Page 59 of Savoring Her Snake

“She tried to pull the same shit, and I shut her down,” he says. I plop on the bed. “She agreed to support me in my decisions.”

“What?” I’m shocked. He hardly speaks to her and usually tries to avoid her. When they do speak, he always agrees with her.

“I’m sorry I haven’t helped with her. Heath tells me it’s taken care of. All I have to do is concentrate on my work and get my head straight.”

I cup my throat. “I’m happy for you.” And me. Heath’s been busy.

“Thanks. Heath is giving me a new phone, so Stanly can’t contact me, so he’ll give you the number if I don’t call you first.” I hear knocking and voices in the background. “Hey, Sis, I have to go. Bane is here to set everything up. I’ll call as soon as I get there.”

“Okay,” I say weakly.

“I love you. Bye, Sis.”

“I love—” I swallow. “I love you, too.”

“Later.”

I sit, stunned, the phone to my ear. How? That was not the brother I know.

Pulling the phone away, I turn it off and place it beside me. I press my palm to my stomach as I walk to the door. I inhale a shaky breath, open it, and walk down the hallway. I see Heath sitting at the table, Hunter standing beside him, talking softly. When Heath looks at me, his eyes flare.

“Hunter, go upstairs,” he says. I keep my eyes on his and round the table. “Juliana.”

“Heath,” I whisper, stopping beside him. I lift my leg, easily straddling his lap, and his hand cups my thigh. I press close, sliding my hands up his neck, and tip his head back. I kiss him. His mouth opens without hesitation, and I groan at his taste. I don’t care that I haven’t brushed my teeth. I don’t care that Hunter barely escaped the room. All I care about is this man who has changed my life. He hasn’t asked for anything except my willingness to learn about his life and give our bond a chance.

He grips both hips and pulls me further against him. His cock is hard. I can’t hold back anymore. This time, I bite his lip as I ease away.

“Fuck, darling,” he hisses, blinking, and I see his snake in his eyes. “You talked to your brother.”

“I did. He sounds like a different man.”

“That is the goal, but we will wait and see,” he says.

“Thank you.” I look over his shoulder. “He is excited, and you are the reason.” I grip his shoulders and tilt my head. “It’s ten o’clock.”

“Yes.”

“Shit,” I gasp, leaping off of his lap. “I’m late.”

“For?”

“Work. I’m supposed to be at the hotel.” I am never late. I was too wrapped up in the yummy presence of Heath.

“You don’t have to go,” he says.

“I do. I can’t just not show.” I run back to the bedroom and drop to the floor by my bag. As I sprint toward the bathroom with an armful of clothes, Heath enters the room.“You could quit,” he says.

“What?” I grind to a halt, standing in the open door, gripping the frame.

“You don’t have to go,” he continues.

“I can’t quit,” I state.

“Do you like it?”

“Like it?” No one has ever asked me that. “Who likes working?”

“You don’t.”

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