Page 101 of Vicious Little Snakes

One hand leaves me as he draws the toothpick from his lips. But I can’t help but notice his nails are painted.

“Your nails are black? New look?”

I’m not complaining. It’s hot. Liam gives me that—sexy charmer, with enough bad-boy you can’t catch your breath—smirk, and I’m wet.

“It’s paint and all over my hand. By the way, I liked your name on my lips too.”

I can count the number of blinks I make because my whole body stops functioning. Liam steals his other hand back, bringing it up to push my hair back over my shoulder.

“You should go back to the table. It’s dark in these halls, strangers everywhere. Wouldn’t want someone taking advantage of you in the shadows, Carebear.”

There’s that grin again. Liam looks down at his phone, and then back to me.

“I have to go.”

I’m frowning.Stop it, Caroline.

“Where?”

Liam offers no answer, just boops my nose. “I like your shirt. But I hate that other people get to see you in it.”

God help me if my lips don’t tip up in the face of his honesty. This version of Liam is dangerous, and I haven’t seen him in a while.Welcome back.

He jerks his chin to whoever’s behind me. “Make sure she makes it back to the table safely. This crowd isn’t allowed near something, so”—his face dips closer to mine—“pristine.”

Asterisks are exploding like fucking fireworks.

Liam turns and walks out the back way, out through a door I didn’t know was there. I spin around, flushed, dumbstruck, to see Kai behind me, accesorized with a frown.

“You’re playing with fire, Caroline.”

Jesus, he’s so CW-drama serious.

“Oh, am I?” I mock. “I’m playing with fire. Why? Because Liam’s so hot—is that what that cliché means? Do you wish you could play with fire, Kai, maybe blow smoke up his—”

Kai’s hand clamps over my mouth. “Wretched whore. Say less.”

I shove him off, raising my shoulders in a little dance. “Calm down. I’m not playing with anything, including Liam’s dick. But like—fuck. Me. How much did you witness?”

Kai reaches for my hand. “Enough to know why you’re blushing. Come on, let’s do as Daddy says.”

My eyes squeeze closed as I grin at the way he says,Daddy—because, hell yes.

* * *

I slide under my blanket, getting comfortable as my phone buzzes on the nightstand. It’s too late to be anyone I know because we all just parted ways after Kai’s set, intent on crashing before school today. Staying in place, I stretch out my arm and nab my phone, pulling it under the cover.

Liam:Did you burn that top yet?

My lips press together, holding back my laughter.

Me:No. I made sure to have it cleaned so that I could wear it tomorrow.

I picture him laughing as the bubbles appear and then go away.No, come back.My fingers type quickly.

Me:Are you ever going to tell me what happened with Columbia?

Liam:They passed.