Change of Heart

me," Darcy demanded, biting her bottom lip.
    I pressed myself up against her to a squeal of delight.
    Roving hands took my parka away before stripping my sweater off as well. She handed them to Jeannie, who pointed off the floor so I could see where she was disappearing to with my clothes. There was a whole big table of people I 118
    Change of Heart
    by Mary Calmes
    worked with, and when I waved, twelve people waved back.
    It was a relief.
    In minutes, I had five of my girls with me, surrounding me, making sure that no one they didn't know got near me. I realized that even though I hadn't been scared, my adrenaline had been pumping hard. It was a relief to be safe, and so I let myself go, surrendering to the music, letting it infuse me with joy. I got down to some serious dancing, showing off, letting the girls see how flexible my body was, how fluidly I could move, and how indecent a dance floor could be. The laughter, the hands all over me, the lipstick smears on my throat were all testament to how much they enjoyed my presence.
    When I was pulled off the floor to the table, the guys that were there made room for me, getting up, letting me slide in, and pushing me to the back of the booth. I was passed a beer as the girls hung all over me, arms around my shoulders, hands on my thighs, crowding up beside me, making sure I couldn't move. I saw Christophe at the bar with three others, his sheseru Avery among them. When he crooked a finger at me, I flipped him off. As he crossed the floor to me, I asked one of the guys to borrow his phone. I sent Crane a text message that I was all right and that I would meet him at our apartment whenever I could get a ride. I felt better just knowing that he knew I was fine. I didn't want him to worry.
    The pat on my shoulder turned my eyes to Darcy, but she was looking up. Following her gaze, I found Christophe towering over the table.
    "Jin."
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    Change of Heart
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    The tall blond man looked decidedly pale. He had not expected me to get out of the room, and that was clear from the expression on his face.
    "May I speak to you, please?"
    "You wanna dance?" I asked him.
    He looked nervous suddenly, and I almost laughed. Big, scary werepanther tribe leader and there he was, scared to dance with a man in what was obviously his own club. What if people thought he was gay or something? It was hilarious.
    "Jin!"
    I did laugh then, because there beside him appeared his yareah. The man had not thought his mate was anywhere close by, as evidenced by both the surprise and terror that crossed his face. Getting up, I made everyone move so I could get out. When Talon Danvers flew drunkenly into my arms, I received her with a bear hug. She melted against me and was excited to meet everyone from work. I introduced her, and she smiled and waved before she tugged me after her back to the dance floor.
    She was all over me as we danced together, and when we were joined by her attendants, three other female panthers, I was sure I was the envy of every straight man in the place.
    Talon Danvers was a stunning woman, with her onyx curls and eyes, caramel skin, and model-perfect body. Her friends were the same, all long legs, cascading hair and feminine curves. That they could not seem to keep their hands off me was fun. I forgot about everything but writhing around with them, and by the time Avery stepped in front of me, I was all wrapped up in women.
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    Change of Heart
    by Mary Calmes
    "Christophe wants to see you."
    "Tell my mate to go to hell," Talon said loudly, her lips on my throat.
    I just shrugged within my undulating cocoon, but Avery grabbed hold of Talon's arm and yanked her up against him.
    He dragged her off the floor, and I lost track of them in the sea of people. Minutes later, when she reappeared at my side, holding my sweater and parka, she laced her fingers into mine and tugged me gently off the dance floor. I walked right out the front door on the arm of the yareah of the tribe of Pakhet. On the street, I turned to face her, and the fury on her face took me by surprise.
    "Talon," I said her name gently. "Are you all right?"
    "Is it true?"
    "Is what true?"
    "Are you really a reah?"
    "Well, yes, but—"
    "You won't take my life from me!" she screamed before taking a step back. "I don't care what Avery says; I'm not turning you over to him... what if he gives you to my mate?"
    She was planning to hand me over to Christophe?
    "I want you gone."
    "But you don't have to—" I