Page 145 of Venom Sweeter than Honey
I feel like a rabbit arming itself with a butter knife against a wolf.
Levi pulls back slightly, eyes seeking mine.
“It’s okay, princess. I’ll show you that you can trust me. All I need is time and your permission.”
He pulls me against him, nuzzling against my throat. His arms shift, and I hear the squeak of a bottle being opened.Taking his time, he begins massaging the shampoo into my hair, and whatever tension had returned to my body gradually melts away beneath his touch. The unhurried motions have a satisfied hum escaping me.
His stiff length is pinned between our bellies, but his efforts remain tender and unseeking of sexual gratification. Perhaps it’s because such a concept is new to me—to be taken care of, without any expectation or demand for me to give part of myself in return, is the most arousing gift of all.
Sitting up, I lean back into the rainfall shower above us, rinsing my hair. Levi grips my hips to hold me steady, all while the weight of his gaze takes in the sight of my bare flesh, further stoking my want for him.
Reaching for the handheld showerhead fixed to the wall beside us, I rinse whatever shampoo had transferred from me tohim. My hands slide over the thick slabs of muscle decorated in tattoos and a slight peppering of dark hair.
Sacred fuck, there’s no denying how right this feels.
So much so, I’m almost able to forget the phantom sensation of where our bond is supposed to be.
Remorse swells inside of me, inspiring another round of tears to rise, but I swallow them back.
Why am I so impulsive?
If I’d only waited... things might have resolved themselves. Levi would have returned to me on his own.
My gut twists with a flicker of doubt.
Perhaps, he did only return to me because of Azrael. Even if Levi claims otherwise...
The realization gives me resolve to muster patience.
Both males are kind and eager—now, because I haven’t given either what they want. Of course they’ll be on their best behavior. Shower me with romance and tenderness—whatever it is they think I want from them.
But to give Levi, and even Azrael, the time and space to show their true colors...
I don’t think I’ve ever given anyone or anything the opportunity to do such a thing.
Look at what happened with Lucen.
I’d literally leapt into his arms.
I am a creature of emotion and impulse. Always leaping, hoping, and trusting without giving the world a chance to catch up.
This road trip now seems like a brilliant and fortuitous, if not altogether bizarre, twist of fate. What better way to get to know both of them?
After all, I scarcely know anything about either of them.
Which reminds me...
“What is your real name?”
Levi gives me a sad smirk. “My birth name is Salvatore Enzo Levi Amato. Not even Gideon and Beau know. I was put into what’s referred to as ‘witness protection’ with my mother after my father was killed. Had to change our names and move thousands of miles away so no one could find us.”
My breath ceases somewhere around my heart as it pinches tight with sympathy, even as I am absolutely stunned by just how much we have in common.
“Akash almighty…”
He shakes his head as if to dispel my concern. “It was a lifetime ago, sweetheart. I’m okay now.”
My eyes search his for confirmation of thisokay-ness.
