Chapter 26
Remus
She came back.
The hope she would change her mind and spend the night with me began to falter after ten minutes ticked by without a trace of her. But then the small, assured knock on my door caused my heart to leap to my throat.
Now, my hands palm her ass as I kick the door closed and carry her inside.
I was truthful when I told her no other woman has stepped foot in my room and if I have my way, no other woman will after her.
I'm willing to tear down the walls I've built around my heart and let her in.
She could still very well be my undoing, but I'd rather die having loved her with every fiber of my being than continue walking this world alone.
She tugs her fingers through my hair, and I sweep my tongue inside her mouth, my knees buckling when she moans my name.
I set her gently on my bed and enjoy the jolt of pain that zips through my body when she bites my bottom lip.
Hovering above her, I press my hips against her core and nip at her earlobe.
She writhes beneath me, arching her back, aching for my touch.
"Remus," she whispers, the one-word plea sets my body on fire.
I slip my hand around her throat and her eyes flash open. My head reminds me of the danger she poses, but my heart yearns for her touch, and my soul begs to be united with hers.
"Tell me what you want," I demand, my voice raspy and hungry for whatever she's willing to give me.
"You," she replies simply, a haziness settling in her eyes. She's losing herself in the moment, slowly dismantling her fears and inhibitions.
I graze my thumb across her lips and trace her collarbone with my fingers before dragging them down her breastbone until I reach the waistband of her pants. "I need to know how far we can go tonight. I don't want to pressure you – "
She wraps her legs around my torso and twists, flipping me onto my back. She straddles my hardening length, her long hair cascading over my face.
"I want you," she rocks back and forth, undulating her hips. "I want all of you," she breathes, reaching for my belt, seducing me. "I want to feel you inside me."
I'm well aware we've crossed the line between a general and his spy, and if we give in to our desire tonight, there's no going back.
For years, I've pushed everyone away, afraid of them seeing my darkness and abandoning me.
But Ines sees me for who I am and chooses to stay.
The idea this beautiful, vicious creature is permitting herself to be vulnerable with me should be overwhelming, but I know in my heart she's mine.
If I could shoulder her burdens and partake in her joy, I would without question.
I suck in a breath when she smiles down at me.
At the end of my days, however long or short they might be, when my life flashes before me, this will be a memory I cherish.
She switches her rhythm and smirks in satisfaction when I groan, letting my head fall back against my pillow. "You like this, Remus."
A statement, not a question.
She knows exactly what she's doing. Her fluid motion reminds me of when we dance together. We're two bodies perfectly in sync but if I don't take the lead, I'll come before her and that's not acceptable for our first encounter.
I push up from my bed into a seated position and curl my fingers in her hair, holding her firmly in place on my lap.
Her chest rises and falls, her breathing fragmented.
I drag my tongue from the top of her breasts up her throat and relish her gasp when I bite her lip.
"If you don't get out of these damn clothes – " I murmur against the crook of her neck, sending goosebumps rippling up and down her arms – "I'll be forced to tear them off you. I would hate to ruin your outfit."
"You'll just have to buy me a new one," she breathes in my ear. "I know you're good for it."
I jerk her head back and press my mouth against hers.
With quick and nimble fingers, she loosens her blouse and peels the front open revealing herself to me. She's trying to take control, trying to bring me to my knees, but I'm far too stubborn to allow her to pleasure me before I've gotten my fill of her.
I stand, lifting her in my arms and once again plop her on the bed. I reach for the dagger strapped to the back of my trousers and place the tip of the blade between her breasts, drawing her gaze. A flash of worry is quickly replaced by arousal, and I know I'm fucked.
"What do you intend to do with your knife?" she questions, a tinge of excitement in her voice.
"Cut you out of those pants and sink so deep inside of you you'll forget your own name."
Wickedness twinkles in her eyes as she spreads her legs wide, a silent challenge for me to back up my words. "Or you could just take them off yourself."
Her idea is far less dramatic than mine, so I toss my knife on the floor and tug off her leather pants.
I drop them on the floor and take a moment to catch my breath.
She's lying naked before me and all I can do is thank whatever Saints might be listening for this woman I'm about to feast on. She's perfect.
I splay my wings, and she gasps, eyes filled with wonder.
If I'm to claim her, I will do so as a Venturan.
With reverence, she reaches a slender hand upward and trails a finger down my black feathers.
Her touch is gentle, but still sends a shiver down my spine, forcing me to kneel before the edge of the mattress to compose myself.
"Who knew one touch could bring you to your knees," she teases, propped up on her elbows.
"I knew." I crawl over her, tugging at the waistband of my pants. "You sure, Ines?"
She rests her palm against my cheek. "I'm sure, Remus."
I ditch my trousers, baring myself to her, before I press against her core. I slide my hand behind her neck. "Eyes on me."
She flicks her gaze to meet mine and smiles. "Eyes on you."
When I stir the next morning, I find my wings are out and I'm lying naked in my bed. But I'm not alone. I glance to my right and tucked against my chest is a slumbering Ines.
