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The dim, warm light against the dark wooden walls wrapped me in a homey embrace. Soft voices sounded in the distance, most likely a few night owls lazing downstairs in the lounge.

However, there was a beautiful, somber melody floating to me through the night, almost calling me to follow it home. Slow, drawn-out notes of a violin soared high before dropping low and then ratcheting back up into a manic crescendo that built and built, inflicting a sense of a spiraling madness within.

As if in a trance, the music guided my feet toward its origin. I came to stop, finding myself outside of a bedroom with the door cracked a few inches.

I pushed it open, intent on finding the source of this emotional piece that resonated so deeply within me. My breath caught in my throat when I spotted Chrome sitting on the edge of his bed, eyes closed, and brows pinched low, hunched over his instrument as he sawed away at his violin.

The music soared from his hands and fingertips that glided in a blur, keeping pace with his emotions. Before I knew it, he’d brought it back down to the slower, somber notes that drew moisture to my eyes.

I sniffled, and the music stopped. Chrome snapped his head toward the door, eyes wide in surprise. He remained frozen on the bed.Shirtless.

I opened my mouth and closed it, feeling like a creep standing in his doorway with him unaware. “Sorry. I heard the music and couldn’t help myself,” I explained, not sure if I was helping my case or hurting it. “It’s really beautiful. I didn’t know you could play.”

Chrome relaxed, setting his violin off to the side of the bed. “It’s okay. You’re always welcome in here.”

I gave him an awkward smile and glanced down the hall. “I guess I’ll leave you to it. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

I took a step back to leave but halted when he said, “Wait, Gray.” His metallic eyes reflected that deep emotion he held for me, even from across the room. “Stay with me.”

Silence grabbed me in a chokehold, but he didn’t let that deter him. He stood up and closed the distance.

When only a few inches separated us, he propped his forearm on the doorframe, somehow boxing me in even though I stood in the hallway, free to leave if I truly pleased. “Stay with me, Rainbow,” he repeated, his voice low and rough.

My feet were cemented to the floor. I wanted nothing more than to do unimaginably dirty things with him. So many unsolicited fantasies had plagued my mind in recent weeks that it was tempting to cave. The sight of his swirling tattooed marks on rare display and his illuminated, silvery brands were not helping.

A silver lock draped over his eye as his gaze pleaded for me to stay. He inched closer.

I shook my head. “I—I can’t.” I dropped my gaze to the floor.

“Can’t or won’t?”

I looked up at him at the challenge, my defiance kicking in. “Can’t.”

“Hmm,” Chrome hummed, disbelieving. “I think you’re full of shit, Gray. You want to; I can feel how badly you want to. But you know what else I feel from you?”

My heart stuttered. “What?” I whispered.

“Fear. You’re scared if you give in, you’ll never be able to go back. You know what’s between us is real. Authentic.Powerful. And you don’t like giving up that control to something bigger than yourself.” Somehow, he’d inched closer as he spoke. “Let me in, Gray.” His free hand pressed against the center of my chest. “Allow yourself to be worshiped as you deserve to be.”

My breath hitched as his lips brushed against my own. The hand on my chest slid up my neck to the side of my face, continuing until his fingers lightly gripped my hair at the back of my head. Metallic eyes smoldered with a heat so hot I couldn’t breathe. I was lost to his spell, in a trance like the one his music had held me in only moments ago.

“Stay with me,” he whispered against my lips before he claimed my mouth with his own in a gentle yet firm press of his lips.

My element offered no help as my chest constricted. Every cell in my body roared to life with an inexplicable fire, threatening to incinerate me to ashes. The need for oxygen ceased to exist. I didn’t need air; I neededChrome. All that mattered was laying my claim on this beautiful man.

Too absorbed in him, my mother’s letter and photos slipped from my grip, drifting to the floor.

Fuck it, I’ll get them later.

Chrome’s full, soft lips nudged mine open, and I welcomed the sensual caress of his tongue against mine. A deep growl rumbled from his chest, igniting a fire low in my core.

I was gone, absorbed in the swirling maelstrom. He was the fire to my ice. And I was melting.

A whimper escaped me as I snatched him closer to my body until only our clothing divided us. His hands roamed down the sides of my neck as he nipped my bottom lip and gave it a wanting tug.

Chrome’s hands continued their descent down the sides of my body. He took his time when he reached my breasts, cupping them in his palms before traveling lower. When he reached my ass, he gave it the same treatment.

In that moment, I wanted to give him everything.