Page 52 of Sweet Venom

Her comment brings Tate's eyes forward. I don't think he expected that question to be directed toward him, but rather the man on my right holding my hand. Ellis clears his throat and says, "Vivian will be my forever, as long as she'll have me."

My grandmother raises a brow and says, "Yes, well, that's all fine and good, but that's not what I'm asking. I don't doubt that you care for her. My question is concerning this." She pauses and gestures between the three of us before adding, "There's clearly something going on between the two of you and my Granddaughter. I imagine both of you care for her deeply, yet only one of you is acknowledging that."

We all sit in silence, none of us sure what to say. I know how Ellis feels, and I'm beginning to understand my own heart, but I'm not so sure about Tate. We haven't discussed the long-term, or the short-term for that matter. How does this all play out? Both men know about the other. We've had a threesome, but what's next?

Tate steals my thoughts and answers, "It's not that simple."

"Matters of the heart never are, but I can tell you this: jealousy is a disease. It is love and hate at the same time, rooted in fear." Pulling in a breath, she moves her purse off her lap before bringing her eyes to mine to add, "I've watched it rot my son and steal all that is good in his life. You three will have enough battles to fight just existing as you are. Make sure whatever you have is built on a firm foundation; otherwise, you will crumble when the first stone is cast."

There's a long silence before Tate and Ellis focus their attention out of their respective windows again. However, just as my mind starts to worry about Tate's headspace, his hand finds my thigh, and I can't help but look down at the connection. While his words are vague and leave room for doubt to seep in, his actions speak the loudest. He keeps showing up. He's trying, and that's everything.

* * *

We've just walked out to the backyard when Nico loops his arm through my grandmother's and pulls her away to show her around the property while we meet up with Charlie and Mason, who are already in the pool having drinks.

"Vivi," Mason chants, holding his beer high as I walk out. "Get your ass in the pool."

I bring my hand over my eyes to shade the sun before calling out, "I didn't realize this was a pool party. I didn't bring my suit."

"I have extras in the pool house. There should be some in there for the guys as well." Charlie tosses back.

"I guess we're swimming," I say as I clap my hands together.

Ellis grabs my hand. "Come on," as he pulls me toward the pool house, but it only takes me a second to stop in my tracks and remember Tate.

"Wait," I say as I squeeze his hand and turn back toward Tate, who has followed us around like a silent shadow since we arrived. While my grandmother's words held merit, it doesn't make any of this easier, and now swimming. "Are you okay with this? We don't have to swim if you don't want to. I can just hang my feet over the edge."

His beautiful eyes pull away from the pool to focus on me, and when they do, they squeeze my fucking heart. It's evident my words were the last words he expected to hear. I was right about his scars. I was the first person he's let close enough to see them, which tells me a million things without saying much at all. If I'm the first one to see them, then I'm the first one he let in. I'm the first one to care.

I release Ellis's hand and step into Tate, resting my hands on his hips. The embrace is sensual, and anyone watching could easily concur that we are more than just friends, especially when his hand finds the side of my cheek before he leans down and kisses my forehead. "I'm good, Vi. We can swim."

Taking his hand in mine, I turn around and find Ellis staring on with a pinched expression, but it's not one of jealousy. If anything, he's curious. Ellis is trying to understand why Tate wouldn't want to swim, but he says nothing, instead choosing to leave it alone as we head to the pool house.

I've just finished putting on one of Charlie's yellow string bikinis. It's more sexy than I would typically wear around the family, but it is the only one that fits my breasts. Charlie's tits are at least two cup sizes bigger than mine. I'm standing at the bar inside the pool house, adjusting the front, waiting for the guys, when big hands wrap around me from behind, quickly cupping my breasts.

Ellis buries his face in my neck before saying, "These bottoms barely cover your ass. I will be fucking hard the entire time we're out there." His hands quickly move the small triangles of fabric covering my breasts, exposing my tits for anyone to walk in and see as he sucks on my neck and tweaks my nipples between his fingers.

"Mmm," I draw out as I feel his growing erection pressing against my ass. He feels so damn good.

"Fuck it," he says as he spins me around and crashes his mouth to mine. His tongue battles with mine as he lifts my leg to press his hard cock against my pussy, drawing out another delicious moan that he swallows down on a groan before releasing me and dropping to his knees. "I need to taste you, baby." And with one pull, my bottoms hit the floor.

"Ellis," I hiss as I move to try to tuck my breasts back in.

"No, don't do that. I want to see them when I look up and watch you come on my tongue."

"Someone could walk in," I whisper-yell.

"Don't pretend you don't like the idea of getting caught. Now stop talking. The only noises I want to hear from that pretty mouth are you screaming my name."

Before I can offer any further objections, my leg is draped over his shoulder, and his tongue is licking me straight up my center. "God, yes." We've been wound so tight. Between riding in the car with my grandmother and introducing Tate to Nico, we are all beyond stressed. When we walked in, Ellis introduced Tate to Nico as our friend, and I could tell there was a shift in Nico's demeanor. I'm unsure what exactly he believes is going on, but if I had to guess, he and my grandmother are doing more than just viewing the property. I'm sure they are discussing us at length.

A door closing to my left startles me, and when I see that it's Tate, I don't exactly settle. I'm still tense, unsure of how Tate will react to catching me with Ellis, but before I have time to give it too much thought, Ellis says, "You've had her mouth, and I know you've had her pussy, but tell me, have you had her tight ass?"

Ellis lazily runs his index finger through my swollen lips as I try hard to stay cognizant of Tate and how all of this might be affecting him. However, those endeavors are short-lived when Ellis replaces his finger with his tongue and dives deep inside my pussy. My eyes roll back of their own accord. I'm so fucking turned on. Anyone could walk in right now and see me completely naked with Ellis on his knees, eating my pussy as I lean against the bar. But right now, it's not just anyone watching. It's Tate, and thoughts of the last time we were all together have me clenching in anticipation. "Fuck, baby, this pussy is hungry," Ellis says as he pulls back to pump me with two digits.

My hooded eyes find Tate's, and I say, "Touch me."

The entire purpose of his coming with us tonight was to get to know Ellis. We were supposed to talk, and none of that has happened. In the car, he acknowledged my grandmother's assessment that the three of us were something, but we haven't discussed what that is. However, the tent in his pants tells me that whatever we are… he doesn't hate it.

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