ONCE INSIDE
The club lights loomed in over-dyed rays on the dance floor packed with sweaty bodies. Drums pounded through the speakers, lacing themselves with a rumbling piano and brass capable of Armageddon. Brennen Mulray sat his drink on the bar, scanning the crowd for something 'interesting'. The bustle of Latin music flooded his senses, digging deep into the man. If he found the right one, he would move. It really wasn't in him to go out on the floor, but tonight, much like the vodka in his glass, the bass was in his veins.
"Look at Shalimar." Jesse nudged his teammate. They men burst into laughter watching the otherwise sensual feral shake like a drunken college girl. "That guy's gonna ditch her if she doesn't catch on."
Brennen took another sip of his drink, continuing to smirk at the blonde. He'd never seen her so loose before. Pretty soon, the reason for that looseness came strutting across the floor.
"Jordan!" she grinned, pulling the woman from her mission for a much needed drink. "Jordan, come dance with me!" She could only smile as the feral grabbed her hand, pulling the woman between herself and her date. "I think I've got it!"
"No, you don't."
Shalimar pouted, pulling the woman's arm. "Then show me again."
Brennen sat tracing the ring of his glass as he watched the women. Jordan, he thought. Now there was one he could amuse himself with. The leggy woman steadied Shalimar, gesturing for her to not use so much shoulder. Then, placing her hands on the blonde's hips, she showed her teammate the basic steps to the Salsa. The elemental watched in silent thought, his eyes now leaving the blonde to focus on Jordan. Yeah, he thought. Ms. Sage was trouble.
Jesse looked in the direction of his teammate, a smile playing on his lips. He'd watch Brennen stare at her before. The molecular had to admit, even though he saw her a sister, the woman was beautiful. She was a tall, honey colored black woman with a pair of legs that had been killing most of the men in the room. Her slender hips and low-slung backside set off a nearly non-existent waist and soft, full breasts. Men had been eyeing her since they arrived that night, and who could blame them? Her silky dreds, that usually hung in long ropes down her spine, now pulled back in into a bun so she could move. Jordan was one of those who came to the club for the purest of reasons. She needed to dance, sweat and didn't care of how she looked to others. Even now, with Shalimar, the two seemed sensual together. The feral's date was at her back now, holding her lower hips as Jordan slowly let go. Jesse turned back to the elemental, whose eyes had yet to detach from the women. "Leave it to Jordan to show Shal how to move."
"Oh yeah." Brennen replied. He didn't know who had his eye more: the petite blonde in the red dress, or the exotic woman in the black dress, with a slit that should have been illegal. Jordan moved like a lover against anyone she danced with-maybe that's why Shalimar's date had stuck around. "Jordan definitely can handle hers."
"Well," Jesse smirked as his eyes focused on a brunette waving him over to the floor. "I'm gonna go handle mine." Brennen eyed the molecular, who moved towards the woman, spinning her before they proceeded on a new song. This one was faster, and heavier. The real dancers were coming out, ready to show how it was done. Maybe it's time that I did, he thought. The man stood, rubbing his hands against the front of his sleeveless muscle shirt, and then pushing them into the pockets of his dark slacks. There would have been a hunt for a partner, but he'd already chosen his prey.
Shalimar watched as Jordan pulled back slowly, and spun while her hips did this bubbly shake that widened even the feral's eyes. She felt her date pull up her arms in a gesture for her to do the same. Jordan repeated the move with her, and then stepped back again as the dark man preceded to swing the blonde. She had it now, and kept the rhythm saucily, moving to the song like a pro. Jordan still had her mind on that drink, and turned ready to dash for the bar only to come face to face with Brennen.
"Hey." she grinned, moving to pass him.
"Where are you goin'?" His hand gently caught her forearm, and pulled her back to face him.
"Just.give me five minutes. I need some water."
Brennen grinned and pulled an arm from behind his back, dangling the water bottle in front of her. Jordan reached, only to see him snatch it back and take a long drink himself. His response was a punch in the arm. "Shit, that hurt!"
"Brennen!" He gave in , watching as her lips touched the same place as his. "Um.don't play like that, Sparky!" That nickname was the one thing he wouldn't get used to. "Dance with me?"
"You waited too long," She grinned as his arm slipped around her shoulder. Damn, she has a sexy smile, he thought. "And a few of my 'partners' would be angry."
