Page 51 of Sweet Touch of Venom

I tense up, He raises his hands to my face and stills before glancing at me.

“May I touch you?” He shouldn’t sound so sexy when it’s a simple question. That lump is forming again, stunting my breathing. I vaguely recall telling to never touch me again. I was upset. He called me a liability, and that shouldn’t have affected me, but it did. It stung like a bee poking me with its stinger. I told him his words pack no punch, but I was wrong. Very wrong.

“Sure. You only have a minute.”

He steps closer, standing over me like a tower, and I’m the miniature human down below. Wood and citrus fill my space. It’s light and subtle, not overbearing to the point where my nostril hairs catch flame.

He smells so good.

No he doesn't, shut up. Shut your trifling brain.

His eyes move across my face and my hair. He brushes his fingers over the side of my strands gently, the tips of the pads touching my skin, sending electric shocks down my cheek to neck. My heart now thunders against my ribs, causing it to rattle.

After gathering as much hair behind my ear, Ronan looks down at where I’m holding the device, and he dips his fingers into my palms. He glances at me, placing the bud softly into my ear—his carefulness is obvious, like he’s avoiding hurting me. Once it’s secure, the pad of his thumb trails my ear tenderly. My throat goes dry with a shiver down my thigh. I watch his jaw flex and his Adam’s apple bulge out. This shouldn’t beanything,but it seems like it.

I peek at his lips, curved, plump, and dented at the top. It’s a perfect juiciness. I’m only stating the obvious—it doesn’t mean Iwantto kiss him.

“I should’ve put it in a ponytail,” I blurt out, trying to distract my thoughts while rubbing my sweaty palms on the back of my cargos.

He shakes his head lightly. “Don’t.” His fingers play in my curly strands.

“Don’t tell me what to do.” I flick my eyes to his lips, and he catches sight of it. My chest tightens and I quickly play it off, peering behind him instead. His hand slightly tightens around my hair like he’s trying to compose himself. I look back.

“No mask?” His eyes slice back to mine.

“No.”

A second passes, which feels like minutes, with us looking at each other, but I can’t take it anymore; his gaze is searing into my soul like he’s hearing my lustful thoughts.

I gaze away finally, diverting my eyes to the ground. “I believe that minute has passed.” I manage to get out even though my throat is drier than sandpaper.

He lowers his hand. I gaze back up to see him clench his jaw and a dilation to his eyes as he steps away from me like I’m poisonous. “Your earpiece is secure.” His tone is back to authority.

“Great, now that is over with, can we go?” Mal asks, irritated. I look around to see Boone is gone, the door is wide open, and Mal just looks pissed, as usual.

Ronan backs up, grabbing the last two duffle bags from the foyer, then walks out. Heat is skating up my back and I need air for a second. I make my way outside where it’s brisk but Wicked places her hand up, pushing me back.

Reflex kicks in and I slap her hand away. “What?”

She steps in front of me, fury clearly running through her like a hellfire. “You pull any funny shit, you’re gone. You may have Ro swindled and fooled, but I’m not.” Then she spins around, her wavy short ponytail flinging along with her.

Such a bitch.

What strikes me as odd is why would she thinkIhave Ronan fooled?

Location: Outskirts of Hollow City

Operation: Kill everyone.

We pullup to the same spot we scoped out last week. It’s on top of the hill that hovers down towards the compound or mansion? I’ll make sure to watch my footing as I walk along the path, but I don’t see a speck of rock anymore. There’s not even a tiny pebble you can step on.

Where the hell did they go? My brows furrow as I adjust my bulletproof vest, searching the dark tinted area.

Okay?…

At least I don’t have to trip on my ass again and make Ronan pissed.

We each check ourselves, making sure we left nothing out. I grab a few bombs, my knife, my gun, and extra ammo.

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