Page 131 of Sweet Venom

Then she surprised me when she spoke.

“I have OCD,” she said softly, barely louder than a whisper. “It gets worse when I’m anxious.”

My hand paused for a moment in her hair. Her words settled heavily in my soul, but not in a way that scared me. They fell like puzzle pieces quietly falling into place.

Now it all made sense.

The way she avoided certain foods and how she only ate Snicker Bars on certain days. Her habit of only wearing certain colors and matching completely. The way her skin care routine had to stay just right, or she’d seem off for the rest of the day.The times I’d watched her wash her hands until her skin turned pink. All those little things I’d found odd but endearing— quirks I loved—suddenly had a name. A reason.

And then it hit me.

How many times had I pushed her? Tried to ‘help’ her anxiety without understanding what it was tethered to? Basically, forced her to do things she maybe wasn’t ready for because I thought it would make her stronger and it would make her happy.

A sharp pang twisted in my chest. I swallowed hard, guilt coiling like a snake in my throat.

“I’m sorry,” I murmured, brushing back a strand of her hair that had slipped free. “I didn’t know. I should’ve seen it and not pushed you so hard.”

Fuck. I even took her from her routine.

Her eyes opened, soft and piercing my heart as she searched my face.

“It’s not something I like people to know,” she murmured. “They look at me weird.”

“I’m not people,” I said, the words leaving my mouth before I could stop them.

A flicker of guilt crossed her face, like maybe she thought she’d hurt me.

“You aren’t,” she said quietly, more to herself than to me.

“Thank you for telling me,” I added, meaning every word. She just placed a weight she’d been carrying alone in my hands. I would carry it gladly for her.

“Thank you for caring,” she whispered back, and gave me a small grin.

Fuck. There it was.

That smile I loved so fucking much.

The smile that melted the ice around my heart.

Come on, baby, I thought. Don’t ever stop smiling.

When I was done applying the dye, I reached out and took her hand in mine, gently pulling it into my grasp. The contact as always sent a shock through me. Fucking sparks buzzed under my skin.

“You don’t ever have to hide from me,” I murmured softly. “You’re perfect.”

Her green eyes softened, and for the first time in days, I saw it— that full, radiant smile. And with it, the spark I’d been missing, the one I love more than I can ever explain, came flickering back to life.

Good girl.

“You’re perfect too,” she whispered.

I felt something settle inside me at the sound of her words. Fuck, only Poe would think such a thing about someone like me.

“Don’t lie to me now,” I teased. Shit.

This is what I’ve become. Lame jokes and silly banter. This woman has turned me into her golden retriever bitch.

“Never,” she whispered like a vow.

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