Page 34 of House of Soot

I roll her beneath me, drinking in the sight of her, hair spread across the pillow, eyes heavy with want. My original plan seems distant, unreal compared to the solid warmth of her body against mine. This connection between us transcends the physical. It's raw and real in a way I thought only existed in fairy tales.

"You're amazing," I murmur into her skin, and for once I'm not playing a part. The words come straight from my heart.

She arches up to meet me, and I lose myself in her completely. For these precious moments, I'm not an Ifrinn seeking vengeance. I'm just a man falling harder than he ever thought possible.

My release crashes through me as Jenna comes apart in my arms, her body pulsing around mine.

"Oh, God, Blaise…" Her voice breaks on my name.

I bury my face in her neck, breathing her in. My heart thunders in my chest, and it's not just from exertion. This feeling, this warmth spreading through my chest, it's dangerous. Fatal.

She wraps herself around me, all soft curves and tender touches. I should pull away, should maintain distance. Instead, I press closer, letting her sweetness envelope me.

The contentment flowing between us feels right in a way nothing has since my parents died. That thought should anger me, remind me of my purpose. But with her heart beating against mine, thoughts of revenge drift away.

If I can’t control this, I’ll betray my parents and my brothers. If I follow through on my plan, I won’t just break her. I’ll break myself. I’m well and truly fucked.

I blinkawake in the early morning to find Jenna tracing the tattoos on my chest. Her touch is feather-light, hesitant. When our eyes meet, a blush spreads across her cheeks.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you." She starts to pull away.

I catch her hand, pressing it flat against my heart. "Don't stop."

Her fingers resume their exploration, following the dark lines of ink that tell stories she doesn't understand. Stories of loss, of revenge, of a family torn apart. But her innocent touch transforms them into something else, something less bitter, which makes no sense when she’s part of the reason I have them.

"I've never…" She bites her lip. "I mean, this is all new to me."

The vulnerability in her voice stirs something protective in my chest. I cup her face, thumb brushing her cheek. "Hey, look at me."

Those green eyes meet mine, full of trust I don't deserve. She's given me everything, her virginity, her heart, her complete faith. And I'm supposed to destroy her.

"You're perfect," I whisper, and I mean it.

Her body relaxes against mine, completely trusting. "I've never felt like this before."

"Neither have I." And it’s true, even if I don’t want it to be. I trail my fingers down her spine, loving how she shudders in response. "Sneaking boys into your room at night? Who knew you were such a rebel?"

Jenna's cheeks flush pink. "I'm not… I mean, you're the only…" She ducks her head against my chest. "You're the first person I've ever let stay over."

"Not even Ronan sneaking through your window?"

She shakes her head, hair tickling my skin. "No. He doesn’t know I exist. And well, I haven’t had time for relationships with Mom being sick… or maybe no one was interested until you.”

“You’re surrounded by idiot men if they’re not interested. Lucky me if they’re not. I’d hate to have to hurt them.”

Her smile is sweet. “I wouldn’t want that either. I’m glad it’s you, Blaise. You make me feel seen and safe.”

"No one's going to hurt you." I wrap my arms around her, drawing her closer. "I won't let them." The irony of that promise isn't lost on me. I came here to hurt her, but now all I want is to protect her from the very pain I planned to inflict.

I press a kiss to her forehead to hide my conflicted expression. She sighs contentedly, completely unaware that she's fallen for the man who plans to destroy her.

She shifts. “I need to check on my mom, but it would be best if you… weren’t here.” Her expression is apologetic. “It’s just that I’m not sure how she’d feel and I’d like to?—”

“Say no more.” I roll out of bed and find my pants. “I get it. I’ve snuck out of girls’ bedrooms before.” I wince, realizing that’s not something a woman wants to hear. Then again, if I can tarnish her opinion of me, perhaps I’ll be able to do my fucking job.

“So you’re an expert.”

I give her a sheepish smile. “Maybe we don’t talk about that.”

---