Page 51 of Sweet Venom

"Fuck, yeah, you are," Tate growls into my ear before adding, "All over my cock." And just like that, I'm spiraling deliciously over the edge, calling out his name as he holds in deep, finding his own release.

"You're mine now, Vivian Fiori."

* * *

"Fiori, Hector feels absolutely terrible. He got Arnie and another guy to stay and help fix the ceiling this weekend. The hole isn't all that big, and we got lucky that the insulation didn't contain asbestos. They're doing the work without pay on their own time."

"Well, he should. The man got spooked by his own shadow and fell through the ceiling."

Mark scratches the back of his head, and I can tell he's trying to hold back a smile. "You have to admit it's a little weird that there was a mirror in that space. In fact, the entire existence of that space is strange. We assumed that bump out belonged to whatever business is going up next door."

I hold up my hand and cut him off. "Mark, I get it, but I don't care to hear excuses. I have a grand opening in two days. I just want it fixed."

The door to my office opens, and Tate walks in unannounced. I don't miss how Mark's eyes slightly narrow at his intrusion, but he's subtle. I know he and Tate are friends, but I'm sure he has thoughts about what's going on between us. Mark is well aware of who my boyfriend is, but ever since we fucked in the shower, Tate hasn't exactly hidden the fact we are something. It doesn't bother me. I'm not trying to hide what we have, but I suppose I hadn't put much thought into getting to this point in our relationship.

I clear my throat and rub my forehead, trying to think of what we were discussing right before Tate walked in and stole all my focus like he always does. "Beth will be here training employees all weekend. So, she'll be able to let the guys in."

"Oh, I didn't realize you wouldn't be here." Mark furrows his brow, clearly perplexed.

"Yes, well," I pick a piece of nonexistent lint from my shirt sleeve as I choose my next words. "I'll be in Napa with my boyfriend. Friends and family are coming into town, and I could use a break. As long as that ceiling is fixed, we should be good. Plus, I'll be back early Sunday to ensure it."

"Mark, if you don't have anything else. I have a few last-minute items to discuss with Vi before I head out."

I bite my tongue, not loving the way Tate suddenly thinks he can dismiss my contractor in my office at my gym. I let it slide because I know my words caught him by surprise. Tate's forwardness catches Mark by surprise as well. It's evident that we are having a lover's quarrel.

Clearing his throat, Mark says, "No, I'm good. That's all I had." He awkwardly casts his eyes down as he reaches for the door and sees himself out.

"What do you mean, you're going to Napa?" Tate questions as soon as he's out of ear-reach.

I don't answer that question directly but rather ask another. "Where are things going between us, Tate?"

"What?" He asks, his voice strained with nerves. "I am yours, and you are mine. What more do you need?"

The past few days since we fucked in the shower have been great. We steal kisses and touches when no one is looking, and when he's had enough and can't stand going another second without me, I'm pulled into an empty room or thrown over my desk and thoroughly fucked. The novelty of feeling like we are doing something we shouldn't be, even though we are two grown-ass, consenting adults, has been fun, but it's time to own our shit.

He throws himself into one of my guest chairs and pushes it back so that it's balancing on two legs. I stand and walk around the desk in an attempt to calm him. He's clearly taken my question the wrong way. Propping my ass against the front of my desk, I say, "I'm not disputing that I am yours. I'm asking how you saw this all playing out. In two days, you no longer work here. You've refused to come home with me, and now you're mad that I'm doing something without you."

Pinching the bridge of his nose, he settles the chair back on all four legs, letting me know that my words did offer some peace, though I know they are still heavy. "I don't know, Vi. It's not that simple. I'm not him. I just need time."

Those words pierce my heart and have me climbing into his lap and taking his face in my hands to ensure he feels my sincerity when I say, "I don't want you to be him. I want you just the way you are." I press a closed-mouth kiss to his lips and say, "What if we do drinks with Ellis? You could get to know him. I know you think he's not a good guy, but it's because you don't know him."

I run my thumbs over his cheeks, searching his face for a yes, just as Ellis walks in. "She's right. Come to dinner tonight."

My eyes study Ellis from head to toe. This is the second time he's found me with Tate alone. Sure, he's aware that we've been hooking up, but hearing about it and seeing evidence of it are two totally different things. I don't know if I'll ever feel completely comfortable with him catching me with another man. But his wide stance, coupled with the way his hands are casually tucked into the front of his pockets, and the softness in his eyes, reassure me he's not mad. Nothing has changed.

"You want my girl. It's time to meet the family."

Tate's hands find my hips as he guides me off his lap and stands, rubbing his jaw in annoyance before saying, "Fine, but I have one condition." Ellis crosses his arms and raises a brow in question, and I momentarily prepare for some sort of argument to ensue, but then he says, "No more calling her your girl. She's our girl."

Chapter 22

The Viper

"So, what are your plans for my Granddaughter?" My grandmother's eyes flick between Ellis and Tate, who sit on either side of me in the back of the limo we are taking to Napa.

Ellis is on my right, his fingers interlaced with mine as my hand rests in his lap while Tate sits at my left. Unlike Ellis, he hasn't touched me. Instead, he's kept his gaze out the window with his fists firmly clenched. He's uncomfortable, and I can't exactly blame him. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't experiencing a similar level of anxiety with Ellis's unexpected surprise. I knew we were having dinner two hours away in Napa tonight. That has been on the agenda for the last week. What I didn't realize was that my grandmother would not only be attending the dinner but driving with us. Clearly, I haven’t been able to ask Ellis about it, seeing as how she's currently in the car, but I think this is just as much of a surprise to him as it was to me.

"Please, don't everyone speak at once."

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