Tryst Six Venom by Penelope Douglas

“Have you ever kissed a man?” he asks.
“Have you ever kissed a cow?”
He laughs under his breath as if I’m just so naïve. How many times have
people asked me that same stupid question? As if I need to try everything to
know for sure that I don’t want it.
He inches closer, and I press my back into the table, still holding my
phone.
“Did you know my father is appraising your land today?”
I stare at him.
“Did you know his plans include demolishing the old lighthouse?” he
asks. “They’re building cabanas in that spot.”
His friends draw closer, ever so slowly, and he raises his eyes to meet
mine.
“Did you know that they’ll break ground by the end of the year?” Callum
taunts.
The lump in my throat grows, but I don’t falter.
He’s lying. That’s too soon.
“Did you know that a structure can be deemed a historical landmark and
cannot be destroyed after it reaches one-hundred years old?” he tells me.
“And while fucking for me will get you Mercutio, fucking me will get you a
meeting with Raymond FitzHugh to push through your petition to protect the
lighthouse? And, in effect, your land?” The corners of his eyes crinkle as he
pins me with a look. “Fucking me good guarantees it, in fact.”
I squeeze the phone in my fist.
“And did you know—”
“Shut up.” I clench my teeth, steeling my spine.
He cocks his head.
“Just shut up.”
And did you know…? And did you know…? I should keep my mouth shut,
but the anger is spilling over the side. I’m full.
“Everything in the way you act tells me I’m supposed to be scared,” I say.
“Showing up here with your boys. Uninvited. When I’m alone.” I gaze
around the room at all of them. “What happens when you find out that the
one thing you want is something you will never get? You will never feel like
a man, Callum.”
That’s why he does this. Because hurt people hurt people. He doesn’t
want me. He doesn’t want Clay.