Page 227 of A Love Like Venom

And fuck, does it make my heart swell with warmth knowing that Alice has a family now.

"Besides," he says eventually, "there's a twelve year age difference."

At that I must laugh. Oak pins me with a glare. It's been a good while since I have truly laughed at his expense. And it feels damn good. "If the age difference bothered you I don't think you would be looking at Gracie Mae the way you do."

He pins me with a glare. "Shut the fuck up."

"Come on now, Oaky Boy. It's nothing to be ashamed of. Hey, she might call you daddy in bed." I know I shouldn't have but the joke was right there and I had to do it.

His face goes as hard as stone. Eyes menacing with a tick in his jaw. But the real tell is how his fingers are twitching. He's downright pissed.

"Fuck off, Snake."

I hold up my hands in surrender. Waving the white flag and calling for peace. "Seriously Oak, what's going on there?”

"Nothing," he answers tight lipped.

“More likesomething."

"Why do you care?"

"Because if she can make you happy, Oak, I fucking care."

His jaw relaxes as his eyes grow distant. "I told you that was a dream that's long gone."

"You're wrong," I argue. "That dream of yours is still out there. You're just too scared to chase it."

He shakes his head. "Like I said, there is nothing between us."

Time to light a fire under his ass. Some men need a push. Oak needs a fucking shove off a cliff. "Well, if it really is nothing I guess Slater can have his chance with her."

Before I know it Oak's hand is wrapped around my throat. His thumb presses on my airway and if he applies more pressure I'll be knocked out within seconds.

"Mention her and Slater again and see what fucking happens." The scariest thing about Oak? His silent rage. The man is lethally calm. His voice never rises. He's strategic. Methodical. His face expression never changes but his eyes turn to ice. And when that happens you can't stop him.

I would be petrified if I was any other man. But I'm not. And Oak is my best friend. We might beat the ever loving shit out of each other but we would never kill one another. Too much respect between us. Not to mention the bond we have. And I literally love him as if he was my very own brother. I'd take a bullet for him and I know he would do the same for me.

"So," I breathe out, "there issomething."

"Fuck," I hear him mutter underneath his breath before he releases my throat. Taking a step back from him I roll my head from one side to the other. He really didn't do any damage. Not that I expected him to. "Sorry," he apologizes gruffly.

This time I roll my eyes at him. "For all you know I could be into choke play."

"Are you?"

"No, but if Alice wanted to try I wouldn't stop her." Thinking about it, that would be pretty hot. Especially after a sparring session between the two of us.

"Okay." He clears his throat. "Enough of that."

I shrug. "You're the one who asked."

"And as you can clearly see I'm already regretting it."

"And you'll be regretting more if you don't admit to yourself that something is going on between you two." He sighs and runs a hand down his face exasperated. "Just fucking admit it."

"It's complicated," he finally says.

Halle-fucking-lullah!

---