Dark Hearts (Light in the Dark 3)

I haven’t been to a club in nearly a year. I was busy finishing school, working, and playing my music anywhere I could.

Now I’m realizing why I haven’t missed this scene. It seems that I’ve outgrown it.

Regardless, we’re here, and I want to do what I can to make sure Nova has a good time—which means, not letting on that I’m just as miserable.

We reach the bar, and I guide her to the lone empty stool. I motion to the bartender that we want to order and then wait for him to have time.

Which might be never, since everyone is clamoring for a drink.

Nova huffs out a breath and her hair swirls around her face.

“Hi,” the guy beside her says, leering at her.

I lean around her and give him my best glare. “Goodbye.”

“Sorry, didn’t know she was taken.” He raises his hands in defense.

Nova lets out a soft laugh. In fact, I can’t even hear it, but the shaking of her shoulders gives her away.

The bartender finally makes it over to us and I shout my order. He returns with two beers and plops them down, some of the liquid sloshing out and onto the counter.

I hand him cash. “Keep the change.”

Nova sips at her beer, looking more miserable by the second.

Fuck this.

I down my beer and let her finish half of hers.

“Come on.” I tug her off the stool.

“Wha—?” She gets out as I drag her onto the dance floor.

Dancing with Nova is probably a very bad, bad idea, but bad ideas are usually the most fun.

The music changes and the song oozes sex.

I don’t allow myself to care.

Nova looks up at me with wide, shocked eyes, picking up on the tone of the song.

I lower my head so my lips graze her ear when I speak. “Dance with me.”

It’s not a question, or even a command, simply a statement.

She’s dancing with me.

She shivers as I draw away.

I lead her into the thick of the people and then wrap her arms around my neck, my hands fall to her waist, my fingers grazing her ass.

She has a nice ass. Fucking sue me.

She looks up at me nervously, and I can tell she’s out of her element.

But that’s okay, because I can lead.

And leading is what I do best.