Sweetest Venom (Virtue #2)(33)

We’re standing on the veranda, watching the stars and getting some fresh air.

“I think you’ve made a good impression.”

“Yeah?”

“Yes, especially on Carl. He wants to see some of your work as soon as possible. He’s very interested.”

I take a sip of champagne, shrugging. Rachel removes the crystal flute from my hand and places it on the balustrade. Then, she turns to face me, taking my hand in hers.

“What’s the matter? I thought this was—”

“You thought this was what I wanted?” I stare at the rolling gardens in front of us. “I don’t know, Rachel. This is all f*cking great, the party, the champagne, the interest, but I always thought that I would make it on my own. I never imagined I would need to f*ck my way to the top.”

I hear her breathe in sharply. “You don’t mean that, Ronan. Those words aren’t worthy of you.”

“I apologize. You didn’t deserve that, but it’s the truth, isn’t it? If we hadn’t f*cked, I wouldn’t be standing here right now talking about showing some of my work to Carl Brunswick. I’d still be a nobody who no one gives a shit about.”

“I’d like to call it serendipity,” she adds quietly. “But that isn’t what’s truly bothering you, at least not completely, is it?”

I’m silent for a moment, gazing at the rolling hills in front of us. “It’s just that I always thought that I could make it on my own.”

She grabs my face, making me look at her. “Ronan, listen carefully. As much as Carl loves me, he won’t put his business or his reputation on the line because I’m sleeping with you. If he sees potential in your work, he’ll give you a chance. If he doesn’t, he’ll tell you as much without apology. If you get to the top, it’s not because of me, it’s because of you.”

I open my mouth to tell her that there wouldn’t be a top without her, but she interrupts me. “Stop it, you stubborn man. Listen to what I’m saying. All I’m doing is giving you a little push in the right direction. Your talent will do the rest. Now stop it, and kiss me.” She pulls my face closer to hers, our mouths almost touching. “Kiss me.”

I’m still not convinced, but kiss her anyway. I seek solace from my thoughts in her mouth, needing her body and the relief that she can offer me in this moment. When we break apart, I grab her ass, so soft covered in silk, and grind my growing erection against her cunt. “Let’s go to your bedroom.”

“No, I can’t leave my guests,” she breathes, but her eyes dazed in lust say the contrary.

“I don’t give a f*ck. I want you and you want me. Or do you want me to take you right here in front of all your guests?”

Moaning, her breathing accelerates. “You wouldn’t.”

Thankful to be standing in a secluded area, I slide the straps of her dress off of her shoulders, exposing her tits and burying my face in them. “I would, and you know it.”

I suck her nipples, rolling the tip with my tongue, biting, tasting. “Oh God.”

“Save that for later, babe.”

She laughs throatily, and it’s like sex in my ears. “What am I going to do with you, Ronan?”

“Why, f*ck me senseless, of course. Now let’s go before we give everyone a show they won’t forget.”

As we’re walking toward her bedroom, she asks, “Who was that girl you were talking to when you first got here?”

Ah. She was paying attention, after all. “No one important.”

Inside her room, I tell her to go sit on the chair next to her bed.

“Why?”

“You’ll see.”

I kneel in front of her, pulling down her thong, and push her legs apart.

“Are you enjoying the party, Ronan?” she asks softly, her eyes closing as her head rolls back on the back of the chair. Her hands go to my hair, pulling me closer.

“Now I am,” I say before I get lost in her taste on my tongue.





THE NEXT MORNING, I call into the office and tell Gina that I won’t be able to go to work today. Not that she needs me since Lawrence is still out of the country, and, apparently, Blaire requested Tony to be her assigned driver in the meantime. Good riddance, I think to myself even though the words sound hollow and untrue.

I come back to bed and watch a naked Rachel smile at me as she tries to cover herself with the sheet. “Did you get in trouble?”

I shake my head, our gazes connecting. “Drop the sheet. Let me see you.”

She blushes, but allows the material to fall like running water down her naked body. Mesmerized, my eyes absorb the way her blonde hair covers her shoulders, the rosy color of her nipples, and the soft curves that make her so damn tempting. With Blaire still f*cking with my mind, I seek solace in Rachel’s body.

“Spread your legs,” I murmur raspily.

Bashful and insecure, Rachel opens her legs gently while her eyes burn invitingly. I kneel in front of her, pumping my cock in my hand, wanting her again. “No. My boss is out of town, so it doesn’t really matter.”

“So you’re a chauffeur during the day?” she asks, following the motion of my fist.

“Amongst other things.”

She watches me as I lean over her, taking her hands in mine and putting them above her head. Her pupils widen with excitement as her lips part and I kiss her deeply, roughly. It’s a needy kiss that leaves us both breathless and burning from the inside out. Dipping my head down, I bite her shoulder before capturing her tit in my mouth. She purrs in my ear as I tongue and suck her nipple until it’s painfully hard.