The tightness peels down, freeing me from its snug embrace in skin-tingling increments that make my chest swell and my lids flutter closed—a deep breath pouring into me like it’s my first in weeks. I clench my hand around the jewel, squeezing. I know I’m a monster—that this pretty skin has split to release something truly horrific. I just hate that something so wrong feels so good. So natural and free and me.
