Page 165 of Venom Sweeter than Honey
Levi’s lips tilt, and he leans forward to press a kiss to my forehead, but for some reason, I feel it in my clit. “Sweetheart, it’s because of you that we’re anything resembling friends.”
I give a noncommittal hum as his attention slides to the book. “So you wanna help clue me in? Azrael briefly explained the rituals…”
Of course, Azrael didn’t go into detail because he’d risk being burned alive.
“And I believe I’ve already completed one…”
My mind drifts to the stag and gangularus they’d hunted for me. We’d filled Levi’s meat freezers to the brim trying to store all of it, and still there wasn’t enough space, so we’d given the rest to Gideon before our departure.
“How the hell did you manage to hunt down a gangalarus anyway?”
Levi huffs a laugh as he holds up three fingers in a way that I can only assume is supposed to hold significance. “Eagle scout since I was 13, baby.” At my blank look, Levi’s oddly boyish grin falters. “That and uh—had to graduate SERE school and stuff before I became a SEAL.”
I lift my brows, utterly clueless as to the definition of these acronyms outside of the fact that they have something to do with the military.
“Not to mention, I’ve been hunting my own food since I moved to Gideon’s ranch.”
“You mean the cows?”
Levi snorts. “No... That wouldn’t be hunting. That’s slaughter. And I can’t bring myself to eat them, actually. I spend too much time with them. I hunt deer. And the occasional duck.”
My heart squeezes with what I can only describe as adoration.
How is it that this formidable, lethal male is capable of such compassion? Not that one would guess by looking at him.
“What did you do in the military?”
“To put it simply, I was sent on missions with a team of other specially trained individuals—like Gideon and Beau—to either capture, kill, or rescue people. Or all of the above.”
I shake my head a little absently and with more than a little awe. This man is one of polarities. It’s just one of so many things I love about him, and I realize now more than ever I don’t need asoulbondto tell me so. Even if I refuse to confess such a thing just yet.
“Well, then, I imagine you won’t find the other courting rituals to be much of a challenge either then.”
Levi sits up to reach for the book at the foot of the bed. “Speaking of, would you mind elaborating on some of the finer details... particularly with the last two.”
Fuck.
“As you know, we’ll have to drink one another’s blood…”
Levi’s gaze grows hooded. “I look forward to it.”
Gulp.
“And Azrael? Will you be okay with Azrael and me exchanging blood?”
Levi’s jaw flexes as his gaze gradually falls to some vague corner of the hotel room, no doubt imagining the intimate scene with Azrael. “Isn’t that part of your vow with him?”
“Yes…”
“Then I don’t have a choice in the matter.”.."
You could just leave... like my father.
“No.”
Levi’s expression tightens and part of me actually expects him to find the nearest exit, which makes his reply all the more astonishing. “If this is my penance for my earlier lapse in sanity, I’ll take it, Violette. There’s nothing I wouldn’t endure for you.”
They’re just words. Let him prove himself before you get your hopes up.
