Every inch of it.
“Shutting your eyes won’t work, Poppet.” Felix’s voice wrapped around me like shame and sin. “You can’t deny what you are.”
I shook my head. Yes, I could.
I could choose to be someone else. Not her. Not the girl who craved this kind of thing.
Only a sick twisted person would have filthy images running through their mind at a time like this. I did not enjoy the feel of Flynn’s breath warming my skin. My scalp didn’t tingle when he threaded his fingers through my hair, and I certainly didn’t want to push back against him.
Those were the urges of someone else. Not me.
“Poor, Poppet.” Felix purred while Flynn’s arm curled around my waist. “Did you think you could drown your hunger the way you drowned your sister?”
I could drown my hunger. I didn’t look at men. I didn’t touch them or let myself enjoy it when I did break and spend the night with one.
“But you did enjoy it,”Bethie whispered in the back of my mind.“You like having their hands on you.”
I shook my head.
“Choking you.”
I shook my head harder.
“Inside you.”
“No.” I cried out.
Flynn tsked in my ear and slipped his hand under my dress.
“I don’t want it,” I whispered, trying to convince myself.
“Awe, Poppet.” I could almost feel Felix’s breath on my ear. “Desire is a beast that cannot be contained. Fear won’t smother it. Guilt won’t cage it, and pain enhances it. You ache because you dowantit.”
No, I didn’t. I didn’t want this.
At least that’s what I told myself when Flynn’s hand wedged between my thighs.
I would hold onto my resolve.
And I did. Even when his finger pushed between my folds and pressed down on my clit. But when the tip of the knife in his other hand bit into the tender flesh of my ass, I squeaked out a groan.
“Yes…” Felix breathed.
A third hand wound around the back of my neck and threaded into my hair. I wasn’t pressed up against a mirror any longer, but something warm and hard.
Felix.
My eyes flew open to see theringmaster standing where the mirror used to be.
“How—”
The sharp ache of the knife digging into my skin cut off my words.
I winced.
Felix groaned.
And Flynn let out a staggered breath while pushing his gloved finger inside me.
