I nodded, my head bobbing up and down. “Yup, yup, yup,” I said, giggling. I felt so warm and relaxed. I liked Kisten’s dance club.

Kisten’s brow furrowed. He glanced at the overdressed man everyone was laughing at, then back to me. “Rachel, this will only take a moment. Is that okay?”

I was watching the lights again, and he turned my chin to look at him. “Yes,” I said, moving my mouth slowly so it would come out right. “I’ll wait right here. You go open the floor.” Someone bumped me, and I almost fell into him. “I like your club, Kisten. It’s fab.”

Kisten stood me upright, waiting until I had my balance before letting go. The crowd had started to chant his name, and he raised a hand in acknowledgment. They redoubled their calls, and I put my hands over my ears. The music pounded into me.

Kisten gestured to someone at the bottom of the stairs, and I watched Steve take them two at a time, moving his hulking size like it was nothing. “Is she what I think she is?” Kisten asked the big man as he came close.

“Ye-e-e-e-ah,” the big man drawled as they both peered at me. “She’s blood-sugared. But she’s a witch.” Steve’s eyes left me and fixed on Kisten. “Isn’t she?”

“Yes,” Kisten said, almost having to shout over the noise from the people for him to take the mike. “She’s been bitten, but she’s not bound to anyone. Maybe that’s why.”

“Vampy, vampy pher…uh…pher—” I licked my lips, frowning. “Pheromones,” I said, my eyes wide. “Mmmm, nice. How come Ivy never feels like this?”

“Because Ivy is a tightass.” Kisten frowned. A sigh shifted him, and I reached for his shoulders. He had nice shoulders, all hard with muscle and possibility.

Kisten took my hands from him and held them before me. “Steve, stay with her.”

“Sure, boss,” the big vampire said, moving to stand beside and slightly behind me.

“Thanks.” Kisten peered into my eyes, holding them. “I’m sorry, Rachel,” he said. “This isn’t your fault. I didn’t know this would happen. I’ll be right back.”

He shifted away, and I reached out after him, blinking at the tumult that rose as he took the center of the room. Kisten stood for a moment, looking sexy in his Italian suit as he gathered his thoughts with his head bowed and waited. He was working the crowd before he even said a word; I couldn’t help but be impressed. A closed-lipped, roguish smile quirked his mouth when he pulled his head up, eyeing them from under his blond bangs. “Holy shit,” he whispered into the mike, and the crowd cheered. “What the hell are you all doing here?”

“Waiting for you!” a female voice shouted.