Page 54 of Venomous as a Snake

“Walker. Please—” The rest of my plea falls silent as he finally picks up his pace.

And the dam inside me breaks as a feral moan rushes past my parted lips. The lingering orgasm sneaks up, searing every nerve ending in my body as I sing his name like a prayer. His rumbling groan follows his release, and it’s praise for my continued worship.

We soak in the afterglow, tangled in each other’s embrace for all of five minutes before he gets restless and stands. I sit up, dragging the sheet over my chest as I watch him grab his clothes and get ready to flee the scene.

“If you walk out that door again,” I quietly warn as tears prick my eyes. “We’re done. I can’t keep having you tear my heart to pieces, letting me think I have you only for you to leave.”

“I have to leave. I don’t deserve to lie there, holding you after all the guilt and—” He shakes his head. “All of your pain is my fault.”

“You aren’t responsible for his actions,” I reply, glancing from him to the door. “Only your own.”

“I told him about us. I started this downward spiral.”

I sigh, wondering when he placed all this blame on himself. “We told him because we thought he was our friend. You started nothing. He couldn’t handle being left out.”

Walker hangs his head, his back still turned to me.

“It shouldn’t be that hard to choose me,” I whisper, biting my lip. “But if it is—”

“That’s not what I’m fighting.”

“You’ve misplaced your guilt and fear, Walker.”

He shakes his head, not liking how I called him out. It’s the fear part that trips him up. He won’t admit it, but I don’t need him to say it to know it’s the truth.

“Will you stay the night?” I gently ask, hoping he doesn’t say no.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he mutters, turning to face me.

“Then why are you still standing at the door like you’re ready to run?”

“I don’t know,” he answers, shaking his head once more. “Just… Promise me you won’t go after him on your own. Promise me you’ll be more careful than you’ve been.”

I smile at him, though it’s small and tainted with an ounce of sadness. “I can’t promise that. But I can promise I’ll come out of the other side alive.”

“You can’t promise that.”

“Yes, I can. As long as I have Drew and Ali and you.” I hold my hand out, beckoning him back to the bed.

He snorts at my comment, but his footsteps are more sure when he returns to my side. I curl into his arms, resting my head on his chest. His heart patters beneath my ear, the same steady rhythm from my memories.

We’re silent for a moment, soaking in the decision that we’ve made tonight. He sighs, and I tilt my head up to glance at him.

Walker’s irises are alight, glowing with something so far from his usual anger that I sit up to bask in the heat. This love still brews between us a decade after discovery, and it never fails to make my heart squeeze with happiness.

I won’t let it go again.

“You’ll survive for us?”

“No,” I murmur, crawling over him to straddle his waist. “I’ll survive for me. But I’ll come back for the three of you.”

Boxing matches are boring when you’re used to fighting with more than just your fists. But Drew volunteered my time, so I’m here to cheer Collin on.

There are three main events after the semi-pros finish. The one we’re here to watch is second to last. Which means we’re here for the entire event.

Ali bumps my elbow, passing me the flask from his pocket. I shake my head, declining the hot vodka. He shrugs and tucks it back into his pocket without taking a sip.

Drew and Walker sit next to each other, quietly bickering over whatever they’ve chosen to argue about today. Most likely, it’s the fact that the grouchy honey badger couldn’t bring an arsenal of weapons into the event center.