Page 89 of Bleed

Which means she’s right.

And suddenly, I understand. The glasses aren’t correcting his vision; they’re directing everyone else’s. They’re part of the image he’s spent decades cultivating– the brilliant scientist who’s always calm, composed, and in control. Another carefully chosen shield between himself and the rest of the world.

But tonight… he’s letting me see past it.

Valentina takes my face in both hands, drawing me back to the present.

“Stay with me, beautiful,” she murmurs, her thumbs brushing lightly over my cheeks.

My eyes return to hers, then slide closed as I lean in to kiss her again, even deeper this time. I run my hands over her body, finding the zipper at the back of her dress and tugging it down. She shrugs it off, letting it slide down her arms and pool around her waist. Then I break the kiss, pulling back to admire her naked chest.

Damn.

Her boobs are incredible.

Full and round, with rosy little nipples that harden beneath my touch. I run my thumbs over them, squeezing her tits beneath my hands as she tugs her dress lower until it falls off completely, revealing that she’s completely bare underneath.

“Your turn,” she sing-songs, reaching over to ease my dress down further.

I lift my hips, the fabric slipping down my legs to pool on the floor, leaving me in nothing but a tiny black thong.

Valentina’s eyes go half-lidded as she drags a hand down my body, following the floral lines inked along my ribs and hips. “You’re a work of art,” she declares, the words laced with quiet reverence. Then she presses me back onto the sofa, climbs over me, and leans down to devour my mouth again.

With the way she’s touching me, it’s easy to forget we’re not alone. Her skin is impossibly soft beneath my hands, every nerve ending in my body igniting under her fingertips. She grinds her hips into mine, breaking our kiss with a soft laugh before taking my chin between her fingers and turning my head toward Elliott.

“Look what we’re doing to him,” she whispers.

The first thing I see are those dark eyes, locked on us from across the room. Then my gaze travels lower. His jacket’s gone, his shirt unbuttoned to reveal the hard cut of his abs. He’s lowered his zipper, his massive cock standing at attention as slowly he pumps it in his fist.

My mouth instantly waters at the sight.

Valentina chuckles under her breath and slides a hand between my legs, rubbing gentle circles around my clit over the thin fabric of my thong. “So wet,” she murmurs, pushing the fabric aside to slide a finger in.

I gasp, bucking my hips.

“Does that feel good, Beatrix?” Elliott asks as he starts working himself faster, the muscles in his forearm straining.

It’s so hot I can barely breathe. All I manage is a whimper in response, feeling myself climbing so fast it’s embarrassing.

Valentina pulls my hand down between her own legs, pressing it to her bare pussy. She’s soaked, and I slide two fingers in easily, tearing my gaze from Elliott to crush my lips against hers. We match each other’s pace, pumping our fingers and grinding our hips, kissing between gasps and moans.

She comes first, crying out and throwing her head back as she clenches around my hand. I keep going, working her through it, her thumb finding my clit and rubbing with supernatural speed that tips me over the edge. My hips jerk as I join her in the throes of bliss, moaning shamelessly as I come undone.

By the time I catch my breath and my brain returns to my body, Valentina’s pressing soft kisses all over my face, coaxing me to sit up.

Slowly, I do, my gaze drifting back to Elliott like gravity. His hand is still wrapped around his thick cock, fingers flexing their grip.

Valentina leans in close, her lips tickling the shell of my ear. “You want him, don’t you?”

I bob my head in a nod, too far gone for pride.

She smiles like she’s known the answer all along, smoothing a stray strand of hair behind my ear. “Then go get him.”

My breath stalls as I stare in Elliott’s direction.

Remove the variables so there’s a predictable outcome and make it easy for him to choose.

Albert’s words echo through my mind, and I realize… maybe this is what he meant. Not trying to corner Elliott, not daring him, just… making it easy for him to say yes.