Chapter 19 – IVY
Chapter
Nineteen
IVY
Spending most of the week in the greenhouse with Venom feels like slipping into some alternate reality. The place is magical enough on its own, but with him and me actually getting along… it almost feels like a dream.
Venom hasn’t touched me again since the night before Evelyn’s birthday, at least not how I’ve been wanting, which has only made me even more painfully aware of how close he gets to me while showing how to tend to his plants or how my body reacts to him snatching my wrist in his firm grip to stop me from touching something poisonous.
The tension between us is much thicker than the air in the greenhouse and at times it feels like someone actually has their hands around my throat, stealing my air. But in reality, it’s more complicated than that. It’s Venom who has rewired me, body and mind, making me crave everything about him.
I enjoy listening to him speak. With his accent and velvety tone, it’s relaxing.
He effortlessly calms me with his voice.
Especially now as he reads passages to me from a book I’ve never read while we sit in the quaint seating area in the greenhouse at a round ornate vintage metal table.
Thick tufted cushions keep my ass from feeling the discomfort of the hard metal chair.
“It was not the thorn bending to the honeysuckles, but the honeysuckles embracing the thorn.” Venom reads aloud. He sets his book on the small table and takes a sip of his whiskey.
His throat bobs as he swallows, and my gaze follows the line down his smooth neck to his golden chest, exposed where he leaves the top of his shirt undone. Maybe it’s from the heat in here. Maybe it’s his way of tempting me, letting me imagine what’s hidden beneath.
When I look back up, his piercing blue eyes are locked on me. He smirks and sets his glass down.
“What kind of tree is this?” I ask, distracting myself with the pretty little tree next to us with delicate pink flowers and berries.
“It’s a southern crabapple tree.”
“Everything is so beautiful, I don't think I could ever get sick of being in here.”
“Mmm, I agree. But of all the creatures and plants I have encountered, you are the most beautiful.”
I press my lips together to hold back a smile.
“Stop being nice. It’s unsettling.”
“I can be nice.”
“I’m surprised you can go two minutes without insulting me somehow.”
“Now, now, sweet beast, don't tempt me,” he drawls. I roll my eyes and finish the sweet tea Evelyn made.
Venom moves, coming to stand in front of me. I look up through my lashes, feeling nervous at the way he’s staring at me; like he wants to consume me.
His hand slowly moves toward me and my brows furrow before he delicately reaches into my hair.
His fingers, now curled into his palm, stop in front of my face.
He smiles, then uncurls his fist. A small pale blue butterfly flutters out of his hand, around us, then disappears somewhere into the trees.
I stare after it, smiling.
Venom holds out his hand. “Come.”
I slip my hand into his and he walk us through the greenhouse.
“So, not all plants are poisonous here,” I say.
“No.”
“Then why do you have them?”
“For their beauty, of course. Some men want to be surrounded by beautiful women. I want to be surrounded by nature’s beauty.”
A surprising answer from him again.
Venom leads us over to his wall of pets. “I think Black Betty is sorry for biting you,” he says as he strokes a finger over her large glass home.
“I’ll take your word for it.”
He walks over to another enclosure and sticks his hand in and pulls out a bright green snake.
Oh god.
“Would you like to hold her?”
“Absolutely not.” I take a step back away from them.
“Come now, she’s no worse a beast than you.”
“No way.”
“Afraid?” he asks with a menacing smile.
I huff out a laugh. “No.”
“I don't know why you insist on lying to me when you’re so terrible at it. It’s alright to be afraid. It shows you respect their power.”
“Well, I’ll respect their power from the other side of the glass or from here, thank you very much.” Before I can even react, he closes the distance between us. “Venom… don't you dare!”
“Don't move, darlin’. Stay very still,” he says as he places the snake on my shoulder, way too fucking close to my face.
“Venom! Oooh my god, oh my god. It’s moving. Why is it moving? Where is it going?” The snake’s scales against my skin feel cool and smooth, like silk moving across my flesh in waves.
“She’s just exploring, getting to know you. Or perhaps about to wrap around your neck and strangle you. There’s really no telling.”
“Venom,” I warn with a harsh whisper. My arms instinctively rise, not knowing what to do with them in this moment. The snake slithers around my right bicep as I suppress the urge to scream.
“Relax, sweet thing. You’re safe.”
