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His powerful presence washed over her, and her heart quieted beneath her sternum. She turned, curling into his chest.

Safe.

He circled an arm around her waist. “I’ve got you. Just breathe.”

She pulled his masculine scent into her lungs. In. Out. The buzzing in her skull fell silent.

Everything else faded into the background.

The pounding music transitioned to something slower, softer. Dancers paired off, coming together with slow, sensuous moves. Lulled by the soulful melody, she slid her hands under Jericho’s jacket and wrapped her arms around him, her island in a turbulent sea.

He pressed his mouth against the top of her head. “Are you okay?”

“Yes.” She nodded. They’d been so careful with each other the past two weeks, maintaining a respectful distance—she’d forgotten how good this felt. She leaned closer, deciding she’d earned a moment of indulgence.

Fourteen

Jericho struggledto keep his rage in check, not wanting to subject Alex to any more abuse than Colin had already inflicted.

What was the bastard thinking, dragging Alex onto a crowded dance floor, then abandoning her?

Alex’s soft curves conformed to his chest. Her slender arms circled his back. He exhaled the breath he didn’t realize he was holding, letting her warmth soothe him. From the moment they’d exited the car, his tension had mounted. Every male who’d dared to glance in her direction he’d wanted to tear apart.

Gods, she was beautiful tonight and even harder to resist. The silver dress flattered her figure in the most tempting of ways. With her long legs and generous curves, he’d found it hard to keep his eyes off her. Good thing, too, since Colin had tossed her into a sea of gyrating bodies. He never should have allowed his meddling partner to lead Alex away from him.

Her feminine fragrance teased his senses, and he resisted the urge to caress her back. This was the closest he’d allowed himself to come to her in weeks. An image of Liam lying in bed in medical surfaced, as it tended to do when he was close to her. For once, he shoved it away.

There was nothing dishonorable about dancing with Liam’s female. Right? His conscience disagreed. Even this innocent act filled him with guilt.

Since Alex had entered his life, he’d never been so conflicted. The foreign emotion was unsettling. He grew weary of the constant push and pull. He’d blame her for ensnaring him in her thrall, but he knew better. Blaming her for his own shortcomings was beneath him. Alex’s heart was pure. Her intentions honorable. Gods save him, but he’d come to respect the faerie he held in his arms.

He saw now what Liam had seen in her. Much to his own detriment.

Alex stirred, turning her head. Beside them, Colin slow danced with the blonde in the red dress, his hands cupping her plump rear end.

“Colin.” The name was a deep rumble of annoyance within Jericho’s chest. When the couple swayed in their direction, Jericho grabbed Colin’s arm. “What the hell were you thinking, dragging Alex out here?”

Colin’s blonde dance partner took one look at Jericho’s furious scowl and paled. She stammered something about the ladies’ room and hobbled away as fast as her platform heels would carry her.

Colin’s shoulders slumped, and he turned to face them. His eyes tracked the way Jericho still shielded Alex from the throng, and his face lit with satisfaction. The bastard looked way too pleased with himself. What the hell was his partner up to now? Jericho could knock that smirk off his face with one well-aimed punch.

Colin smoothed his face into a mask of wide-eyed innocence. “I brought her out here because I thought Alex should stretch herself. After all, her next meeting might involve more than a simple bar manag—”

Screams ripped through the boisterous crowd. Raised voices and panicked shouts rose over the music. Dancers stumbled back from the far end of the floor, tripping over each other in their haste.

“What’s going on?” Alex eased back, rising on her toes to see through the thickening mob.

“Ahhhh!”Arms and legs flailing, a man sailed over the heads of the cowering dancers, bellowing his terror. He crashed into the throng, knocking people down like bowling pins. The crowd surged in a rolling tidal wave of terror, fleeing the dance floor.

A chilling roar sent the mass of people scrambling for the doors. Once there, they piled on top of one another like a herd of stampeding cattle. Dread flooded Jericho. Whatever had made that noise was threatening enough to send a roomful of supernatural creatures running.

“They’re rushing the exits. It’s too late to get Alex out,” Colin shouted over the noise. “Head for the bar. Over there.”

Jericho swept Alex into his arms while Colin plowed a path through the mayhem, leading them to the bar front at the side of the room. Before Alex could object, Jericho placed her on the counter, spun her, then slid her over the other side. Her feet hit the ground, and she stumbled, catching her balance.

“Get down and stay put,” he ordered.

“Maybe I can help,” she argued, her face pale and eyes stark. “I mean, I haven’t used my ability in a defensive way since Slade in the library, but I could try.”