Page 105 of Sweet Venom

And then… then I heard her laugh again.

I could feel my teeth clenching, my hands turning into fists. I didn’t even realize I was on my feet until I tossed my phone aside. No time for careful dressing—just grabbed a black shirt, dark pants, and a seething fury crawling under my skin.

My cat, as usual, was hot on my heels, probably wondering what the hell I was about to do now.

Her laugh hit me before I even reached the hall. It was soft, sweet, and—God help me—dangerous.

I stormed down the stairs, barely even aware of my steps, until I reached the ballroom entrance. I froze in place.

There she was.

Spinning in place, her cheeks flushed, her eyes sparkling with mischief, with a piece of ribbon tied around her wrist like somekind of playful, deadly temptation. The idiot worker beside her was grinning like a fool, looking at her like she was the sun and the stars combined.

And then, she saw me.

For a split second, she froze—like she didn’t know whether to laugh, hug me or run.

And then that damn spark lit her beautiful face.

She grinned, and I felt the sting of jealousy shoot through me like acid once again. The little tease…

“Don’t even,” she said with a teasing smile. “I’m not interested in anyone else, just a heartless, handsome devil.” She wiggled her eyebrows making her look like a cartoon.

Fuck.

I crossed my arms. “You’re lucky you’re so fucking cute,” I muttered, my own smile breaking through despite myself.

“Yeah, yeah,” she teased, spinning a single rose in her hand. “Keep telling yourself that while you’re green with jealousy.”

“Who gave you that? Him?” I look behind me where the asshole now was blowing balloons.

“Lucas.”

I breathed through my nose and tried to control the anger that was rising. I gently took the rose from her and threw it with all the others that were atop a table.

“Hey, that was mine.” She pouted but the twinkling in her green eyes told me she was playing with me.

“You have thousands of roses outside in the garden. Those are yours.” I grumbled.

I watched how her eyes softened. Yeah, fuck. I’m obsessed with this woman.

She stepped closer so I could smell her sweet perfume and the natural scent of her skin. I inhale her like I need her to breathe.

“I know. Thank you.” Pink filled her cheeks. She looked shy and as much as I love the side of her that gives me lip, her sweet and shy side that doesn’t come out often makes me wild. “You look adorable when you’re jealous, you know. I like it.”

I stepped closer, arms folded. “You like fucking with my head?”

Her lips twitched. “Maybe a little. You know Lucas there told me I reminded him of a famous model.”

I clenched my teeth.

Did he now? I cracked my knuckles, the need to pound his face took over.

Poe tilted her head, eyes sparkling with mischief. “Don’t tell me you’re jealous, Azariel.”

I didn’t answer.

Fuck, I was jealous.

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