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"Why can’t you sleep with me?" Violet was on her feet now, walking toward him.

"No, please stop." Asher halted her as soon as she got close. "Don’t come any closer."

Violet frowned. "I don’t understand. Why don’t you want to sleep with me?" She swallowed. "Is it my body? Is there something wrong with it? Something you don’t like? Or don’t you want me anymore?"

"Fuck. Shit. It’s not you. It’s me."

"What are you talking about?" Violet was concerned now. If it wasn’t her, but him, then...?

Her eyes widened. "By chance, do you have performance problems?"

"What?"

Violet’s gaze raked down his body. "But that doesn’t make sense. You’re not little or something." Her face flushed. "And you don’t have issues getting it up either. Or is it you can’t release?"

Asher stood dumbfounded for a beat, then groaned. "No. It’s not that."

He dragged his hands down his face, then looked at her with pain in his eyes. "You were in my head last time. Remember?"

Oh, she remembered. No child should’ve had to witness that kind of abuse.

Violet only nodded.

Asher looked like he would rather drop dead than revisit that experience, but he forced himself to speak. "You recall that specific scene where Henry taught me a lesson about women?"

"Oh God." Violet felt her stomach twist. She already knew where this was going.

Asher looked at her like she was some sacred goddess. "From the first time I saw you, Violet, I’ve wanted you. Desired you. I’ve dreamed of this day. But then..."

Violet swallowed, bracing herself.

"Each time I look at you, that scene flashes before my eyes. I can’t get it out. It’s stuck there. He fucked my head up and now I’m broken!" Asher screamed, slapping his hand against his skull in frustration.

"Asher, no!" Violet rushed to him, heart hammering as she grabbed his wrist before he could hurt himself. "Don’t. It’s not your fault! You’re not broken."

Tears stung Violet’s eyes. "Don’t destroy yourself over that monster. He doesn’t deserve it. If you’re not ready, that’s okay. I’ll wait."

"I am ready!" Asher snapped, stubborn. "I just don’t want to hurt you. What if I turn out worse than him?"

Violet cupped his face in both hands, firm. "Listen to me, Asher. You are not Henry. And you never will be. Do you hear me?"

"But you know I have his darkness inside me. He raised me to be like him. A monster."

"Everyone has darkness inside of them, Asher. That’s what makes us human. But you get to choose what you do with it." She looked him dead in the eye. "Do you want to be a monster?"

Asher shook his head. "No."

"Good." Violet nodded, satisfied. "If you’re going to be any kind of monster, then let it be mine. My monster. My good monster."

"There’s no such thing as good monsters, Violet."

"There are," Violet purred, caressing his face. "They’re just not very vocal about it."

Her hand slid down his back, until she reached the towel tied at his waist. She felt him stiffen and let her hand linger.

"Do you trust me, Asher Nightshade?"

"I do," he murmured. "With my life."

"Good." Violet gave him a wicked smile. "Now here’s what we’re going to do..."

She used her other hand to lightly trace his nipple, watching the shudder that rolled through him. "Henry got in your head? We’re going to evict him. How? I’m about to go down on you, Asher, and I’m going to suck the hell out of you."

Her grin widened. "And while I do, all I need you to chant is, ’I’m not a monster like my father.’ You’re not stopping until you believe it. If you even pause mid-way, I’ll bite your dick off. Got it?"

"That’s terrifying," Asher said, breathless but smiling. "I’m in."

"That’s the Asher I know." Violet smiled sweetly, and at the same time, yanked the towel from his waist so fast he didn’t even get the chance to react.

She said with authority. "We begin now."

Asher Nightshade braced himself as Violet sank to her knees, chanting ’I’m not a monster like my father,’ even as her hand wrapped around his cock, stroking him slowly

Goddess help him, that felt so good. Asher thought without missing a beat in his chant. He was a master of control and precision, traits his father had drilled into him from a young age. So yes, he trusted his ability to hold on and pull this off.

Even as his muscles contracted under her touch, Asher kept saying the words.

Then Violet said, "Look at me. I want you to look at me, Asher, while I take you. I want this moment burned into your memory, to replace that twisted one Henry left behind."

And he did look. But all Asher could see was hunger and raw desire burning in Violet’s eyes as she took his full length into her mouth.

Dear lord, have mercy.

His head lolled back, a shudder tearing through him as his chant slipped— wobbly, yet still persistent.

Violet had a mouthful of Asher, and that was exactly the point. She wanted him to lose the iron grip he had on his control, to drown every doubt and fear in pleasure. That trauma would have no place in his life. Not tonight. Not with her.

Asher hit the back of her throat and Violet brought her hands up, gripping his firm ass as she sucked him diligently, her tongue swirling around him in intervals.

"I’m not a monster like—fuck, that feels good." Asher’s chant faltered, the pleasure breaking through his composure.

And that slip itself was a fail.

He felt a sharp pinch on his dick and yelped, a mix of pain and pleasure tearing through him. Damn, why did that feel like heaven?

"You’re going to be the death of me, Violet," he groaned, voice rough.

Then came another bite, and Asher nearly lost it.

He laughed breathlessly through the haze of sensation. "That’s one hell of a punishment, baby girl."

Violet wanted to speak but ended up slurping along his length instead, the vibration rippling through him.

God. That was sexy as hell.

"I’m not a monster like my father," Asher continued, this time firmer, the belief finally sinking in.

His hands tangled in Violet’s hair, his hips beginning to move as he guided himself deeper into her mouth. With each thrust, the weight of his trauma lifted a little more.

"God, Violet..." he groaned, voice raw, as if exorcising something dark from his soul.

Then it dawned on him. Oh fuck.

"Violet —no wait... " He was still saying but it was too late.

This time, when Violet bit him, it pushed him right over the edge. All that tension, all that control, finally broke. A growl rumbled from Asher’s chest as he released inside her mouth and Violet didn’t spill a drop, swallowing it all.

Afterward, Violet pulled back slowly, catching her breath. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and worked her jaw with a playful wince.

Well, Nancy seems to be right about this part.