watched the woman order a drink. Sparks flew as she and Lucien spoke. The attraction between them was undeniable. Almost as strong as what they’d experienced before he discovered what she was. Lucien touched her lightly. Nic’s wolf grumbled before he could stop it.
Everyone turned to look at him with shocked expressions on their faces. Everyone but Lucien. His best friend was having a hard time keeping a straight face.
Lucien said something to the woman, then walked to the end of the bar where Nic stood. “It’s nice to know that there’s still some life in you, mon ami . I was beginning to wonder.” Speculation replaced some of his amusement.
“Funny,” Nic said. “What can you tell me about her?”
Why had he asked? He didn’t want to know her, didn’t want anything to do with her. He wasn’t looking to hook up with a human, even one as delectable as her.
Lucien cocked his hip against the bar. “Not much,” he said. “Just that she doesn’t belong here.”
* * * * *
Chapter Four
The alcohol continued to flow, giving the men circling around Mindy liquid courage. She nursed her wine spritzer and danced alone a few more times.
The men grew more brazen. Marco and Emmett were determined to get her drunk and weren’t above showing their displeasure over the fact that she hadn’t touched the other drinks in front of her.
The man at the end of the bar continued to stare at her, but it was obvious he wasn’t going to act upon their attraction. He’d made that perfectly clear. Once again, Mindy thought about approaching him, but the idea abandoned her when she noted his grim expression.
She’d never been good at reading people, only animals. People were complicated. Animals’ needs were simple. It was why she’d gone into veterinary medicine.
Sticks continued to fill with people. The press of warm bodies around her made it hard to breathe. Emmett and Marco had been competing for the past hour to see who could get her to agree to a date. They were both beyond cute. Too bad they weren’t her type. Deflecting their constant advances wore on her, and eventually she’d had enough.
Mindy pushed the last of her drink away and stood. She couldn’t take it anymore. Celina was right. This wasn’t her type of place. She waved goodbye to Lucien, then stepped away from the bar.
“Excuse me,” she said to Marco and Emmett when she squeezed by.
“The bathrooms are down the hall on the right,” Marco said.
“Thanks,” Mindy said. “But I think I’m just going to head home. It was nice meeting you both.”
“Don’t go,” Marco said. “You just got here.”
Mindy glanced at her watch. She’d been there for over an hour. To a homebody, that felt like an eternity. “It’s late and I have to work tomorrow. Thank you again for the drink.” She didn’t wait for them to respond. Mindy simply pushed past them and walked away.
She took a deep breath when she got outside. The air filled her lungs and cooled her heated skin. Mindy toddled across the parking lot toward her car. Her PJs and slippers were calling to her. Maybe she’d manage to get in an hour of studying before she went to bed.
“You’re such a coward,” she muttered. “You should’ve at least walked up to him and said hello.”
It was too late now. She’d probably never see the man at the end of the bar again. Mindy was so lost in thought that she didn’t hear the footsteps coming up behind her until they were upon her.
Marco and Emmett suddenly appeared out of the dark. “W-what are you guys doing?” She looked around, hoping someone was nearby, but they were alone.
“We wanted to make sure you got to your car okay,” Marco said.
“Yeah, it’s dark. Anything could happen,” Emmett added.
“Thanks, but I’m already here.” She pointed behind her.
Undeterred, the men kept coming. Mindy backed up and didn’t stop until she hit her car. The second she touched the metal doorframe, the men caged