Part 15 (1/2)

When his plate was full to overflowing, he grabbed a plastic fork and looked around for a place to sit. Hunter had evidently been watching for him, because he stood up and waved Larem over. Relieved to have a place where he knew he'd be welcome, Larem threaded his way through the throng toward his friend.

To his surprise, Hunter and Tate weren't alone at their end of the long table. Lonzo and D.J. sat flanking Sasha, leaving the only open spot directly across from her. There was no way to avoid sitting there without drawing even more attention to himself.

D.J. took a swig of his beer and set it aside. ”Hey, Larem, I've got a question for you.”

Larem braced himself. When it came to D.J., there was no telling what he'd ask. More than once he'd heard one of the other Paladins say that sometimes there was a complete disconnect between D.J.'s mouth and his brain.

”Go ahead and ask, but no promises that I'll answer.”

Hunter laughed. ”Perfect response, Larem.”

Lonzo leaned forward to look around Sasha at D.J. ”And remember there are ladies present.”

The man in question gave them all a disgusted look. ”Get off my back, Lonzo. I know how to behave in public. I just want to know if he dances.”

What could Larem say to that? ”Not with you. No offense, you're good looking, at least by human standards, but I don't make a habit of partnering with men.”

When D.J. choked on his beer, Hunter pounded on his back. That didn't keep him and Lonzo from cracking up at the look on D.J.'s face.

”That is not what I meant, jerk.”

Larem grinned at the fl.u.s.tered Paladin. ”Then why don't you explain what you did mean?”

”After we clean up the food, Lacey said we could crank up the music and use the deck and patio for dancing. It occurred to me that I've never seen you or Barak dance. I just wondered if you both have two left feet or if Kalith just don't dance.”

Larem's grasp of the nuances of English was far better than it used to be, but occasionally an expression threw him. It took him a moment to decide that ”two left feet” meant clumsy.

”We can dance just fine.”

”I was afraid of that.” D.J. nudged Sasha. ”The guys outnumber the women here tonight by about six to one. If Barak and Larem were out of the running, it would even the odds a bit.”

With a perfectly straight face, Sasha shook her head. ”Sorry to disappoint you, D.J., but it's me who doesn't dance.”

The Paladin immediately wilted, his disappointment obvious and complete. ”Oh, well, we'll just watch then.”

Larem suspected Sasha was teasing the Paladin, but he didn't know for sure until she looked across the table and winked at him. Tate saw it and snickered. Finally, D.J. realized that he'd been had.

”Okay, lady, just for that, I claim the first dance.”

”All right, but I have to warn you that I like to lead.”

Lonzo, not to be outdone, said, ”That's okay with me as long as I get the second dance.”

Tate turned to Hunter with an expectant look. ”Well?”

He groaned. ”One dance. You know how much I hate it.”

”Four.” Tate crossed her arms over her chest, clearly determined to win this negotiation.

”Two.”

She smirked. ”Three plus two slow dances. Even you can manage to slow-dance.”

”Fine.” He tugged her closer for a quick kiss. ”But you owe me.”

”Deal.”

Larem observed the interchange with mixed feelings. It was hard to see their obvious love for each other and not want some of that for himself.

Once again, he found himself watching Sasha talk to D.J. and Lonzo. There was no way he was going to sit on the sidelines and watch her dance with a series of Paladins. He'd seen people dancing on television. It couldn't be that hard, especially when the music slowed down. Most of the time, the couples swayed together, their movements looking a lot like foreplay.

A few minutes later, Lacey began pa.s.sing out trash bags and the group made quick work of the mess. Food was packed up and the coolers restocked with pop and beer. The sun had gone down, so the only light came from the twinkling lights that Lacey and Barak had strung in the low branches of the trees and along the deck.

When the music started, D.J. grabbed Sasha by the hand and dashed for the makes.h.i.+ft dance floor. Hunter let Tate drag him along in their wake. He grumbled each step of the way, but Larem could tell he was really bluffing. As soon as they reached the patio, Hunter spun Tate and led her through a rather amazing display of dance steps.

For a man who swore he hated dancing, he looked pretty proficient at it. Devlin and Laurel were the next couple to join in, followed by Trahern and Brenna. Pretty soon all the mated pairs were dancing while the other males looked on in envy. But after the first song, all the women abandoned their partners and chose new ones.

Lonzo, not to be outdone by D.J., was showing off to a salsa number with Sasha, her pretty face flushed and happy as she did her best to follow his lead. Whoever was manning the stereo switched over to a slower pace after the salsa ended to give everyone the chance to catch their breath.

Larem had been waiting for that exact moment to make his move. He held out his hand to Sasha, giving her the final decision.

Sasha didn't hesitate, letting Larem pull her close as the gentle rhythms surrounded them. They fit together better than she would've thought considering the difference in their heights. Coc.o.o.ned in the darkness of the crowded patio, she gave in to temptation and laid her head against Larem's chest. A heartbeat later, he nestled his head against the top of hers, his breath softly tickling her cheek.

Dancing with Lonzo and D.J. had been fun, but this was different. Ever since that instant when Larem had grabbed her in the elevator, she'd wanted to feel his arms around her again. It was insane, and she knew it.

That didn't make it any less true.

Unfortunately, songs never lasted more than a few minutes. As the final strains died away, she forced herself to step back. Larem resisted letting her go only briefly, but it was long enough to let her know that she wasn't the only one with regrets.

She held on to his hand, tugging him down so she could be heard over the heavy metal that started blasting from the closest speakers. ”I'd like a cold drink before I get whisked away again.”

He nodded and plowed a path through the crowd, towing her along behind him. When they broke through to freedom, he finally let go of her hand. It was for the best, but for the first time she felt the chill of the evening air.

”What would you like?”

Larem had leaned down close to her ear to ask. She turned toward him, toward that mouth that she very much wanted to taste again. For a second she thought he'd read her thoughts because he swayed toward her a fraction of an inch before abruptly standing back.

She blinked, wondering if she'd only imagined that small connection, but then she sensed another presence. They weren't alone. Lonzo was standing right behind them, popping the top on a beer. She realized she'd never answered Larem, but accepted the pop he held out to her.

”Thank you.”

She hoped he realized she meant for more than just the drink. It was hard not to be disappointed by the missed opportunity, but it was definitely for the best. She didn't know what to do about the attraction she felt for Larem. Rather than stand there next to temptation, she set her drink aside and went looking for D.J.

Chapter 12.