Venom's Secret (Iron Vex MC Book 4) by Elizabeth Knox (guided reading books .txt) 📕

practically hear birds singing in the background. Fuck, she’s so sweet. Venom stalls in the shock of what I’m doing, but I snake an arm around the back of her neck and pull her closer to me, completely letting go of my nose. I don’t give a fuck, I want to claim her mouth in a way I’ve only dreamt about, but I’ve been too fuckin’ afraid it would fuck up our friendship.

Chapter Eight

Venom

If someone told me a week ago I’d be doing this, I would’ve called them crazy. I would’ve laughed in their damn face and told them this wouldn’t have ever been possible. Yet here I stand, leaning against the frame of Ricochet’s door as I watch him throw on a shirt and slide his cut on before our morning trip to Mamie’s. Unlike every other day, he opted to come back and take a shower before we went out. Then again, he didn’t have his bag slung over his shoulder this morning. I didn’t even think about reminding him. I’ve had Peyton on my mind so much in the last few days, and she’s been plaguing my free thoughts. I want to go to her right now but I know I can’t do that. It would be stupid, it would be idiotic, and most importantly, it wouldn’t get me anywhere.

God and now things are so awkward between us, probably because I ripped my mouth away from his after he kissed me, pulled myself away from a situation I was terrified to be in. I mean . . . was I terrified? I think I was. It came out of nowhere and I’ve never had any indication he ever wanted . . . or at least I don’t think I did. I don’t think . . . gosh, I don’t know.

The truth is my husband screwed everything up for me, my trust levels, everything. Since being part of the Iron Vex MC I’ve felt so much better about things, but when it comes to a deep personal connection like this, I’m still fucking screwed up. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to fully trust someone ever again.

Ricochet comes over toward the door and looks up at me. “Sorry about that. Had other shit on my mind this mornin’.” He eyes me up and down while his eyes linger a little bit on my boobs. I’m not sure if he’s trying to be so obvious but the man didn’t have a problem slamming his lips against mine with a bloody nose either.

God, it felt so nice to have a man’s hand wrapped around the back of my neck, holding me firmly against them while our lips collided with one another. It felt freeing, invigorating, like something I didn’t want to let go of. Yet I did, I tore myself away from the man I knowingly have feelings for, terrified it’ll lead to something where we can’t come back from.

My heart wants Ricochet in more than a friendship setting, but the mere thought of losing him because of my hidden desires makes me want to pump on the brakes. I can’t imagine him not being in my life, and acting on anything that could ruin what we have as friends . . . I just can’t do it. I won’t do it. He means too much to me.

Ricochet walks out into the hallway and I follow closely behind him, not saying a word after what he said a few moments ago. I’m trying not to let my mind get in the gutter, but I know it’s pointless. My head’s going to get there eventually anyway.

“How’s your nose?” I ask him while we start going down the stairwell.

He turns his head and gives me a smirk. “I’ll live, but I’m sure I’ll bruise up from this.”

“I’m so sorry.” I don’t know how many times I’ve said it at this point but I really wasn’t trying to hurt him. The last thing I’d ever want to do is hurt Ricochet.

“It’s fine, Showoff.” He snickers as we reach the bottom of the stairs and holds the door open for me, allowing me to pass through.

“Well, I’ll be . . . Venom did beat the shit outta you at Frank’s place,” Muffler cackles from his sapphire blue chair.

“The fuck did you hear that?” Ricochet questions him, sounding a bit annoyed.

“Frank’s goin’ around tellin’ everyone Venom gave you a bloody nose. Shit, you on the rag or what?”

“Say that again and maybe you’ll find out why I gave him a bloody nose,” I snap, rolling my eyes at Muffler’s decades old humor. For a guy in his mid-thirties you’d think he wouldn’t act like a fucking teenager.

“Damn, she must be,” Muffler snickers while I walk past him and go straight into the garage. For the most part, I don’t mind Muffler, but every now and again his personality becomes a bit too much. This is one of those times. Ricochet’s voice can be heard on the other side of the door, so I have no clue what the hell he’s saying, but I know it must be something to get Muffler to shut up a bit and stop acting like a damn idiot.

I head over to the door that leads out of the club and wait for Ricochet. We can’t be on our way to Mamie’s soon enough. I’m craving French toast and I need a certain older lady to make me crack up. She’s a spitfire, and these days I need a good laugh.

Going to Mamie’s this morning was pretty uneventful. Turns out Mams wasn’t in because she had a doctor’s appointment. I’ve never been one to pry, but I hope she’s okay. The woman makes my mornings better and she’s really become one of those key people I look forward to seeing every day.

Now I’m standing outside a bar with Reno and Muffler, working outside security for an intimate show by Bellamy Mason. She hasn’t