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

floral perfume washed over him. He’d been so immersed in Taylor that he hadn’t even noticed her friend approach. Glancing over, he regarded the redhead and forced a polite smile.
    “Hello Irene. It’s nice to see you again.”
    “Well hi there, Sebastian. Nice to see you, too. I gotta say this is one hell of a party you threw together. Thanks for the invite, sugar.”
    He nodded, letting his focus drift back over the yard. “Taylor is worth it. I’m glad you are enjoying yourself.”
    “Oh, I am, but it would be even better if you joined in the fun.”
    H er hand curled around his forearm and closed in an intimate squeeze. Sebastian’s head snapped to the side. Tensing, his gaze flickered over her. She regarded him without a single ounce of shame. Offering a brazen smile, she proceeded to stroke his skin with a lacquered nail, her thick lashes batting with innocence well beyond her means. He jerked his arm away as Josh sniggered quietly into his vodka beside him.
    “It’s very kind of you to ask, Irene,” he said softly, “but I’m fine where I am. I’m sure you can find yourself a willing partner.”
    “Oh, come on. Don’t be shy, stud. What’s the use of staying up here? Stop holding out and dance with me. I promise I’ll show you a good time.”
    S he reached for him again. Once was more than enough. Grinding his teeth, he shot Josh a look of exasperation, smoothed his clothes, and backed away before his temper got the better of him.
    “Excuse me,” he stated, trying to step around the woman. “I should see if they are ready to start serving the food.”
    “You’re in luck there, honey. Servicing people happens to be my area of expertise. Let me lend you a hand.”
    Not missing the suggestive undertones in her sultry purr, his jaw tightened. “Yes, I am sure it is,” he said stiffly. “But I can handle it on my own and I would appreciate it if you didn’t touch me again.”
    Shooting her a look of barely restrained irritation, he spun on his heel s and strode away. He remained so focused on escaping her advances that he didn’t see Monique until it was too late. They collided as he rounded the bottom of the stairs, their bodies smacking together with enough force to send him staggering backwards. A curse exploded from his lips as he lunged for his sister. She flinched as he caught her teetering form and steadied her.
    F ear and apologies branded her face. “I’m so sorry , Sebastian.”
    “No. I t’s my fault,” he said. “I didn’t see you. Are you okay?”
    Nodding, Monique let out the breath she’d been holding. “I was going to ask you the same thing.”
    Sebastian squinted up at the deck and rolled his shoulders. He winced when the bones in his neck gave a stiff pop. “I’m trying for Taylor’s sake. I want her to have a nice day, but I don’t know how much more I can take. It’s bad enough having all these strangers around, but that redheaded hose beast is driving me crazy.”
    “Irene?” she asked , turning to follow his frigid glare. “What did she do now?”
    “Nothing. She’s just drunk and in heat.”
    Monique smothered a laugh. Her expression shifted to one of sincerity when he scowled. “I’m sorry,” she said, her shoulders still shaking. “It’s just I don’t think it’s the booze in this case. That woman’s been eye raping you since the moment you walked through the door.”
    He snorted. “It’s my money she wants, Monique. Not me.”
    “Unless you started stuffing your cash down the front of your pants, I highly disagree.”
    His cheeks flamed with the implication. “I don’t want to have this conversation. What the hell is wrong with people anyway?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “No one has any sense of loyalty anymore. Friends, family, coworkers. None of it matters. Nothing is sacred. Everyone is just looking for a way to throw someone else under the bus and get what they want. It’s sickening.”
    His sister frowned. “That’s not true,