Page 156 of Venom Sweeter than Honey
With nowhere left to hide, I face the doorframe, hunching over. When I’ve finally expelled the creature, I straighten, drawing in a few gasping, narrow breaths.
“I’m fine.”
Azrael and Levi exchange a doubtful look as they both rub soothing circles on my back.
What has my life become?
One moment, I’m a societal outcast quitting the brothel, destined to become a spinster and die alone—and in the next, I have two of the most beautiful males I’ve ever fucking laid eyes on vying for a chance to be with me and tending to my every whim.
Going on this road trip, I anticipated it to be mildly torturous forthem.Not me.
How very naive.
Finally catching my breath, I muster a fragment of composure.
“Before we go, I just need to make one thing clear.”
Levi and Azrael remain silent, waiting for me to continue.
“I think it would be wise for us to proceed with the courtship rituals on our road trip.” I direct my attention to Levi. “I take it you aren’t terribly familiar with them?”
Levi’s eyes slide to Azrael. “He explained the basics to me.”
My brows leap in surprise.
Are these two actually getting along?
“Provide, Groom, Survive, Slay, Sex, and Blood. Am I missing anything?”
My heart stutters with realization and relief that he knows that there will be intimacy between Azrael and me.
Yet, here we all stand.
It’s a miracle.
Despite my attempt to stifle it, my imagination provides a salacious montage of all three of usperforming the final courtship rituals.
Together.
My cheeks burn as I attempt to hide my shame and arousal by tucking a tendril of hair behind my ear. My voice is little more than a rasp.
“That’s the gist of it.”
Azrael arches a brow in question, making my heart thump all the louder, until he blessedly settles on an innocuous question.
“Is the order in which we complete them important to you?”
Levi’s eyes narrow at him as my words struggle around the truth.
“The tradition to do so isn’t…”
Levi’s look urges me to continue. “But?”
Just for once in my life, I don’t want to be impulsive.
Ineedthem to prove themselves to me. Not merely their worthiness, but to witness the truth in their actions, and that it matches their words. That they won’t change their minds, that they will want me even when things aren’t easy or when we don’t get along.
And perhaps most importantly, that they aren’t manipulating me; that they won’t turn into monsters and beat me to a pulp if one of them grows jealous; that they will be honorable and loyal to me.
