I swallow hard, feeling so frozen in place I think it would be impossible to move from my spot. Not only is my protector and the one man keeping me safe getting ready to walk away from me, but he’s also doing so with a gorgeous, nearly naked woman who I’m quite sure is prepared to walk him right off the dance floor and into the nearest set of bushes to have her way with him.
Without another word, a reassuring smile, or a backward glance, Carrick leads Deandra to the dance floor. As I thought, she attempts to pull him farther away from me, but he stops in the middle and sweeps her into the flow of another waltz-like song.
For a moment, I’m mesmerized not by Deandra and her beauty and blatant sexuality, but rather by Carrick’s elegant moves as they glide around. While Carrick has always exuded that upper-crust sort of vibe, he’s always seemed rougher and more hardened. He’s the man who pins dark fae to walls with iron daggers for torture, not the smooth dancer who spins so fluidly while he and Deandra converse.
“You look like you could use another drink,” I hear from my left and I turn in surprise to see Pyke still standing there. I had assumed he’d walked off with his parents, but he moves to my side and nods down at my half-empty glass.
I shake my head. “No, thank you. I’d prefer to keep clear-headed tonight.”
Clasping his hands behind his back, he silently watches with me as Deandra and Carrick dance. While Carrick’s hands are attempting to be polite and distanced—one hand at her hip, the other grasping her hand—Deandra does everything she can to crowd into him so her body is pressed against his.
I don’t know what she’s saying to him, but it’s clear by the half-lidded look she’s giving him that it’s probably something inviting and naughty. Carrick smiles down at her, as if amused, and even laughs at something she says.
Fuck… she’s seducing him right there on the dance floor. How could he not be when she’s all but naked in his arms?
“I’ve often found,” Pyke suggests in a low drawl, “that the way to fight fire is with fire.”
I hear his words, but they don’t fully penetrate. I give him a quick, annoyed glance. “What?”
“Well, it’s clear my sister is pulling out all her best moves tonight to make you green with jealousy, so maybe you should give back what you’re getting.”
My gaze snaps to Pyke, brows knitting together. “What? Jealousy? What are you talking about? Your sister is trying to seduce Carrick.”
“Of course she is,” he concurs with a nod. “But her dress, her wantonness… that’s all to make you jealous. She could seduce Carrick without that.”
That doesn’t make me feel a lick better, but I do have my pride. “I don’t know what you’re talking about with jealousy. There’s no reason for me to be jealous. Carrick and I aren’t—”
“Save it,” Pyke says with a laugh. “You might try to deny the chemistry between the two of you, but everyone who isn’t physically blind can see it. Deandra definitely feels it, and she’s going to do her damnedest to try to take him from you.”
“He’s not mine,” I mutter.
“I think you’re wrong, but let’s put that theory to the test, shall we?”
I glance at him again, and he’s holding his arm out toward the dance floor.
“You want to dance?” I ask suspiciously.
Pyke’s eyes light with mischief, and he takes a step back from me. Without any shame at all, he runs a licentious gaze over my body, lingering on my half-exposed breasts, and shakes his head. “Why would I not want to dance with the most beautiful and sexiest creature at this party?”
There’s no way Pyke really means that. I can’t compare to the magical beauty of these fae creatures.
I sneak a glance at Carrick, who, to my surprise, is actually watching us as he moves Deandra backward with the flow of the other dancers.
He’s watching Pyke practically undress me with his leering gaze.
Fight fire with fire, huh?
Turning back to Pyke, I beam a smile. “I’d love to dance.”
“I’m not going to promise to be a gentleman,” he murmurs suggestively, taking me by the elbow and leading me onto the floor. I have no clue how to waltz, but I assume he’ll lead and I’ll just follow.
“I’m curious, Pyke,” I ask innocently as one hand goes to my waist and the other clasps my hand. We stand facing each other, me smiling sweetly and Pyke looking like the devil with his mischievous grin in place. “Do fae have the same exact anatomy as humans?”
“We do,” he purrs, pulling me in a little closer. “Except…well, we tend to be more well-endowed.”
“Hmmm,” I murmur thoughtfully. “Then I’m going to assume it hurts just as much if I were to knee you in the nuts if you are anything but a gentleman with me.”