Sal.' Ruth waved back as Mason slipped his hand down further and squeezed.
`So you packed that dress for me, then?'
`Look.' Ruth turned and he rolled her into his chest, arms around her. `When I packed, it just went in. I know Sacha gave it to me, and I know what it does.'
`Uh-huh.' He let her go. `She did have a great sense for style. The dress is made for you, but tonight it will get you into trouble. It screams sex.'
`Maybe.' Ruth smiled as his eyes roamed over her. `Maybe not.' The tight shirt he wore made her heart thump. She loved him in black jeans and a tight shirt.
`What about shoes? I gather you packed them too.'
`Of course.' She went to the wardrobe and dug out a pair of shoes. When she stood up she stopped at Mason's expression.
`If you do that tonight anywhere, make sure you roll the hem down again.' He winked. Ruth felt it, the cool breeze on her. She tossed him his boots as her ears warmed.
`I forgot it did that.' She pulled the hem back down, suddenly excited.
Mason pulled his boots on. `Tonight is going to be hard for me, but I will do my best, Ruth. And if you and she…'
Her excitement died but she saw him push his fear aside.
`I felt what Gaia wants us to do. But it's not me. You're different, Ruth, and I have always accepted that. But there's a lot we don't know about the sisters or their family yet.'
`You didn't see them how I saw them, Mason. They're scared as well.'
`All I am saying is, be aware Ruth. Trust your instincts. If you feel threatened, react.'
`What if I feel safe and desired?' She did. The thought of Nikki's touch made goosebumps rise up. Mason's nose flared as he pulled in a deep breath. He knew.
`I trust you. If you feel it's right then I accept that. But we stick together tonight, even if you do—'
`Okay, let's not over-think this, sweetie.' Ruth sat on his lap and he sighed, half-smiling. `If there's a fight, you'll be there. If Nikki throws herself at me, you'll be there. If there's dancing—'
`You're on your own.' He picked her up and Ruth hung on. The look in his eyes, one she hadn't seen for a long time, warned her what was about to happen.
`Don't you dare put me over your shoulder!' She held him tightly as he poked his tongue out at her. `Mason!'
`Well, you have a choice.' He held her tight against his chest, looking outside. `I can't have you wandering through the resort dressed like that. What will the Joneses think? Wilson's already given you the look. So, either I wrap you in a sheet and lug you around over my shoulder—'
`Mason, don't you dare!'
His eyes blackened. `Or we move so fast no one can see us.'
`Oh.' Ruth bit her lip as he walked outside. `Can you do that without, um, him coming?'
`Oh yes.' He put her down. `Take off your shoes. Don't want to lose them, do we?' She slipped them off and held them. Mason scooped her up in his arms again and blood pounded in her ears.
He laughed. `I thought this would excite you.'
`Go,' she whispered as her breath caught. The world blurred and Mason's body hummed against hers. `Holy shit.'
He stopped. The ocean lay before them. Waves rolled onto the beach. Muffled music thumped behind her.
`Amazing.' Ruth wet her lips. The sensation of him running so fast and the wild buzz of the speed had her heart pounding. `Nothing touched me. No trees or bugs.'
`No, they won't while I hold you.' He looked out over the ocean. `Nothing will ever hurt you while I hold you, Ruth. Nothing.'
`I know that.' She touched his face. `You're hot.' She touched his neck. `Flushed as well. I thought you could control all that when you're like this.'
`Yeah.' He put her down onto the footpath and Ruth slipped her shoes on, pulling the hem down automatically. `Blame it on the dress.'
`Very funny.' She watched as his eyes faded back to Mason's. `You're nervous again.'
`Nope, not me.'
He grabbed her hand and they headed for the source of the music. Ruth kept up, excited. Mason was too, but he was trying to hide it.
Ruth went first down the concrete stairs, towards the nightclub doors. Mason hesitated and Ruth stopped. He had never been so indecisive. `Relax, honey.' Ruth pulled his hand and he didn't resist. `Just be yourself. If there's any fighting or fucking we do it together and if there's dancing—'
`You're on your own,' he sighed and nodded. `Christ, you're a bad influence on me.'
`The worst.' She stopped at the big steel doors. The music sent waves of tiny vibrations over her, making her skin tighten.
`You feel that?' He touched the doors. `Hell, it's dance music with some sort of sonic vibration in it. Wonder what it is.'
Ruth knew. The music had already made her nipples harden and blood warmed her chest. `It makes you horny!'
`Christ.' Mason pulled the door open and Ruth didn't hesitate. She slipped under his arm into the chaos of sound, lights and scents.
Mason tried to focus. The club was full, the music loud and the air thick with scents. He shifted, uncomfortable with his arousal. It was an unexpected distraction.
`Stop glaring, will you?' Ruth's voice came clear to him through the music. `Oh, hi.'
The girl Ruth had spoken to caught his attention. Her singlet was sheer, but it was the scars he noticed. Bite marks. Bloodells bite marks.
`Mason!' Ruth stepped on his foot. `Stop staring.'
`Sorry.' He looked at the girl's face. Her eyes were hooded and she held his gaze. `Oh, sorry.' He felt his face warm. Most of the marks were on her breasts. She didn't smell like a Bloodells.
`You know what they are.' It wasn't a question.
`Yes,' he said, seeing her now. It was hard but as he let the hunter in him go, the girl's face became real to him. She was beautiful but her eyes were old. `You survived.'
`They didn't.' She tilted her head at him. `I'm Miekia.'
`I'm Ruth.' She stepped in between him and Miekia. Mason blinked. Miekia's face softened and her smile was warm.
`I know,' she said with a wink. `Come on. Nikki has a private booth.' She turned and Ruth followed. Mason saw more bite marks on her back. The miniskirt she wore revealed that bite marks were even on her thighs. Driving away the memories of what Bloodells could do, his arousal burned as he watched her walk away.
He followed, then stopped and looked around, eyes refocused. `Christ.' The club was full of women. He was suddenly aware of the eyes on him and felt a bead of sweat run down his back.
`Mason.'