The elemental could actually see a couple of men she'd turned down glaring at him. "Leave it to you to get me in a brawl tonight." The woman leaned into her teammate, wondering why he was being so nice. Usually, there were cracked jokes, pranks and swapped play fighting-all at her expense. Her brow rose in question at him. "Brennen, what do you want?"
"Nothing.Just to dance."
The woman knew better.
"Alright," she replied as he took her hand. "On a fast one."
"A slow one." He objected, knowing that slow songs in a Conga club went on forever. His eyes danced with possibilities.
"A fast one, then a slow one." Jordan could feel a heat coming off of him that she hadn't known before. Out off all the team, she was the one Brennen had known the longest. Now, something felt strange, like there was tension between them. Right then, the band blazed in a confusion of drums, brass and a heated piano. She let him lead her to the dance to the dance floor, noting his height and the agile construction of his body. This might be fun after all, she thought.
Jordan turned to face Brennen as he casually took her in his arms. "If you drop me, you're dead."
"You don't give me enough credit." He spun her into a flawless dip, his hand purposely hitting her bottom. "Besides, you have too many places for me to grab." The woman's eyes jumped open as he grinned; ready for whatever she gave out.
Again, all the real dancers were on the floor. People spun and flipped with the same fiery passion as the surrounding couples. Brennen extended his hand, letting Jordan circle slowly -as only she could. Catcalls from some of the men rang in their ears as he watched those legs strut flawlessly in front of him. He pulled her back to him, raising her arms so that she could spin before as she did with Shalimar. This time, he stood too close, letting her hips brush his thighs.
With that, they were flying, out doing each other with a flash only the Salsa could cause. Jordan spun in his arms easily, and was surprised by Brennen's fluidity. This was so different from the man she'd met months ago. He was open, trusting and warming up to the idea of Mutant X. The elemental pulled her to him, then dipped her backwards in a sexy sway-their lower bodies pressed a little too close. Jordan could see the women watching him, their eyes hungry as he pulled her to face him-but not hungry like the face Staring back at her.
Her mind was working now as he led her through the speedy song. What was Brennen up to?" Her first thought was that he'd found some woman to make jealous so she'd (the woman) eventually end up leaving with him. The raven-haired woman now had her back to the elemental, his hand flat against her stomach. She could feel the construction of his form through the expensive clothes. His breath was in her ear and hips grinded against hers as they stepped. "So." she whispered, spinning to face him. "Who is she?"
Brennen smiled as they continued to move. "Nobody." The man was showing her off as they spun past a giggling Shalimar and devious Jesse, whose' partner was killing him with her curves. " Just somebody.interesting."
"Oh." She smirked, working her spine in an almost liquid motion to match her own. "So, she gets your attention tonight, and not me?"
He leaned into her ear, groaning softly. "Sage, you always have my attention." That should have rung bells to her, but she was too drunk off of the music. Brennen knew as studious and intelligent as Jordan was, she would let obvious things slip through, like his remarks or flirtations. It was her way of keeping him in the dark about things. He, however, was all up for the chase.
Finally the song died, but the lights darkened to almost non- existence. Jordan leaned against him, catching her breath. "Do you want a break?"
"Nope." she whispered. His hand was on her shoulder in concern. "Just waiting for the AC, that's all." She held onto his forearms as the ventilation blasted cool air onto the crowd. The heat coming off of Brennen was indescribable. A slow rhythm started from the band, as couples slipped into their own little worlds. The elemental leaned into the woman, running his fingers up her spine.
"You sure you don't want to sit down?
"The sooner we dance, the sooner I can get a drink and you can run off with your it girl." Brennen rolled his eyes as she pulled him back to the floor. She settled into his arms, swaying to new slow song. Bass and drums crawled across the dance floor in a slow fire as a young woman sang of love and Brazil. His forehead sat against hers, as large hands slipped further down her spine. Jordan closed her eyes, studying the curves off his long arms with light fingers. She could smell his cologne, as they pressed closer. The man's face was now in the nook of her neck, his hands drifting over her thighs. Jordan reached her arms under his knowing the elemental was being forward, but he wouldn't overstep his boundaries. Her thoughts froze when lips touched her neck.
A tongue slid along her jaw and over the curve of her ear. Brennen leaned her back slightly, thankful for the dark room. This time, he rode the soft line of her exposed cleavage all the way up to her chin. Jordan shook in his arms. This couldn't happen, but felt so. "Brennen?"
"Just so you know, I'm drunk." He lied.
"Really," she knew that wasn't true. "To much alcohol."
