Chapter 25

Setting her empty glass on the counter, Remi spun the stool and looked around. Nothing made her happier than seeing a sea of people dancing and having fun. She closed her eyes and listened to the song for a minute and then decided she didn’t know it, but it still had a great beat. Turning back around, she leaned over and grinned at Berk. “You” —she pointed at him— “should dance with me.”

Berk raised his eyebrows and glared at her. “If we dance anymore, we won’t be able to move tomorrow.” He tipped his glass at her. “Remember we decided we were done dancing for the night.”

“Right.” Picking up her glass, she looked in it to see it was still empty. Frowning, she waved it in Pascal’s direction. He nodded and turned to make her another drink. Sighing, she pushed the empty glass down the counter and turned back to Berk. “Why are you here after dark, Berk?”

Grinning, he leaned closer to her. “Soren agreed to do the early shift tomorrow so I could come out and play for a change.”

“Soren is such a sweetie.”

“Yes, she is.” He laughed. “I will thank her a thousand times because when I had the idea to come and hang out here, I didn’t know I’d be babysitting my drunk boss.”

Remi’s mouth dropped open. “I am not drunk.”

Pascal leaned down on the bar and slid a full glass in front of her. “Your drink, my lady.” He winked. “On the house, of course.”

Remi laughed. “It better be. It’s my house.”

“So it is.” He grinned at Berk and then straightened up and moved in the other direction.

Remi took a sip and closed her eyes. Opening them she looked at Berk. “You should try one of these. It’s a new drink Attis and Pascal created.”

Berk lifted his glass. “I have been.” He lowered the glass. “Although I think you’re drinking four to my one.”

Taking another drink, she laughed. “Well, you do have to work tomorrow.”

He nodded and grinned at her. “So do you.” Leaning closer, he rested his chin on his hand. “I can’t believe how much you’re drinking. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you drink more than a few sips before.”

Brushing the hair back from her face, Remi leaned down on the bar mimicking what he was doing. “I needed to burn off some stress.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m under house arrest, or confined, whatever, because of some sicko out there making people dead,” she huffed out a breath, “and after being attacked, I’m not really complaining about the house arrest thing.” Berk nodded and let her continue. “I’m just freaked out a whole lot about the council coming tomorrow, so hey,” she laughed, “maybe if I drink myself into a coma tonight, they’ll give me a pass and let me miss their visit.”

Berk leaned back and looked at her. “Don’t hold your breath.”

“I’m not.” She snorted. “I’d pass out if I tried to hold it right now.” Taking another drink, she looked around for a few seconds and then gave him a serious look. “I left out the mate stuff.” Sighing, she looked at him with wide eyes. “I can’t believe I have a mate, one that I’ve been looking at every day for seven years, and he just got around to telling me.”

Berk nodded. “It’s pretty crazy.”

“Craazy doesn’t even cover it.” She turned and looked around for Darien. “He’s kinda sexy though, my mate.” She watched him coax someone toward the door. Clearly, they’d done something wrong for Darien to be helping them leave.

“Yes,” Berk turned his stool to lean against the bar, “he definitely scores high on my sexy meter.” He toasted the glass in Darien’s direction and took a sip.

Remi rolled her head to the side and smiled at him. “I think it’s pretty awesome that you’re gay.”

Berk spit his drink back into the glass he had raised to his mouth. “Thanks, I think.”

Remi sat forward and grabbed his arm. “You know what we should do?” His eyes widened in question. “We should go find you a mate too.”

Pascal leaned down so his head was between theirs. “Need a refill yet, Berk?”

Remi grinned at him. Berk shook his head and looked at one of her vampire bartenders. “No. I’m going to need an energy drink if she doesn’t slow down.”

Pascal laughed.

“Hey,” Remi gave him the sternest look she could manage, “no energy drinks for the wolf. Been there, done that, and it wasn’t pretty.” She turned and grinned at Pascal. “We were just going to go mate shopping for Berk,” she glanced at the dance floor. “Have you seen any pretty gay prospects for him?” Frowning, she looked back at Berk. “Or do you prefer manly? I don’t know your preference.”

Berk’s mouth opened, and then he looked at Pascal with his mouth still open.

Pascal patted her shoulder. “I don’t think there’s anyone here right now that qualifies, but I’ll let you know if any come in.”

“Good man.” Remi turned back to Berk. “We could always go dance instead.”

“Pascal, what the hell is in the drinks you’re feeding her?” Berk spun his stool and glared at him.

Pascal straightened up. “Sorry, trade secret.” With that, he turned and walked back down the bar.

Turning around, she watched Finn walk by.

“Finn.” Remi jumped up and then grabbed his arm when she swayed a little too far from the momentum. “You should dance with me.”

