Page 117 of Sweet Venom

I didn’t need to be told twice. I ran—but not to escape.

I ran so he’d follow.

So he’d catch me.

I ran, laughter bubbling up from my throat. The garden blurred around me—roses, stone paths, vines tangled in marble—and all I could feel was the thrill in my veins. All I could feel was him.

I didn’t look back.

I knew he was there.

Stalking me through the rain-drenched dark like the beautiful demon he was.

Branches clawed at my arms. My breath came faster, sharp with excitement. Behind me, a rustle. A shift in air.

Then silence.

Until—

“You’re fast,” his voice murmured, impossibly close. “But not fast enough.”

A gasp caught in my throat, and before I could turn?—

He slammed me gently but firmly against the ivy-covered statue, hands braced on either side of my head, caging me in.

Azariel’s hard body pressed against mine, all heat and tension, soaked through from the rain. His chain glinted in the faint moonlight making him look almost ethereal.

I didn’t resist.

I didn’t want to.

His gray eyes locked on mine, wild and knowing. A dark smile tugged at his lips.

“Caught you,” he whispered, breath ghosting over my cheek. “Now what should I do with you, little fox?”

I arched slightly into him, lips brushing his jaw.

“Anything you want,” I murmured, voice thick with need.

“I’m not afraid of you.”

His laugh was low and dangerous.

“You should be,” he said, fingers sliding slowly down my sides, rough and reverent all at once as if he were memorizingthe feel of my skin into his memory. “Because now that I have you?—”

His lips found mine in a kiss that was all hunger, all claiming.

“I’m never letting you go.”

Smoked wide because I didn’t want him to.

Not now.

Not ever.

I slid my fingers along the cool metal of his chain, letting it glide between my fingers. His breath mingled with mine in the rain-drenched air. His breath smelled like sin and it made a rush of heat travel between my legs.

He talked about not being normal and here I am getting wet from his chase. I’m fucked up too.

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