"Nope."
Jordan settled back into his hold, when those fingers grazed her neck. In the dark, he was feeling for her location. OH, God! She thought.
Brennen pressed his lips to hers slowly, tasting her slender mouth before sliding his tongue along her lips. Jordan folded, letting him enter her recesses as she held onto his chest. She could taste the vodka; maybe he was a little tipsy.
They broke, steadying momentarily as the song died. An apology rose from his lips. "Jordan?"
A finger slipped over his lips. "Don't worry. It's our secret."
He finally let her go, pulling the woman back to the bar. Shalimar suddenly plopped between them. "I think." she wrapped an arm around Jordan and one around Brennen's arm (she wasn't trying to reach that high). "That we should go out dancing every weekend. I'm tired of bars."
"Especially now that you've learned how to dance." Brennen smirked. The feral hit him in the arm before turning to her friend. "Well?"
"Sounds good."
"I'll never move like you though."
"Got that right." Jordan smirked as Shalimar decked Brennen again.
"Tomorrow, in the dojo, you're ass is mine."
"Don't wait, Shal. You can have my ass anytime you want it."
The blonde rolled her eyes as they swapped play punches. Jesse finally made it back to the bar. "And where have you been?" The feral grinned.
"Oh, nowhere. Just on the floor, getting ravaged by beautiful women." The molecular sat down next to Brennen, exchanging handshakes and a dirty glance. "I love this club, man."
"Oh yeah."
"Oh yeah." By then, Shalimar had pulled Jordan with her to the ladies room. The men ordered another set of drinks, lost in their own conversation. "I saw that." Jesse began.
"Saw what?"
"You kiss Jordan.it wasn't that dark y'know."
"That's between me and her." The elemental sat back, playing with the neck of his beer bottle.
"I know. If anything should happen, just be good to her."
Brennen thought back over the last year, or so. In that time, he'd gone from a wrongfully convicted felon to a member of Mutant X. He'd never told anyone all that went on in the beginning and Jordan only knew because she was there. "Jess, when we get back, Let's talk about something."
The blonde's eyes flashed in new interest. "Okay, is it serious?"
"Could be." The elemental watched as the women returned. "It could determine if I stay with Mutant X at all."
The club lights loomed in over-dyed rays on the dance floor packed with sweaty bodies. Drums pounded through the speakers, lacing themselves with a rumbling piano and brass capable of Armageddon. Brennen Mulray sat his drink on the bar, scanning the crowd for something 'interesting'. The bustle of Latin music flooded his senses, digging deep into the man. If he found the right one, he would move. It really wasn't in him to go out on the floor, but tonight, much like the vodka in his glass, the bass was in his veins.
"Look at Shalimar." Jesse nudged his teammate. They men burst into laughter watching the otherwise sensual feral shake like a drunken college girl. "That guy's gonna ditch her if she doesn't catch on."
Brennen took another sip of his drink, continuing to smirk at the blonde. He'd never seen her so loose before. Pretty soon, the reason for that looseness came strutting across the floor.
"Jordan!" she grinned, pulling the woman from her mission for a much needed drink. "Jordan, come dance with me!" She could only smile as the feral grabbed her hand, pulling the woman between herself and her date. "I think I've got it!"
"No, you don't."
Shalimar pouted, pulling the woman's arm. "Then show me again."
Brennen sat tracing the ring of his glass as he watched the women. Jordan, he thought. Now there was one he could amuse himself with. The leggy woman steadied Shalimar, gesturing for her to not use so much shoulder. Then, placing her hands on the blonde's hips, she showed her teammate the basic steps to the Salsa. The elemental watched in silent thought, his eyes now leaving the blonde to focus on Jordan. Yeah, he thought. Ms. Sage was trouble.
Jesse looked in the direction of his teammate, a smile playing on his lips. He'd watch Brennen stare at her before. The molecular had to admit, even though he saw her a sister, the woman was beautiful. She was a tall, honey colored black woman with a pair of legs that had been killing most of the men in the room. Her slender hips and low-slung backside set off a nearly non-existent waist and soft, full breasts. Men had been eyeing her since they arrived that night, and who could blame them? Her silky dreds, that usually hung in long ropes down her spine, now pulled back in into a bun so she could move. Jordan was one of those who came to the club for the purest of reasons. She needed to dance, sweat and didn't care of how she looked to others. Even now, with Shalimar, the two seemed sensual together. The feral's date was at her back now, holding her lower hips as Jordan slowly let go. Jesse turned back to the elemental, whose eyes had yet to detach from the women. "Leave it to Jordan to show Shal how to move."
