Yet I didn't really need to, because there was something about him that seemed oddly familiar.
The stranger leaned his forehead against mine for a moment, then said, in a husky voice that had a tingle vibrating right down to my toes, "I want you for the evening."
Normally, I wasn't overly fond of demands, but the way he said "want" made me melt. Or maybe that was the press of his lean, hard body against mine. I took a deep breath, and tried to remember I was here tor a reason.
"Unfortunately, I have a prior arrangement." Which was nothing but the truth, though a dangerous one to admit to a stranger given I had no idea who Misha's watchers were. For all I knew, I'd just fucked one of them.
"No chance of breaking it?"
"Not this time."
"Ah." The rich green depths of his eyes gleamed with hunger, warmth, and amusement. And something else. Something that made my breath catch in my throat, and my heart do a strange flip-flop.
It was the recognition of destiny.
And I knew, in that moment, this man would play a major part in my future.
If I lived to have a future, that was.
"My timing seems to be off yet again." His voice was a low growl of frustration that sent a warm shiver up my spine.
Talk about one hot wolf... then his words clicked, and I realized I'd met him before. Here, on this dance floor, in a similar situation. Only that time, he'd let me get away before we got as far as sex.
"Kellen?"
His warm, slow smile sent another surge of desire through my bloodstream. "I was wondering if you'd remember me."
I raised an eyebrow. "I'm surprised you remembered me. We only shared a five-second dance."
Humor vied with the desire in his eyes, an appealing mix that had me mentally cursing the reason I was here. When it came to sex, I'd much rather play with this wolf than the icy pole I had waiting.
"Sometimes," he said, voice a low rumble that shivered across my skin, "five seconds is all you need to know exactly want you want."
I smiled. "Smooth line."
"But the truth, nonetheless." His hand slid down my spine to my rump, and pressed me closer. The rich smell of him - leather and warm spices - teased my senses, tested my resolve. "The only reason I am in this club is to catch the attentions of a certain flame-haired wolf. She's been remarkably absent until tonight."
My treacherous hormones were suddenly scurrying to form a fan club for the green-eyed wolf. "Sorry. Had a problem with a former partner and had to stay away for a few months."
Which was nothing but the truth. And a damn pity, if this man had been waiting for me here all that time.
"I want you, and I intend to have you," he said. "Not for just one dance, but for many. And you're not escaping me tonight until I at least get a phone number."
Given that Quinn and Kade weren't likely to be long-term prospects, and Misha definitely wasn't, I certainly had no qualms about giving him my cell phone number. Even if he was a psycho, he couldn't actually trace me through it, because it was a work phone.
Once I'd given him the number, he kissed me. As kisses went, it was top-notch, and a definite signal of intent.
When he finally pulled away, he added, "I'll call tomorrow."
Even without his words, the determination evident in his green eyes, and the flare of his nostrils, warned that this was a wolf on the hunt.
I'd never been considered prey before, and damn if it didn't make me want him all the more. In the past, my relationships, even with Misha and Talon, had only grown into something permanent after many casual liaisons - and only after I'd decided I liked them enough to proceed onto something more. But they'd never pursued me with single-minded determination, even though both of them had been sent with the purpose of seducing me. This alpha obviously didn't want a casual dalliance, and he had no intention of waiting until I made up my mind. The chase was on, and modern wolf or not, my blood raced at the thought.
I kissed him, soft and lingering. "Please do."
"I will, rest assured of that."
While my hormones did an excited little shuffle, he escorted me to the change room, then gave me a kiss that again left me in no doubt of future intentions. As he walked away, I headed into the change room, and couldn't help feeling dizzy with elation. My life might be one big mess, and my future decidedly dark, but at least tonight I'd found something - or someone - to look forward to.