Chapter Seven
Venom
Three Months Later
My eyes snapped open, the morning light filtering through the curtains and casting a warm glow across the room. My heart raced as memories flooded my mind in a torrent -- vivid, undeniable images that brought sudden clarity to the fog that had clouded my thoughts for months.
The scent of Ridley’s shampoo filled my nostrils as I sat up abruptly, my breath catching in my throat. She lay beside me, still sleeping peacefully, her blonde hair splayed across the pillow. The sight of her anchored me as the full weight of my regained past settled over me like a heavy blanket.
“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath, running a hand through my hair.
Ridley stirred slightly at the sound of my voice but didn’t wake. I watched the gentle rise and fall of her chest, marveling at how young she still looked compared to my weathered sixty-something-year-old ass.
My mind reeled as I sorted through the recovered memories. Flashes of our kids -- Dawson, Mariah, Farrah -- growing up. The day Ridley got her property cut. Stepping down as VP. Taylor running after me, begging to be picked up. And finally, the day I got shot and nearly died.
Pain pierced my brain as everything hit me like a freight train.
How could I have forgotten all this ? A mix of relief and regret washing over me. Finally, I could recall all those missing years.
I clenched my fists, feeling the calluses earned from years of working on bikes and throwing punches when needed. The tough, no-nonsense biker was still there inside me. But so was the devoted husband and father I’d become.
Ridley mumbled something in her sleep, drawing my gaze back to her. Even after all these years, the sight of her still made my heart skip a beat. I reached out, hesitating for just a moment before gently brushing a strand of hair from her face.
My fingers trembled as they grazed her cheek, a mix of awe and disbelief coursing through me. The softness of her skin beneath my fingertips was achingly familiar yet somehow felt brand new. In addition to our past, I still vividly recalled our time together the past few months, as we’d fallen in love all over again. Each delicate curve and line on her face told a story -- our story -- that I was rediscovering with every touch.
“Ridley,” I whispered, my voice rough with emotion.
Her eyelids fluttered, and I held my breath as those striking blue eyes I’d fallen for decades ago slowly opened. Confusion clouded her gaze for a moment as she focused on me, her brow furrowing slightly.
“Venom?” she murmured, her voice thick with sleep. “What’s wrong?”
I couldn’t find the words, overwhelmed by the rush of memories and feelings. Instead, I cupped her face gently, my thumb tracing her cheekbone. Her eyes widened, a dawning realization replacing the confusion as she searched my face.
“You…” she breathed, her hand coming up to cover mine. “You remember?”
I nodded, a lump forming in my throat. “Everything, darlin’. Every damn thing.”
The air between us crackled with tension, years of shared history flooding back in an instant. Ridley’s eyes welled with tears, her grip on my hand tightening as if she was afraid I might slip away again.
A heavy silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken emotions. The soft morning light cast a warm glow across Ridley’s face, highlighting the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. I could feel my heart pounding, each beat a reminder of the love I’d rediscovered.
“Ridley,” I whispered, her name falling from my lips like a prayer. My voice was rough, laden with the weight of restored memories and lost time. “My Ridley.”
The dam broke. Ridley’s eyes overflowed, tears streaming down her cheeks as she flung herself into my arms. Her body collided with mine, soft curves meeting my chest as she clung to me with desperate intensity.
“Oh God, Venom,” she sobbed, her voice muffled against my chest. “You’re really back. You’re here.”
I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her impossibly closer. The familiar feel of her in my arms evoked a flood of memories. Bike rides at sunset, lazy Sunday mornings, the birth of our children -- it all came rushing back.
“I’m here, darlin’,” I murmured into her hair, my own eyes stinging. “I’m not goin’ anywhere.”
Ridley’s fingers dug into my back, her body shaking with each sob. I could feel her tears soaking through my shirt, but I didn’t care. All that mattered was holding her, proving to both of us that this moment was real.
“I thought I’d lost you,” she choked out, her words punctuated by hiccupping breaths. “Even when you came back, you weren’t really… you.”
The pain in her voice cut through me like a knife. I tightened my grip, one hand coming up to cradle the back of her head. “I know, sweetheart. I’m so damn sorry. But I’m here now. All of me.”
My grip on Ridley remained firm yet tender, as if she might dissolve into mist if I dared to loosen my hold. Her petite frame fit perfectly against my larger one, a familiar puzzle piece slotting into place. The warmth of her body seeped into mine, a soothing balm that eased the ache of lost time.
“Ridley,” I breathed, my voice rough with emotion. “My fierce, beautiful girl.”
She shuddered against me, her fingers tracing the lines of my back through my shirt. The simple touch ignited sparks beneath my skin, reminding me of all we’d shared and all we’d missed.
“I can’t believe you’re really back,” she whispered, her breath hot against my neck.
Slowly, reluctantly, we pulled apart just enough to lock eyes. The vibrant blue of her gaze, swimming with unshed tears, held me captive. In that moment, a lifetime of shared understanding passed between us -- the triumphs, the struggles, the unwavering love that had seen us through it all.
“Believe it, darlin’,” I murmured, lifting a hand to cup her cheek. My thumb brushed away a stray tear, the salt of it a testament to the depth of her emotion. “I’m here, flesh and blood and memories intact.”
Ridley’s lips curved into a tremulous smile, a glimpse of that vivacious spirit I’d fallen for all those years ago. “Prove it, old man,” she challenged, her voice husky.
I didn’t need to be told twice. Leaning in, I captured her lips with mine in a kiss that was both passionate and tender. It was a homecoming, a promise, a reaffirmation of the love we’d rediscovered, and the love we’d had for decades. Her lips were soft, yielding, yet demanding all at once -- so quintessentially Ridley that it made my heart ache.
