Empire of Lies and Flames (Ruins of Power #1)

Chapter 13

JAVIER

Renée gasped as I pressed her further against the wall, her dress already pooling at her feet, abandoned like every last pretense between us. My restraint, so tightly held for so long, cracked and then shattered completely. The hunger I’d buried roared to life, raw and dangerous, rising with each breath, each pulse of her heartbeat I could feel as my fingers found her bare skin.

She opened her mouth to speak, but as much as I loved listening to her voice, I wasn’t in the mood for words. That mouth of hers had much better things to be doing tonight.

“Shut up and let me hate you, Renée,” I growled, low and unfiltered, even as my hands traveled over her waist, down her hips, committing every inch to memory. She let out a shuddering breath, her eyes wide, that mix of defiance and undeniable desire shining there, yet her lips parted.

A soft moan escaped her when my mouth claimed hers, hard and relentless, not even pretending to hold back. She answered with a fervor that almost undid me, pressing into me with a need that rivaled my own, her hands tangling in my hair. When I teased her lower lip with my tongue, savoring every soft gasp and involuntary tremor, it only fed the feral craving in me. The way her body reacted to mine, trembling, vulnerable, and yet unyielding, made me dizzy with want.

“You shouldn’t want this,” I whispered against her lips, taunting, daring her to admit what she felt. “You should hate me.”

“Maybe I do,” she whispered, her voice trembling. But her grip on my shoulders betrayed her; she didn’t move away. Instead, she leaned into me, surrendering in her own defiant way. My hands slid down to her waist, pulling her close, feeling her warmth seep into me, each shiver pressing her nearer to the edge. I dipped her back, letting my mouth trace a path along her jawline, down her neck, the line of bare skin that ignited my senses, her vulnerability baring her soul to me.

I savored each soft gasp, every wild heartbeat under my lips as I took my time, trailing kisses down the tender skin of her neck. When I bit gently at the sensitive spot where her neck met her shoulder, her whole body arched, helplessly responding, unable to resist. I knew, then, that I had her.

“Go on,” I murmured, my voice dark and rough, “Tell me how much you hate me.” But I knew damn well she wouldn’t get the chance.

My hands deftly slipped around to unhook her bra. She barely had time to respond before it joined her dress on the floor, and I paused, taking in the sight of her, raw and bare, every curve, every line, no longer just a forbidden dream.

Her breath hitched as my mouth closed around her nipple, her sharp intake of breath the only answer I needed. I teased her with a slow rhythm, alternating between gentle bites and soft kisses, my hands mapping every inch of her body, memorizing each quiver of anticipation, each soft gasp. Her nails dug into my shoulders, and I knew she was mine, completely. Her heartbeat raced under my touch, mirroring my own as the tension mounted between us.

“Javier,” she finally managed, a whisper on her lips as my kisses traced down her stomach. That one word—my name on her lips—drove me dangerously close to the edge. Every inch of her skin, every gasp and shiver, every last piece of her was mine, here and now, and the realization twisted something deep inside me, raw and possessive.

I let my mouth hover at her navel, my hands gliding along her hips, lingering where the thin straps of her thong rested. She was watching me, her gaze locked on mine, her body exposed, her breathing quickening as she waited, every breath a wordless invitation.

In one slow movement, I dropped to my knees, my fingers tracing the flimsy fabric’s edge, that last barrier between us. I met her gaze, saw her desire, her impatience, her longing. The depth of her trust hit me, and I knew I couldn’t hold back anymore. “Are you sure?” I asked.

She only nodded, her eyes igniting, and that was all the permission I needed. My fingers hooked into the thin fabric, sliding it down her legs, and she stepped out of it, bare and beautiful before me. Her skin glowed in the dim light, every curve, every inch exposed only stoking the fire inside me.

“Look at you,” I breathed, unable to stop myself, “and you want me to believe you hate me?”

She shivered but held my gaze. “I don’t… I don’t know what I feel,” she whispered, her voice trembling, raw, her vulnerability making the moment electric between us.

“You’ll know soon enough,” I murmured, pressing soft kisses along her inner thigh, each kiss, each breath drawing me closer to her center. Her hands braced against the wall as her breath grew heavier, anticipation radiating off her. I felt her body tremble beneath my touch, and I held back, teasing her until she gasped my name again, that perfect sound breaking through every restraint I had left.

When I finally tasted her, her head fell back, a moan escaped her lips, and her body arched toward me, giving in completely. Her fingers tangled in my hair, pulling me closer, as I devoured her, finally giving in to the hunger I’d held back for so long. I felt every tremor of her body, her gasps filling the room, her breath erratic as I claimed her, every inch, every pulse of her completely mine.

When I finally looked up, her eyes were dark, hazy with desire, lost in the depths of everything we were both feeling, and I knew we’d crossed a line there was no coming back.

Her hands were pressed against the wall, and I was right there, savoring her every reaction, the quiet breaths, the way she held herself up, bracing against what I was giving her. She tasted like fire and sweetness, both things I'd waited for far too long.

I didn’t want to hold back. Hell, I didn’t know how to. Not with her. Not after waiting for this.

My tongue was slow, deliberate, teasing her just the way I knew would keep her on the edge, and I could feel her tension mounting, pulse thrumming beneath her skin. She was close, but I had other plans, pulling back just enough to keep her wanting more, building her need, then dragging her right back down, testing her limits.

She looked down at me, her fingers tangling into my hair. Her grip was needy, and demanding, but I held control—at least for now. And when her nails dug a bit too deep, I looked up, catching her with that one glance, and she released me instantly. It was like a game we were playing, but I was making the rules.

