Page 96 of A Love Like Venom

Without even thinking I press a chaste kiss to her forehead. I hear her sigh contentedly.

Yeah, this is way fucking more than enough.

“Make a wish, Alice,” I order softly, echoing words I have said to her millions of times before.

She hums thoughtfully. Turning my head slightly I peer down at her. Honey eyes watch the stars blanketing they sky. Then not a second later they sweep over to mine. Staring at me unabashedly she says, “I don’t have to.”

My heart does something funny in my chest. It’s like I can feel my own heartbeat slowing. As if it’s waiting on her next words.

Not wanting to appear anxious I ask calmly, “Why is that?”

“Because my wish already came true.”

Although I hear her words somehow it still doesn’t stop my heart from skipping a beat. I want to ask her what that wish was. I want to know what came true for her.

But she’s never told me any of her wishes before. Even though I have told her all of mine I never got one of hers. Not even a little hint of to what she’s really thinking.

Do I dare ask?

Is that one day I hoped so many years ago this moment?

Despite my own irritation at fear of rejection I find myself asking her, “And what wish is that?”

Her body twists until her whole front is pressed up against my side. With her hand she pushes back the strands of hair that have fallen over my eyes. In a trance of her own she then traces my eyebrows before gliding her finger down the bridge of my nose.

My breath falters when her finger lightly traces my lips.

Inside my chest my heart stops beating.

This woman has me wrapped around her god damned finger and she doesn’t even know it.

Fuck, I don’t think I even realize the power she has over me.

Once she’s done tracing my lips she lowers her face, bringing it closer to mine.

Then she finally gives me an answer. She finally tells me one of her wishes. “That Reed Carter would come back to me.”

Letting go of her hand I go to cup her face. Instantly she leans into my touch.

God, how could I have ever left her?

How could I let myself demonize her?

Not anymore. Not ever again.

My voice sounds rough as I make her a new promise, “I’m not going anywhere.”

Her eyes flash to mine and I can see her mind working a mile a minute. What’s more I can see the pain from the promise I broke before. With it I also see the hope of keeping a new one. “You promise?” Her voice is small.

Holding out my pinky I wait for her to interlock it with her own. When she does my eyes stay fiercely on hers as I vow, “I promise you, Alice Hall, I’m not going anywhere.”

Heaven and Hell wouldn’t be able to tear us apart.

And if they wanted to, I would like to see them fucking try.

Alice

Life is made of so many moments.