Page 24 of Poison Touch (Monarch Vipers #1)

“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. Wanting to 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.

Josh stills as he looks away and takes a drink. There’s something else happening between them, but I can’t put my finger on it. But then again, maybe I’m reading too much into their weird interaction.

I scoff. “Yeah, I think you’re the one I need to be careful of.”

Gunner’s playful side disappears behind an unsettling veil. His brow dips, and my suspicions only grow. “Maybe,” he says, “but if things go south, don’t say I didn’t warn you.” His response leaves me to question what the fuck I’ve gotten myself into.

And at that, having no idea what the fuck any of his coded warnings mean, I turn to walk away from them. “I’m going to see what’s going on inside. Josh, you want to show me around?”

Honestly, I don’t want to be with Josh either, but he’s the one who invited me, and it's clear he wants to be as far from Gunner as he can get. And at the moment, I want to be as far away from Venom as I can.

“Yeah… sure.”

“See ya, Gunner,” I say and take off in the opposite direction with Josh.

“Later, Ninja.”

I want to go inside because I don’t trust myself to confront a shirtless Edge again.

If his tattoo is the same as Python’s, I’m not sure what I’ll do.

I can’t make a scene in front of most of the school.

Besides, I need to be smart when I bring Venom to their knees.

I can’t allow the sliver of lust for Edge to get in the way.

But that small sliver hopes it’s not Edge.

I hate the hesitation weeding its way through my emotions.

Why do I even feel anything for him?Because he’s hot?

Or because of something else, the way he makes me feel like I never have before? I hate to admit that I like the stirring he produces deep within my core. I like the challenge in his gaze, the absolute control he exerts, and the intensity of him as a whole.

I shake my head to dislodge the madness that has taken over. Because if he is the one, I vow to take him down with everything I have. That was and still is the plan.

I hear my name over the music. Thank fuck, it’s Eden and Bryce coming toward me. They each have a cup in their hand.

“I wasn’t sure if you’d make it,” Bryce says.

I point in the direction of the beach. “I only live a few blocks away, so no big deal.”

The party isn’t as loud inside, but we still need to raise our voices to be heard over the music. People are spread out on the large sectional. Like around the bonfire, loungers are lying beside each other, passed out or making out.

Eden reaches up and tugs on the end of one of her short blue ponytails. “Want to play pool? Everyone’s outside soaking up the last of the daylight before it starts raining.”

Just beyond the blue sky, dark clouds hover over the sea. “Sure, a quick one.” I want to get home before the storm hits.

We make our way through the house. Just like Eden said, fewer people are in here. The game room is off the main living area. Some people are standing around talking, but the pool table is free.

I set down my cup and pick up a pool stick. “I’m not that good at this game.”

“Me neither,” Bryce says. “So, what about guys versus girls? You and Eden against me and Josh.”

“Sounds good,” I agree.

“Besides, if you say you suck, you’ll want to have the pool shark on your side.” Bryce winks at Eden.

“Eden

“What, I don’t look like I can kick ass at pool?”

“To be honest, I’m not sure what that kind of person looks like, but if I had to guess, then no.”

Bryce laughs as he racks the balls. Eden prepares to make the break.

“What do we have going on in here?” The deep voice resonates in my bones.

I refrain from being hooked by Edge’s gray eyes. Eden tenses beside me. Bryce looks away, and Josh mumbles, “Hey,” or something and rubs chalk on the tip of his stick. So, I’m the only one left to answer Edge.

“I’m pretty sure it looks like we’re getting ready to play pool.” I steal a glance at him. Fuck the vanity gods and their talent when they created Ledger Hunt. He looks like he just walked off the set of a photo shoot for the sexiest man alive.

Edge has the audacity to look deliciously fuckable as he folds his arms over his chest and leans against the doorframe. His gaze trails to my mouth as I involuntarily lick my lips. The fraction of a knowing smirk meant just for me. I know I’m staring, but?—

“Are you all right, Ninja?” the prick asks.

I scoop up the morsel of self-respect I have left, run the back of my hand over my bottom lip to wipe off any drool that may have escaped, and straighten my posture. “Yep. Great!”

Unfortunately for me, he’s taken the liberty of putting on a shirt. The good news is, since I can’t gawk at his bronzed, sculpted chest and layers of abs, I at least get to keep that portion of my dignity. The bad news is, I’m still unsure about the tattoo.

Josh burps. He looks like he might be sick. In gym class, he came off so much more confident. Maybe it’s the alcohol.

“Want some real competition?” Edge asks.

I bump my hip against Eden’s. “Thanks, but I think we already got our teams.”

Edge purses his lips.

I move closer to him while the others act like they’re busy behind me. I lower my voice. “Don’t you have somewhere else you need to be?” I shrug nonchalantly. “Like… I don’t know, maybe taking a hit or two from Kade’s joint or fondling Brielle so she can return the favor?”

The corner of his mouth lifts. “Those aren’t horrible options. But I think I’m fine right here.”

I roll my eyes as I turn away from him. “Don’t mind the lurker, guys.”

Three sets of eyes pop between Edge and me, disbelief written all over their faces with my blatant disrespect for the leader of Venom.

“Eden, break.”

She lines up the cue ball and then strikes it hard. It bursts into the group of balls, sending them into a frenzy in different directions. One striped ball and a solid ball each go in a pocket.

“Nice. Looks like I’m on the winning team,” I say.

She smiles. “Thanks. We call solids.” She lines up her shot and fires away. Again, the targeted ball sinks into the side pocket. She knocks in two more before it’s Bryce’s turn.

Josh is next. He takes a shot. He makes a solid ball in the corner front pocket.

“Wrong ball, but thanks,” Eden says.