Page 8 of Venom and Bind

Cian smacked my ass when I reached over to hit snooze on my alarm clock for the tenth time that morning. I giggled and rolled back over into his open arms. His warm body pressed into mine, and I snuggled into his chest. I loved these moments the most. Dracula stretched at the bottom of the bed, then jumped down, his little feet pitter-pattering to the kitchen.

“It’s five a.m., woman,” Cian grumbled into my ear, tugging me closer. “Why are you torturing me this early?”

I threw my leg over his side and rocked my hips. “I’m sorry, my love. I told Thora I would go to a sunrise meditation with her.” A yawn escaped, and I nuzzled my face into the crook of his neck. “Wanna come?”

“Yes, yes, I do.” He flipped me onto my back, and I squealed with laughter. My legs wrapped around his waist instinctively, and I moaned at the look in his eyes. Hungry. Needy. Desperate for me already. I arched my back as he slowly licked up between my breasts, his mouth leaving a trail of goosebumps wherever he touched. “I’m ready for my breakfast.”

Damn, if I wasn’t already turned on, that would have done it. I cradled his face between my palms, planting small kisses around his mouth. “Me too, and I’m ravenous.”

He growled against my lips and rocked into me. “Keep talking like that and I won’t let you leave this bed.”

My alarm beeped again, and I groaned. “OK, Thora will kill me if I’m late. Rain check?”

“You know it.” He reluctantly stood from the bed and held his hand out to me. “Get in the shower before I change my mind, and I’ll make you a smoothie.”

Ten minutes later I was showered and sitting at our kitchen bar while Cian poured my peanut butter banana smoothie into a glass for me. “Mmm, my favorite.”

“I know.” He winked and braced his hands on the countertop. “Have you thought about what you want to do for the wedding?”

Actually, I had spent almost every free moment thinking about what kind of wedding we would have, but I didn’t want to tell him that. “Um, not really.”

“Liar.” He chuckled and came around the counter to wrap his arms around me.

“OK, I have. And honestly, I’m thinking something small at the lodging cabins?” I nibbled on my bottom lip, afraid that he would hate the idea. Cian owned a lodging chain in Montana, and we had spent several weekends there in the past. It was the most peaceful, beautiful place I had ever been. And totally perfect for a small wedding with just our close friends and family. Well, his family—not mine, that was for sure.

“I love it.” He took the glass out of my hands and spun me around on the stool to face him. “And I love you. Whatever you want to do, wherever you want to do it, I’ll be happy.” He weaved his fingers through my hair and tugged my head back. My chest warmed at the tenderness in his eyes. I was the luckiest woman in the entire world, and I knew that if I didn’t step away right now, I would never make it through Thora’s meditation.

The sound of the security code being entered and the front door opening had us pulling apart as Valik walked in with a yoga mat thrown over each shoulder. “Oh, good, you’re awake. Thought I was going to have to dump a bucket of water on you. Oh, peanut butter smoothie?” He reached over and chugged the rest of my drink, then smacked his lips together when he finished. “Let’s go before Thora gets pissed. You coming, boss man?”

“Fuck no. You three have fun.” Cian shook his head with a chuckle. “We’re finalizing the details for the gala today. I’ll be at the museum if you need me.” He leaned down and kissed my cheek.

My heart swelled with pride. Cian was being honored with a visionary award for transformative urban development and technological innovation. It was the first time anyone from Chicago had ever received the award. I was so fucking proud of him and everything he had accomplished. After all the shit he had been through, he was still making strides and proving to the world he could overcome anything. The gala was to be held at the Grandiose Gallery of Artistry the week before Thanksgiving, and we were all looking forward to it.

Three hours later, we were pulling into our parking spot at the Shiver Box. Doing a morning meditation was supposed to be part of my healing, according to Dr. Loomis. It was the first time I had ever done a sunrise meditation, but it wouldn’t be my last. Hell, I was willing to do anything to get past all the craziness of the past year. Valik had ended up rolling backwards and falling asleep about twenty minutes into it, which had been the highlight of my morning so far.

Valik walked me to the back door of our building and punched in the security code. He did a sweep of the store before heading upstairs to our office and doing the same thing. Overprotective was an understatement, but honestly, I didn’t mind one bit. Better safe than sorry. I had learned that the hard way already.

“I’m going to run down to the dry cleaners and pick up your costumes for the Halloween party.” Valik nodded at Owen as he walked in and waved with a yawn.

Cian was having a massive party at the Hellfire Club for Halloween later this month. It was going to be a wild time, as was his typical fashion, with contortionists and fire dancers. It was also my favorite time of year, and not just because I loved spooky season, but because, technically, this was one of our anniversaries.

Our costumes were amazing as well. Cian had commissioned some masquerade masks from one of Thora’s art friends. The masks were black and gold with intricate details painted all over, with spiked gold devilish horns coming out of the top. Cian was going to wear a black suit with a gold tie, and I had found the most beautiful black and gold gown to match his outfit.

The morning went by in a chaotic whirlwind of phone calls and meetings, and when Grams called me at lunchtime, I was more than happy to take a break from the madness.

“Hi, my little daredevil,” she cooed into the phone in a singsong voice.

“Hi, Grams. You sound happy.” I chuckled and waved the FedEx delivery guy over to sign for some packages while Juliet was locked away in the conference room with Sophie and Thora.

“Can’t I be happy that my favorite granddaughter is getting married?”

“Don’t let Grace hear you say that.” I put the packages on Sophie’s desk. Grace, my sister, was a demon in disguise. We had never gotten along—she’d terrorized me throughout my whole life. But I had finally cut all ties with her and my parents. After what Ryzen had done to me, they’d all had the audacity to take his side, said I must have driven him mad. It was unbelievable and heart-shattering knowing that my family was a bunch of stone-cold assholes. But that didn’t matter anymore. I had Cian and Jules, not to mention Valik and Cian’s siblings. To hell with the rest of them.

“I’ve got some news of my own.” Grams giggled into the phone. She sounded like a schoolgirl, and I couldn’t help but grin like an idiot. “I met someone,” she whispered, and then a shriek of laughter. “Stop it, Archie, I’m talking to my granddaughter.”

“Grams! You bad girl. Who is this Archie? How old is he? Oh, my God, is he younger than you, you dirty old lady?” I giggled and leaned back in my chair, putting my feet on the edge of my desk.

“Oh, stop that, Nova. He’s actually a few years older than me. I got my very own sugar daddy.” She shrieked again and there was what sounded like a muffled man’s voice in the background.

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