Page 46 of Lovely Venom
My chest is pounding watching her light up for someone whoisn’t fucking me.
Raina steps back from the exhibit to admire the lobby.
This hotel is grand, I will give the Harts that. Muraled ceilings. Stained glass windows. Polished floors. Velvet furniture. All of it means fuck-all when the woman I’m crazy about is smiling at this clown and he’s standing toofucking close.
I tune back in, calculating when to interrupt without looking like a jealous psycho.
“Are you looking for someone?” the scumbag asks her, all warm and helpful.
Yeah, she’s looking FOR ME. And you're in the fucking way.
She shakes her head, radiant and cool. “Just taking it all in.”
“Do you like the exhibit?” the guy asks with his golden retriever energy drooling onmy fucking woman.
“It’s fascinating,” she plays along. “I love architectural history.”
You also love guns, knives, and chasing dangerous drug lords into vacant apartments because you’re unhinged like me.
“Oh yeah?” Mr. Charm asks.
Glowing under the lights, Raina replies, “I was strolling by, saw the sign for the exhibit, and figured, why not?”
I cackle.You little fucking liar.She’s perjuring herself with that sweet and sultry voice that I remember gagging on my cum.
God, I love her.
My sight goes hazy.
I shouldn’t feel anything close to love.
Irrational jealousy? Thinking about where I can bury this dosser? Sure. That’s possession. Not love.
This bird is mine.
But he’s talking to her, and I’m behind a column, vibrating with jealousy, itching to tear apart this guy, and I don’t even know him. Just to get him away from a conversation he didn’t earn.
I can’t breathe. I want to drag her out of this hotel and lock her somewhere no one else can touch her. And because I don’t know how to act rationally, I look arounduntil I find a couple who hashotel guestwritten all over them.
The couple scrolls on their phones as they head toward the elevators.
My heartbeat is erratic at this massive risk I’m taking.
I do it anyway.
I cut them off with a smile that doesn’t reach my eyes.
“Evening,” I say smoothly. “You staying here?”
They nod, startled.
“Do... Do you work here?” The man gives me a once-over.
The suit helps my lie.
Two people can tell dangerous lies, baby.
“Aye. Which room?” I ask, gaze flicking toward the elevators.
