Page 201 of Craving Venom
“Lunch’s over,” he grunts. “Time to get you back in cuffs.”
I grin, curling my lips around the filter one last time before taking a final drag.
“Already?” I blow the smoke out slowly, my eyes staying locked on Faith the entire time. “And I was just starting to enjoy my meal.”
“Move.”
The guard’s tone is firm, but I don’t rush as I rise slowly, stretching to let the tension drain from my shoulders while he grabs the thick, heavy cuffs and locks them around my wrists.
The library is quieter than before, the students scattered across the tables, some taking notes, others pretending to care about the worn-out books lining the shelves. But I’m not here for them, and it doesn’t take long before I find her. Faith stands bythe shelves with her back to me, her fingers tugging at a book jammed too tight between the others, and somehow even the way she struggles with a book makes me want her.
“Zane.”
I hear Shirley clear her throat as her footsteps draw closer from the opposite end.
“Behave,” she warns.
“Me?” I tilt my head, the chain between my cuffs rattling as I take a slow step toward her. “I’m always on my best behavior.”
“Funny. That’s not what the reports say.”
“Reports can be misleading.” I shrug.
“Where are you headed?”
“Just stretching my legs.” My eyes drift back to where Faith is still wrestling with the book.
“Stay where I can see you.”
“Of course.” I smirk, sidestepping her effortlessly.
Try and stop me.
I move toward Faith, dragging the chain along with me, but she doesn’t hear it. Her focus stays locked on the damn book until she feels me. Her body goes completely still, so unnervingly still. I don’t touch her, not yet, but I’m close enough that her fingers freeze mid-tug on the spine of the book.
“Breathe, baby.”
For a second, I think she won’t, but then her chest rises as she pulls in a shaky breath, dragging air into her lungs.
“Good girl.”
I step in closer, near enough for her to sense me as the chains rattle.
“Need some help?”
Her fingers tighten around the book, but she still doesn’t turn.
“You look… stuck.”
I don’t miss the way her body presses back, just slightly, testing how close I am without giving in completely.
“Let me.” I press my lips so close to her ear I feel her shiver. Her hands slacken, enough for me to reach around her and brush my fingers against hers as I grip the book.
The book slides free, but I let her go.
“You didn’t tell me you were coming.”
Her shoulders square, and I can already tell she’s about to snap back, her sharp tongue itching to put me in my place before I even give her the chance.
