“Trust is a two-way street, Syon,” she said. “Either you get that I’m not jumping you for your status, or don’t get on my case about taking your word on the pictures.”

He pushed out his jaw, but she refused to move. It was far more serious than she’d ever imagined she might be with him. Part of her was stuck in a moment of disbelief to find herself actually there.

Was she having a relationship?

Because it sure felt like it.

And that scared her.

“I’m here because I couldn’t blow you off, Kate.”

Oh shit. She was getting into a relationship.

“It scares me too.”

He was reading the emotions on her face.

“Sorry. I don’t mean to be…well…” She had no clue what she really wanted to say. Syon opened his arms and came toward her. He slid his hand along her cheek, sending little ripples of delight through her. Only these ripples touched her heart. It was more than sexual pleasure; this was heart deep.

“I didn’t mean to get involved either.”

“Yeah.”

It was a simple reply, but one that fit. His eyes were full of need, the need to be understood. She slowly smiled.

“I’ll get dressed.”

His expression became sensual. She backed up, her hips swaying. “Sit right over there”—she pointed at a chair—“and wait for me. Or we won’t be going anywhere.”

Ordering him around gave her a heady sensation, but the wolfish smile he flashed her made her shiver.

Oh yeah.

The guy made her shiver.

And she’d so gotten in over her head.

* * *

“Kate!”

Ramsey called out to her over the mass of bodies on the dance floor. He was wearing only a leather vest with his pants, the front of it open to show off his pierced nipple with its stud bar.

“I love what you do when you get in my pants!”

The girls rubbing against him reacted instantly. Some of them laughed; others shot her dagger looks as they made it clear the singer was theirs. He pulled one closer by her hips, leaning down to whisper something in her ear. It was a sensual picture. One that sent a zip of heat through her, if she were honest enough to admit it.

“Like I said, Rams is a cat. He likes to prowl.”

Syon turned her around and caught her up against him. People were crowding close, the loud music sinking into them until the only thing to do was move to the beat.

“Let him. It’s fun to watch,” she said.

Syon’s expression turned sensual. He cupped her cheeks, moving her backward into the mass of dancing bodies; the situation had a vibe that was slightly savage. There was a glint in his eyes that told her he wanted to put her on display. A bolt of awareness shot through her, unleashing a wildness she’d never found the right place to let loose before.

“He’s watching you now.”

Sensation prickled on her nape. They were surrounded by a crowd of sweating people, more skin on display than anything else.

But she could have sworn she felt Ramsey watching her exclusively.

“Do you like it when he watches me?”

It was a horrible thing to say. A nasty thing. Something polite people didn’t say.

But so true, so freeing to say.

And she wasn’t interested in hiding behind the facade of correctness.

Syon leaned over, his breath hitting her ear as he used his bigger body to dance her back another few steps. Her insides were tightening with anticipation, waiting for that first contact with Ramsey.

“Yeah. I like it when he watches you,” Syon rasped against her neck before he raised his head and captured her gaze. “I like watching you getting turned on by the idea.”

The music was pounding around them, the dance floor crowded. It was Syon’s beat too. She lifted her head, raising her arms up to dance, working her hips in a rhythm that was deeply intimate. He pushed the mass back, keeping a spot open for her. Somehow, he had a drink in his hand, and he took a long sip and leaned down to transfer some of it into her mouth. There was the tangy taste of dirty martini and the bite of the alcohol. It stung just the right amount as Syon kissed his way across her jaw before delivering a bite to her neck.

She purred, the sound more of a warning than a response. Prowling felt just about perfect. She caught his earlobe between her teeth, biting into it just enough to make sure he felt her strength.

“Yeah, baby…don’t play nice with me.”

His tone was deep and raspy. He slid his hands down her corseted sides to her hips, cupping them and moving in time with her. She drew her claws down him, enjoying the sight of him baring his teeth at her.

“Ramsey isn’t the only animal on the prowl tonight.” She lifted the drink out of his hand and tossed back another swallow. Her blood was pumping, burning off the chill that had settled on the bare skin of her shoulders from the night air. “You want everyone to see what an animal you are.” He finished off the drink and leaned in until their lips were only a fraction of an inch apart. “I want you to see me choose you.”

He gave her neck a squeeze. Just a sample of his darker side. She shuddered and eased back, swaying as she tried to catch the beat.

Other people joined in. Women and men slid right up to them both, joining them in a sort of ménage à trios dance. She was turned away from Syon by a woman who had dark, sensuous eyes. Kate moved with her for a moment before Syon reached out to reclaim her.

Heat speared through her.

There was a possessive look in his eyes, one that sent need clawing up her insides. She let it climb, allowing herself to be split off again, this time by a man, because she knew Syon was watching. He butted his way between her and her impromptu partner, bumping chests with the guy before cupping her jaw and sealing her mouth with his.

“Oh yeah.”

“So hot…”

“Kiss me too.”

The voices were background noise. An erotic addition to the pulsing beat of Toxsin music. Someone new slid up behind her, a harder presence; she felt awareness rippling across her skin.

“You’re hot, Kate.”

Ramsey’s voice was dangerous. It slithered through her like dark temptation, luring her away from the light. Syon was still dancing with her, moving his hips in time with hers, brushing her with his erection as Ramsey cupped her hips from behind. Syon kept her chin in his hand, watching her intently.

She was pretty sure she was going to melt into a puddle.

Her core felt like it was molten, and Syon’s eyes were glittering with enough passion to reduce her to a pile of cinders. Ramsey leaned over, his hair brushing her nape and setting off another round of sensation.

She was teetering on the edge. But it didn’t bug her. Part of her was enjoying the sensation of falling, like a form of freedom she’d never been bold enough to reach out and touch.

She was hungry for it.

Strangely fascinated by it.

She turned, facing Ramsey, and reached out to grab his nipple bar. He backed up a step, baring his teeth at her.

She stuck out her chin at him, dancing up to him and tossing her hair before Syon was pulling her back around to face him.

She went to him, sliding her hands up his chest, skin to skin through the opening of his shirt. The connection was jolting, making her smile as Ramsey caught a handful of her hair and pulled it tight. He leaned over her shoulder, making full contact with her back.

She shuddered violently.

It shattered everything inside her. Every boundary she’d thought unbreakable was crumbling into particles too fine to recognize.

“Kiss him,” Syon demanded.

She hesitated, licking her lower lip as she teetered on the top of the ledge. Syon tilted his head and fitted his mouth against hers. There was a roar of approval from the crowd as he kissed her hard, thrusting his tongue deeply into her mouth before pulling away.

“Kiss him, Kate.”

She turned, not sure if it was her idea or Ramsey’s and Syon’s hands doing it for her. She caught the scent of Ramsey’s skin, drawing in a deep breath to make sure it intoxicated her.