Page 23 of Venom Sweeter than Honey
I imagine kissing him would be exquisite. The idea gives my heart a hummingbird’s wings.
I lick my lips—parched,again—before I finally manage to reply.
“Hi.”
His grin widens, carving a dimple into his bearded cheek—the hair of which is trimmed short, giving him an air of ruggedness without looking sloppy or over-the-top.
“Would you like to dance with me?”
The reply comes too quickly. Too harsh.
“No.”
His brows lift in surprise, muscled shoulders falling.
I clear my throat. “Sorry. I just mean... Not right now. I’ve been dancing for the last hour, and now I’m thirsty. We can... talk?”
A smile leaps across his face, and it feels like the sun achieving victory over the clouds.
“Even better. Would you like to sit on the balcony? So we don’t have to shout over the music?”
I turn to introduce Thessaly. “Oh, sure, let me just ask?—
The space where Thessaly once stood behind me is now occupied by a fae female. My eyes scan the vicinity to find Thessaly already standing beside another male. He nods vigorously, giving me an encouraging grin.
Gulp.
“I’ve always admiredthat line of work.” Lucen, the fae, wears a thoughtful look—if not a little sad. His gaze grows a little distant, staring out to the sea beyond the balcony as I sip my water.
“What about it?”
“Anything that involves helping people... I’ve always wished I could do something like that.”
“Why can’t you?”
He huffs a mirthless laugh. “My family has only ever been interested in one thing.”
I give him a questioning look.
“Coin.”
My brows knit together. “There’s no reason why you can’t do both..."
He sighs. “Tell them that.”
“What do they do?”
“They have a number of different businesses... but imports and exports, mostly.”
“And you work for them?”
He nods. “Unfortunately, yes.”
I frown. He chuckles at my expression. “It could be worse. I’m okay. Trust me.”
“If you could do anything at all—and didn’t have to worry about money, or your family, or whatever responsibilities you have—what would it be?”
Heat rises to Lucen’s cheeks as he rears back a little in surprise.
