Page 14 of Gravehouse

Torture is patience.

“Look at me, Venom.”

Her eyes travel up my face.

“Glad I’m alive?” My mouth twists.

She swallows. “I meant it.”

“No. Your guilt needs it. You don’t get to lick my wounds.” I lean in closer. “No matter how good you are with that tongue.”

I can’t tell if she’s offended, shocked, or turned on. Knowing her, probably all of the above.

“I know, I’m—” She blinks.

“You’re what?” I lean back slightly, enough for her to question the exact level of fucks I give.

“Sorry,” she admits softly, and her shoulders loosen.

My lips pull into a full-toothed smile that doesn’t touch my eyes. “I don’t want your fucking apologies, Ivy.”

Her jaw tightens. This is the part where she always has to practice her self control.

I drag my gaze down every feature. “I’ll never need you for anything ever again.”

She lifts her hands. “Then what am I here for, Asher.”

I shrug, because what the fuck did she expect? “Haven’t thought that far ahead yet. Kinda went off plan...”

I’m teasing, but she doesn’t need to know that.

Panic flashes over her face, enough to pull a laugh right from my throat. Ah, now this in itself is satisfaction. Those control issues…

My hand slides down the wall, caging her in. “What’s the matter, Venom? Thought we had this chat about you and your obsessive need for control.”

When I step back a little, she releases a small exhale of relief.

Fuck it. Ineedto hurt her.

Pulling out my phone, I keep my eyes dead on her as I find the contact I’m looking for. It rings three times before clicking over.

“Camille? What are you doing right now?”

Amazing that I could form the words from under all the vomit that’s rising in my throat from merely saying her name.

Camille giggles. “Well, I’m packing my bags…”

My tongue swipes at my bottom lip.

Ivy’s eyes snap to the movement before lifting back onto mine.

“Yeah?” My smirk deepens. “Good. Because I’m gonna need you to come ride my dick.”

Ivy recoils like I slapped her, cheeks red and brows pulled in. She shoves at my chest and I laugh, stumbling backwards as she walks away.

“That hurt, Venom?” I say lazily, watching her retreat with a smirk. “Fucking good. Get used to it.”

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