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I close my eyes for an instant.

I can hear my heart thudding in my ears.

“No one.”

“Look at me, Viscount.”

His voice is a low, visceral command, but I keep my lids clamped shut.

I don’t want to see the reflection of my own rage in his eyes.

He lunges for my mouth, biting my lower lip with such force the pain rattles me to the bone.

“Damnation—look at me!” he snarls pressed against me, his lips wet with my blood.

I raise my hand, ready to strike him, but he wastes no time. He seizes my wrists, pinning them above my head. His face slides close to mine, his eyes piercing through me.

“Listen to me very carefully.”

I don’t want to hear anything.

I don’t want to know anything.

Leave me alone.

Just leave me alone.

Please.

I cannot.

I can barely breathe. Every beat, every fiber of my body seems to scream against him.

“I was at Le Rêve a long time ago. What happened... it doesn’t matter. I haven’t touched a soul since...” His voice breaks, a tremor shaking him.

I drive my knee up between his legs, making him go rigid.

“Since what?” I hiss, the heart hammering in my ears.

“Since I have had you... under my skin.”

I gasp, nearly losing control. My hand tries to push him away, yet it cannot detach itself.

“Why should I believe you?”

His hand hooks my knee and slowly lifts it toward his cock.

“Do you not understand how a single touch of yours consumes me with desire?”

I feel the heat of his body pressing against mine, the ridge of him straining the fabric of his trousers. And I know that I am no different.

His forehead rests against mine.

“Does this seem normal to you?”

“No...” I let out with a shallow breath. “It... it isn’t normal.”

He looks down into my eyes, his lips brushing mine. I close my eyes and let myself be cradled by the contact. He moves his head back slightly to search my face.