Page 99 of Tempting Venom
He’s still holding up behind that mask he’s perfected so well.
Not for long, though.
“Whoa.” I laugh. “I can feel the hostility. Oh my. They hate me that much, huh?”
“In their defense, you’re the hate-inducing type.”
“I am, right? So why isn’thehating?”
“Who’s he?”
I leave my drink on the counter and grab Dahlia’s arm, opting to change the subject. “Let’s give them the show we’re here for.”
In a heartbeat, I pull her to the dance floor, wrap my arms around her waist, and drag her close against me as we sway to the music.
She stiffens a little. “This is only an act. Don’t get carried away.”
“Shh.” I lift her hand and press it on my chest. “I thought you wanted revenge, so show him how much he’s missing.”
She relaxes a bit and falls into the act with me. I take a glance at Preston, and his expression has changed—lips pursed, eyes narrowed, and I can almost see those dimples all the way from here.
Come on, break so prettily for me.
I clutch Dahlia by the hips, slamming her against my front, and grin as his scowl deepens.
This could be us,I tell him with my eyes.It was us two days ago in that locker room.
There’s something I’m learning about Preston. He has some territorial tendencies. Not because he cares, but probably because he doesn’t like others to play with his toys.
He’d probably rather break said toys than let someone else have them.
Seems that I should give him a shove over the edge.
Let’s see if he’ll be here in less than the seven count I gave his ass the other day.
My lips curve as I whisper, “One.”
“What are you counting?” Dahlia asks.
I spin her, then pull her toward me and clutch her cheek. “Two.”
“What are you doing?”
“Three.” I lean down.
Dahlia steps back, and whisper-yells, “Don’t kiss me.”
“Four.”
“Marcus!”
“Five—”
My word is cut off when an arm hooks around my throat from behind, and I’m yanked back against a hard, familiar chest.
I can’t resist the smile that breaks on my mouth as his raw masculine scent with a hint of the deep ocean fills my nose.
See? I knew it would be under seven.
