Page 38 of A Love Like Venom

Not caring what Oak thinks I start to head her way. I could really give a fuck less about our message. The only message I want to send is to her. I want her to feel all the pain she caused me. I want her to know just how much it fucking hurts.

Sitting down at the middle of the bar on the too small bar stool I keep my focus on her. My eyes watch her every movement. I don't look away for one second.

I know she knows I'm here. She can feel the heat burning from my gaze. With a stiff spine and tense shoulders, she moves slightly. Then her eyes, big and wide, meet mine across the bar. I can see her take a sharp intake of breath. The glass that she's holding in her hands slips from her fingers.

My intention is perfectly clear. There's no escaping me now, our game has just begun.

I chuckle lightly to myself until I feel a presence besides me.

Oak sits down on the stool looking ridiculous. The man is too fucking large. "What are you smiling about?" He questions me.

I raise my hands in mock surrender. Then, I point in his direction using him as the perfect bait. "You look fucking ridiculous man."

He scratches his jaw and adjusts himself on the overly small stool. "So, you're laughing at my expense?"

"What else would I be laughing at?"

"With you I never fucking know. And I don't entirely believe you." Oak is too perceptive for his own good. There's a reason why him and I understand each other so well. We both see past the bullshit with one another.

"Never said you had to believe me." I point out to him.

"How about we just get a fucking drink and go from there. Sound good?"

Sounds fucking perfect to me.

I nod my head secretly hoping a certain someone will deliver them to us.

As my eyes travel back towards her, she's talking to the other barmaid. The same blonde who was here three nights ago. She's beautiful in her own right. A small girl but with luscious curves. She probably has all the men eating out of the palm of her hand.

But her beauty doesn't touch a candle to Alice's. The girl just burns brighter.

I watch as they converse with one another, both in deep conversation. The blonde’s eyes flick to mine, and I give a flirtatious wink. She narrows her eyes at me before talking to Alice once again. Concern and worry mark her features. She cares about my little Alice.

Once upon a time I did, too, but then I got burned.

I'm about to call out for a drink when I see Alice walking our way. It takes me by surprise, and I try to mask my expression. She glides over to us with her shoulders pushed back and her head held high. There may be trepidation shinning in those eyes, but her strides are confident.

She's strong. Possibly stronger than I remember.

When she comes to a stop in front of us, she avoids me completely. Her eyes don't steer in my direction and her body is angled more towards Oak.

I hate that it fucking bothers me.

Her eyes should always be onme.

I tilt my head to the side as I openly study her.

Fine, if that's the game she wants to play I'll counter back by giving her my full undivided attention. It will unnerve her for sure. Even make her uncomfortable. Soon she'll cave and have to acknowledge me.

"What will it be?" She asks the both of us, her voice dull.

"Two beers, thanks," Oak orders for the both of us. She nods her head curtly before turning around. Those little black shorts hug her ass perfectly. Before I can admire her body more she turns around with a beer in each hand.

She then slides them across the bar counter. One lands in front of Oak and then other in front of me. Oak takes the neck of the bottle and takes a swallow of the cold beer.

When he rests it back down on the counter I still haven't taken a sip of mine, let alone pick it up.

"Is there something wrong with the beer?" Alice's voice is tentative.

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