The music faded into silence.
I released the pole and took a breath.
My heart was still racing, my skin warm from the dancing.
I gave Ezra a small bow.
"Was that satisfactory, Master Ezra?"
For a moment, he didn't answer.
Then he stood.
My confidence faltered slightly.
He was even more intimidating standing in front of me.
"Come here."
Two simple words.
My stomach fluttered.
I forced myself to walk toward him.
One step.
Then another.
Until there was barely any space between us.
Ezra looked down at me.
His eyes traveled over my face before settling on mine.
"You're quite confident for someone who was shaking when she walked through my door."
My cheeks warmed.
"I wasn't shaking."
One corner of his mouth lifted.
"No?"
"No."
"Liar."
His voice was so low that the word seemed to brush against my skin.
I swallowed.
He noticed.
Of course he noticed.
"Are you always this stubborn?"
"Only when someone tells me I'm lying."
A quiet laugh escaped him.
It surprised me.
For someone with such a terrifying reputation, he had a beautiful smile.
I immediately regretted noticing.
Ezra stepped closer.
My back nearly brushed against the edge of the stage.
He leaned down just enough that his breath ghosted across my ear.
"You were nervous."
His fingers lightly brushed a strand of green hair away from my face.
"But you stopped being afraid."
I looked into his eyes.
"I had a reason to."
"And what was that?"
I smiled.
"I wanted to impress you."
His gaze darkened.
"Did you?"
I let my confidence return.
"Did it work?"
For several seconds, neither of us moved.
Then his hand settled beneath my chin, gently tilting my face upward.
"You are very dangerous, Rita Rain."
My pulse jumped.
"I thought vampires were supposed to be the dangerous ones."
His smile disappeared.
"Oh, darling…"
His thumb brushed lightly along my jaw.
"You have no idea."
The words sent a shiver through me.
I should have stepped away.
Instead, I stayed.
His face moved closer.
Not enough to kiss me.
Just enough that I could feel the warmth of his breath.
My eyes dropped briefly to his lips.
When I looked back up, he was already watching me.
He knew.
Damn him.
He leaned closer.
My heart hammered.
Then he stopped.
His lips hovered just beside mine.
"Tell me something, Rita."
My voice came out softer than I intended.
"What?"
"Why did you really come here tonight?"
My stomach dropped.
For the first time, I wondered if perhaps I wasn't the one playing the game.
Ezra smiled faintly.
And suddenly, the room felt much smaller.