I ignore him, pushing myself to my feet.
My ass is soaked and freezing, my pride stinging worse than my bruised tailbone.
"Watch where you're goin’," I snarl at the blonde.
Recognition hits me like a ton of bricks.
This is the same bimbo from last week's party, the one who couldn't keep her hands off Shiver.
My jaw clenches as I remember how she was raking her fingers down his chest, marking her territory like a cat in heat.
She arches her brows and decides to talk like a sassy little shit to me, “Really? I didn’t see you. No need to act like a bitch.”
"Bullshit," I spit out, taking a step toward her. "You saw me just fine when you knocked me on my ass."
She bats her eyelashes, playing innocent. "Did I? My mistake."
Before I can respond, Shiver is behind her, his face a mix of frustration and concern.
I look right at him, my voice low and dangerous. "You might want to make sure your bitch learns some fucking manners."
Shiver's eyes flash, and he gets defensive. "That ain't my bitch."
A harsh laugh escapes me, bitter and humorless. "Sure looks like it from the way she has her nasty little paws on you."
I watch as Shiver's jaw tightens, his eyes darting between me and the blonde.
The blonde's gasp cuts through the tension like a knife. "Wow. And here I thought we had something between us. You're an asshole."
I whirl around, my eyebrows shooting up.
Is this bitch for real?
Shiver's face contorts with anger, his muscular frame tensing as he loses his temper. "What the fuck?! You told me you were havin’ an issue with your truck stickin’ in gear, so I was gonna help you out."
I can't help it.
A burst of laughter escapes me, sharp and mocking. "God, you're an idiot," I say, shaking my head.
My hazel green eyes lock onto Shiver's, and I can see the confusion swirling in them. "She told you that shit so she could take you to her truck and convince you to fuck her."
I turn to the girl, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Didn't you?"
The silence that follows is thick enough to cut with a knife.
I watch as the realization dawns on Shiver's face, his high cheekbones flushing with a mix of embarrassment and fury.
Part of me feels a twinge of satisfaction at bursting his bubble, but another part— a part I'm not ready to examine too closely—feels a pang of something else.
Jealousy? No, that can't be it.
I cross my arms over my chest, waiting for one of them to break the silence.
The girl's smirk is like oil on water, slick and unnatural. "I mean, maybe that was the plan," she purrs, her eyes darting between Shiver and me.
I feel my jaw clench, but before I can react, Shiver's voice cuts through the tension like a serrated blade.
"I'm no fool," he snarls, his muscular frame radiating anger. "And why in the fuck do you think I'd stick my dick in your used up pussy?"