Page 374 of Coal Hearts

I didn’t believe in fairy-tales.

I didn’t really believe in destiny.

So why did Henri and I burn so badly together?

No, not just burned...blazed.

There was a name for that.

A label for that.

My eyes flew wide.

Horror filled me.

A Vedic astrologer told me once.

He warned me—

No.

It can’t be.

It can’t—

Henri spun me around, then marched me back until my spine slammed against the wall. Tugging my head aside with his fist in my hair, he pressed his lips to my throat. “If I told you that my teeth literally ache to bite you. That my tongue stings with the need to taste you. That my body is moments away from taking yours—with or without your permission—what would you say?” His teeth threatened to puncture. “Answer me. Or I’ll answer for you, and if I do...there’ll be no going back.”

I gasped as he licked me.

My heart thundered as he bit above my collar.

Gently at first.

Then harder, harder.

His arms bunched as if trying to restrain himself, caging me against the wall.

I tried to speak. I tried to push him away but every sense, every awareness locked on his hot, hot mouth pressed against my highly sensitive skin.

He trembled as his self-control snapped.

With a guttural groan torn from the depths of his monstrosity, he tossed away the tie and sank his incisors into me.

I fought him.

Instinct made me struggle to get away.

But at the same time, a heaviness fell over me—a haven full of dizzy desperation.

I submitted.

Just like a deer in a lion’s mouth.

Just like a fox in a trap.

I went loose and full of longing, all while I did my best to get free.

I tangled with two very different, very potent things.