actually, since everyone assumed she knew what it felt like and that she held it over men’s heads.

The slow song ended and a fast one came on. She pulled out of his arms, already missing the feeling of protection they provided. Who was she kidding, she missed it all.

She liked the way he moved. His moves complimented hers showing her off to her best advantage, as if he was there to merely make her look good. She twirled around him, dancing and laughing. She was having fun. Real fun. She would examine that tidbit later.

She was exhausted when she finally called out uncle. They had danced through a whole set, both fast and slow. He led her off of the dance floor, but not back to the bar.

They found a small table for two and sat down.

“Thank you. I have not danced like that for a long time.”

“You’re welcome. I enjoyed it.”

She smiled at him and made plans to escape. She regretted having to leave him, but staying would cause her more trouble than she wanted. She had made her mind up long ago, no real relationships. No getting close. No telling anyone about her past. No loving.

“Excuse me, Niko. I need to use the little girl’s room.”

There was an exit back there. She had scoped it out earlier. She always looked for a way to escape now. Her ankles were killing her. It really had been a long time since she had danced like that. What she wouldn’t give to take her shoes off. Maybe she would drive home barefooted.

She hit the side door and took in a big breath of the crisp air. It wasn’t clean, but it wasn’t sweaty and smoke heavy either.

“The air where I live is clean and fresh. You will enjoy it.”

She jumped at the sound of his voice. Any voice would have startled her, but his made her jump. Niko was leaning against the wall on the other side of the door. She had never even seen him.

“How did you do that?”

“I have the ability to blend in with my surroundings.”

“Like a chameleon?”

“No, they change colors. I don’t. I am not sure how it is done. I simply fade into the background like I am not there. Your eyes simply refuse to see me.”

She shivered as the words of her kidnapper whispered in her mind telling her he wasn’t the only monster roaming her world. She pushed the thought away.

“That’s slightly freaky. What are you doing out here?”

“Making sure you don’t run away.”

“I am not running.”

“That’s why we are having this conversation in an alley.”

“I decided it was time to go home and left through the closest door.”

“Since I am here, I will escort you home. It is getting late and I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“Thanks, but I drove. You can walk me to my car.”

“Definitely.”

She walked over to him. He led them out of the alleyway. She was not done for the night, but he didn’t have to know that. She needed to go home with someone tonight.

Sergey was leaning on the hood of her car when they reached it. He looked comfortable there, as if he was supposed to be meeting up with them. She knew something was wrong when she saw him. The Dare brothers did nothing without a reason.