Page 24 of Reclaiming Venom

“I can’t believe you’re really back,” she whispered, her breath hot against my neck.

Slowly, reluctantly, we pulled apart just enough to lock eyes. The vibrant blue of her gaze, swimming with unshed tears, held me captive. In that moment, a lifetime of shared understanding passed between us -- the triumphs, the struggles, the unwavering love that had seen us through it all.

“Believe it, darlin’,” I murmured, lifting a hand to cup her cheek. My thumb brushed away a stray tear, the salt of it a testament to the depth of her emotion. “I’m here, flesh and blood and memories intact.”

Ridley’s lips curved into a tremulous smile, a glimpse of that vivacious spirit I’d fallen for all those years ago. “Prove it, old man,” she challenged, her voice husky.

I didn’t need to be told twice. Leaning in, I captured her lips with mine in a kiss that was both passionate and tender. It was a homecoming, a promise, a reaffirmation of the love we’d rediscovered, and the love we’d had for decades. Her lips were soft, yielding, yet demanding all at once -- so quintessentially Ridley that it made my heart ache.

The kiss deepened, intensifying with each passing moment. Ridley’s fingers tangled in my hair, pulling me closer as if she couldn’t get enough. The taste of her -- sweet and familiar -- flooded my senses. My hands roamed her back, tracing the curves I’d memorized long ago, rediscovering them anew.

A low groan escaped me as Ridley nipped at my bottom lip, the sharp sensation sending a jolt of electricity down my spine. The fire that had always smoldered between us roared to life, consuming us both. I could feel the heat of her body through the thin fabric of her nightgown, her soft body pressing against me.

“God, I’ve missed you,” I breathed against her lips, barely breaking contact. The words were inadequate, but they were all I had.

Ridley responded by deepening the kiss, her tongue sliding against mine in a sensual dance. The room around us faded away, the soft morning light and gentle rustle of curtains becoming nothing more than background noise. The world outside ceased to exist, leaving only us and the bond we shared.

My hands slid lower, gripping her hips and pulling her flush against me. Ridley let out a soft gasp, the sound music to my ears. In that moment, nothing else mattered -- not the lost time, not the challenges ahead. There was only us, wrapped in each other’s arms, rediscovering the passion that had never truly died.

As our kiss broke, we remained close, our foreheads resting together. Our breaths mingled, hot and heavy, as we caught our breath. The quiet intimacy of the moment settled over us like a warm blanket. I gazed into Ridley’s eyes, seeing the same love and passion I’d fallen for all those years ago.

“Ridley,” I murmured, my voice a low rumble. “I remember everything. Every moment, every touch, every word. I’m so damn sorry for what I put you through. You never gave up on me, even when I couldn’t remember us.”

Tears welled in Ridley’s eyes, but her smile was radiant. “I knew you’d come back to me. I never stopped believing in us.”

I pulled her closer, burying my face in her hair. “I love you, darlin’. More than I can ever say. You’re my heart, my soul. Without you, I’m nothing but a shell.”

Ridley’s arms tightened around me, her body trembling slightly. “I love you too, you stubborn old biker,” she said, a watery chuckle escaping her. “Don’t you dare leave me again, you hear me? I can’t go through that again.”

I pressed a kiss to her temple, my heart full to bursting. “Never again, sweetheart. I’m here to stay.”

The morning sun painted the room in hues of amber, casting a warm glow over our entwined bodies as we settled back into the bed. Ridley’s soft curves molded against me, her head tucked under my chin. I breathed in deeply, savoring the warmth of her skin against mine.

“This feels like a dream,” I murmured, my fingers tracing lazy patterns on her bare shoulder. “If it is, I don’t ever want to wake up.”

Ridley’s hand splayed across my chest, right over my heart. “It’s real. We’re real.” Her voice was thick with emotion, but I could hear the smile in it. “How are you feeling?”

I took a moment to consider, my mind sifting through the flood of memories. “Like my brain got hit by an eighteen-wheeler. But also like I’ve been given a second chance at life,” I replied honestly. “Everything’s so clear now. It’s overwhelming, but in the best way possible.”

She lifted her head, those beautiful blue eyes meeting mine. “We have all the time in the world to sort through it all. Together.”

I couldn’t resist leaning in for a soft kiss, relishing the way she melted against me. As we parted, I noticed the sunlight catching the silver strands in her hair, reminding me of how much time we’d lost. But it didn’t matter now. We had found our way back to each other.

“I can’t wait to see the kids,” I said, a hint of excitement creeping into my voice. “To really see them, you know? To remember all our history.”

Ridley’s smile was tender. “Dawson will be over the moon. And the girls… We may have to go to the Devil’s Fury to see them. I’m still pissed as fuck at them, and I know the rest of the club is too. Oh, God! The club! Everyone will be so happy to hear you remember everything.”

As we lay there, wrapped in each other’s arms, I felt a profound sense of peace settle over me. The world outside could wait. For now, this moment was ours alone.

As we basked in the tranquil glow of our reunion, a distant rumble pierced the morning stillness. The unmistakable growl of motorcycles, a sound that had once been as familiar to me as my own heartbeat, now stirred something primal within my chest.

Ridley’s fingers tightened ever so slightly against my skin. “Sounds like some of your brothers are heading out,” she murmured, her breath warm against my neck.

I closed my eyes, letting the rhythm of the engines wash over me. “Yeah,” I replied. “Funny how some things never change, and yet they do. Not the first time I’ve heard that sound the last few months, but it’s different today.”

The rumble grew louder, then faded, leaving behind a charged silence. I found myself torn between the cocoon of our bed and the pull of the open road. The dichotomy wasn’t lost on Ridley; I could feel her studying my face.

“You’ve missed it,” she said. It wasn’t a question.

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