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“Coke,” Ree said.
“You can have one drink. We’ll be here for hours.”
“Designated drivers don’t drink, Merc. Be thankful I’m responsible.”
“It wouldn’t kill you to be a little irresponsible from time to time,” she said, giving her a nudge. “It’s fun.”
“Just a Coke,” Ree said.
Mercy blew out a breath and leaned on the counter, giving her order to a big guy with sandy-blond hair and bright green eyes. He flashed a smile at her, then made her vodka and cranberry juice. He slid it across the counter and dropped two thin straws into the liquid. “Just a Coke? Whatever you want is free,” he said.
“She’s the desi,” Mercy said.
“Ah, that’s cool.”
Mercy turned to the crowd, scanning the faces to see if she could find her clients. She absolutely didn’t look at the door to see if the sexy bouncer was staring at her.
Oops!
Oh, he was!
She bit her bottom lip and purposely looked back into the crowd. The back of her neck tingled suddenly, and she had a distinct fight-or-flight urge sweep through her. Next to her, Ree spun slowly and stared into the crowd of dancing people, which seemed to instinctively part for a huge man stalking through them toward her sister.
He stopped less than a foot from Ree, towering over her. Mercy knew he was a lion shifter because she’d overheard her client say that lions’ eyes were gold when their beasts were close to the surface. Whatever the hell that meant.
“I’m Duke Fairborn,” he said to Ree, lifting her hand and kissing it.
“Memory Hendrix, but my friends call me Ree.”
Duke looked at the man behind the bar. “Clear a booth for us.”
The man jumped to action as if someone had jolted him with electricity, hustling to a booth against one wall.
“Join me.”
“I... I’m human?”
Mercy barely stifled the snort. Her sister was adorable.
“Are you asking or telling?” Duke asked.
“No. I mean, I’m human and you’re... not.”
“I’m aware. Don’t be afraid of me.”
“Said the big bad wolf.”
He grinned, and it was the sort of smile that Mercy thought the real Big Bad Wolf had actually given to Little Red Riding Hood. All fangs and promises.
“Lion,” he corrected.
Mercy internally fist-bumped herself for getting his animal correct. Something very interesting was going on between the big man and her sister.
“You’ll join me?” Duke asked.
Ree suddenly looked at Mercy. “My sister.”
“I’m fine on my own,” Mercy said, putting up her free hand. “I’m Mercy, by the way.”
