“Yeah, well, she can have Prince Stiffo and everything that goes with him. That is, if you decide he isn’t worth your time, either.”
A small smile flitted on her lips. “We’ll see. Haven’t given up on that princess dream yet.”
“I see your prince now.”
Cate watched Prince Viktor and his brother stalk through the door of the club. He hadn’t changed his outfit either, but Prince Leo had changed into a pair of tight black pants and a leather top with gold detailing. Immediately, the younger of the two moved toward the ladies. Viktor followed, a disapproving frown firmly set on his face.
“Good evening, ladies.” Leo’s boyish smile stretched from ear to ear. He gave them a wink and then held his hand out to Jezebel. “Fancy a dance?”
The look she gave him could’ve frozen boiling water. Still, she accepted his hand and followed him out to the crowded dance floor.
A minute passed by in silence as the three of them watched the dancers.
“This is awkward.” Joy giggled a little too loudly. “Three ladies, two partners. Whatever are we going to do?”
“I don’t plan on dancing.” Viktor crossed his arms and scanned the crowd with a heavy brow.
“Oh.” Joy squeaked, her eyes cast downwards.
Cate could’ve kicked him. Couldn’t he see how much a single dance would mean to her? It wasn’t a marriage proposal.
Stepping close enough to him so that her friend couldn’t hear, Cate brushed up against the prince and reached up to her tip toes to whisper in his ear. “By my count, you have exactly thirty seconds left of this song before Duchess Jezebel comes swimming out of that pack faster than a shark who smells blood. And she’s coming straight for you. Save yourself and ask Lady Joy for a dance. Before it’s too late...”
His arms dropped and she could’ve sworn she heard him gulp.
“Lady Joy, would you give me the honor of the next dance.” He turned to her and held out his hand.
The excitement in Joy’s face could’ve lit up every dark corner of the club. She batted her eyelids a few times before nodding and taking his hand.
Thank you, she mouthed over her shoulder as they headed toward the dance floor. Cate gave her two thumbs up and went to find herself a vacant stool.
It was interesting to know her theory about Viktor avoiding Jezebel was correct
. She shook her head in amusement. Maybe he wasn’t as vain and emotionless as she thought. Joy could make him a great partner. She had a way of lightening up the darkest moods. Viktor could use a little lightening. His face seemed frozen in a disapproving frown every time she saw him.
Cate turned her attention to scanning the room for Stasia. She’d abandoned them at the salon, leaving Cate to stew in her uncertainty about the entire situation. There were certainly enough of the camera crew about. They focused in on the dancers, moving in and out of the crowd.
But no luck. Stasia was nowhere to be found. She swallowed down the disappointment. The sooner she came clean, the better. The build up to this confession was starting to make her jumpy. Her stomach bounced around in her stomach as if a frog had taken up residence there.
Deciding to look for her on the other side of the room, she stood and ran directly into a brick wall. Except, it wasn’t a wall. Once again, she found herself bouncing off of Viktor’s steel abs, but this time he held her tight so that she wouldn’t fall.
“I believe it’s your turn,” he said, his voice husky.
She looked up at him. From this distance, she could see the golden yellow in his eyes and the way the muscles in his square jaw twitched as he stared back. His arms were surprisingly strong, with big hands that spanned the length of her waist. Now, it was her turn to gulp.
“I don’t plan on dancing.” The words sounded lame to her own ears.
“I don’t think so.” He shook his head. She thought she saw the hint of a grin, but his lips returned to their customary frown. “You’ve made it your mission to save me from Duchess Jezebel. If we don’t dance, I’ll fall victim to her blood thirst. You wouldn’t want to be responsible for that, would you?”
“I suppose not...” It was hard to think with his body pressed up against hers. She bit her bottom lip and made a face. “Just one, though. You’re on your own the rest of the night.”
“Deal.”
He led her out to the dance floor. Five young men had surrounded Jezebel, their bodies pumping with the music. She shot daggers at Cate as the strobe light hit her face, making for a terrifying picture. Joy and Prince Leo were having a grand time next to them, pulling out some vintage dance moves like the running man and the sprinkler.
Just then, the music changed. A much slower song began to spill from the speakers. The dancers around them groaned and began to partner off. Joy was swept into a dance by a large gentleman with a sweet smile and Leo found himself a pretty partner with giant hoop earrings. Jezebel disappeared into the crowd, no doubt headed to the bar.
“I guess we should...” Viktor motioned awkwardly and held out his hands to her.