Finn raised one eyebrow and looked from her to Berk and then back to her again. “I would, Remi, but my boss doesn’t like it if I fraternize when I should be working.”

Remi sighed and leaned her head on his shoulder. “The bitch,” she laughed and looked up at him, “Berk’s too tired to dance anymore.”

Finn chuckled. “Well, I don’t think he signed up to have the energizer bunny for a partner.” He looked over his shoulder and then back at her. “Here comes Darien. Maybe you can persuade him.” He winked at her and moved away slowly like he was afraid she was going to tip over.

Remi turned to see Darien leaning over the bar and talking to Pascal; both kept glancing at her. Shaking his head, he straightened up and walked toward her. She loved the way he walked, a powerful stride with that grace all the para animals had. His stride definitely said he was in charge. Swoon. When he was only a foot away, she grinned and launched herself at him. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she smiled up at him. “You should dance with me, Dare.” He gripped her waist in his strong hands and looked down at her.

“If you dance much more tonight, you’re not going to be able to walk tomorrow.”

“Thank you,” Berk said, sitting back down.

Playing with the hair at the back of his neck, she bounced to the beat of the song playing. “Please?”

Darien tightened the grip on her waist, making it hard for her to move with the music. “I can’t, sweetheart. I have to work.” He looked over the top of her head to Berk. “Try to keep her sitting for a bit longer; then Finn can take over at the door for me.”

“You owe me, big man. This isn’t an easy task.”

Remi looked over her shoulder at Berk and rolled her eyes. “You don’t have to babysit me, Berk. Go home.”

He opened his mouth and then looked at Darien.

“Hey,” Darien used his finger to turn her head back to look at him. “Berk doesn’t get to come hang out often. He should stay.”

Remi sighed. “Fine, but he’s too tired to dance.” She glanced over to see Kyran walking through the crowd in their direction. “Oh, here comes Kyran; maybe he’ll dance with me.”

Darien growled and started backing her toward the kitchen door. “We’ll be right back,” he said to Berk over his shoulder.

Once in the kitchen, Remi looked over at Baker.

“Take five,” Darien told him.

He still held her waist, and she was in no hurry to let go of him either. The world wasn’t spinning, but it was starting to float, and she didn’t want to go with it.

Baker looked at Remi and grinned. “No problem.” He danced toward them. “You’ve got some nice moves on you, Boss lady.”

Remi chuckled. “Thanks. I wore out your brother though.”

Baker looked from her to Darien, and then his facial expression sobered. “Well, he did work all morning.” Moving past them, he went out to the bar.

“So” —Remi tilted her head and looked up at Darien— “sure you don’t want to dance with me?”

Shaking his head, he smiled. “I didn’t say I didn’t want to,” He leaned down and rested his forehead against hers “After watching you move on the dance floor, I want to do a whole lot.” Lifting his head, he backed her up against the wall. “Why are you drinking so much?”

Remi rolled her eyes. “It’s not so much.” Sighing, she shrugged. “Just unwinding, I think I’m entitled. I can’t change forms and go for a run or howl at the moon or whatever,” she grinned, “and I want to go dance some more.”

Brushing the hair back from her face, he cupped the back of her head and made her look at him. “See, now I’m all for you dancing, even with every male out there staring at your body.” He clenched his jaw for a second and then exhaled, “But dancing with other guys...” He placed a finger over her mouth before she could say anything, “Other guys that aren’t gay.” He sucked in a breath. “That I have a problem with right now.” He leaned down and kissed the end of her nose. “You know I’m trying to fight all the instincts that go with mates, Remi, but other guys near you,” he shrugged, “can’t get past it.”

A song she really liked came on, and she started moving with the beat, despite being between the wall and his body. She bumped her hips into him and did a bounce, then started to sway. “So, what do you suggest, sexy man? Do I have to stay in the kitchen and dance?” She bumped her hips against him in time to the music. “Hmm?”

Darien gave her a lopsided grin. “Keep the bumping up, and you may get more than dancing.”

Remi bit her lip and continued to do it, watching him. “Maybe you should take me upstairs or downstairs...”

A low growl came from deep in his chest. “Baby, don’t tempt me.”

“I think you should kiss me.” She stopped moving and ran her finger over his mouth. “If I’m not allowed to dance, I should be compensated.”

“If I kiss you right now, stopping might be a problem.” He leaned down and breathed against her mouth.

“I don’t see the problem.”

Chuckling, he lifted his head away. “Jesus, I should have got you drunk years ago.” Grasping her waist, he leaned back down beside her ear. “If you can go sit with Berk for fifteen minutes, I’ll take you upstairs.” He nuzzled her neck.

Grasping the back of his head, she held him close to her. “Promise?”

“Promise.”

Remi released his hair and sighed. “Fine. Fifteen minutes, not a second longer, or I’m dancing again.”