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"Um, what time is it?"

"A little after midnight."

"I've been asleep since noon?"

"You were in and out of consciousness,” he says. "You really don’t remember any of it?”

As I look at him, some of it comes back to me in flashes. It feels like trying to remember a fever dream.

"You were talking in your sleep," he tells me. "You were begging me to put you out of your misery. You kept asking me to kiss you."

I place my fingertips over my lips. They've never been more insensitive.

"Did you?"

"Did I what, Grace?"

"Kiss me."

"If I had kissed you, you would have remembered it,” he says. "If I had kissed you, you'd be on your back right now with your thighs wrapped around my body."

My skin is feverish everywhere.

I went too far. I unleashed the beast inside him. He's not even looking at me, but I feel him everywhere. It's so visceral that I can barely breathe.

"There's only one way you can get relief," he tells me.

"How?" I ask.

"The aphrodisiac in your system is a potent natural medicine. It's supposed to be taken in small doses, but you were most likely given a much higher dose. It has a long half-life, so you'll be feeling the effects of the drug for the rest of the night.”

"That's too long," I say.

"That's why I got you some toys." He gestures to the bag. "Having an orgasm will naturally decrease the effects of the drug."

I peek inside the bag. Sure enough, there's a small vibrator and some lube.

Dante turns to look at me.

I forget how to breathe all over again.

He looks so magnificent in the moonlight. Hundreds of stars twinkle above him, shining like diamonds in the night sky. A light breeze enters the room, a balm against my heated skin.

"I'll give you some privacy now," he says. "Good night, Grace."

He's leaving.

I don't want him to go.

In the muted light, I watch the ripple of his muscles under his shirt as he moves toward the bedroom door.

"Wait," I whisper.

He pauses with his hand over the doorknob.

"I don't know how," I whisper.

"Grace, I should warn you that you're playing with fire," he says, his voice smokier than before.