Page 22 of Venomous as a Snake

Collin shrugs, moving on. “I wasn’t expecting her to be so hot.”

“So you insinuated,” I drawl. “Ten minutes ago.”

“Do you think she’s friendly?” he asks.

I scowl at him, torn between reprimanding him for his childish question and slapping the man before me. “I fucking hope not.”

“You’re extra grouchy today,” Forrest mutters.

“I’m hungry,” I reply, giving them my back.

I expertly ignore the rest of their questions as I drop the charcoal into the bottom of the grill. But I can’t take my eyes off the fence. I’m curious about her too, though my roommates are on a different level. They won’t stop talking about her.

After a few more minutes, the need to get a better look eats at my restraint. Before I can stop myself, I’m already at the fence, peering through the gaps.

I can’t get a clear view of her.

So, I stand on the plank of wood that runs along the inside of the fence, parallel to the ground. It gives me an eight-inch boost, and I’m able to peek over the top like a true creep.

At least I can teach Forrest and Collin something about stalking people.

But I don’t see her, just the discarded band t-shirt laying in the grass.

A band I know…

Because Kody and Drew love them.

It’s just a coincidence, though. The band is popular.

Forrest shrieks at the top of his lungs, and I let go of the fence, turning to see what his problem is.

He’s wrapped around Collin’s back, shaking as they both stare at the white king cobra in our yard. Its hood flares as it searches for a threat without realizing it’s the threat.

My heart kicks into high gear, but not from fear. Part of me wanted Kody to be in that house… Yeah. That was the wish of a love-struck idiot who nearly got himself and his mate killed.

There’s no way that’s her, though.

Please don’t let it be her.

Before it twists its head in my direction, I jolt forward and grab it by the neck. The moment I touch it, I throw it over the fence, straight into the neighbor’s pool.

The sound of the splash tells me a human body hit the water.

“Dude! What the fuck?” Forrest shouts at me. “It could have bitten you!”

I furrow my brow and shake my head, disagreeing fully with his panicked warning.

“I’ll be right back,” I call as I grab the top of the fence and hoist myself over.

“What are you doing?” Collin yells as my boots thud against the neighbor’s yard.

But I don’t answer.

Couldn’t if I wanted to.

My world stops turning the moment angry blue and purple eyes find mine. She stands in her doorway, drenched and glaring.

I’m across the yard before my mind catches up to my feet.