Heart of Darkness by Lauren Dane Page B

head. “I’m not surprised. It suits you. Being totally perfect might offend the gods.”
    The sweet confused pleasure on his face made her weak in the knees.
    And then his mouth was on hers again, his taste back where it belonged. Rough hands hauled her close as she opened to his tongue, groaning as he nipped her bottom lip.
    The music from outside thumped against the walls, the bass line throbbing deep in her belly.
    His hands were on her hips and sliding upward to cup her breasts.
    Hers were on his belt, yanking at it when someone banged on the door and he broke the kiss with a snarl.
    “We’ll pick up where we left off later. I’m sorry.” He touched his forehead to hers before easing away, but keeping her hand in his.
    Simon came in and looked between the two of them. “Evening, Meriel. You look beautiful. Dom, we need to move some cash to the safe. We’re at capacity. Bar’s been full all night long.”
    “Of course.” He turned to Meriel. “I need to sign some paperwork. Would you like a drink while I do this? I’ll set you up at my table; no, not the one with all the women in it from last night.”
    “Am I that obvious?”
    He kissed her again, hard. “Bloodthirsty.”
    It was rather exciting to know a man like that thought her bloodthirsty.
    “Let’s get you settled and then I’ll make very quick work out of this business to get back to you.”
    True to his word, he escorted her to a table in a far corner. It was tucked back into an alcove of sorts, but offered great views of the entire club. She liked to watch him change from her date into a business owner. He lost all that roguish charm and hardened his features while keeping them polite.
    “Now lookie here.”
    She turned in her seat to take Gage in as he slid into the booth beside her a few minutes later.
    “What on earth is Meriel Owen doing right here in a box that looks a little like something the owner would use?” His smirk made her laugh.
    “I’m here on a date with Dominic. This is his table. He had to go sign something or whatever.”
    “Is this why you sounded so sad this morning?”
    “This is such a long story I honestly don’t have the energy to recount it all to you now.”
    “Nell’s back tomorrow. If I can see how different your magick looks, you think she’s going to miss it?”
    “If I tell you, it’s as my friend, not as a member of council staff.”
    “I would never betray your confidences, Meriel.”
    “He’s my bond-mate.” She blurted it, knowing if she didn’t, she’d never get it out. “But he grew up outclan. He’s not ready yet and he doesn’t have to be. He needs time and I’m giving it to him.”
    Gage nodded, blowing out a breath. “All right. Can I help at all?”
    She let out the tension from holding her breath. “You just did. Thanks for listening. Anything new on the mages?”
    “And you are?” Dominic slid into the booth on Meriel’s other side, getting so close he enfolded her into his side, his arm along the back of her seat.
    “This is Gage. He’s a friend and also runs the hunter crew for Nell. Gage, this is Dominic.”
    Gage gave Dominic a long up-and-down look and Meriel leaned back into Dominic, needing to soothe. Which worked because the tension in his arm lessened and he slid his fingertip in a figure eight up and down her shoulder.
    “I wanted to come out here to check the place over. See where I stood on the topic of this place being allowed to remain or not. I like what I see. Strong wards. I worry about the line of entry being through a space filled with humans. But I believe we can benefit from a place all the local Others are able to hang out and be ourselves.”
    “ Allowed to remain?”
    She turned to look at him. “I told you exposure is a risk and that we had to assess all risks.”
    He interrupted before she could continue. “And you never thought to tell me any of this? About some move to shut me down? How the hell can I trust you enough to be your bond-mate