I ran my hands down his arms, resting them briefly on his biceps. My mouth was insistent and continued to press against his. I trailed one hand down his body and he groaned suddenly, his lips parting. My tongue darted inside his mouth and the catcalls and whoops faded into background noise. It was just me and Byron. A moment later, he gave in and began kissing me back. He raised his arms, looping them over my head, and pulled me closer to him. Blood roared in my ears. God, he tasted good. I moaned slightly ‒ and then I was blinking as something wet splattered my face.

Drawing back, I saw Jamie looking overly contrite, holding a glass and apologising. ‘I’m so sorry! I tripped!’

Byron yanked his arms back and stared at me, confusion clouding his gaze. His eyes swept across my features and for a moment I was assailed with panic that the Illusion was fading. Then he shook himself slightly. ‘Get up,’ he muttered.

I paused, unsure whether to obey or not but my body was lifted as his Gift pushed me to my feet. Byron got up as well, swaying from side to side. ‘Thish lovely policewoman wantsh to take me in for questioning,’ he said aloud. I tilted my head. He should be careful, he was overdoing the slurring. And what on earth was he up to? ‘We’re going to go upshtairsh to a more private room.’

His friends’ response was a mixture of disappointed boos and encouraging shouts. Byron jerked his head at Jamie who nodded and led the way. ‘I’ll show you where you can go,’ he said, half smiling. Close up, there was no denying that he was worried.

Jamie led the way as the yells behind us got louder. Someone muttered that they should have hired more than one stripper. I tried not to shudder and allowed myself a sneaky look at Aifric. He wasn’t watching me; he grinned in amusement at his son then turned away to talk to an older man.

The three of us tripped up the stairs and into a room on the left. Jamie closed the door behind us and locked it, while I told myself I wasn’t nervous.

Byron dropped the act immediately. He flicked his magic towards his bound wrists and the handcuffs fell off and clattered to the floor. He ran a hand through his hair. ‘Who are you?’ he hissed.

I smiled. ‘Who would you like me to be?’

He snarled and whirled away. ‘Pay her,’ he snapped at Jamie.

‘We can’t just let her walk away,’ Jamie answered. ‘Not now you’re supposed to be up here and…’

Jeez. Even with everything else that was going on, I really hadn’t thought that Byron was this sleazy. He cursed under his breath.

I found my voice, only just remembering in time to alter it so I didn’t sound like myself. ‘I’m a stripper,’ I said, ‘not a hooker.’

‘Relax. Nothing’s going to happen.’ Byron looked at Jamie. ‘This could work in our favour. She’s the perfect diversion.’ He bunched his fists. He seemed unable to look me directly in the eye. Was that because I’d ignited his desire and he was embarrassed about it? If only I’d not set my own lust alight at the same time. ‘We’ll pay you triple,’ he said, ‘if you stay up here and don’t tell anyone.’