Page 286 of Coal Hearts

I immediately turned to stone.

He huffed. A sadistic twinkle appeared in his grey gaze. “Spoilsport.”

“Go to hell.”

“Nothing’s changed between us, you know,” he murmured. “I still want you. I still find you the most delicious creature I’ve ever seen. The only thing that’s different is I’m no longer hiding how I feel—”

“Pity that you now disgust me.”

“Ah, don’t say that.” He smirked. “Your body likes me...I know that for a fact.”

Not caring that everyone watched us. Not caring how dumb I’d come across, or how pathetic I’d turned out to be, my voice cracked as I clung to hope one last time. “You let me believe you were a cop.”

“You were the one to jump to idiotic conclusions. To believe I could ever be good enough.”

“You lied to me. About everything.”

“I told you. Not everything.” He sighed. “If you must know, I tried. I really did. I hoped I’d have enough strength to ignore temptation and do what my brother asked of me. Unfortunately, you’re far too fucking tempting, and I’m so much happier now I’ve given in.”

“You’re the reason I’m here, you bastard.” I struggled again, fruitlessly. “You said you would get me home.”

“Ah, little nightmare.” He pressed the softest kiss on the tip of my nose. “You are home. We both are.”

Victor’s footsteps echoed as he came down the deck steps and joined us on the lawn. “No more whispering, Mercer. Everything you say to her is for all our ears.”

“No problem.” He smiled in a way I’d never seen. No strain. No stress. Only peace.

I forced myself to look into his eyes, searching for any shred of the Henri I knew before. The man who’d convinced me so entirely. The trickster who played me so spectacularly.

If I hadn’t cried my soul out last night, I would’ve shattered into tears.

Now...only numbness.

And betrayal.

And fear.

His gaze glittered back, silver and clear, his face unmasked and relaxed. Dragging me into him, he shifted his hands to my face.

A million needles stabbed me from his touch. I tried to push him away, but he just tightened his fingers until my cheekbones threatened to snap. “I want you.” Running his roughened thumbs over my cheeks, he reminded me of all the moments he’d stroked my hips with such tenderness.

He’d caressed me beneath Victor’s nose.

Touched me gently all while apologising for hurting me.

I’d believed in those pets. I’d gathered courage from his kindness.

I didn’t care he’d straddled the border of light and dark.

I’d trusted him.

But now...that light extinguished.

“I need you to know that despite my urges and all the depraved things I’m going to do to you, I’m not a psychopath. I’m not compensating for something. I’m of sane body and mind.”

“Hey,” a guest grumbled from a nearby table. “You saying the rest of us are lunatics?”

Henri didn’t answer him, his breath hot over my lips. “I know that you’re different and accept you’ll always have a strange hold over me. I’m fully fucking aware of how hard I get around you and even with so many other jewels at my disposal, I only want you. Whether that obsession will last remains to be seen, but for now, I’m indulging in whatever little crush Victor thinks I have and letting myself off the leash entirely.” He kissed my cheek with exquisite worship. “Know what that means?”