Page 180 of A Love Like Venom

He doesn’t let me finish my lie. “Yes, it is true. And while I find your aggression hot as fuck you’re lying to me. And angel, I know you better than I know myself.”

I can’t hide anything from him if I wanted to. Certainly not like I could when we were younger. I hid my home life from him afraid to tarnish the light he gave me. Didn’t tell him the wishes I made upon thousands of stars. I told him nothing to not taint the time I had with him.

Foolish, I know.

Foolish and naive.

He told me everything under the moon and stars and I gave him nothing in return.

My greatest regret in life is not confiding in him when I should have. Perhaps a whole great deal of pain and suffering could have been avoided. But what could he do? He was only a kid like me. And I was honest with him when I told him the nights I spent with him, the time I had with him was more than enough for me.

Now I can’t hide anything from him at all. There is no one who knows me better than him.

I don’t want to lie to him. We made a promise of no more secrets kept between us.

My shoulders fall as I sigh heavily. “It’s been nonstop for the past week.”

His eyes flash knowingly. Raising himself up he sits with me straddling his waist. His arms wrap around me as his hands interlock against my lower back.

Although his touch brings me a great comfort it doesn’t take away the anger that has been ignited inside me.

“I’m sorry,” he apologizes. “I thought by now at least it wouldn’t be as often. She knows I’m with someone. She knows the club is on lockdown.”

“Yet still she calls. I’m not trying to sound whiny-”

“You have every right to be angry, Alice.”

My eyes fleet away from his for a second as I try to collect my thoughts. My hands that rest on his shoulder hold on to him tightly. My fingernails digging in his skin. He doesn’t wince or hiss. The pain not recognizable. He only stares at me intently, gauging my reactions.

“I’m not angry.” He raises a brow. “Okay,” I relent, “I am angry. And I’m frustrated. And worried about Gracie Mae and Connor. I’m worried about Oak. I keep waiting for something bad to happen because it always does. We have known tragedy our entire lives, Reed. Why would now suddenly be any different? And I’m pissed. I’m pissed that some other woman has known a side of you that I have. I’m furious that she thinks you are hers. Most of all I hate the fact that I have put all these people’s lives in jeopardy because of me.” I end my rant with an accelerated heart beat and uneven breaths.

Hazel eyes that have been keeping a steady eye on me turn soft. “Do you feel better?” I arch a brow at him then he clarifies, “Getting it all out. Does it feel better?”

I stay silent.

After a minute I realize that my shoulders feel lighter. The ache in my chest now a dull throb. What had my veins feeling like fire was flowing through them has turned to embers.

What I really feel is exhausted. Mentally and physically. “I’m tired, Reed.”

“I know, angel but I need you to hang in there for me. If you don’t feel like fighting for yourself then fight for me.”

My lips pull up slightly. “I’ll always fight for you. Until my last breath.”

“Untilourlast breaths,” he corrects me. “We are in this together, Alice.”

“Together,” I agree, finally being able to breathe easier.

He places a kiss to my forehead and then to my cheeks before giving me a sweet kiss to my lips. “And angel?” I hum in reply. “No one knows me like you do. She saw a mask just like everyone else but you see the real me. You always have.”

The dull throb in my chest dissipates. “Thank you.” This time I kiss him my lips are more forceful. They demand entry. They seek dominance. And he gives into me. He always gives into me.

Our hands explore each other with an urgency and eagerness. There’s the need to feel our bare skin against one another’s. As his hand slips underneath my shirt I don’t stop him. Not like before.

I need to feel connected to him in every way.

Lifting my arms above my head he looks in my eyes and I nod in reply. Taking my shirt off he then tosses it. His lips trail kisses down my neck before kissing the top of my breasts.

My eyes roll to the back of my head as I let out a moan.

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