Sweetest Venom (Virtue #2)(57)

“No.”

Ronan wraps me in his arms as he closes the space between our mouths. I turn my face to the side, looking away from him and the hurt embedded in his features, hurt that is a direct reflection of mine.

“Don’t be scared of my touch,” he begs urgently near my ear. “Don’t take this from me. Kiss me, Blaire. Kiss me.”

I shake my head, continuing to push him away. “No, Ronan. I can’t. It hurts.”

“I know, baby. It hurts too f*cking much.” He lets go of me and cups my face, making me look at him through the rain. “Let me take the pain away,” he whispers hoarsely.

“Please.” He leans over and silences me with his mouth. Defeated, I give in. To him, to the feel of his arms around me again, to his persuasive tongue, and to his eyes full of tenderness.

Kisses that clear my mind of everything but him.

He crawls deep inside my skin.

He’s the fire on my tongue.

Is it heaven or is it hell?

I think it must be both.

Because he’s here with me.

Wrapped in his arms, I open my eyes slowly and focus on his glorious face once more.

“Blaire, Blaire.” He tightens his grip. “I know I’ve f*cked up. I was angry and drowning in hate and jealousy. Wanting you and not being able to have you drove me mad. I’ve done many things that I’m not proud of, but loving you is not one of them. I love you. So damn much. And there hasn’t been a day when I haven’t.” I clutch his arms as a sob escapes my mouth.

“You’re my reason to exist, Blaire. I am nothing without you. Say that you love me again,” Ronan pleads. “I need to hear you say it.”

I love you.

Just a few short syllables. Three simple words that separately mean nothing, but together mean hope, life, beauty—everything that is worth living for. Words are easily said and easily forgotten. They can make you whole, breathe life into you.

They can destroy you.

“You stupid, stupid man,” I say shakily. After so long, we’ve finally found each other. “I was afraid to love you because I knew that it would destroy me, but living without you is like dying a slow death each day that I wake up and you aren’t with me.”

“I know. I felt it, too. Every day and every second without you. But I’m here now and I’m not going anywhere.”

There’s so much that has happened between us. Maybe we’ll be able to let it go and put it behind us, maybe we won’t. But right now he’s here with me. And that’s all that matters.

“Take me somewhere, Ronan. Make it all go away.”



We ride a cab to a hotel in silence. We don’t touch each other. There’s no need. The connection between us has never been stronger. It’s electrifying. If I closed my eyes, I would know that he was sitting next to me. I would feel him everywhere he went. He could change his appearance, change his name, become someone else, and my soul would continue to recognize him. My Ronan.

He reaches for my hand, intertwining our fingers. “Are you okay?”

I lick my lips. “Yes.”

There are no nerves. No fear. No what ifs. For the first time since I can remember, it feels right. It feels like I am right where I belong—next to him.

In an unspoken agreement, we go to a hotel where there aren’t any memories of others. It’s a place where we can start anew. I laugh when he checks us in as newlyweds. Mr. and Mrs. Klein. Hidden meanings behind our stolen glances. I want you. Make me yours. You’re mine. Always. Euphoria vibrates through every pore of my body. My senses hum, coming alive whenever we touch accidentally. Oh, sweet anticipation.

We stand inside the small, dark room. Our shared and labored breaths are the only sound that you can hear. He takes a step toward me. I take a step toward him. We come together. Ronan and I undress each other slowly, taking our time, discarding the wet clothes on the floor until there’s no barrier between us. Skin against skin, his hands on my waist draw me closer to him. But it’s not close enough. It will never be.

Our hands caress and relearn, their touch tender and forgiving—healing. My fingers slide over his skin, his nipples pebbling under my touch. Slowly, Ronan dips his head and kisses me. It’s tender at first, then angry, then tender again. We kiss and kiss and kiss until our lips are sore and we’re left breathless.

Ronan whispers my name over and over again like a litany, bringing us closer together, marking me as his own. Blaire, Blaire, Blaire, Blaire, Blaire, Blaire … He calls for me, and every part of me surrenders to him. And together, we fly so high.

Ronan grips my shoulders and turns us both around to face a full-length mirror hanging on the wall. In the reflection of the glass, there’s a man whose beauty makes me want to weep for its perfection. His skin is light caramel. His body is made for worshipping.

“We belong together,” he says, his voice husky with passion. “You hear me?”

I watch him snake a hand down my body while he dips his head and kisses the curve of my neck before biting it. Our gazes meet in the mirror as his fingers cup my tits, rubbing and tugging my nipples. I gasp and recline my head back on his shoulder, seeing him fight for control as he continues his indecent exploration of my body. Reaching behind me, I wrap a hand on his erection. I curl my fingers around his hard cock and begin to stroke him, feeling the hot heat of his hardness slide through my palm.