“What’s it like?”
“It’s like...” I paused, doing my best to describe it. “If a couple who had no lust for one another took it, they might get a small burn to be together. But if a couple already wants each other—if there is that undeniable crackle of chemistry that links your blood to his...it’s incredible. It takes your natural lust and amplifies it. It becomes everything. Every touch is foreplay. Every kiss is...well—” I blushed. “Let’s just say, if you want your husband as much as I want mine, a kiss can be orgasmic. Unlike elixir, cinta doesn’t overload your system with fake desire but magnifies your own to the point where it’s impossible to ignore.”
I smiled, remembering the first time Sully had given us a dose on our wedding night. Still healing from broken bones and muscles weak from his coma, cinta had ensured we’d consummated our marriage extremely thoroughly.
We didn’t use it every time we had sex—Sully was walking elixir to me without needing other stimulants—but on those nights when it was just us, and we fancied stepping into a world of myth with a VR fantasy—where any place and any time could be experienced—we’d dabble.
We’d share a drop of cinta and lose ourselves to nothing but love and lust.
I thought about what I’d packed in our suitcase. What I’d brought, just in case Sully and I needed a break from England before we were able to go home.
“Wow, sounds great.” Nila smiled. “Ah well, if your husband ever decides to sell his magic, I’d like to see if I can give Jethro a night where the rest of the world falls away and it’s just us.” Arching her chin at the hall, she added, “Come on, we better go back. The men will be wondering.”
I followed her, my mind racing. Whatever drugs Sully had cooked up for Jethro’s condition when he was younger were now obsolete thanks to Nila’s love and presence. But...if we could give them a night where there were no other thoughts, responsibilities, or interruptions caused by whatever Jethro suffered, then...I wanted to give them that.
Before we left Hawksridge Hall, I would give Nila a gift.
A small box with the keys to a whole other world.
A world accessed only by virtual reality, desire, and togetherness.Chapter Eight
“FOUND YOU.” I WRAPPED my arms around Eleanor as she brushed past, her fingers hastily tying her mask back into place. Nuzzling against her neck, I inhaled her, groaning at the scent of orchids, her, and the crispness of English air. “I missed you.”
I’d finished with Mr Prest.
I’d garnered all I needed to know about him, even with his face obscured by a mask. Despite the ruthlessness surrounding him, he seemed legit in his yacht endeavours, and the quick photos he’d shown me on his phone indicated an exemplary product. He’d promised to send through a quote with a range of vessels so I could go over it with Eleanor and see if it was a worthy addition to Rapture and its guests.
As far as I was concerned, I’d been friendly with Jethro. I’d been polite with Mr Prest. I’d put in an appearance and socialised for long enough.
Now, I wanted to be alone.
With my delicious fucking wife.
She shivered as I pressed a kiss against her throat. “I missed you too.”
“I’ll see you later, Eleanor.” Nila waved, vanishing into the ballroom in search of her husband.
Eleanor raised her hand weakly in goodbye, her body melting in my arms as I licked the shell of her ear. “I’m about done with this shindig. You?” I sucked her sunburst diamond earring into my mouth. “I’ve had a hard-on since our dance. I can’t stop thinking about being inside you.” Dropping my hand down her belly, I pressed her ass against me. “Feel that, Jinx? That’s your fucking fault, and I’m done waiting.”
Her head tipped back, landing on my chest. Her long hair wedged against us. “Found a closet we can disappear into?”
“A closet won’t do.” I arched my hips into her ass, grateful no one else was in the shadowy corridor. “I want all of you. I want you naked and begging. I want to take my time and ensure you’re as desperate as I am.”
“Oh, I’m pretty sure I’m as desperate as you.” She laughed softly, her breath catching as I fisted her breast, squeezing her nipple through the iridescent material of her ball gown. “Sully...”
“Let’s go.” Releasing her, I grabbed her hand and dragged her away from the masquerade.
“Wait. Do we need to say goodnight? Is it rude if we—”
“It’s rude if I spend the entire night with an obvious erection.”
She smiled, her gaze dropping down my front. “I could get on my knees and help you with that.”
I grinned savagely. “Oh, you’ll be on your knees alright. But then I intend to repay the favour with my head between your thighs.”