The kiss deepened, intensifying with each passing moment. Ridley’s fingers tangled in my hair, pulling me closer as if she couldn’t get enough. The taste of her -- sweet and familiar -- flooded my senses. My hands roamed her back, tracing the curves I’d memorized long ago, rediscovering them anew.
A low groan escaped me as Ridley nipped at my bottom lip, the sharp sensation sending a jolt of electricity down my spine. The fire that had always smoldered between us roared to life, consuming us both. I could feel the heat of her body through the thin fabric of her nightgown, her soft body pressing against me.
“God, I’ve missed you,” I breathed against her lips, barely breaking contact. The words were inadequate, but they were all I had.
Ridley responded by deepening the kiss, her tongue sliding against mine in a sensual dance. The room around us faded away, the soft morning light and gentle rustle of curtains becoming nothing more than background noise. The world outside ceased to exist, leaving only us and the bond we shared.
My hands slid lower, gripping her hips and pulling her flush against me. Ridley let out a soft gasp, the sound music to my ears. In that moment, nothing else mattered -- not the lost time, not the challenges ahead. There was only us, wrapped in each other’s arms, rediscovering the passion that had never truly died.
As our kiss broke, we remained close, our foreheads resting together. Our breaths mingled, hot and heavy, as we caught our breath. The quiet intimacy of the moment settled over us like a warm blanket. I gazed into Ridley’s eyes, seeing the same love and passion I’d fallen for all those years ago.
“Ridley,” I murmured, my voice a low rumble. “I remember everything. Every moment, every touch, every word. I’m so damn sorry for what I put you through. You never gave up on me, even when I couldn’t remember us.”
Tears welled in Ridley’s eyes, but her smile was radiant. “I knew you’d come back to me. I never stopped believing in us.”
I pulled her closer, burying my face in her hair. “I love you, darlin’. More than I can ever say. You’re my heart, my soul. Without you, I’m nothing but a shell.”
Ridley’s arms tightened around me, her body trembling slightly. “I love you too, you stubborn old biker,” she said, a watery chuckle escaping her. “Don’t you dare leave me again, you hear me? I can’t go through that again.”
I pressed a kiss to her temple, my heart full to bursting. “Never again, sweetheart. I’m here to stay.”
The morning sun painted the room in hues of amber, casting a warm glow over our entwined bodies as we settled back into the bed. Ridley’s soft curves molded against me, her head tucked under my chin. I breathed in deeply, savoring the warmth of her skin against mine.
“This feels like a dream,” I murmured, my fingers tracing lazy patterns on her bare shoulder. “If it is, I don’t ever want to wake up.”
Ridley’s hand splayed across my chest, right over my heart. “It’s real. We’re real.” Her voice was thick with emotion, but I could hear the smile in it. “How are you feeling?”
I took a moment to consider, my mind sifting through the flood of memories. “Like my brain got hit by an eighteen-wheeler. But also like I’ve been given a second chance at life,” I replied honestly. “Everything’s so clear now. It’s overwhelming, but in the best way possible.”
She lifted her head, those beautiful blue eyes meeting mine. “We have all the time in the world to sort through it all. Together.”
I couldn’t resist leaning in for a soft kiss, relishing the way she melted against me. As we parted, I noticed the sunlight catching the silver strands in her hair, reminding me of how much time we’d lost. But it didn’t matter now. We had found our way back to each other.
“I can’t wait to see the kids,” I said, a hint of excitement creeping into my voice. “To really see them, you know? To remember all our history.”
Ridley’s smile was tender. “Dawson will be over the moon. And the girls… We may have to go to the Devil’s Fury to see them. I’m still pissed as fuck at them, and I know the rest of the club is too. Oh, God! The club! Everyone will be so happy to hear you remember everything.”
As we lay there, wrapped in each other’s arms, I felt a profound sense of peace settle over me. The world outside could wait. For now, this moment was ours alone.
As we basked in the tranquil glow of our reunion, a distant rumble pierced the morning stillness. The unmistakable growl of motorcycles, a sound that had once been as familiar to me as my own heartbeat, now stirred something primal within my chest.
Ridley’s fingers tightened ever so slightly against my skin. “Sounds like some of your brothers are heading out,” she murmured, her breath warm against my neck.
I closed my eyes, letting the rhythm of the engines wash over me. “Yeah,” I replied. “Funny how some things never change, and yet they do. Not the first time I’ve heard that sound the last few months, but it’s different today.”
The rumble grew louder, then faded, leaving behind a charged silence. I found myself torn between the cocoon of our bed and the pull of the open road. The dichotomy wasn’t lost on Ridley; I could feel her studying my face.
“You’ve missed it,” she said. It wasn’t a question.
I met her gaze, seeing understanding in those eyes I’d fallen for all those years ago. “I did,” I admitted. “But I wouldn’t trade this moment for anything. I can ride with them later.”
She smiled, a hint of mischief playing at the corners of her mouth. “Who says you have to choose? We’ve got a lot of lost time to make up for, but the club’s still out there. Still needs you.”
I raised an eyebrow, a slow grin spreading across my face. “You trying to get rid of me already, darlin’?”
Ridley laughed, the sound rich and full. “Not a chance in hell. You’re stuck with me, come hell or high water.”
As her laughter faded, I found myself marveling at the strength of the woman beside me. She’d weathered every storm life had thrown our way, emerging even more radiant than before.
“We’ve faced down plenty of both, haven’t we?” I mused, running my fingers through her hair.
She nodded, her expression turning serious. “And I’d do it all again if it meant I could be here by your side.”
“Love you.” I kissed her softly.
“I love you too.” She snuggled against me, and for the first time since I woke up in the hospital, everything felt right.