Page 56 of Secrets

"Was that the guy?" he asks, his voice low as they reach the bar.

The bartender looks at him as though he recognizes Venom. "What can I get you?"

"Whiskey and coke."

"Yeah, that's Tyler. And Ginger. She's going to try and snake you away, no doubt. I'm pretty sure she drooled the moment she saw you."

"That'll be seven fifty," the bartender says.

Marnie reaches into the pocket of her dress. "I have a drink coupon."

He pulls out his money clip and sets down a ten-dollar bill. "Keep the change."

"I could have paid for your drink. Theoretically," she says.

His arm wraps around her shoulders as Tyler and Ginger walk up to it, and he whispers, "Not with them watching."

"You saved me. Again," she whispers back as they walk away just as Tyler opens his mouth to talk.

"This is a good color on you," he says, his lips close to her ear. "Makes your eyes pop, love."

"I'd tell you not to call me that, but after you showed up like this, you can call me almost anything you want."

He smirks. "What'd you see in that asshat? He looks like a tool."

Rolling her eyes, she shakes her head. "He is. But I thought he was hot. Which he is... until he opens his mouth to speak. But Ithought I was in love. And then he cheated with Ginger. By the way, how did Beth find you?"

Venom laughs. "I was coming out of a store on the corner when a bride comes running up to me waving her hands. Wanted to know if I knew Venom. Apparently, you've been talking about me."

Her cheeks flush. "I may have bragged about how you saved me, but I didn't give specifics."

"So, you're Marnie's date? How much did she have to pay you?" Ginger asks.

"Excuse me?" Venom asks. "Do I look like an escort to you?"

Her eyes flash, and Marnie wants to rip her face off. "No, but you look too good to be here with Marnie without compensation."

"Coming from the girl who looks like she's coming home from her shift at the strip club, I'm sure that really hurts," he says. "Go back to your little boy over there who's staring at my date like he wishes he'd made different life choices. Ones that don't involve cheating with a skank like you."

Ginger's jaw drops, and she huffs a few sounds.

"I'm sorry, I don't speak stripper fluently. Although, that face is kind of universally known when you're on your knees. Is that what you're trying to say?"

Tyler storms over. "What'd you just say to my girl?"

"I just pointed out how you're looking at mine like you wish she was still yours. Back off, sparky. If push comes to shove, you don't stand a chance. Besides, we're at a wedding. Go get your rocks off with your hooker girlfriend while I dance with my date."

Marnie tries to hide her smile as Venom pulls her onto the dancefloor, which she didn't even hear the DJ call out that it was open to all couples. Both Beth and Danny have difficultrelationships with their parents, so they had no mother-son or father-daughter dances slated.

The song playing is slow with a good beat, and Marnie's impressed with how well Venom dances. "I'm not going to lie… I could kiss you for that. That was the greatest moment of my life."

His lips find her ear again, and she can feel him smile against her cheek. "Love, you haven't given me a chance to make you cry out in pleasure yet. You'd redefine the greatest moment of your life pretty fucking quick then."

Something in her snaps, and she looks up at him. "You really want to make good on that promise you made in the parking lot, huh?"

"Just give me the signal, and I'll make you the happiest woman here right now. Even happier than the bride."

"You really think you can?"

---