Deeper (The Deeper Chronicles #1) Read Online Free Page A

shouted, tugging Avi behind her.
    She was left with no choice but to follow, not only because Avi would lose her friend in the thick crowd, but because her interest was now piqued. Avi was loath to admit it, but she wanted to be a part of this world of exotic beauty.
    After getting her mother’s gift of a second chance, Avi had been on the straight and narrow, and though there’d been a bump in her plans, she’d forged ahead. One night was all she was going to allow herself.
    “This is us.” Sofie plopped down on a plush white couch that was away from the frenzied dancing and loud music.
    A server was quick to approach the duo and ask for their drink orders. Never one to deviate from what she knew, Avi requested her go-to drink of Long Island Iced Tea.
    Sofie shook her head. “No. She’ll take the Bad Girl Concoction, and just a refill for me, please.” She tapped the empty glass in front of her.
    Their server disappeared, returning with two drinks. With no idea of the ingredients or taste, and having to rely on the dim lighting, Avi’s eyes grew large when they settled on the innocent looking mint garnish that rested on the lip of the oversized glass. Sofie, the bolder of the two, picked up her drink and sipped from the straw while watching Avi over the rim of her glass.
    Man up, Linton. Avi picked up her glass and tipped it in Sofie’s direction as her thanks, and then tentatively placed her lips on the rim.
    “This is good.” Avi swallowed more than a sip of the colorful mixed drink. She took another gulp and rolled her eyes heavenward in appreciation. The flavors overwhelmed Avi’s tongue and challenged her to get to the bottom of the glass so she could learn how the drink was made. “What’s in this?” she asked, taking her fifth—or tenth—gulp.
    “A little of this and a little of that.” Sofie shrugged with a contagious smile.
    Smiling in return, Avi knew that line was totally made up. It was the way Sofie’s eyes darted around, refusing to look at her. They sat in companionable silence while Avi tapped her foot to the beat and Sofie surreptitiously spied on those walking through the front door.
    “Who are you looking for?”
    Sofie’s eyes connected with Avi’s, realizing she was caught. “No one.”
    Avi backed away, smirking. “Uh huh. And does this Mr. No One have a real name?”
    “Maybe. But it’s not like it’ll go anywhere,” she grumbled.
    It was clear Sofie would change the situation if it was left to her, but it didn’t sound to Avi as if she could. She decided to get her new best friend back to a happy place where nothing mattered and all was right.
    She bumped Sofie’s shoulder. “Chin up. If this Mr. No One can’t see what a catch you are, then he’s an idiot. Come on. Let’s dance.”
    Just like Sofie didn’t wait for Avi to follow her into the club, her hurried pace didn’t give Sofie a chance to voice her opinion. The girls stopped in the middle of the floor and let the catchy beats take over their bodies. Avi was shocked by her friend’s carefree movements, and was quick to mirror Sofie.
    “I’m twenty-four, biyatch,” she yelled at the top of her lungs to no one in particular. She swayed her hips in Sofie’s direction.
    I’ve buried this part of me for too long.
    Someone grabbed Avi from behind.
    Uncaring who it was, she danced with the same abandon from a few years ago, closing her eyes and pouring herself into her movements. She was turned around and the man trailed his hands down her sides, pulling her closer.
    The stranger nudged her head to the side, his cool breath and whispered words sending tingles along Avi’s spine. She arched her body into his. “I’ve been watching you since you stepped on the floor.”
    She ground her lower half into his instead of verbalizing her response. It’d been too long since she felt the hardness of a man.
    His hands captured her hips. They landed—warm and heavy—and boy was she enjoying how he felt.
    “The