"Oh yeah." Brennen replied. He didn't know who had his eye more: the petite blonde in the red dress, or the exotic woman in the black dress, with a slit that should have been illegal. Jordan moved like a lover against anyone she danced with-maybe that's why Shalimar's date had stuck around. "Jordan definitely can handle hers."
"Well," Jesse smirked as his eyes focused on a brunette waving him over to the floor. "I'm gonna go handle mine." Brennen eyed the molecular, who moved towards the woman, spinning her before they proceeded on a new song. This one was faster, and heavier. The real dancers were coming out, ready to show how it was done. Maybe it's time that I did, he thought. The man stood, rubbing his hands against the front of his sleeveless muscle shirt, and then pushing them into the pockets of his dark slacks. There would have been a hunt for a partner, but he'd already chosen his prey.
Shalimar watched as Jordan pulled back slowly, and spun while her hips did this bubbly shake that widened even the feral's eyes. She felt her date pull up her arms in a gesture for her to do the same. Jordan repeated the move with her, and then stepped back again as the dark man preceded to swing the blonde. She had it now, and kept the rhythm saucily, moving to the song like a pro. Jordan still had her mind on that drink, and turned ready to dash for the bar only to come face to face with Brennen.
"Hey." she grinned, moving to pass him.
"Where are you goin'?" His hand gently caught her forearm, and pulled her back to face him.
"Just.give me five minutes. I need some water."
Brennen grinned and pulled an arm from behind his back, dangling the water bottle in front of her. Jordan reached, only to see him snatch it back and take a long drink himself. His response was a punch in the arm. "Shit, that hurt!"
"Brennen!" He gave in , watching as her lips touched the same place as his. "Um.don't play like that, Sparky!" That nickname was the one thing he wouldn't get used to. "Dance with me?"
"You waited too long," She grinned as his arm slipped around her shoulder. Damn, she has a sexy smile, he thought. "And a few of my 'partners' would be angry."
The elemental could actually see a couple of men she'd turned down glaring at him. "Leave it to you to get me in a brawl tonight." The woman leaned into her teammate, wondering why he was being so nice. Usually, there were cracked jokes, pranks and swapped play fighting-all at her expense. Her brow rose in question at him. "Brennen, what do you want?"
"Nothing.Just to dance."
The woman knew better.
"Alright," she replied as he took her hand. "On a fast one."
"A slow one." He objected, knowing that slow songs in a Conga club went on forever. His eyes danced with possibilities.
"A fast one, then a slow one." Jordan could feel a heat coming off of him that she hadn't known before. Out off all the team, she was the one Brennen had known the longest. Now, something felt strange, like there was tension between them. Right then, the band blazed in a confusion of drums, brass and a heated piano. She let him lead her to the dance to the dance floor, noting his height and the agile construction of his body. This might be fun after all, she thought.
Jordan turned to face Brennen as he casually took her in his arms. "If you drop me, you're dead."
"You don't give me enough credit." He spun her into a flawless dip, his hand purposely hitting her bottom. "Besides, you have too many places for me to grab." The woman's eyes jumped open as he grinned; ready for whatever she gave out.
Again, all the real dancers were on the floor. People spun and flipped with the same fiery passion as the surrounding couples. Brennen extended his hand, letting Jordan circle slowly -as only she could. Catcalls from some of the men rang in their ears as he watched those legs strut flawlessly in front of him. He pulled her back to him, raising her arms so that she could spin before as she did with Shalimar. This time, he stood too close, letting her hips brush his thighs.
With that, they were flying, out doing each other with a flash only the Salsa could cause. Jordan spun in his arms easily, and was surprised by Brennen's fluidity. This was so different from the man she'd met months ago. He was open, trusting and warming up to the idea of Mutant X. The elemental pulled her to him, then dipped her backwards in a sexy sway-their lower bodies pressed a little too close. Jordan could see the women watching him, their eyes hungry as he pulled her to face him-but not hungry like the face Staring back at her.
Her mind was working now as he led her through the speedy song. What was Brennen up to?" Her first thought was that he'd found some woman to make jealous so she'd (the woman) eventually end up leaving with him. The raven-haired woman now had her back to the elemental, his hand flat against her stomach. She could feel the construction of his form through the expensive clothes. His breath was in her ear and hips grinded against hers as they stepped. "So." she whispered, spinning to face him. "Who is she?"
