Something Fierce [The Underground 1] (Siren Publishing Classic) Read Online Free

that hung on the back of the door. The woman that stared back at her certainly didn’t look like she was going to church. Tristan’s reflection showed that she wore a denim miniskirt, a tank, and a cardigan. Her midriff showed slightly, which Tristan thought was pushing the skimpy envelope.
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Look at how much leg I’m showing.” She pointed to her thigh to make her point clear. “Not to mention my midriff.” She could see Kylie rolling her eyes.
    “First things first. The cardigan has to go.” Kylie slid the material off her shoulders. The next thing Kylie did was remove the bobby pin that had secured the hair out of her eyes. She gripped the edge of her skirt and wiggled it down just a bit, which in turn showed a good inch of Tristan’s flesh. Kylie ran her fingers through Tristan’s newly freed hair and smiled.
    “There, now you look like you’re ready to have a good time.”

Chapter Four
     
    Several hours into the party and three beers down, Tristan was starting to let her guard down. She had never been much of a social butterfly, but when she got a little liquid courage inside of her she opened right up. A beer was handed to her and she looked at who was offering it. The guy who stood beside her was strikingly handsome, especially with his styled dirty-blond hair and deep-brown eyes. He smiled down at her and pushed the beer toward her again. Tristan smiled and shook her head.
    “No thanks, I think I’ve reached my limit. I do have to drive home later.”
    He leaned in close and spoke directly into her ear. “I’m Max.” He pulled away and offered her the beer again. “It’s still early. Just one more so I don’t have to drink alone? Please?”
    Tristan looked at Kylie who stood a few feet away. Her best friend looked at Max for several moments, like she was deep in thought, then turned back to her and shrugged. “How can you be drinking alone when there are all these people around getting loaded?” He laughed and tilted his head in acknowledgment.
    “True, but I’m not interested in drinking with those other people.” He winked. “Come on, just one more, please.”
    Oh.
    It wasn’t that Tristan was drunk, but she knew herself. One more beer would lead to another, and another, until she was curled around the toilet. Only one more, Tristan. She took the beer and smiled in thanks.
    He leaned forward again and spoke into her ear. “Would you like to step outside?”
    It was starting to get warm, so Tristan nodded and followed him onto the back deck. He led them to a corner where there was no one passed out or in the middle of almost having sex.
    “I’m Max.” He held out his hand in greeting.
    Tristan didn’t point out that she already knew this from when he introduced himself inside. She took his offered hand. “I’m Tristan. Nice to meet you.” She tipped the bottle to her mouth and took a long swallow. He did the same, never taking his eyes off of her.
    He watched her with a slight tilt of his lips. Tristan cleared her throat. “I’ve never seen you around. Are you friends with Jayson or Kylie?”
    He took another drink of his beer. “I’m the friend of a friend.”
    She nodded and leaned against the deck railing, watching the others around him. She had never been very good at talking to guys, and she felt a spike of nervousness assault her. She took another drink of beer and sliced her eyes back to him. He was watching her and she felt herself grow dizzy. He looked at her like she was the only woman at the party. No one had ever looked at her that way, not even the asshole Zac.
    “You’re very beautiful.”
    Tristan felt her cheeks heat with embarrassment. She ducked her head. “I’m sorry. I’ve never been any good with compliments.”
    “You don’t have to apologize. The fact that you don’t know how good-looking you are is endearing.”
    He spoke like he should be sailing yachts with his aristocratic buddies. The fact that he