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His own voice rumbles deep in my stomach like a vow.

“Only you, Fabien,” I reply. “You’re the only person who can ever see me like this. I’m here for you to take out all your frustration and anger from all those lost years. You deserve that.”

He shakes his head.

“You deserve love, Jolie. Not punishment. Let me show you how much I’ve missed you.”

The city outside the penthouse hums with life and rain, but inside there’s only the two of us. He takes my hand, fingers entwining with mine, and he leads me toward the bedroom. Warmth replaces the cold. I let him guide me where he wants me.

I was expecting retribution, but he’s offering me reverence.

He lowers me onto the bed. I look up at him.

“Jolie,” he whispers.

It’s a promise and an apology. His eyes are full of emotion. No longer rage, but something else entirely.

Tenderness. Awe.

Lust.

“Fabien.”

It’s all I can say now. Any tease, any fightback, is completely gone.

He kisses me again.

Slowly.

I’m surprised at how gentle this man is now.

I need it.

And then it starts.

I thought, for my first time, that things would be awkward... that my inexperience would get in the way... that my body would do things I don’t understand...

But it’s not like that at all.

It’s like I’ve been waiting for this, like it’s a dance already choreographed in the depths of my body. I feel the texture of his stubble and his fingers curling in my hair. I taste the rain on his lips and I sense his restraint. His scent is so familiar.

These kisses say more than words.

Soon, the tenderness escalates. There’s weight now in each of his movements, and power in his guidance. The kisses deepen. The passion grows. It’s as if the lights in the room dim under Fabien’s intensity. The patter of rain outside echoes the release of tension inside my chest.

“I’ve... never... done this before,” I murmur as Fabien’s hands lift my chin.

He stills. He’s watching my face, taking in every detail. Taking in my confession.

“I know,” Fabien finally murmurs back. “Let me take care of you.”

The world narrows. There’s a pause.

I nod.

Yes.

I want him to do that. I want him to take care of me.