Brennen smiled as they continued to move. "Nobody." The man was showing her off as they spun past a giggling Shalimar and devious Jesse, whose' partner was killing him with her curves. " Just somebody.interesting."
"Oh." She smirked, working her spine in an almost liquid motion to match her own. "So, she gets your attention tonight, and not me?"
He leaned into her ear, groaning softly. "Sage, you always have my attention." That should have rung bells to her, but she was too drunk off of the music. Brennen knew as studious and intelligent as Jordan was, she would let obvious things slip through, like his remarks or flirtations. It was her way of keeping him in the dark about things. He, however, was all up for the chase.
Finally the song died, but the lights darkened to almost non- existence. Jordan leaned against him, catching her breath. "Do you want a break?"
"Nope." she whispered. His hand was on her shoulder in concern. "Just waiting for the AC, that's all." She held onto his forearms as the ventilation blasted cool air onto the crowd. The heat coming off of Brennen was indescribable. A slow rhythm started from the band, as couples slipped into their own little worlds. The elemental leaned into the woman, running his fingers up her spine.
"You sure you don't want to sit down?
"The sooner we dance, the sooner I can get a drink and you can run off with your it girl." Brennen rolled his eyes as she pulled him back to the floor. She settled into his arms, swaying to new slow song. Bass and drums crawled across the dance floor in a slow fire as a young woman sang of love and Brazil. His forehead sat against hers, as large hands slipped further down her spine. Jordan closed her eyes, studying the curves off his long arms with light fingers. She could smell his cologne, as they pressed closer. The man's face was now in the nook of her neck, his hands drifting over her thighs. Jordan reached her arms under his knowing the elemental was being forward, but he wouldn't overstep his boundaries. Her thoughts froze when lips touched her neck.
A tongue slid along her jaw and over the curve of her ear. Brennen leaned her back slightly, thankful for the dark room. This time, he rode the soft line of her exposed cleavage all the way up to her chin. Jordan shook in his arms. This couldn't happen, but felt so. "Brennen?"
"Just so you know, I'm drunk." He lied.
"Really," she knew that wasn't true. "To much alcohol."
"Nope."
Jordan settled back into his hold, when those fingers grazed her neck. In the dark, he was feeling for her location. OH, God! She thought.
Brennen pressed his lips to hers slowly, tasting her slender mouth before sliding his tongue along her lips. Jordan folded, letting him enter her recesses as she held onto his chest. She could taste the vodka; maybe he was a little tipsy.
They broke, steadying momentarily as the song died. An apology rose from his lips. "Jordan?"
A finger slipped over his lips. "Don't worry. It's our secret."
He finally let her go, pulling the woman back to the bar. Shalimar suddenly plopped between them. "I think." she wrapped an arm around Jordan and one around Brennen's arm (she wasn't trying to reach that high). "That we should go out dancing every weekend. I'm tired of bars."
"Especially now that you've learned how to dance." Brennen smirked. The feral hit him in the arm before turning to her friend. "Well?"
"Sounds good."
"I'll never move like you though."
"Got that right." Jordan smirked as Shalimar decked Brennen again.
"Tomorrow, in the dojo, you're ass is mine."
"Don't wait, Shal. You can have my ass anytime you want it."
The blonde rolled her eyes as they swapped play punches. Jesse finally made it back to the bar. "And where have you been?" The feral grinned.
"Oh, nowhere. Just on the floor, getting ravaged by beautiful women." The molecular sat down next to Brennen, exchanging handshakes and a dirty glance. "I love this club, man."
"Oh yeah."
"Oh yeah." By then, Shalimar had pulled Jordan with her to the ladies room. The men ordered another set of drinks, lost in their own conversation. "I saw that." Jesse began.
"Saw what?"
"You kiss Jordan.it wasn't that dark y'know."
"That's between me and her." The elemental sat back, playing with the neck of his beer bottle.
"I know. If anything should happen, just be good to her."
Brennen thought back over the last year, or so. In that time, he'd gone from a wrongfully convicted felon to a member of Mutant X. He'd never told anyone all that went on in the beginning and Jordan only knew because she was there. "Jess, when we get back, Let's talk about something."
The blonde's eyes flashed in new interest. "Okay, is it serious?"
"Could be." The elemental watched as the women returned. "It could determine if I stay with Mutant X at all."