Page 61 of Vicious Little Snakes

It’s a play on the truth from the moment that “never happened,” so I’ve adopted the same lie. Being conspirators feels good. I like being something to him.

Grey chimes in, “You drop us, Caroline, and then you can meet your friends at that dress thingy.”

“The Tom Ford showing,” I correct as the car pulls into traffic.

“Whatever.” Grey shrugs, reaching across to take the flask from Liam. “Like I said, dress thingy.”

I look at the three of them, already half drunk, and despite myself, I’m entertained.

Liam groans, “I think I’m already wasted,” laying sideways, putting his head in my lap and twisting onto his back.

My heart stops as he looks up at me. “Can I lay on you?”

I swallow, giving him a nod and feeling flush—everywhere. My eyes shift up to Grey. “Hold on. Why are you dressed like Scots if you’re going to a St. Patrick’s Day party?”

Grey’s face brightens the way it does when he has a tremendously wicked idea.

“Because the Scots hate the Irish, so we’re going to disrupt the party—and this time, the Scots will win the war.”

“Ah,” I say, narrowing my eyes down on him, “so you’re going to start a fight.”

His smile grows, and Kai laughs, “We’re going to finish a fight. They started it.”

I look down at Liam. “Asinine. And you’re supposed to be the future. It’s tragic, really.”

Kai puts his finger under my chin and brings my gaze to his. “Come with us. You could be our Mary, Queen of—”

“Pass,” I laugh, turning back to Liam, whose eyes are closed, now sleeping in my lap.

Grey and Kai start talking, laughing about the trouble they’ll cause, ignoring me and the fact that I’ve brought my fingers to Liam’s wavy wheat-colored hair. Hesitantly, I run my fingers through it so gently as to not wake him, savoring the feeling.

The car begins to slow. Grey looks behind himself, out of his window. Kai joins him, leaning over, placing a hand on the seat. My face has pointed in the direction they’re looking until I feel warm lips press against the scar on my wrist, sending goosebumps over my whole body.

My eyes dart down to Liam, who’s awake and smiling up at me.

“I always regretted not doing that the first time,” he whispers.

I draw my bottom lip between my teeth, trying not to squirm as my heart races so fast that I’m scared I may pass out.

“Thanks for the lap, Carebear,” he breathes out, sitting up with a grin on his face. The boys start filing out of the car, Liam last. He looks back just before he exits.

“I never realized how nervous I make you. Your heart was beating a mile a minute.”

My eyes are wide. How could Liam know that?

“No, it wasn’t,” I lie.

His eyes dart to my lap, then back to my face.

“I could feel your heartbeat, Carebear.”

Liam gives a wink, and then he’s gone. The door shuts, and my mouth falls open as understanding settles. My hand shoots over my center, knowing my body betrayed me.

I’ve never been more embarrassed and turned on at the same time in my life.

Liam

I got to Grey’s early, but he hasn’t made it back from the gym yet, so I’m sitting in a living room that never looks used, waiting for him.