Page 25 of Reclaiming Venom

I met her gaze, seeing understanding in those eyes I’d fallen for all those years ago. “I did,” I admitted. “But I wouldn’t trade this moment for anything. I can ride with them later.”

She smiled, a hint of mischief playing at the corners of her mouth. “Who says you have to choose? We’ve got a lot of lost time to make up for, but the club’s still out there. Still needs you.”

I raised an eyebrow, a slow grin spreading across my face. “You trying to get rid of me already, darlin’?”

Ridley laughed, the sound rich and full. “Not a chance in hell. You’re stuck with me, come hell or high water.”

As her laughter faded, I found myself marveling at the strength of the woman beside me. She’d weathered every storm life had thrown our way, emerging even more radiant than before.

“We’ve faced down plenty of both, haven’t we?” I mused, running my fingers through her hair.

She nodded, her expression turning serious. “And I’d do it all again if it meant I could be here by your side.”

“Love you.” I kissed her softly.

“I love you too.” She snuggled against me, and for the first time since I woke up in the hospital, everything felt right.

Chapter Eight

Ridley

The golden hour cast a honeyed glow across the living room, softening the hard edges of Venom’s face as he sat beside me on our well-worn leather couch. Shadows danced across the planes of his rugged features, highlighting the silver threading through his beard. My heart thundered in my chest.

I drew in a shaky breath, the air heavy with the scent of leather and Venom’s familiar cologne. My fingers twisted in my lap, betraying my nerves despite my usual take-charge demeanor.

“There’s something I need to tell you.”

His dark eyes met mine, intense and unreadable. A shiver raced down my spine at the weight of his gaze.

“What is it, darlin’?” he rumbled, his deep voice sending tremors through me.

I swallowed hard, steeling myself. “These past few months, rediscovering each other… it’s been incredible. But I need you to know -- I love you. All of you.”

Venom’s brow furrowed slightly, a question in his eyes.

“The man you were before,” I continued, my voice growing stronger. “The memories we built over decades, the life we created together. But also the man you’ve become. Your strength, your determination to piece everything back together. I started out wanting to make you fall for me all over again. But…”

My hand reached for his almost of its own accord, our fingers intertwining. The roughness of his palm against my skin grounded me.

“You’re still the same at your core,” I said softly. “That fierce protectiveness, that unwavering loyalty. But there was a vulnerability the last few months, an openness that took my breath away.”

Venom remained silent, but his grip on my hand tightened. I forged ahead, baring my soul.

“I fell in love with you,” I admitted. “And I wouldn’t change a single moment of our journey. Even though I’ve been terrified, I got to see a different side of you. I think this may have actually brought us closer together.”

The confession hung in the air between us, charged with potential. My heart raced as I waited for his response.

Venom’s expression softened, the hard lines of his face melting into something tender. His thumb traced slow circles on the back of my hand, sending shivers up my arm. The silence stretched, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. I could almost see the gears turning in his mind as he absorbed my words.

Finally, he spoke. “Ridley, darlin’… you’ve been my anchor through all this.” He lifted our joined hands, pressing a kiss to my knuckles. “Your love, your patience… it’s been everything.”

My breath caught in my throat as I saw the glimmer of unshed tears in his eyes. This tough, alpha male rarely showed such raw emotion.

“I’ve been thinkin’,” he continued, shifting closer to me on the couch. “About our past, our present… our future.” The last word held a wealth of promise. “Maybe we can take the best of both worlds, yeah?”

I nodded, encouraging him to continue.

“Like… remember how we used to have those Sunday morning rides? Just the two of us?” A smile played at the corners of his mouth. “We could start that up again. But this time, maybe we take a different route each week. Explore new places together.”

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