Hooking her other leg over my shoulder, I pressed her harder against the wall, one arm anchoring her as my fingers slipped into her, adding a new rhythm to the one my tongue was working on her clit. Her body tightened around me, her breathing getting rough, but before she could even say my name, I covered her mouth. Not that I wanted her quiet, but these paper-thin hotel walls didn’t deserve a show.

I felt her nearing her release, but I wasn’t done with her. I pulled back and she swore under her breath.

“Don’t think I’m letting you finish that easy,” I murmured against her skin, grinning as I felt her frustration.

“You really do hate me, don’t you?” she snapped.

“Allow me to show you exactly how much,” I whispered, leaning close before effortlessly lifting her. In seconds, she was flat on the bed, her legs spread open as I loomed over her, making her wait for it. She was already soaked, and I hadn’t even done half of what I’d planned.

She eyed me, flushed, and snapped, “You’re still wearing clothes. How’s that fair?”

“Pushy, aren’t you?” I teased. “You haven’t figured it out yet? I’m the one in control, sweetheart.”

Her eyes narrowed, and I could see that fire burning in her gaze. She never backed down. But that defiance was exactly what drew me in; she was tough, unrelenting. Just like me.

Keeping my own pace, I slowly unbuttoned my shirt, enjoying the way her eyes followed my movements. When I finally tossed the shirt aside, her gaze lingered on the ink running along my ribs, and she blurted out, “I didn’t know you had a tattoo.”

“Why would you?” I replied, shrugging off the question. We weren’t supposed to know each other—but this was only the beginning.

Finally, as I slid my pants down, her eyes widened, and I smirked, loving the way she looked at me with that mix of eagerness and just the slightest hint of nerves. Before she could touch me, I stopped her, gently but firmly brushing her hand away.

“Are you really in that much of a rush to ruin this?” I asked, a note of arrogance slipping into my tone. And the fire blazed brighter in her eyes.

Without warning, she surged up and kissed me hard, forcing my hand. But I didn’t let her take control; instead, I grabbed her by the wrist and pressed her back down, one hand gripping her jaw as I pinned her in place.

“I told you I’m the one in control,” I said, my voice low as I felt her thighs part under me. “Try that again, and you won’t have an ass to sit on tomorrow.”

There was a flicker in her gaze—defiance, maybe, but mixed with something else, something that made my blood heat. Still holding her down, I leaned back just long enough to grab a silver packet from the floor, my eyes never leaving hers as I ripped it open. Her breathing grew ragged, and her eyes widened a fraction as I rolled the condom on, savoring every second of anticipation building in her.

“Do you still want this?” I asked, knowing exactly what her answer would be.

“Yes,” she ground out, frustration coloring her tone.

“Yes, what?” I pressed, loving how I was driving her wild.

“Yes, please,” she hissed.

I tightened my grip on her hips, leaning down to whisper, “Now, that wasn’t so hard, was it?” The smirk tugging at my lips only deepened when I felt the quiver that ran through her, her breath catching as I brushed myself against her entrance, teasing her with just enough pressure to leave her desperate for more. I was no better, I was barely holding on.

“You’re ready for me, aren’t you?” I murmured, low and commanding, wanting to hear her admit it. “Say it.”

“Yes,” she breathed, barely able to hold back the tremor in her voice. Her chest rose and fell in time with the pulse of her heart, racing as I positioned myself, savoring every second of her readiness, her need.

Her nails dug into my arms as I slid deeper, taking my time, and feeling her body adjust around me. When I paused halfway in, she glanced down and her eyes widened. The flush in her cheeks was priceless, and I couldn’t help but let a hint of amusement slip through my gaze.

“Should I keep going?” I whispered, leaning close enough to feel her breath fan over my face. “Or am I too much for you?”

She struggled to catch her breath before muttering, “I’m fine.”

“Oh, are you?” I couldn’t resist pressing her further.

“Yes!” she spat, her voice tinged with impatience. “Now—move.”

But I wasn’t about to give in that easily. Not until she dropped her pride, just this once. “Not until you ask nicely,” I taunted, savoring her indignation.

“Fuck you,” she hissed through gritted teeth. I simply smirked, trailing my fingers down her neck, to her chest, and down.

“You had your chance, sweetheart,” I whispered against her cheek, my lips barely brushing her skin. “Now, I’m going to make you beg for it.”

With a swift motion, I thrust forward, filling her to the hilt. Her gasp was sharp, her eyes fluttering shut as her body jolted in response, while a groan escaped me as I savored the sensation of being buried completely within her. The tight heat around me was almost too much to bear, and I fought to keep my own control in check, to savor every inch, every sound, every fucking second.

I stayed still, drinking in her reactions, waiting for the last threads of resistance to unravel. Her breaths came in quick, shallow bursts as we both took in the intensity of the moment, feeling the heat build between us. When I began to move, pulling out only to thrust back in slowly, she arched beneath me, a moan slipping from her lips that told me exactly how much she wanted this.

“Is this okay?” I asked, just to hear her frustration, her impatience.

“Yes! For heaven’s sake, Javier, just move,” she hissed, her nails digging into my skin as I slid in a little deeper.

“Like that?” I taunted again, my movements controlled, teasing, giving her just enough to make her want to take control—but knowing she wouldn’t dare. Her head fell back, her hands gripping me tight as she nodded, desperate.

“Yes!” she finally cried out, giving in to the tension building between us. “Again!”

My breath came heavier as I watched her, and her demands filled the air, igniting a heat that I could barely contain. I let go of the restraint, driven by the need to consume her, every part of her. I wanted to ravish her.