Page 665 of Coal Hearts

I’d never seen a more handsome man.

Never had my breath stolen by another just for existing.

Dressed head to toe in black, he wore a heavy velvet cape that flared from his shoulders and whispered against the floor. Glossy black shoes, mandarin collared black shirt, and a mask covered in glittering black tourmaline.

The light-sucking gemstones drew every illumination in the room to his eyes, ensnaring me, killing me—

“Je-sus.” He froze as his hands dropped and his gaze landed on me.

His mouth hung open.

He shuddered on the spot.

And then he prowled toward me, his grey eyes erupting with silver flames. The familiar starfire between us built and billowed, igniting every piece of our bodies, hearts, and souls.

“Tu es et tu seras toujours la plus belle femme que j'ai jamais vue.” (You are and always will be the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.) He cupped my cheek, running his thumb over my unpainted bottom lip.

He forgot our pantomime. Ripped up our script.

And kissed me.

The moment his mouth met mine, I slung my arms around his cape-draped shoulders and clung to him.

Just for a single moment.

A stolen second.

Then I let him go and broke the kiss.

I dropped to my knees for the cameras.

He sighed heavily as if my submission annoyed him, all while understanding why I surrendered.

His energy switched from rosy and warm, full of love and connection, to mean spirited and cold. Raising his voice so the cameras would record, he chuckled. “I have a good mind to make you blow me. A necklace of cum would really set off that dress.”

I didn’t look up.

I didn’t answer back.

I played the role of a good submissive jewel.

Henri’s hands landed on his belt.

I instantly hummed with need.

If he took me over the chair before we went to this stupid ball, I would not complain.

After so many weeks of giving in to animalistic urges—of encouraging my system to be dirty and bad and crave such despicable things, I couldn’t get through a day without some form of pain and release.

I needed it.

I grew itchy for it.

I craved him and his unique brand of torment.

God...

My insides clenched.