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Mindy hives. She’d always been a “what you see is what you get” kind of girl, and she’d been okay with that until tonight. Now Mindy wished just once that she were someone different. The kind of woman that the man at the end of the bar wouldn’t be able to resist. The kind of woman who was brave enough to approach him without throwing up on his shoes.
    If only I were that kind of woman... Mindy sighed.
    The music changed to a more up-tempo beat. Mindy slipped away from Marco and Emmett, away from the man at the end of the bar, and away from her troubles.
    She strolled out onto the dance floor, where a few other girls were already dancing. Mindy allowed the music to seep inside her, until she could feel every note pulsing in her bones. Her body swayed gently at first, then found the rhythm.
    When was the last time she felt this free?
    Mindy couldn’t remember. Didn’t care. She let the music wash over her and move her body. Her hips swayed and she ran her hands down her sides as she rocked to the beat.
     
    * * * * *
     
    Nic couldn’t tear his gaze away from the woman in red as she swayed provocatively on the dance floor. That vintage dress she wore accentuated her voluptuous curves and fair skin, making her appear luminous in the low lighting. Her fluid movements hinted at the passion she kept buttoned up behind that high collar.
    She looked young—innocent, but he’d never been good at guessing anyone’s true age. The woman rolled her hips and ran her hands over her body.
    Drool formed in his mouth. Nic had to swallow hard to keep from embarrassing himself. Every muscle in his body tightened and his skin burned. He reminded himself again that this woman was human and not one of the Kin.
    Nic watched her dance until the song ended. He was awash with disappointment when she slowly strolled back to the bar, back to the pups who’d been nipping at her cute kitten heels.
     
    * * * * *
     
    Mindy made her way back to the bar and ordered a wine spritzer.
    “Nice dance,” the striking bartender said, then grinned.
    “Thanks,” she said, but Mindy hadn’t danced for him or anyone else. That dance had been for her.
    The bartender quickly made her drink, then placed the cocktail in front of her. “If you need anything else, just ask for Lucien,” he said.
    She smiled and gave him a quick nod.
    A moment later, Lucien added five more drinks to go with the first.
    “I didn’t order these,” she said.
    He looked at her, his green eyes mesmerizing. “I know, jolie femme . They did.” Lucien indicated to the men behind her.
    “Oh.” Mindy reached into her purse for her money.
    Lucien stopped her with a light touch to her hand. “It’s already covered.”
    A growl came from the end of the bar. Mindy turned to see who’d made the odd noise, and so did everyone else at the bar. The sandy-haired man she’d been attracted to earlier was staring at the bartender’s hand with a mutinous expression on his face.
    “Well now, that is interesting,” the bartender said, slowly removing his hand from hers.
    “Did he just growl?” Mindy asked. She couldn’t have heard him correctly. People didn’t growl.
    The bartender blinked. It was the only indication she got that let her know that she’d surprised him with the question.
    “I mean no offense when I say this,” Lucien said. “But I think perhaps you’re in the wrong establishment.”
    Mindy thought the same thing, but stubbornness kept her rooted in place. Isabel wasn’t the only one in her family capable of having a good time. She was determined to prove to her sister, to Celina, and to herself that some part of the “real” Mindy still existed. All she needed was the chance.
    “I wish people would stop saying that,” she murmured.
    Why did everyone think they knew what was best for me? She wasn’t a child. She was twenty-five years old.
    With a grim expression on his lovely face, he gave her a slight bow. “As you wish.”
     
    * * * * *
     
    Nic