Chapter 1: Introduction
I.
Fiona's lips were like raspberries—just barely ripe—juicy and sweet on the surface, but hiding a pucker of tartness underneath the slick skin. The top lip was tinged with the softest shade of pink, contrasting nicely with the pale oval of her face. The bottom one was just shy of a full pout, a little pillow of promise that twitched in time with the jutting of her little chin.
She licked them slowly, flicking an impatient glance over the expectant faces surrounding her.
It was her turn to sing tonight, an honor bestowed upon her because of her legendary reputation for her voice. Not only was it strong and commanding, able to reach the furthest corners of the establishment, but it was also clear and hauntingly beautiful.
Fiona cleared her throat as a burst of laughter filled the room, shaking her out of her thoughts. The tension coiling within her belly dissipated for a moment, and she could almost forget the obligation that lay heavy on her shoulders.
But the minute the laughter died out, a wave of quiet whispers and murmurings flooded the air, and Fiona knew the spotlight was back on her.
She closed her eyes, letting the anticipation grow heavy in the air like a blanket she could drown in. Fiona loved the power behind holding an entire room trapped in her hand, the way each eye followed her every movement as if they were attached by invisible strings.
When she opened her mouth, it was as if a floodgate had been opened.
A rich, full-bodied sound spilled past her lips like molasses, flowing out slow and smooth and dark. Her voice held a hint of power that reverberated through the tight quarters of the club, caressing each patron's skin in a sensuous kiss of intimacy.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...," the stream of sound seemed to go on forever, a sinuous thread of sound weaving its way around every man and woman lucky enough to be in attendance.
The corners of Fiona's lips quirked into a knowing smile as she felt the atmosphere in the room shift.
She knew how her voice affected people—she knew it was thick and rich, like the sweetest honey, capable of making even the coldest hearts flutter with desire. And Fiona loved every second of the power she held, the intoxicating allure of her words and the way they made people feel.