Chapter 52: Kiss Until You Choke
Vivienne’s lips were pressed against his. Her whole body trembled. On the outside she looked like she was melting into him, moaning softly, wrapping her arms around his neck like a woman drowning in passion. On the inside she was screaming at herself.
God, I want to vomit in this man’s mouth. I want to bite off his tongue and throw it across the room. But no, Vivienne, you idiot, you have to act. You have to look like you are dying for him. That is the only way you will survive.
She moaned louder, her body arching against his chest. She cursed herself as she felt the heat between her thighs. Stupid traitor body. Useless whore body. Why are you trembling for him? You hate him. You fucking hate him.
André kissed her like she was the only thing left in the world. His lips were soft, tender, even worshipful. His hand slid along her back slowly, deliberately, as though he was touching something sacred. Outwardly he looked like the perfect lover, like a man hopelessly in love. But in his head, he was laughing.
Oh my little thief, your performance is adorable. Look at you pretending to melt. Look at you moaning like you want me to ruin you. And your body betrays you every time. You hate me, and yet you tremble. Do you know how delicious that is?
Vivienne pressed closer, moaning again, forcing her voice to sound desperate. She kissed his lips like she was begging for him, but every time her tongue touched his she thought about biting down. One bite, one hard bite, and this demon will bleed. But no. I need the vault. I need the horse. I can’t ruin it now. Just keep kissing him. Keep lying.
Her fingers went to her dress, fumbling with the strings. Her hands shook. She pulled at the laces, clumsy and frantic, but to André it looked like she was desperate to strip for him. She cursed herself. Fuck. I look like I’m begging. I look like I need him. No. No. This isn’t who I am. I am a thief, not a whore in love.
She pulled harder at her corset, but the strings were too tight. Her breath came out ragged. "Help me," she whispered, forcing her voice to sound soft, needy. "Please, help me."
André’s lips curled into a smile. He leaned closer, his breath warm against her ear. "Of course, my love," he whispered, slow, tender, like a prayer. His hands moved to her corset strings and began to tug them free. He dragged his fingers down her spine as he loosened it, deliberately slow, making her shiver.
Vivienne wanted to spit in his face. Instead, she tilted her head back, gasping softly as though every touch burned her with pleasure. Fuck, Vivienne, you’re good. You deserve an award. Look at you acting like his perfect bride. I hope Satan himself is proud of you right now.
André whispered against her neck. "You’re so beautiful like this. Every breath you take, every tremble, it belongs to me." He kissed the curve of her shoulder. "I can’t stop loving you. I never will."
Vivienne’s stomach twisted. Kill me now. Just stab me in the heart and end this nightmare. He’s whispering love like he’s the Virgin Mary, but he’s a devil in silk. A fucking demon.
Her corset came loose. Her breasts heaved against her thin chemise, and she tried to cover her disgust with another moan. She pulled at his shirt, fumbling like she was desperate, while inside her head she cursed again. God, I want to claw this shirt off and strangle him with it. But no. Smile. Act. Play the lover.
André leaned back slightly, his eyes burning into hers. He reached for the cravat lying on the bed. His fingers held it lightly, like a ribbon meant for a gift. He tilted his head and smiled softly.
"You seemed to love this yesterday," he said gently. His voice was low, tender, almost shy. "Should I tie you again?"
Vivienne froze. Every nerve in her body screamed no. Her soul screamed, Don’t you dare. Don’t you fucking dare. Don’t tie me up again. Don’t humiliate me like this again. But her face did not betray her. She smiled sweetly, her lips trembling, and nodded.
"Yes," she whispered. Her stomach turned. "I... I want it."
André’s eyes softened even more. He tilted his head like a saint. "Are you sure? I don’t want to hurt you. I never want to hurt you."
Vivienne almost laughed in his face. Never wants to hurt me? You tied me like a sacrifice and fucked me till I passed out. You absolute lunatic. And now you say you don’t want to hurt me? What a joke.
But she smiled wider, eyes shining with fake love. "Yes. Please. I’ll be happy."
André’s heart-shaped lips curved into a smile. Outwardly, he looked like a man deeply moved, his heart breaking with tenderness. Inside, he was laughing like the devil himself. She’s breaking herself for me. She’s tying the rope around her own throat and smiling while I pull it tighter. This is better than I imagined. This is so much fun. It keeps getting better and better.
He stood up and undressed himself slowly. Vivienne just stayed still watching him. But in her she was utterly disgusted. She said wanted to claw his eyes out. But she remained still smiling softly.
When he was fully undressed he hovered against her. And kissed her her lips tenderly. Vivienne kissed him back.
He leaned forward, cupped her cheek, and kissed her forehead softly. "Then let me love you as you want."
Vivienne wanted to vomit. She thought kiss me till I choke. But she closed her eyes, tilted her face toward him, and whispered sweetly, "I love you so much André."
André’s eyes burned. He leaned in, kissed her forehead, and whispered against her skin, "You’re mine."
Inside his head he was laughing like a devil.
Vivienne held his gaze, her smile trembling, her heart burning.
I will kill you, André. One day, I swear. I will fucking kill you. I will rip your heart out and tear it in shreds. I’ll make you regret the day you met me.
But out loud, she whispered, "Kiss me again."
And he did. Hard enough to choke her.