25. Chapter 25 #2
"Are you breaking in?" I ask, my eyes darting to the back corner of the garden where we came from, hearing the guards but not seeing them yet.
"It's not breaking in when I live here." He swipes a key from beneath a flowerpot and unlocks the door.
He pulls me inside and shuts it just as the patrolmen round the corner.
We both duck behind the wall and sneak a peek through the curtained windows.
They stop and scan up and down the street, but when they come up empty, they sheathe their weapons and march out of view.
I exhale a sigh of relief as Remus stands from his hiding spot. Footsteps sound down the grand staircase at the front end of the house and an older man darts around dressed in pajamas and a striped night hat slung crookedly on his head.
"Sir? Is that you?"
"All is well, Manuel." Remus slides his mask off his face and smiles. "I'm sorry we woke you."
"It's alright, sir. As long as you are safe."
"Yes, we're fine." Remus presses his hand against the small of my back.
"Manuel, this is Ines. She is posing as Dona Otero's niece.
Please see to it you send word to Dona Otero first thing in the morning of her whereabouts and the need for her to be picked up discreetly at her earliest convenience. "
"Wait," I hiss, confused. "You're not suggesting I spend the night here?"
"Of course you're spending the night." He says as if it's the simplest thing in the world. "The Black Guard will be on high alert patrolling the district looking for two very good-looking vigilantes. It's not safe for us to be out and test fate a second time."
"Third."
"Pardon?"
"A third time," I repeat. "If you've already forgotten, we had a run in with the Red Guard earlier."
"Ah, right. I did forget about that." He removes his cloak and hands it to Manuel. "I'll give Ines a tour. No need to stay up any longer, Manuel."
"Of course, Sir." He bows his head and makes his way back to the staircase, disappearing from sight.
"Do you trust him?" I whisper. "You told him exactly who I was."
"I trust Manuel with my life. He's kept all of my secrets for years."
"But – "
"He's a Venturan," Remus cuts me off. "Everyone who works in my house is Venturan. Hence why I trust them wholeheartedly."
"But not me." I say bitterly and it catches him off-guard, but not enough to address my comment.
He clears his throat, coughing into his closed fist, and motions me to follow him. "I'll show you around."
Remus escorts me around the first level of his home.
His mansion boasts an enormous kitchen, dining room, living room and study before ushering me upstairs.
By my count, there are five bedrooms, three bathrooms and another living room.
His house is decorated tastefully, and I dare say my mouth is salivating imagining how I'll furnish my house once I have it.
He pops open a door at the end of one of the hallways and says, "This is the guest room."
"Where I'll be sleeping?"
"If you like." There's a devilish gleam in his eyes as he tilts his head for me to continue after him.
At the end of the corridor toward the front of the house, he flings double arched doors open, and we enter a large bedroom with herringbone wooden beams on the ceiling, warm toned terracotta flooring, and a massive four-post bed with billowing white sheets and a mountain of fluffy pillows.
The floor to ceiling curtains are drawn so I'm denied the view, but my eye catches sight of an adjoining bathroom with a porcelain clawfoot tub that could easily fit two people.
Remus stalks over to the fireplace and lights it. The crackle of the charring wood eases my sour mood.
"This is my room," he explains, slipping his hands into his pant pockets.
"I gathered," I drawl, and he laughs.
"What do you think?"
"Are you asking if I like how you decorated?"
He shrugs. "Humor me."
I hate to admit it, but his room is extremely warm and inviting and I'm awfully tempted to stay here instead of sequestering myself to the plain and fireplace-less guest suite. But alas, I can't readily offer that information up to him on a silver platter.
I shrug in response, feigning indifference. "It's nice."
"Liar." His molten gaze sends a shiver down my spine and nearly shatters my resolve to leave. "You're welcome to stay if you'd like. There's plenty of room for two."
I fold my arms over my chest and pop a hip to the side. "Thanks, but no thanks. There's no telling how many females have slept in Don Rafael's bed."
"None."
His quick answer takes me by surprise. "Excuse me?"
"You're the first woman to step foot in this room."
"I suppose I should be honored."
"If that's how you want to feel, sure." He cocks his head to the side, eyeing me head-to-toe as if trying to decode some mysterious puzzle. "So, what's it going to be? Staying or going?"
My nails cut into my palms when I ball my fists, willing myself to backpedal to the door. "I'll see you in the morning."
"You know where to find me when you change your mind, Vibora."
"Cocky bastard." I walk out, shutting his door in attempts to drown out his boisterous laughter.
I slip into the guest bedroom and although it's nicely furnished, it's small in comparison to Remus' room and lacks the warmth and charm.
Or maybe it's because Remus is there I find it so appealing.
I roll my eyes and lay down on the mattress, fully clothed.
I don't have an extra outfit, so I'll have to do my best to get comfortable in my leathers.
I at least kick off my boots, so I don't dirty the sheets and place my three daggers and two pistols on the nightstand.
As soon as I bury myself beneath the covers, I close my eyes and hope sleep claims me.
But I'm a fool for thinking rest would find me easily.
In fact, I toss and turn for about ten minutes, unable to find a cozy, comfortable spot.
All I can think about is the crackling fireplace in Remus' room and the mountains of soft pillows piled on his enormous bed.
Suddenly I'm picturing him shirtless, his winged tattoo spread shoulder to shoulder and his chiseled abdomen so taut I could run my fingers over each ridge and never grow bored.
My mind runs wild with the memory of his tongue sweeping inside my mouth and imagine what else he can do with said tongue.
It's insane to think only hours ago we were stealing kisses in a closet at the opera house and now, he's a few doors down the hall and I'm being stubborn, refusing to cuddle with him all night.
We don't have to necessarily do anything, but his room is warmer than this one and it's been a long time since I slept beside a man using his body as my personal pillow.
Shit. My belly heats and I feel a sensation pooling between my thighs.
For once, I'm going to forgo being stubborn and take what I want. Even if it's packaged in the arms of Remus Salvador Kane.
I rip the sheets off and pad through the room barefoot.
Slowly, I open the door and peek out. No one is up and about and for a moment my resolve to sneak into Remus' room falters.
I shake my head, internally chastising myself for hesitating, and march to his bedroom door as if I own the place.
Making sure one last time no one is in the hall; I lift my hand and knock on his door.
Within seconds the door flies open and my eyes soak in a shirtless Remus who looks just as hungry as I am.
"Saints, it took you long enough." He crashes his mouth against mine, devouring me in all the right ways.
I kiss him back with the same fervor in which he paws at my ass. His calloused hands find purchase around my waist, and he lifts me so I can wrap my legs around his torso. I finger through his hair as he kicks the door closed and carries me inside. Just for tonight, I'll let temptation win.