Tryst Six Venom by Penelope Douglas

The lighthouse rises above us, a coral pink barely discernible against the
black sky, and I dig my crossbody bag out of my duffel and slip it over my
head before slamming the door. Everyone else runs ahead, while Callum falls
in at my side, scanning down my tank top and taking my hand. “Let’s go do
some stupid shit,” he says.
I close my eyes, inhaling the air charged with whatever’s brewing tonight,
smelling more than just fucking rain. Storms carry promise. Something—
anything—is about to happen, and people are always on the verge. Ready to
run. Ready to be surprised.
“Fall” by The Bug spills out of the lighthouse, the steps leading up the
foundation to the open door already filled with people standing around or
coming and going. We walk into the structure, the sounds of the waves
outside crashing onto the beach, but you can barely hear it as we enter a cave
of darkness and smoke, the air thin with so many bodies crowded into such a
small space. Speakers hang over the sides of the spiral staircase, and bodies I
can’t identify loiter on the steps as far up as I can see.
“The Jaegers are here,” Amy shouts in my ear.
“Oh?”
I stop myself from looking to see which Jaegers she’s talking about, but
when Callum slides an arm around my waist from behind and holds me like
I’m his, I let him. Even going so far as to caress his hand over my stomach.
“Probably keeping an eye on their flag,” I tell her.
She shoots me a wicked look, and I think we’re both wondering how
much trouble we’re in for tonight, especially since we’re on their turf.
I turn my head over my shoulder, inviting Callum closer and snuggling
into his body. “I’m gonna dance.”
“I’m gonna watch.”
His mouth comes down, and I come in, but before he kisses me, I dive
into his ear instead. “I hope you like it,” I say, talking loud over the music.
“You’re gonna watch me a lot.”
And I pull away, biting my bottom lip and teasing him with my eyes all
the way to the dance floor with Amy.
She’s here. Liv sees me. I know she does.
And if she won’t let me have her, then I want her pissed. She thinks she’s
punishing me, but she’s going to learn the meaning of the word tonight.
The music pumps, rain hangs in the air, and I tip my head back as the
energy rocks my body. Everyone jumps to the music, and I smile.