Page 86 of Twilight Mask

“No. I think I like it when it hurts.”

If he’s smiling, I can’t tell. He says nothing, only steps aside and gestures at the boxes. I drift toward them with an eagerness that surprises me. I haven’t seen Jackal in nearly a week, and I’ve been craving a night with him just like this.

Only it’s hard to choose. I look between his gifts, unable to make up my mind.

“Pick.” He’s standing right behind me. Looming, so damn big and strong. I can feel the heat rolling off him. His suit clings to his powerful chest.

I reach out and pick up a box.

“The left-hand path,” he murmurs behind me. “Do you know what that means? The left hand is the dark side, black magic, broken taboos and shattered morality. You always choose the left, don’t you?”

“It’s more fun,” I say and slowly unwrap the bow.

“I knew you would, baby,” he whispers, and his hands press against my arms as I pull off the lid of the box.

Inside is a black velvet cushion. On top of it lies a diamond-studded collar with a metal loop on the front for a chain. And in the middle of the choker is another box, a smaller box.

I stare and my body goes very still.

“Put on the collar,” he whispers. “Then open the box.”

“Marco,” I groan.

“Jackal,” he corrects gently. “Put it on, little demon.”

I pick up the collar and wrap it around my neck. My body’s tingling and chills rush along my skin. I never imagined something like this could happen to me as I fasten the collar, making it tight on my throat, but it’s right. I’m his—I’m all his—and now he knows it.

“The box,” he says, stroking a finger down my spine.

I whimper, shaking my head. I blink back tears. “Please,” I say, although I don’t know what I’m begging for.

“Open it.” A command now. Firm, but not angry, with a little teasing undercurrent. “Or are you afraid, baby?”

“I’m not afraid.” I pick up the ring box and flip open the lid as if his little challenge was all the push I needed.

It’s beautiful. My breath catches, and I can’t find words. A cluster of diamonds sparkling in the low hotel lights. A white gold band. He reaches around my body and holds out my hand, takes the ring with his other, and slowly slips it onto my finger.

I close my eyes and stand still, feeling his body pressed against my back, the weight of the collar around my throat, the ring pressing down against my skin.

“What do you say?” he whispers. His mask must be pulled back. His lips press against my ear. “Will you be my wife? Will you be mine, little demon? Walk the left-hand path with me for the rest of our lives.”

“I love you,” I say, choking out the words. “I’m already yours.”

“Say yes.”

“Yes, Marco. Yes, Jackal. I’m all yours.”

I close my eyes and turn. I don’t see his face as I kiss him, but I feel his tongue and his lips, and I taste him flooding my mouth. Something clips onto the collar, and when I pull back, his mask is back in place and a long silver chain dangles from my throat.

He holds the other end.

“Undress,” he commands.

And I obey. My blouse comes off and drops to the floor, a puddle of black silk. My skirt comes next. My bra, then my panties. When I’m stripped for him, he makes me bend over the bed, my naked ass in the air. I’m in only his collar, wearing only his ring, and connected to a long, slender chain.

“Good girl,” he says, his voice thick with desire, and he spanks me hard. Once, twice, three times until I’m moaning and his fingers go deep between my legs, filling me up, and Jackal takes me, gets me off, and fucks me. He pulls the choker as I come and I nearly black out, gasping for air, bliss ripping down every line of my body. He fills me after, his own orgasm ripping through his body like a stone thrown into water. I’m left moaning and writhing and begging for more.

He stands back, slowly stroking his incredible cock.

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