Zodiac Academy: The Awakening (Supernatural Beasts and Bullies #1)(84)

“Well I didn’t want you to drag me into your lap but that didn’t seem to stop you,” I muttered, though I was fairly sure that me still sitting there weighed against my argument somewhat.

Darius laughed again and I could feel the deep tone of it where his chest was pressed against my side.

Caleb shifted closer on my right and brushed his fingers against my arm, raising goosebumps along my skin. “I’ll even promise not to bite you tonight if you want?”

I caught Darcy’s eye and she offered me a shrug to let me know she was as unsure as I was. Max sent out another wave of relaxing energy and I felt my resolve shattering.

“I guess we could stay for one drink,” Darcy said hesitantly as Max stroked her arm, the press of his influence skittering through the air. We were surrounded by smiles that sent my heart fluttering and my gut plummeting in equal measures.

I was almost positive that this was a terrible idea but the tequila in my system, the Siren’s call and the table filled with gorgeous men were working hard against my better judgment.

“One drink then,” I agreed finally just as voluptuous bartender appeared with a smile and a notepad ready to take our order.

“Better make it a big one then if you’ll only stay for one,” Seth teased as he ordered for all of us.

Darius leaned back in his chair, pulling me closer as he brushed my hair away from my ear and I internally kicked myself as I moved nearer to hear what he was going to say. Guys like him were always a bad idea for me. It was like I had a magnet inside me which drew me towards the most ruthless kind of asshole despite the fact that I knew how it would end. And I’d never met one guy who could even begin to rival Darius Acrux’s dark and mysterious vibe let alone his devastatingly handsome features. I was powerless to stop my traitorous body from shifting against his, especially when his fingertips skimmed along my bare shoulder.

“Do you want to tell me about what happened in that alley?” he asked.

I couldn’t suppress the shiver that ran down my spine as I thought back to the shadowy figure who’d been stalking us.

“Is this the part where you laugh at us for falling for some prank you set up?” I asked, refusing to answer his question. “Was that one of your friends back there? Did you get someone to send the messages too?”

His dark gaze flickered for a moment and he seemed to stop himself from saying something.

“I don’t need to recruit anyone to do my handy work,” he replied dismissively. “Maybe I’m concerned for your wellbeing.”

I snorted in disbelief, shifting back so that I was no longer touching his chest. Yes he was stupid hot but he was also damn horrible when he wanted to be and I wasn’t going to fall for his Prince Charming act just because he’d decided to switch it on for me.

I turned away from him and found Caleb eyeing us with interest as the bartender returned with a tray full of drinks.

Darcy was telling Max about the fright we’d gotten in the alley as his arm stayed firmly around her waist, drinking in her fear like a big old leech. I wondered again why we’d let them convince us to join them and shifted my focus to the drinks as the bartender placed them down and Darius pressed a wedge of notes into her hand. It looked like way too much money to me but no doubt she’d earned the tip with her push-up bra.

The drinks were all the same; some tall mixture of liquor and coke and I took mine before anyone else reached for theirs. Caleb was still looking at me and I held his eye as I emptied the contents of the glass in one long drink. It was stupidly strong and I could feel it burning all the way down my throat where it joined the tequila I’d consumed earlier for a warm little party in my stomach.

“There you go,” I announced. “One drink.” I pushed out of Darius’s lap and he looked up at me in surprise, reaching out like he thought he might pull me back again but I stepped aside, offering him a flat smile.

Darcy smirked at me she got to her feet too, not even bothering to touch her own beverage. “See you later, guys,” she agreed as she walked away, clearly hurrying to break free of Max’s power before he upped the voltage again.

I made a move to follow her but Caleb stood and shot into my path using his Vampire speed. I arched an eyebrow at him as his eyes ran over me.

“I guess your word means shit then?” I asked as his gaze landed on my neck for an extra moment and I prepared for him to bite me.

“No. I said I won’t bite you tonight and I meant it,” he assured me with a teasing smile. “I’m just wondering where you’re going now?”

I considered his question for a moment. The night was still fairly young and we hadn’t had any immediate plans to head home before our run in with our mystery tormentor. Darcy had made it to the bar's entrance and was waiting for me, throwing Caleb a scowl for good measure.

“Dancing,” I replied simply as I brushed past him, my hands landing on his toned waist for a fraction of a second as I guided him out of my way. “You can always join us if you think you can keep up.”

Why did I just say that?

His navy eyes sparkled for a moment and I couldn’t stop a small smile in response. I let my gaze run over him for all of half a second then turned away to join my sister. Tequila always made me a sucker for a hot guy with asshole intentions and there were way too many of them about tonight.

I fell into step beside Darcy as we entered the bar and I looked around at the grey walls which sparkled with silver glitter in the dim light. The place was heaving and a huge dance floor took up the space at the far end of the room.