Blood and Roses (Tainted Hearts 3.5)

This moment…it will only be ours. Away from all the depravity of the world. Away from all the harshness…our reality.

Just us.

My eyes met darkness, and I blinked in confusion. My hand moved blindly across the wall, trying to find the light.

When I finally did, the room was instantly illuminated, and my eyes fell upon the beauty waiting for me in bed.

Our connection was fast. Breathtaking almost. One that left me confused and reeling.

My mind was playing games with my heart.

I had a choice. Fall into her trap or play the game like a master in disguise.

My gaze moved up her body, taking in everything laid out for me. She was on her back, her legs pressed together, with her arms on either side of her.

She was stiff, looking so small and scared. Like an Angel laid out for a sacrifice.

In her mind, this was a sacrifice. I was just the Devil. The one who was going to rob her innocence.

Little did she know.

I took a step forward, finally making my choice. Smiling at myself, I took another step.

With each step, my heart beat just a little faster…harder. With each step, I fought against the urge to claim her.

I watched her chest rise and fall with each breath. Her fingers curled into fists at her sides as I approached. Her eyes stayed on the ceiling, purposely avoiding me.

She was scared.

I wondered if I could get her excited by the end of the night.

My lips tilted up. That wouldn’t be hard to accomplish.

Stopping beside the bed, I only gazed into her face. She swallowed nervously, still not meeting my eyes.

The black mask was covering her real beauty, and I wanted it gone. I felt her suck in a deep breath when I bent forward, my fingers latching around the corner of the mask and slowly removing it.

Slowing uncovering her for my eyes.

The mask fell on the bed beside her hips as her eyes fluttered close. Her long lashes cast shadows on her cheeks.

She was…beautiful.

Breathtaking.

Sensational.

Exquisite.

Angelic.

I was at a loss for words as my eyes caressed her face. Everything was fair in war…and this game was won by me.

Poor Solonik. If only he had realized what he just lost…and what I just gained.

Slowly, not to startle her, I sat on the bed. She stiffened, her eyes pinching closed. Leaning closer, I reached forward, my fingers hovering over her cheeks.

Not touching, not moving…yet it still felt like I was caressing her.

Her warmth called to me as I finally and slowly caressed down her cheek. Unexpectedly, her eyes flew open, and she blinked up at me in surprise.

“Hi,” I whispered, sounding so fucking stupid.

She only stared at me, looking confused. “You are so beautiful; do you know that?” I said softly, still touching her face.

Slowly, her head shook no.

“Well, you are. It pisses me off that nobody ever said that to you, but you are so fucking beautiful,” I continued, still staring into those blue eyes.

While she remained silent, they spoke volumes. They told me everything I needed to know.

It was so hard ignoring the ache that was currently resting between my legs, when all I wanted to do was take what was mine, but tonight was going to be different.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” I whispered, leaning just a little closer. “That’s not why we’re in here.”

She cocked her head to the side, waiting. “I want you to speak…say something. I want to hear your voice again,” I finished.

This time it was me waiting…for her.

She opened her mouth and then snapped it shut, her eyes flying to the door in panic. My body moved quickly so that I was between her and the door, so that I was the only thing she was seeing.

“Solonik’s command doesn’t matter anymore. You don’t have to worry about him. Ever,” I growled, the anger fueling again.

A ghost of a smile lit her lips before it was quickly gone and she was staring at me in suspicion.

Great…just great. She didn’t believe me. Of course, she didn’t believe me. I just bought her. Well, not yet…but still.

My hand moved up, moving a few stray strands of hair away from her face. “You have nothing to be scared of.”

It was the truth, and now I just needed her to believe me.

I moved forward so I was lying down beside her. With an arm around her waist, I turned her toward me so we were both lying side by side, facing each other.

Her naked body pressed against my fully clothed one, and I fought back a groan as my dick jumped forward in excitement.

Settle down, junior. Now is not the fucking time!

Her breathing came out harder, her palms now resting against my chest. She stayed frozen, stiff as a board, as I struggled with my own self-control.

Leaning closer, our foreheads now touched—a soft touch that had her eyes widening. I wondered, when was the last time she experienced a gentle touch?