“I don't feel very safe right now,” I say, trembling.
“I’m here. You’re the safest you ever could be.”
“I question your definition of safe. Please, Venom, take her back before she kills me.”
He chuckles, then reaches out, lifting the snake into his hand and winding her around his arm.
“This is sweet Cora. She’s a Green Tree Python and non-venomous. You were perfectly safe.”
“Oh. I thought they’re all poisonous. You could have told me that sooner instead of letting me think I could have been bitten and face death again.”
“Yes, but where’s the fun in that, darlin’?”
“Ugh. Your soul is most definitely damned.”
He chuckles. “Oh, I went to hell long ago and never returned. Besides, I think I’ve done worse than this to damn my soul.”
“Right. Is this because I said you were being nice? Fine, I take it back.”
He laughs again. “You are quite enjoyable.”
“I’m glad I amuse you.” I say, placing my hands on my hips.
“Among other things,” he says, still not looking at me, his hand stroking down Cora’s body. He sets her back into her home, then finally faces me, sliding his hands into his pockets with a smile that sends my heart racing.
Why do I have to be so damn attracted to him? It makes it difficult to stay mad at him.
We continue staring at each other, the tension only growing like it usually does between us. Although he looks casually menacing and unbothered, I feel like I’m about to lose my damn mind if not my self-control first.
“See something you like?” he asks with a smirk.
“Can’t say I do.” More lies.
“Look a little more closely.”
“No thanks.”
“Afraid of what you might find?”
My cheeks flush. He knows how to push my buttons. The ones that annoy me and the ones that tempt me.
“Can’t imagine there’s much to find in your shallowness.”
“Ouch. The beast shows her teeth.”
I turn and stalk away.
Before I make it out of the greenhouse, my arm is pulled, and I’m pushed up against the wall with his arms caging me in.
“Where are you running off to, darlin’?”
I let out a frustrated sigh. “I just… I don't know. I need some air.”
“I’m not sure if you’ve realized, but it’s everywhere around us. There’s plenty to share.”
I bite my lip as I shake my head. “I just… I never know if you’re trying to seduce me or make me fear you.”
“Why can’t it be both?” He grins.
“God, Venom, what are we doing? What do you even want?”
His eyes search mine before he tilts his head, a finger trailing the side of my neck. He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear and heat pools low in my stomach.
“Isn’t it obvious?” he murmurs. He shifts his stance but keeps me pinned between him and the wall. For a heartbeat, he almost looks nervous.
“I want you in the worst way, darlin’.” His thumb drags slowly across my cheek.
“The kind of way that brings powerful men to their knees, that causes kingdoms to fall and the world to burn. The way I want you leaves me feeling desperate. And a desperate man is a dangerous man.” He takes a steadying breath, his striking blue eyes locked on mine.
“But I promise you this. The safest place your heart could ever be is in my possession.”
I look at him, stunned, trying to keep my composure. “You want my heart?”
“I want all of you.”
Okay maybe I’m not the one who already lost their mind.
“But I’ve been terrible to you.” I shake my head in a mix of confusion and embarrassment. “I’ve been so unappreciative, I’ve attacked you countless times.”
“Yes. And when you attack me, I crave your death at my hands.” His fingers slide lower, wrapping softly around my neck. “I want to watch the light fade from your eyes, feel your last breath against my skin like a gentle caress. But do you know what I want more, sweet beast?”
His hand returns to my face, thumb gliding over my lips. He presses his forehead to mine, drawing in a breath before continuing.
“I want you. Christ, Ivy, I want you so badly. I want you by my side every day, every hour, infuriating me with your wicked tongue and beastly ways. Therefore, as much as I thought I could, I cannot kill you. And I will not be without you. I already told you”—his voice drops to a purr—“you are mine.”
“Venom,” I whisper, his name sounding more like a plea.
“When you’re ready, I’ll be here,” he says, then releases me from his intoxicating hold and walks out, leaving me breathless and weak.
I can’t deny my feelings toward him, feelings that just keep growing no matter how hard I try to bury them below the surface. They want to bloom and thrive, and I just keep smothering them, hoping they go away.
It’s not working. I’m losing the battle between my own heart and mind.
But what do I want out of this situation? Do I even know anymore? Could I still leave and be satisfied with freedom if my… heart… stayed behind?