Page 61 of My Bloody Valentine

The rational part of my brain screams at me again, louder this time. I should be running, not waiting for him to tear my clothes off. But every protesting thought is washed away by a wave of longing—a longing I can’t fight anymore.

As his jacket falls to the floor, I grab the hem of his dress shirt, slowly pulling it free from his belt. I should care that we’re in Amelia’s living room, that this isn’t our space. But my fingers tremble with anticipation, and I can’t stop.

“Hurry,” I whisper, and the word sounds like a plea.

Adrian growls as he yanks his shirt over his head. His eyes devour me as he reaches for the button of my jeans, popping it open with deft fingers. “You’re so eager, baby. So eager to give in.”

“Yes.” The admission comes easily. No more denial, no more fighting it. “It’s always been you, Adrian. Just you.”

His mouth captures mine in a searing kiss, and I feel his hand slip beneath the elastic of my panties. He’s already so hard, so ready, and my body craves the release only he can give.

He lifts me onto the couch, settling between my thighs. My jeans and panties are somewhere on the floor now, the cool fabric of the couch cushions beneath me. Adrian’s mouth claims mine again, drowning out my thoughts.

When he breaks the kiss, I whimper in protest. His hands grip my thighs, spreading them wider, and he positions himself at my entrance.

“So wet for me.” His words are a rough whisper.

I’m beyond the point of shame, beyond caring that this is my best friend’s couch, her apartment. The only thing that matters is our connection, the way he makes me feel alive.

He thrusts forward, filling me in one smooth stroke. My body welcomes him, heat rushing through me as we come together.

His mouth finds my neck, teeth scraping my skin as he moves in a brutal rhythm that sends sparks through my nerves. All my senses focus on the pleasure of him inside me, the feel of his skin against mine.

His hips snap against mine, each impact bringing me closer to the edge. He plunders my mouth with his tongue, swallowing my cries. I can’t get close enough.

My fingers dig into his back as the pleasure builds, his name torn from my lips in a hoarse cry. The pressure coiled tight within me snaps, and my release shatters me, my body trembling against his.

Adrian groans, his rhythm faltering as he spills himself into me, his body shuddering with the force of it. He covers my mouth with his, drinking in my cries.

We stay tangled together for long moments, our hearts pounding in unison. His lips trail feather-light kisses across my shoulder as he nuzzles his face into the curve of my neck.

I want to tell him to stay, beg him never to leave, but the words won’t form. Instead, I run my fingers through his hair, holding him close, clinging to this moment in Amelia’s apartment, where Adrian showed me once again that my body and soul are his.

26

ADRIAN

Ihold Maya close, her heart racing against my chest from our passionate encounter. Her breath comes in short gasps, and I trace the marks I left on her skin. The scent of jasmine and chocolate fills the air around us.

“You’re trembling,” I whisper, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

Maya shifts in my arms, her eyes meeting mine with a mix of fear and understanding. “The blood in your chocolates... I should run screaming to the police.”

“But you won’t.” I tighten my grip slightly, reminding her of who she belongs to now.

“No.” She traces a finger along my collarbone. “I won’t. Because I see it now—what you create. It’s more than just confections. Each piece tells a story, carries an emotion.”

I pause, studying her face. This is the first time anyone has truly understood my vision. “The hollow ones contribute nothing to the world. But in my creations, they finally serve a purpose.”

“The depth of flavor...” Maya’s voice catches. “When I first tasted them, I sensed something hollow. You capture pureemotion in each bite. It’s terrifying but also beautiful in its own morbid way.”

“Like us,” I murmur against her temple.

“Yes.” She shudders. “I never thought I’d understand someone like you. But your chocolates are a form of art. You take something brutal like murder and transform it into something exquisite.”

Her words fill the void inside me, the empty space I’ve carried for so long. She sees me and doesn’t turn away. I cup her face in my hands, making her look at me.

“You’re the only one who could ever appreciate the depth of what I create. Your gift lets you taste the truth in each piece.”

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