Page 203 of Beyond the Blue Horizon

He was still holding her hand, and he tugged her close. “What do you want to drink?” he asked against her lips.

“Mmm…something sweet and fruity.”

He laughed a low sound. “What? No whiskey for you?”

“You’re as much whiskey as I can take.”

“And I plan on giving you every bit that you can handle.”

Chills rolled through her. She’d never had anyone talk to her like that.

With a low grumble that sounded of possession.

“Is that so?”

“You’re mine to do with as I please.”

She didn’t have time to contemplate the rush of unease that hit her with his tone. Not when he distracted her by swooping in and kissing her deep as he palmed her bottom.

He jerked away, grinning a smug, cocky smile. “Let me get my girl a drink.”

He sauntered around the counter and into the main area of the kitchen, sending cool hellos to a few people that he knew before he was right back, handing her a clear cup filled with something pink. “Here you go.”

“Thank you.”

He draped his arm around her waist. “Anything for you.”

They drank and they danced.

Kissed and touched.

The world blurring around her as she completely fell into him.

And she didn’t care that she didn’t know anyone else there. Just as long as she was with him.

The night grew long, bright strobes flashing against the dusky light of the house.

Piper didn’t know what it was, but she could feel the sudden shift in the atmosphere. Or maybe it was just the shift in Justin when two guys came through the door.

Darkness radiated from them. A match to whatever suddenly rolled through Justin.

Pulling back, Justin sent her one of his charming, brutal smiles. “Stay here, yeah? I have some business to take care of.”

A frown pulled to Piper’s brow. “What kind of business?”

“The kind that doesn’t concern you.” He winked, and the buzz she’d felt in her belly shifted to something else entirely.

Justin weaved his way through the crowd to the two men. From where she watched them move to a shadowy corner from across the room, she could tell their voices were hushed.

In discomfort, she shifted on her feet, wondering what she thought she was doing. She was the responsible one. The one who never got into trouble and, somehow, she had decided to go looking for it.

But she wasn’t sure she knew how to divert it any longer when Justin bumped fists with the two guys in parting, before he turned and stalked back for her.

So darkly delicious as he clamped a hand on her bare thigh. His voice pure seduction as he muttered, “Now where were we?”

FORTY

PIPER