I thought about all the times we’d had sex and toyed with power dynamics.
Each time Kenji and I had broken each other open, a specific element had been in the space with us.
Water Play had occurred when I'd had him in the huge bathtub, bound and at my mercy, and I'd played with his breath—slow dunks under the water, holding him there until his hands flexed against the binds and then pulling him up to gasp.
I'd watched the Dragon learn what it felt like to belong to me for the length of one held breath at a time.
Then Fire Play. That one he had asked for. I'd placed careful flames along his skin and watched him lose his mind from the burn. The man who frightened entire syndicates had laid himself down on a slab and let me write heat across his chest like I was signing my name on a deed.
Even last night, in the elevator, we'd played with air. His hand at the front of my throat. My pulse drumming against his palm. The way he had timed every thrust to the rhythm of the breaths he was rationing me. The Dragon controlled the air in the room when he wanted to, and last night he'd controlled the air in my lungs.
Three different moments involving three elements.
Tonight. . .we’ll basically be exploring the fourth element. . .Earth Play. . .Is that even a real kink?
I made a note to ask Hiroko’s assistants today.
Hmmm.
The elevator arrived.
One man entered, scanned the space, and then gestured for us to enter.
I stepped onto the elevator.
The rest of my men followed.
The doors slid shut, and the elevator began its quiet descent.
I slid my hand into the pocket of the dress, pulled out Reo's card, and read it for the fourth time today.
Tora.
I offered my soul for macaroni and cheese, and you delivered at the party. Therefore, I cut out my soul this morning and sent it to you.
I hope you feel it.
But just in case, I have delivered this gift to you as well.
I smiled at the card and could hear him saying it.
I read the next part.
The pin in this box is shaped in the kanji forsoul.
?
The crystal used to form it is called Charoite. It is a rare purple gem found along the Chara River in Siberia. The Russians call it theSoul Stone. It is given when one soul recognizes another going through a deep transformation. It carries the wearer through change, releases fear, and aligns the body with what the spirit already knows.
I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face no matter how much I tried.
Reo, you are spoiling me too.
My hand drifted up to the neckline of my dress where I’d placed the pin. I looked down at it.
It was the deepest violet with veins of lilac and lavender moving through it.
I looked at the rest of the card.
