Page 185 of Lovely Venom

“I’m sorry for what they did to you.” My voice roughens. “Nobody should have to endure what you did, and you never should have had to do it on your own. I know I can’t change what happened, but I can promise that you won’t carry it alone. Not anymore.”

Her throat works as she searches my eyes for any traces of uncertainty. After tomorrow, there will be no doubt.

“And what about the other thing?” she asks warily.

“The you being Greek thing?” I trail the length of her arm with my fingers.

She nods.

“I said things I shouldn’t have, and I’m sorry I ever made you think it would change how I feel about you, because it doesn’t. You’re still mine. Greek blood and all.”

She starts to tear up again as relief dissolves the tension in her body, and I capture her mouth in a deep, lingering kiss.

Inevitably, one thing leads to another, and she’s telling me how much she needs to feel me.

A low groan rumbles through my chest as I lift her up and set her on top of me. Tonight was heavy for her, and as much as I want to sink my cock inside her and fuck her for hours, this time needs to be different.

I slide my palms along her bare thighs, pushing the silky material of her nightgown up until she pulls it over her head and tosses it aside.

She’s so fucking beautiful—a goddess bathed in moonlight, every inch of her curves on display.

As my eyes drag over her, drinking in the rounded softness of her belly, a primal satisfaction overtakes me.

There are no amount of wars or consequences that could keep me away from her.

She’s mine, and she always will be.

“Ride me,” I direct her.

Hunger stirs in the depths of her eyes as she pulls down my briefs and frees my cock. She strokes me while she holds my gaze, and I’m so hard for her, I could come just watching her do this. But when she lifts her hips and sinks down onto me, it’s all I can do not to blow my load.

“Fuck, baby.” I grab her hip and squeeze as she rocks against me. “Sei la cosa migliore che mi sia mai capitata.”

“I don’t know what that means,” she answers breathlessly.

I pull her closer and press my lips to hers. “It means I love you.”

38

CHANTEL

“How’s our baby?”

The deep vibration of Cristian’s voice rumbles against my back as he settles his palm over my belly.

I’ve been drifting in and out of sleep throughout the night while he holds me, and part of me never wants this moment to end. I didn’t even realize just how much this secret had been crushing the air from my lungs. Now, I finally feel like I can breathe again.

I know there are still problems we need to deal with, but for now, I just want to exist right here.

“I think the baby’s better when we’re together,” I answer him.

“Good,” he murmurs. “I don’t want you to stress anymore, cara. Everything will be okay.”

I nod, taking solace in his quiet assurance.

It’s something I would have doubted before, because I don’t think there’s ever been a time in my life that I was sure everything would be okay. But if Cristian says it will, I believe him.

“I looked up what aeterna means,” I tell him.