“I think that’s our cue,” Viper said, taking hold of my hand just as a pair of security guards made their way to us and inclined their heads for us to follow. It felt like a million miles to the exit, and by the time we made it to the car, I collapsed into the back seat beside Viper.
The dead silence was a welcome respite from the chaos inside the party, and as the seconds passed and Viper took my hand again, the enormity of what had just happened hit me.
Holy shit, I thought, as I looked down at our intertwined fingers. Had Viper really just told me he loved me? And in front of everyone?
“You look a little stunned, Angel,” Viper said, brushing his thumb over mine.
“I’m trying to figure out if I’m dreaming.”
As the car took off, Viper tugged on my hand. “Come here.”
We were already sitting as close as we could be, but apparently that wasn’t close enough. I straddled Viper’s lap, and he cradled my face.
“Having second thoughts?” he asked.
“About what? You?” The idea was so absurd that I almost laughed. “Fuck no.”
Even in the dark, I could see the smile that slowly lit Viper’s face, and it made my heart skip a couple of beats. God, the man was too gorgeous to be mine, but that was what he was now, wasn’t it? Mine. Mine.
“This is what you want?” I said, locking my hands behind his neck. “And you’re sure? Because if you’re not sure, you should tell me now—”
Viper shut me up by bringing my lips down on his before I could finish my sentence. I opened my mouth for his immediately, continuing the kiss that we’d started before the wolf whistles and cheers had interrupted us. His tongue moved in sync with mine, the taste of him causing a moan to escape my throat. Four days had been too long to be away from him, from his captivating mouth. I’d never expected to want someone so much, but more than that, I never expected Viper to want me back. I believed all his protests about not wanting a relationship would win in the end, even though I could see how he felt about me. He never even had to say it—I could feel it.
But this? Such a public declaration and putting himself, and us, out there on blast? It was the last thing I expected, and while it made my pulse race just thinking about it, a new thought crept in.
I tore my mouth away, my breath coming fast and heavy. “Shit… Viper, did we just mess everything up?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Come the fuck again?”
“You know, the party, our contract…the band. You always said we couldn’t be together because it would mess up Fallen Angel, but now everyone will know—”
“Shh,” Viper said, putting his finger over my lips. “It doesn’t matter.”
“But—”
“Look, this might cause problems. I’m not gonna fuckin’ sugarcoat it. But you’re worth it. This thing we have…it’s worth it, Angel. Whatever happens.”
I swallowed hard, feeling a sting behind my eyes. So there was a chance that being with Viper could change everything, and yet here we were. Choosing each other, regardless of the consequences.
Holy fucking shit.
Two
Viper
AS I SAT in the back of the car with Halo’s hand in mine, I wondered if I’d ever felt surer about anything in my life as I did the man sitting by my side. I’d turned up at Corruption’s prerelease party tonight with one goal in mind: to find Halo and tell him how sorry I was. But the second I laid eyes on him, I’d known that wasn’t going to be enough. It didn’t convey half of the misery I’d felt over the past few days without him in my condo, my bed, my life, and when the words I love you had tumbled out of my mouth, I knew they’d been the exact right words to say.
“You’re worth it too, you know,” Halo said as he pushed my hair back behind my ears and lowered his mouth to mine. “God. I can’t believe this is really happening.”
I wound my arms around his waist and tugged him as close as I could get him, and Halo’s hair fell forward to curtain our faces from the rest of the world. “You and me both, Angel. Trust me.”
Halo chuckled, and the grin that spread against my lips was contagious in its joy. “Oh, I know you shocked the shit out of yourself. Not to mention the guys.”
I nipped at Halo’s lower lip, and when he groaned in response, I sucked it into my mouth. Halo bowed into me, a beautiful sound rumbling out of his throat, and when he finally pulled his lips free, he rested his forehead to mine and shut his eyes.
As his breathing calmed and silence once again enveloped us, I stroked my hands up his back and whispered, “I’m so damn sorry I hurt you.”