Edge of Obsession (SKALS #3) by Adriana Noir Read Free Book Online

longed to be back in his arms.
    “Come on,” Irene urged, dragging her out on to the back deck. “You can ogle Prince Charming later. It’s time to get our groove on.”
    “I don’t know if I can trust him to be alone right now ,” Taylor admitted. Her gaze darted to Monique. “He looks awful guilty. What else does your brother have up his sleeve?”
    “ Uhm…his arms would be my guess?”
    “ Quit being a smartass!” she exclaimed, reprimanding her with a playful nudge. “I think you’re forgetting I’ve been around long enough to know innocence doesn’t exactly run in your family.”
    “Hell, honey, even I’ve been around long enough to gather that much,” Irene agreed.
    Monique laughed as she tugged free and spun around to face them. “I have no clue what either of you are talking about.”
    “Hold up,” Irene said, stopping short.
    Taylor tripped over her own feet in her efforts not to slam into her friend’s back. Grace never was her strong suit. Embarrassed, she glanced around and was relieved to see no one had witnessed her stumble.
    “I say we hit the minibar, then the dance floor. Little sister is legal now. It’s time to break her in properly.”
    Monique arched an eyebrow, her rounded features taking on a skeptical twist. “Drinks do sound great, but I promise you making the birthday girl sick won’t go over well. It’s best we return her to my brother healthy and in one piece.”
    Taylor couldn’t argue with that, but the vivacious redhead had no such qualms.
    The waitress waved them off with an exaggerated roll of her eyes. “He’ll get over it. It’s a twenty-first birthday tradition. Besides, your precious brother gets her to himself every day. Today it’s our turn.”
    Monique’s vivid green stare narrowed. She opened her mouth with a shake of her head, but Taylor interrupted.
    “I think I can find a way to enjoy the best of both worlds. Besides, I would much rather curl up with Seb at the end of the night than spend it on my knees praying to the porcelain gods,” she said, wrinkling her nose.
    The comment made the other two women laugh.
    “If I was a betting woman, I’d place my money on you spending it on your knees anyway,” Irene said, casting a knowing look Sebastian’s way. “I can’t say that I blame you for choosing to worship at his feet though, sugar. Not one bit. That’s a mighty fine alter to pray at.”
    Monique muttered something beneath her breath before hooking an arm through hers and steering Taylor toward the dance floor. A short while later, bodies packed the gleaming wood from end to end. Irene made her rounds, moving from one man to the next in a steady procession, testing the waters with each. Content to let the lusty coppertop enjoy herself, Taylor stayed stationed near the front with Monique. They bumped hips and butts, laughing while music blared round them and pounded through the sprawling grounds. The forceful bass vibrated through her body making her nerve endings tingle, while the whiskey sour in her cup added to the pleasant warmth of the sun.
    Unlike the parties she’d attended in the city, they had no neighbors for miles and were free to cut loose and do as they pleased without fear of disturbing anyone. That, and Sebastian had spared no expense. Shielding her eyes, she slowed to scan the deck for him until a light touch at her elbow drew her attention. She spun to find Daryl grinning down at her. Her heart soared at the sight of her childhood best friend. Now a strapping college linebacker, he was a far cry from the scrawny, knobby-kneed boy she’d met on her first day of kindergarten. He still had the same unassuming smile though.
    “Happy belated, Tay .”
    “Thank you! I can’t believe you’re here!”
    “Yeah, well, I have to admit I was a little surprised to get an invite after the way things went down the last time we ran into each other, but I’m glad I did.”
    “So am I . It’s so good to see you again. I missed