Page 15 of Renascence

She still can’t look at me, keeping her eyes glued to the ground. Her entire demeanor screams “damaged,” and she’s right, I should stay away from her.So why am I still standing here?

“I was wrong, Emily. I don’t think you’re fucked up.”

“You don’t?” Her eyes meet mine, hope in her tone.

“No. I believe someone fucked with your head and is taking up valuable real estate in there. You need to evict them.”

“That’s easy for you to say.”

With a sigh, I take her hand in mine while extending the other for her to give me the key. “Come on. I’ll take you home.”

“But… what about your bike?”

“I’ll get someone to pick me up.”

“There’s no need—”

“Emily, get in the truck, please,” I cut her off, my voice calm and controlled.

She drops the key in my palm, climbing in and sliding across to the passenger side. When I’m seated next to her, I text Jeff’s address to the prospect and tell him to pick me up.

“Thank you,” Emily whispers next to me.

“No problem, darlin’.”

The drive to Jeff’s is quiet. I don’t know what to say because I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. I should have gone my way and allowed her to go hers. Instead, here I am, taking her home with the intention of doubling back to get my bike. I’ve put in way too much work already. I’m better off going back to the clubhouse and picking one of the Hounds, but for once, easy pussy has no appeal for me. Well, not right this moment.

I’ll try another approach with Emily. If this doesn’t work, then I’ll call it quits. She’s probably leaving soon anyway.

I pull into the driveway and we both sit quietly, staring up at the porch. When I can’t take the silence anymore, I clear my throat.

“I’m sorry for the way I’ve been behaving. You’re obviously not used to guys like me, and I shouldn’t have said the things I’ve said.”

“Thank you, but that’s who you are. You shouldn’t change for anyone.”

“I want you, Emily, but the fact of the matter is you won’t be around forever. You need to tell me if I’m wasting my time here.”

“It’s not you,” she insists. “It’s me. It’sallme. I do need to get my mind right, and I don’t want to drag you or anyone else into my mess. Can we… can we be friends?”

“Yeah.” I let out a mirthless chuckle, watching the prospect pull up to the sidewalk in one of the club’s Chargers. “Sure, Emily.”

I can’t believe it. Me, Venom, fucking friend-zoned.

***Emily***

Friend.

Friend?

I could kick myself for even thinking, let alone suggesting it. I can’t be Venom’sfriend. How can I even be around him knowing that, in no uncertain terms, he wants me in his bed? Knowing that’s exactly where I want to be, how am I supposed to be friendly?

And him. He may have agreed to my silly request, but he doesn’t like it; it’s evident in his behavior. He hasn’t been hostile, only a little indifferent. Over the last week, we’ve barely talked, even though I’ve seen him every day. He came into the pet shop once for a refill on mice, and he’s seen me home from the gym every night. I always find him waiting for me by the juice bar, cup in hand. “Thank you” and “no problem, darlin’” have probably been the extent of our conversations. Every day I watch him work out, track the droplets of sweat as they trickle down his face and arms, lick my lips when the bulge and ripple of his muscles make them dry. Then at the end, I get to smell him, freshly showered and sense-tinglingly awesome.

God, I want him.

Why can’t I be less complicated and give in to what my body wants? Stupid brain always wants to be in charge. For once, I wish I could be someone else… someone normal.

Sighing, I finish my shower, get dressed, and prepare to face Venom. He’s right where he always is, but tonight Kurt is with him. My text alert sounds from my phone, and I pull it out of my pocket. My mood goes sour the moment I see who the message is from.