Aeromancist - The Beginning (Seven Forbidden Arts 2)

Diana was already waiting at the door when Kat arrived. Despite the early hour, the club was busy. They only got in because Diana’s new friend, Jack, was a tango dancer who performed at the club. He got them VIP tickets and a table near the dance floor.

“This is so Latino,” Diana said over the music, sipping her Pisco.

“How do you know Jack?” Kat asked.

“I did a photo shoot for his portfolio last week.”

Kat lifted a brow. “And?”

Diana laughed. “Nothing like that. I’m not attracted to him, but he may have friends, if you know what I mean.”

The dance floor opened at midnight. Kat admired the salsa skills of the locals. The girls made it look easy, but she knew from experience the dance was deceptively difficult. Jack came to say hello, and returned a little while later with a group of friends.

Diana was batting her eyelashes at Enrico, a young engineer, and Kat watched with a smile as he pulled her onto the dance floor for the first tango of the evening. Diana looked gorgeous in a short purple dress with silver straps crisscrossing her back. It was clear that Enrico was smitten. The poor guy didn’t stand a chance.

The beat of the music changed. A reggaeton song came on.

Jack held his hand to her. “Come on, Kat. You can’t sit on the sideline all night.”

She shook her head and looked over his shoulder at the dancers on the floor. “I can’t dance like that. I’ll wait for another song.”

“It’s dead easy. I’ll show you.” He grinned. “I’m not a professional dancer for nothing.”

Kat allowed him to pull her to her feet and onto the floor. “Have you been dancing professionally for long?”

He had to bring his mouth close to her ear to be heard. “Since forever.” Placing his hands on her hips, he rotated them. “Relax. You’ll get the hang of it.”

Diana brushed up against Kat. “Hey, girlfriend. I’m going to get some drinks.”

“I’ll come with you,” Kat offered.

“No,” Jack said, “you’re just getting into this. Now turn.” He twirled her. She moved under his arm, and when he pulled her back, she collided with his chest.

“Sorry,” she said. “I warned you. Better watch your toes. These heels are sharp.”

“Shit,” Diana said.

Kat turned to her friend. Diana had stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes fixed on the bar. Following her gaze, Kat froze. Lann leaned against the counter, and he was watching her with stormy eyes.Chapter 7Her Russian lover looked impossibly handsome in a black suit and open-neck shirt. The jacket stretched over his broad shoulders and the slacks hugged his narrow hips. His blond hair hung loose.

The relaxed stance was faked. Even from the distance, Kat could see the frostiness in his eyes as he stared at Jack. The ruby in his ring caught the light as he straightened. Sensual lips pulled into a smile, but it wasn’t friendly.

Oblivious to her consternation, Jack took Kat’s hand to pull her back to him. She glanced at him and shook her head. Lann was making his way to them, his stride predatory. She looked on with mounting anxiety as he crossed the floor with deliberate steps and stopped short of them.

“Hello, Lann,” Diana said.

Judging by Diana’s high-pitched voice, she, too, had noticed the daggers Lann shot at Jack.

By now, Jack had his hand on Kat’s arm to get her attention.

“Take your hands off her,” Lann said, his voice rising above the music. He wasn’t shouting, but the threat in his tone made Kat shiver.

“Who the hell are you?” Jack asked, not backing off. He gave Kat an accusing look. “Is he your boyfriend?”

Before she could answer, Lann wrapped his hand around the back of her neck, pulled her against him, and splayed his other hand possessively over the exposed skin of her back.

Locking eyes with her, he said in a low voice, “I missed you,” and then he kissed her in a way that could leave no doubt in anyone’s mind what kind of relationship they shared.

She was breathless when he finally let her go. Diana gaped.

Jack gave her a cool look. “Next time, don’t lead men on if you’re taken.”

“I didn’t lead you on,” Kat said. “It was only a dance, and you insisted.” Next to her, Lann tensed. She laid her hand on his arm. “Let’s go.”

Lann didn’t budge. “Apologize to Katherine,” he said to Jack.

“She owes me an apology.”

“I think you misinterpreted her pity for interest,” Lann said in a measured tone.

Jack narrowed his eyes. “Excuse me?”

“Say thank you for the dance, and apologize for insulting her.”

“She was wrong!”

“The only one wrong here is you.”

“Fuck you both.”

Lann moved so fast, Kat didn’t know what was happening until his large hand was wrapped around Jack’s neck and the dancer’s feet were dangling in the air.

Crying out, Kat grabbed Lann’s arm. “Put him down. He’s not worth it.”