Page 95 of A Love Like Venom

A wide smile spreads across my face. Taking her hand, I lead her out of her trailer and walk out into the night.

“Reed, I don’t even have shoes on!”

Stopping abruptly, I turn and glance down at her feet. They’re bare against the dead grass thanks to the humidity and heat during summer.

Before I can think better of it, I scoop her in my arms. She squeals, throwing her arms around my neck and laying her head against my chest.

I carry her tightly against me as we cross from her trailer to mine.

I never did have it in my heart to give it up. It wasn’t much but my momma was proud of it. As a single parent thanks to my fucking asshole of a father leaving, she worked hard to keep us here. And I know that it doesn’t seem like much, but she tried her damnedest to make it home. After she died I lived there by myself, but I could feel her with me. When I left I couldn’t sell it to someone else.

I never once thought of giving it up.

Sometimes I don’t know if that has to do with my momma or the woman in my arms.

Perhaps subconsciously I couldn’t get rid of something that held so many precious memories I shared with her.

Her eyes go wide as she stiffens in my hold. “What are you doing? You don’t live there anymore,” she sounds alarmed. I laugh in response, and she lightly smacks my chest. “Reed.” My name is a warning.

When I finally reach my trailer where the ladder is to get to the top, I bring her back down to her feet.

Her slow slide down my body doesn’t help the desire I’m trying to tamper. And my cock more than likes how her body feels against mine.

Fucking hell.

Clearing my throat, I return my attention to her. “I know,” I eventually reply to her.

“Then if you know, why are we here?”

Ushering her over to the ladder she looks back at me waiting for an answer. Killing her curiosity I tell her, “Because it’s mine.”

She gasps. “You kept it? Why?”

Not wanting any secrets from us I decide to tell her the truth. I was always honest with her until the day that I left. “I couldn’t let it go. Not when so many memories of my momma are here. Not when I had memories of you here.” There is no point in lying to her. There’s also no point lying to myself.

Her eyes go soft. A small smile graces her lips. Before she can say anything, I say to her with my voice gruff, “Come on.”

Nodding her head, she turns and starts to climb up the old ladder. It’s a little worse for wear but it makes do. When she reaches the top of the trailer only then do I begin the climb.

And I realize how ridiculous this looks. A grown man in a fucking Vipers MC cut with a Glock in his waistband and knives on his personnel climbing a ladder to wish on stars.

If the guys knew back at the compound my man card would be revoked.

But as I reach the top and find her waiting for me, I couldn’t give one single fuck about said man card.

Holding out her hand to me I take it without hesitation.

We then lay down next to each other. My leg pressed up against hers.

With our hands still intertwined I bring them to my lips and kiss her hand. A sharp intake of breath is all I hear but it’s enough to let me know that I haven’t taken a step too far.

Then I bring our hands to rest on my chest.

I don’t miss how she scoots closer to me, laying her head on my shoulder.

Relief washes over in me in waves.

She still seeks me out for comfort. Still wanting my touch. Wanting to be near.

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