Page 21 of Viper

“Uh huh,” I say drily. “See you later, Viper. But I wouldn’t wait by the phone for my call if I were you.” Then I turn on my heel and head inside. I force myself not to look back at him, but I can’t help myself when I walk up the steps to the front doors and find myself glancing back over my shoulder. He’s still there, by his bike and watching me with a hunger on his face that makes my heart pound and my center ache. I head inside, cursing myself.

I need to stay the hell away from Viper, because that man is going to have me doing something I shouldn’t, like agreeing to give him a shot. No, I need to remain strong. And the first thing I need to do is lose his number. Determined to do that, I head back to my office, intending to throw it out, but then when I get there I put it in my purse.

Fucking hell.

NINE

VIPER

She’s playing with fire, but I guess I like the burn, because I’m craving more.

“So what’s this I hear about you stalking a woman?” Peyton demands with a smug smile. She decided to video call me tonight, and while normally I’d be happy to talk to her, tonight, I want Eden to message or call me. Also, how the hell does she know about that?

Though, Peyton is Shadow’s sister-in-law, sort of, and I can only imagine he opened his big, fat mouth, and told her to fuck with me. Bastard. “I’m not stalking anyone,” I tell her drily. “Shadow lies like a cheap rug, so I’m surprised you fell for it.”

Peyton snorts. She and her sister have the same features of green eyes and gorgeous faces, but that’s where the similarities end. Peyton is open and expressive, while Quinn is quiet and shy. The first time I laid eyes on her, she had dark purple hair, with an edgy hairstyle where it was long on top and shaved on the sides and back, a nose stud, smoky make-up, and some clothes that one wouldn’t think would work, but on her it definitely did. Currently, she’s got dark green hair, with the same style, and I think she’s got a new piercing in each ear.

For a while, I thought she and I would be a thing, and I worked damn hard to get her to agree, but then, one kiss, and we realized that we definitely were not going to be anything more than friends. Which is odd for me, because I’ve never been friends with a woman before. Especially one as hot as her. But here we are, and hell, it’s probably one of the best friendships I’ve ever had.

Makes me wonder though how Eden will feel when she finds out about it. Or, if. Hell, who knows if we’ll ever get to the part where she finds out about it. But that’s a worry for another day.

“We both know that he’ll throw you under the bus faster than anyone, especially when it comes to getting the heat off of him when I asked him why he hasn’t invited me back for a visit in over a month,” she grins.

It’s my turn to snort. “As if you need to be invited. You just show up whenever you please and you know no one is going to think twice about it.”

“He likes a heads up so he can prepare himself,” she laughs. “I think I worry him. Now, stop trying to change the topic and tell me about this woman. What’s she like? What’s her name? And why are you stalking her?”

“Again, not stalking,” I remind her. “And I’m not telling you anything yet because I have no idea if this is going to go anywhere. If it does, then I’ll tell you all about her.”

She eyes me for a moment. “You must be gone on this woman because normally you’re not so close mouthed.”

I shrug. “I don’t know about gone, but we have chemistry, and I like her. She reminds me of you actually.”

She smirks. “I know you’re obsessed with me, Vipes, but?—”

“Fuck off with that nickname,” I say without any heat, making her laugh. “And I said she reminds me of you, not that she looks like you. I meant in the way she speaks her mind and she’s got that wild and stubborn streak you have in spades.”

Intrigued, Peyton asks, “Well then she sounds like my kind of girl. Come on, at least tell me her name.”

“Her first name is Eden, and that’s all you’re going to get.”

Her face breaks out into a huge grin. “You’re serious? Her name is Eden? God, it’s too perfect.” Confused, I stare at her. “Oh please, you seriously don’t see it? Eden? Viper?” Again, I say nothing and just stare at her. “The whole story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and how the snake tempted Eve with the forbidden fruit? See where I’m going with this?”

I roll my eyes. “This isn’t a Bible story, woman.”

“No, but you have to admit it’s a funny coincidence. And not to mention, I’m sure you can tempt her something fierce. If you haven’t already.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me for added effect. She looks ridiculous, so a laugh escapes my mouth.

“Fuck off.”

“Fine, fine,” she placates, holding up her hands, but never losing her grin. “So how are things then, other than your lady troubles? I hear Archer is living with you every other week now. Which, by the way, I was pissed to hear about from Shadow instead of you.”

“It only just happened yesterday, and I’ve been busy making sure he’s all good here.” She subsides in her annoyance at that and nods. “But yeah, I’m fucking glad he’s here with me now.”

“Where is he?”

“He’s in his room playing video games before bed,” I reply, glancing behind me at the closed bedroom door. The apartment is smaller so I can see both bedrooms and the bathroom from the smaller kitchen, and it also means I can hear Archer as he lets out a cry of triumph at whatever game he’s playing. “Kid’s just fine with being here,” I add happily.

Peyton’s face softens. “I can imagine. It’s probably a hell of a lot more stable for him to be with you half the time anyway. I imagine your ex is pretty pissed though.”

---