Page 68 of Red Fury

“Damien.” Bella’s voice cuts through my focus as she cups my face in her hands, forcing me to look at her. “Your friend is fine. You don’t have to worry about her. I’m here…I’ll take care of you.”

She presses her breasts against my chest, her lips brushing my ear as she whispers something I can’t process. All I can focus on is the sight across the dance floor, where Roman has caught up to Shadow.

From this angle, I can just make out most of what’s happening. He leans in close to her, his mouth near her ear as they talk. Then his hand comes up to cup her jaw, and for a heart-stopping moment, I’m sure he’s going to kiss her. I can tell he wants to.

My dragon snarls beneath my skin, desperate to break free and tear that bastard’s throat out.

Shadow says something, and thank fuck, Roman doesn’t kiss her. Instead, he takes her hand and pulls her into a slow, intimate dance that has nothing to do with the pounding beat of the music. His hands are on her waist, and she moves against him in a way that makes my vision go narrow.

“Are you even listening to me?” Bella demands, her voice sharp with irritation.

I’m not. I can’t. Every cell in my body is focused on watching Shadow move her hips in a way that’s driving me fucking insane. The way Roman’s hands slide along her back, the way she tilts her head back when he whispers something that makes her smile.

My hands clench into fists on the arms of my chair.

Suddenly, Bella’s hand slides between my legs, her palm pressing against my cock through my jeans. “Let’s get out of here,” she whispers. “I want to fuck you so badly. I know you want it too.”

Her touch hits me like a bucket of ice water. I shoot to my feet, setting her firmly on the ground.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” I snap. “I’m not interested. I’m not sure how to make that any clearer than I already have.”

Her eyes widen. “Yeah, but I thought… I… You seemed interested.”

“I what? When did I give you the impression that I wanted your hands all over me?” My anger at watching Shadow with Roman is spilling over, but I can’t seem to stop myself from giving her a piece of my mind. “I’m not interested in you, Bella. I never was and I never will be. Get that into your head.” My words are stinging.

Their effect is instant. Bella’s eyes well up with tears, and without another word, she turns and flees toward a more secluded area of the VIP section.

Fuck.

I immediately feel like a complete asshole. None of this is her fault. She was just being friendly; maybe a little forward, but I didn’t have to tear her head off like that.

I groan and run my hand over my face. It isn’t Bella’s fault that I’m tied up in knots over a certain she-dragon.

I follow the human to a small alcove, where she’s wiping tears from her cheeks, her shoulders shaking slightly.

Craaaap.

“Bella…um…hey,” I say softly, approaching slowly like she’s a wounded animal. “I’m so sorry. I was completely out of line just now.”

She whirls around, anger replacing the hurt in her eyes. “Yes, you were! That was cruel, Damien. I thought you were interested, that’s all.”

“I know,” I say. “You’re right. I was being an asshole, and you didn’t deserve that. I shouldn’t have said those things. I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

She crosses her arms, studying my face. “What’s really going on? This isn’t about me, is it?”

I sigh, the fight going out of me. “I have feelings for someone else,” I tell her. It’s not true. I don’t have feelings for Shadow. I’m attracted to her, but that’s it. I’m just trying to let Bella down easy. “I only just realized it tonight.”

“Claire,” she says immediately, and it’s not a question.

I nod, because it’s easier than explaining the complicated truth. “Yes.”

Bella’s expression softens. “I saw the way you were looking at her. And the way she was looking at you. It made me a little jealous. I shouldn’t have touched you like that.” She looks down at her feet. “It was wrong of me. You’re jealous, aren’t you?”

“Maybe,” I mutter.

“More than maybe. You should go after her. I think she likes you, too. I’m not sure why she’s wasting her time with that other guy.” She steps closer and opens her arms. “Can I have a hug? No hard feelings?”

“Of course.” I wrap her up in my arms, still feeling like an asshole.