ette smoke. Melinda stared at the mirror in the dressing room, barely recognizable. Dark eyeliner lined her eyes, deep red

was broke when she entered the Velvet Room for the first time. Rent was due late, employment applications were returned without answer, and o

nded into her skin. But the moment she shifted, she saw. They were the helpless ones. They could look, but never re

The money was good, and with it came the temptation of something more. She learned to read men, to play on their desires, to possess

she met hi

e the others-not leering, not throwing bills carelessly at the stage. His dark eyes studied her, intrigued rather than r

made her feel want, not just as Sapphire, but as Melinda. He took her to expensive restaurants, swathed her in silk and diamonds. He peeled away the laye

's eyes noticed nothing beyond him. His body took up space, his eyes roving as if inciting every squa

he space. The kiss was slow, but it ignited a flame deep within her. His fingers caressed her arms, his touch gentle, wary-as if she were delica

back. He unfastened the dress with slow agony, the silk pooling about her an

ever

tried to hide. It was as if he sensed all of her, not the illusion she sho

r known, his fingers tracing over her with silent promises. Every touch, every soft-spoken phrase melted away the wall

d her, their bodies wrapped in the silk sheets. He moved gently, worshipping her, filling her up in ways she never t

slow thud of his heart. He traced lazy circles on her back, his voice a soft vibratio

to. More th

herself that happiness wa

slept, disappearing into the neon streets, leavi

Soon, it would all