"Tell me, Strawberry," Xavier whispered, his voice low and dark. "Do you like it gentle... yful... or do you want it rough?"


    He leaned in until the tip of his nose brushed against the shell of her ear, sending a delicious shiver racing down Hera’s spine.


    The question was ambiguous, but given their current situation—her blindfolded, their closeness, the charged air—it was obvious what he meant. Her breath hitched, and her lips parted slightly, but no words came out. She didn’t know how to answer. Or maybe... she didn’t want to answer.


    Instead, a slow-burning anticipation bloomed in her chest, heating her from within. It was as if the blindfold had stripped away her defenses, heightening not just her senses but her desires. Her body responded to the closeness, to his voice, to his heat—and maybe, just maybe, she was finally starting to ept that it was okay to crave being wanted, to desire this kind of closeness.


    Or perhaps... this was the true emotion that came with being the female lead. Now that Hera had knowingly taken Alice’s female lead halo, it wasn’t just her role that had changed. She <i>was</i> the female lead now. And with it came the original programming—cravings, yearnings, sexual desires, and an almost maic pull toward the male leads.


    She was more sensual. More aware. More easily swept up in the intoxication of their touch.


    Hera let out a shaky breath as Xavier slowly pulled away. Even blindfolded, she could practically <i>feel</i> the smirk curling at his lips. The soft rustle of fabric filled the quiet night, and suddenly, Hera was hyperaware of everything—every sound, every breath, every thud of her racing heart.


    Then came the sound of a belt buckle unfastening, sharp and metallic in the stillness... before it stopped.


    "Would you do the honor, mydy?" Xavier murmured teasingly, guiding her hand toward his waist.


    Her fingertips brushed the cool metal of the buckle, and she flinched slightly, her lips parting as her breath caught in her throat. Her heart was pounding furiously, her skin flushed, and though she already knew what was about to happen, the anticipation twisted deep in her stomach.


    But it wasn’t nervousness—it was <i>expectation.</i>


    And then it happened. A flicker in her mind, like static across a TV screen—white noise buzzing in the corners of her consciousness. Her thoughts blurred for a moment, and just like that... all her questions had been answered.


    By cutting off Alice’s path and turning her into a pariah, Hera hadn’t just taken the spotlight—she had taken the role <i>entirely.</i> The halo that once belonged to Alice was now hers. The admiration from everyone, the protection the male lead gives to the female lead, the romantic pull... as well as the desire the female lead had.


    This wasn’t just about love anymore—it was about need. Craving. Maism.


    She had be the true female lead. And with that came everything the role entailed—including the hunger that now threatened to consume her.


    Hera now understood—<i>truly</i> understood—that she cherished the male leads. She no longer saw them as enemies or threats like she once did. There had always been a maic pull between them, but now, that pull had deepened—grown heavier, more consuming.


    It wasn’t just emotional. It was physical. Primal.


    Her body was heating up rapidly, her breath catching, her heart racing, and in the corner of her mind, that familiar white static flickered again—whispering, urging her to <i>let go</i>, to open herself to thempletely, to surrender and be <i>ruined</i> by their love.


    But then, instead of unbuckling Xavier’s belt like he’d teased, Hera slowly lifted her hand and let her fingers brush against his taut abdominal muscles.


    Xavier jolted. His stomach muscles tensed under her touch, and a muffled groan escaped his lips. "Ugh... <i>Hera</i>," he breathed, her name thick with desire.


    If he could tease, then so could she.


    Hera’s hand glided upward, exploring the hard lines of his abs, then his chest—her touch soft but intentional. And with every inch she traced, she could feel the tension in Xavier coil tighter.


    His body grew hotter beneath her fingertips, his breath heavier, and his dark eyes, already stormy with lust, grew even more intense—dangerously close to letting go of thest thread of self-control.


    Then Xavier grabbed Hera gently but firmly by the wrist, guiding her and turning her around until she was facing the couch. With his hand on the small of her back, he coaxed her to kneel, her chest pressed against the backrest, her back arching naturally.


    He stood behind her, taking in the sight with a shaky breath that turned into a low, hungry growl as he pressed his hardened cock against the curve of her ass.


    "You really like ying with fire, huh, Strawberry?" he murmured, his voice rough and dark with desire.


    Leaning forward, he buried his face against the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply as if her scent alone could intoxicate him. Then, slowly, he pressed kisses along her skin—hot, deliberate, dragging over her like moltenva.


    Every ce his lips touched seemed to spark and burn, leaving behind a tingling heat that made Hera tremble uncontrobly. Her breath hitched, her body aching with want, every nerve alight with anticipation—and still, she craved more.


    <i><strong>Ripped.</strong></i>


    Hera gasped, her mouth falling open in shock as the sharp sound tore through the air—Xavier had ripped her clothes. Her heart stuttered in disbelief. ’<i>Seriously?’</i> Those were branded pieces! Even though she’d grown used to her new lifestyle and wealth, her frugal habits, honed over years of modest living, still clung to her.


    Instinctively, she tried to look back, though the blindfold kept her in the dark. "Xavier—" she started, but before she could speak further, he pinned her down gently but firmly, one hand holding her in ce as the other continued peeling her garments apart like wrapping paper.


    <i>’Can’t we take off clothes like normal people?’</i> shemented inwardly, momentarily regretting that she’d stoked the fire in him. She hadn’t realized just how untamed Xavier could be when pushed past his limit.


    Then, she felt his lips press against the bare skin of her back, hot and lingering. He ground his hardened cock against her, making her breath hitch.


    "Strawberry," he whispered against her skin, his voice hoarse, "be a good girl... Don’t tempt me further, or I might really lose control."


    The low threat in his tone sent a shiver spiraling down her spine. Hera tilted her head to the side, her lips parting in a quiet moan, her body already surrendering to the tension thick between them.