Unable to stop staring at the gorgeous sight of him, I trip on the edge of the deck but quickly regain my balance. His chest is smooth and tan, and his arms are a masterpiece of lean, corded muscles. My attention snags on the black ink curling up the side of his torso, and my mind instantly falters back to the night my father was taken from me. Python had a striking snake tattoo in the same spot. I shift slightly, easing onto the tips of my toes to get a better look. But with Brielle’s tits in the way, I can’t make out exactly what the tattoo is.
I don’t know if I feel more frustration or relief. Am I ready to come face to face with the killer? For the past three months, it’s all I’ve planned for—or at least I thought I did. Now, the situation is more difficult than I thought. What the fuck am I going to do if one of them is my dad’s murderer?
Those gray eyes narrow and home in on me. Our eyes catch and hold. Stepping off the edge of a cliff, falling into the abyss, would have been better than to get caught in Edge’s snare. My body stiffens. I may be staring right into the eyes of my father’s murderer. A flare of intensity flashes over his too-perfect, unshaven face.I dare myself to look away. But I can’t find the will as I drink him in. The cursed link we both seem to share doesn’t afford either of us a choice in this game of captivation. He looks like he wants to devour me, while I want to drag him through hell. And yet, the silent chant echoing in my head,murderer, killer, python, does nothing to ebb the heat coursing through my middle.
“You okay?” Josh asks.
As I’m jerked from the moment, Josh tugs me along, saving me from drowning in Edge’s hypnotic gaze. “Uh… yeah… fine.”The sadistic side of my curiosity is dying to glance over my shoulder to fall back into those dangerous dark pools. What in the actual fuck is wrong with me?
I walk onto the pool deck under Josh’s arm. Not wanting people to get the wrong idea, I gingerly ease out of his embrace. Doing my best to push Edge out of my mind, I focus on the long table lined with every kind of alcohol available. A keg is propped next to the table. Several guys are tapping from it right into their mouths. There’s a mad game of beer pong in the corner next to the pool. Whoops and cheers follow the toss of the small white ball.
“What do you drink?” Josh asks.
I wasn’t planning on having anything to drink except water. But after almost allowing myself to slip into the clutches of the devil himself, I say, “Tequila.”
Josh’s red-rimmed eyes question my answer. “Are you sure?”
“Very.” At this very second, I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.
“Okay then.” His gaze falls back to the table, searching for the bottle I already have in sight. “Ah, here it is. Um, there’s limes and s?—”
“No wheels, I just need a cup.” I’m impatient and just want to get the shot, or two, down. By the dazed look in his eyes, he’s still not getting it. I dumb it down even further, so there’s no mistake. “No ice, no limes. No salt. Just a cup. Just tequila.”
Josh, who I’m pretty sure has been drinking for most of the day by the looks of his bloodshot eyes and swaying form, seems to find a sliver of clarity. He hands me a cup, then he uncaps the bottle and pours a small amount in. I take the bottle from him and pour a few shots into the cup.
“Okay then,” he says, then clinks his plastic cup against mine. “Cheers.”
I down half the tequila. The liquid heats my chest and flows into my empty belly as it seeps its way into my bloodstream. Thank fuck, it won’t be long before the effects of it will have all thoughts of Edge and his hot ass out of my head.
“Ninja, baby. You came.” Gunner sidles up next to me.
I roll my eyes, unable to help my Gunner-induced grin. “What’s up, Gun?”
He throws his arms out, splashing liquid out of his cup. “We’re all here, just enjoying the madness.” He pours the remainder of the cup into the grass. His swim shorts hang low on his hips. There’s a good possibility they may fall, but by the looks of his drunken status, I don’t think he cares. A lot of girls would likely be happy to get an eyeful of the tan surfer.
I glance at his side. No tattoo. His only ink is the small wave on his neck and a tribal sun on his shoulder. The relief I feel is greater than I could have imagined. In some far-off way, I like Gunner. But I have to remind myself that even if he’s not the one who took my father from me, he’s still somehow involved.
He looks into my cup. “Water? Well, that’s quite boring.”
Josh speaks up. “Tequila. She’s drinking straight tequila.” He holds up the bottle of the Blanco tequila for proof.
Gunner grins savagely and wraps his arm around my waist. “A hot biker chick who likes the hard stuff. My dick is twitching as we speak.”
I duck out from under his arm. “Gunner, you’re drunk.”
He raises his cup to his lips. “So close, baby, so close.” Realizing his cup is empty, he picks up the bottle of silver tequila. “I bet if I have a shot with you, I’ll be one step closer to that sweet goal.”
After pouring himself a splash of the clear liquid into his cup, he taps his cup against mine, then takes a drink. Wantingto drink even more now, I do the same, downing the rest of the tequila. I pour another generous amount into my cup.
He squeezes his eyes shut and blows out a puff of potent tequila breath. “Yep, that’s going to do it for sure.” He puts his arm around me again. “I think we should go find a room.”
I pry his arm off me again. “I think I’ll pass.” I glance over my shoulder. The girl Gunner was lying with gives me a death glare. “I think your date is waiting for you.”
“I don’t give a shit about her. It’s you and me, baby.” He clinks his cup against mine. Even though he’s drunker than shit, he’s still hot with his boyish charm and perfectly muscled body.
I can tell by the way Josh’s mouth opens and shuts that he wants to speak up, but he doesn’t seem like the type to go up against any of Venom.Not that I was ever attracted to him, but that show of outright hesitation and avoidance would be a serious turn-off if I were. Minus three points for being a pussy.
Gunner leans down to whisper in my ear. But since he’s wasted, his voice carries louder than he intends. “Be careful of that one.” He points to Josh.
