I’m still falling, my body collapsing like a dying star, ready to return to dust after aeons of burning bright. How does his touch feel like a return? Like coming home?
Gideon breaks our kiss, sitting back on his knees, his eyes sweeping over me. The fear in them has been replaced by hunger.
I’m not strong enough to push him away.
When he kisses me again, sweeping me into his arms and pushing me back against the pole, my heart leaps as though I’m dancing. He hears the same song I do – of love and loss and hope and redemption.
His hands leave my body to unknot his tie. He grins against my lips as he slides his fingers down the inside of my arm, wrapping them around my wrist and raising it above my head.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
He holds up the tie. “May I?”
“May youwhat?”
“Everything in your life is about being in control. It’s why you won’t admit what your friends mean to you, and why you refuse to acknowledge the real reason you agreed to direct the variety show. It’s why you keep pushing me away.”
It’s why I won’t ask you for the hard drive.
Gideon searches my face, waiting for me to deny it. I don’t. Vulnerability flickers in his eyes, and the edge of his mouth turns downward before being tugged into his easy, satisfied smirk. “I want to show you what happens when you let go.”
He doesn’t know that I’ve already let go, that something in his kiss has sent me over the edge and he’s the only one to catch my fall.
It’s always been him.
So I let him knot his tie around my hands and lift them over my head. Usually, this sort of play is not something I enjoy. I never let my clients or paramours leave me vulnerable – I learned that lesson at the hands of Lord Astor. But I can’t refuse Gideon. I don’twantto refuse him. The idea of making my body vulnerable to him is oddly appealing.
I’ve already opened my chest and laid my heart bare.
His face is close to mine as he works on the knot. Gideon Blake is no sailor, but he secures me tightly. I search his eyes for any sign that he guesses my intentions. They’re as clear and bright as ever.
Gideon gives the tie one last tug. Both my hands are secured above my head, pushing out my chest and making my breasts point up. I can feel my nipples hardening from the cool air and the heat of his gaze.
He cups my cheek, pulling my face to his to kiss me. His hands roam over my body, sliding over my skin, skimming my hardened nipples until I am bending my back to chase the thrill of his touch.
“How does it feel to be at my mercy for once?” Gideon’s breath is a whisper on my cheek. I open my mouth to answer, but then he kisses my skin so softly, so all that escapes is a quiet moan.
“That’s the right answer.” He steps back, admiring his work.
I’m aware of how obscene I appear – tied with my hands above my head, breasts thrust forward, legs spread wide, wearing only my G-string, heels, and a dagger at my throat.
Every atom of me is alight. The air between us hums with the ghosts of my dance.
“What do you plan on doing with me, Gideon?” I ask, my voice coming out husky, betraying how much I’m enjoying this.
He smiles, taking a step back off the stage and running his hand along the edge. “Remember when I said I made some improvements to La Petite Mort?”
He pushes a hidden spring. A small compartment opens in the stage, the lid facing me so I can’t see inside. Gideon rifles around and grabs something, hiding it behind his back as he kicks the lid closed.
“In the hundred and fifty years since La Petite Mort, very little has changed. Upyr crave only three things in their immortal lives – power,profit, and pleasure. Like you, I aim to facilitate all three. But one thinghaschanged – sex toys are really fucking brilliant now.”
“You keep a cache of sex toys in a hole in the stage? For anyone to use? Is that hygienic?”
“Sinead and her team clean and replace them after every party,” he says casually. Cool air caresses my body as he stalks towards me, wearing a suit so sharp it wouldn’t be allowed on an airship, his hands hiding some secret object behind his back. I’m nearly completely naked while the only thing he’s taken off is his tie, and that has me off balance. But every minute that I enjoy his game is a minute closer to getting that hard drive.
“I’m sure Sinead loves that part of her job.”
“Sinead has been on the receiving end of many of these toys,” Gideon says. “The parties we host here can get a little… raucous. There’s a reason Sanctus has an eager team of Thralls. Blood and sex are a potent combination.”
