Excerpt from Vicious Little Snakes:

“Carebear.”

His lips barely move as his eyes drag down the front of my body.

“Don’t call me that.”

The words fly from my mouth out of habit, but I don’t mean them. Doesn’t matter, though, because Liam’s grin gives away just how much he likes my bite.

One of his arms drapes over the back of my chair, as he stares at me, dragging his thumb slowly across his bottom lip.

“Mmm, say please and maybe I’ll consider it.”

If the devil had a brand, it would be Liam. And I would wait in line for it—in the rain. The tip of his tongue runs over a sliver of his side teeth that peek from behind his grin. This must be what little red riding hood felt like—except I want to be eaten by this wolf. And with that thought, I need to get out of here.

“I’m going to the ladies' room.”

My statement is left in the middle of the room as I push from the table and walk away, picking up a tiny bit of speed once I’m out of sight. The bathroom door closes behind me as I let out a whoosh, only to scrunch my nose looking at the dirty one-room stall. So gross.

But desperate times and all.

God, I felt knocked stupid. He smiled, and my knees got weak—while I was fucking sitting down. I’m disgusting.

My head drops to look at my pussy. “Weak bitch. Get it together.”

We should’ve never fucked that night. It was quite possibly the worst way to say goodbye. Even when we do the right thing, we end up doing the wrong one. We’re doomed.

But what is he doing, being all fuck-boy attractive toward me?

My hands stay glued to my side, careful not to touch anything as I walk to the cloudy mirror, checking my lipstick and hair and allowing myself to gather the self-respect I need to go back out and slay without being slayed.

The longer I stand here, though, the more my thoughts drift back to the bedroom and then to the feel of Liam's hand on my waist. And to the way he chews on those toothpicks. My eyes close as my back arches. Ooo, I bet he’s good with his tongue.

For fuck’s sake. It’s like I’m in heat.

I tear open my eyes, ripping off a rough paper towel from the dented silver machine on the wall, and turn around, walking the few steps back to the door, using the paper to cover the handle. The music instantly smacks me in the face as I open the door and step out into the dark hallway, heading back the way I came.

Without warning, I’m yanked backward, a squeal escaping my lips as I’m spun around, meeting Liam’s green hazel eyes. My hands grip his biceps as I stand scowling.

“What the fuck?”

Both of his hands are on my waist, except this time, they're affixed to my skin. It’s sending goosebumps up and over my body. Liam looks down at me, a toothpick laying on his bottom lip. I’m so fucked. He feels electric, lighting up all my senses.

Coupled with the music and the shadows, it’s as if we’re standing on the cliff’s edge. Push me over, Liam.

“I had to say goodbye, Carebear. Wouldn’t want to be rude and all.”

Jesus, he’s heavy on the asterisk right now.

“So now you remember your manners? I guess it’s better late than never.”

One hand leaves me as his fingers pull the toothpick, and 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.” His eyes dart to my mouth then back to my eyes, “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 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, through a door I didn’t know was there. I spin around, flushed, dumbstruck, to see Kai behind me, accessorized 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.