She's still here.
In my bed.
With me.
I figured she'd try to sneak out of my room before first light to avoid facing me and acknowledging all the unholy things we did to one another.
I gently raise my wing and discover why I was cloaking her. She's naked too. It's then the memories of last night flood me, consuming me and reigniting my need to have her again.
She snores lightly and the realization that she's completely at peace beside me causes my heart to thunder against my ribcage.
I thought before I laid a finger on her I was falling for her, but after tasting her, being buried deep inside of her, I've come to understand I'm skirting dangerously close to being obsessed with this woman.
I take this quiet moment to run my fingers through her loose hair. She always has it tied up or back, fashioned in high-societal acceptable styles, but seeing her bare, with her hair wild and free has me falling deeper under her spell.
She said she needed to feel me at least once. But if she would let go of her pride, she'd see our encounter doesn't need to be a one and done.
Flashes of her grinding on top of me, tugging her hand across my wings, kissing down my chest until she reached my hardened length –
Saints, this woman. If she'd allow it, I'd make her my queen.
I tentatively slip my free arm around her, resting my hand over her breasts. She eases her ass against my front and if I wasn't a gentleman resolved to let her sleep, I'd roll her over and have my way with her again, not stopping until I heard her screaming my name.
Her eyes flutter open at my contact and instead of recoiling from my touch, she tugs my arm tighter around her torso. I plant soft kisses to her temple and the curvature of her jawline before she slowly turns over to face me.
"Good morning," she says, a sexy rasp in her tone.
"Good morning." I stroke my fingers through her hair, sliding wayward wisps of her dark brown locks from her face. "How did you sleep?"
She smirks, squinting her eyes and stretching her legs down the expanse of my own. "For the time allotted for sleeping, I slept well."
"And the time allotted for other activities?"
Denied an answer, a loud commotion sounds outside my bedroom doors before they fly open revealing a pissed off Dona Otero limping toward us. Her eyes widen when she spots us tangled together. Ines pulls the sheets up to cover her chest as we sit up and lean our backs against my wooden headboard.
"I see you received my message," I offer in jest greeting, hoping to squash the tension, but instead accelerate Otero's wrath.
"Oh, I did indeed," she seethes, placing both her hands on the pommel of her cane.
Her gaze slides from me to Ines and she smiles sweetly.
"Ines, darling, would you be so kind as to wrap that blanket around yourself and get dressed in the bedroom down the hall?
Lupe brought an outfit and will help you get ready to leave.
I'd like to have a moment alone with my godson. "
Ines and I exchange a quick glance before she carefully wraps the sheet around her like a long dress.
Although I sense she's embarrassed how we were discovered, she tilts her chin slightly higher and walks by Otero as if she was the lady of this house.
The thought of more mornings like this with Ines, being able to call her mine, is worth the tongue lashing I'm about to receive.
Otero slowly closes the bedroom door once Ines disappears over the threshold and claims the armchair closest to the fireplace. "Is it safe to assume you are just as exposed as Ines under that blanket?"
I nod, willing my wings to disappear and the magical tattoo reforms on my back. "You would be correct."
"Then do us both a favor and stay seated."
I swipe my cigs from the nightstand and light one. "Do you mind if I smoke?"
"It's your house," she says flippantly. "You're allowed to participate in whatever unhealthy habit you like."
There's certainly a dig in there somewhere, but I don't care to unravel it. Not today.
I exhale a large puff of smoke, pinching the cig between my index and middle fingers, and motion for her to speak. "Let's have it, Tia. What lecture do you have queued for me?"
She stares at me silently and if I wasn't used to being on the receiving end of that signature Otero glare, I'd be unnerved. "Is this to be a long-term arrangement?"
I squint, confused by her question. "I don't know what you're referring to."
"Oh, come off it, boy!" She smashes her cane against the floor, her feathers officially ruffled. "Are you going to be sleeping with her regularly or is this a one-time affair?"
"You'd have to ask her," I smirk, trying to play nonchalant, but deep down I have no idea if Ines will have me twice.
"I intend to" – she straightens, eyeing me as if she's going to catch me in a lie – "But I'd like to hear it from your own lips.
The ghost of Ines' touch haunts me, leaving me to swallow hard and meet my Tia's unwavering glare. "You are well aware I am not a one-time type of man."
"I'm also aware you haven't been in a real relationship your entire adult life," she fires back.
Her words are not untrue, but they sting all the same. I've kept myself free of relationships for this very reason. I cannot afford any distractions.
Otero's eyes soften, though her tone remains firm and clipped. "You realize if anyone finds out she spent the night here with you, our plan for Rogelio to propose will die. All our hopes at discovering the extent of Severo's crimes gone like that," she snaps to emphasize her point.
"Tia – "
"Now, I don't care what you and Ines do once Cassius is sitting on his rightful throne. Until then, keep your hands to yourself." She shoots up from the chair and stares daggers at me. "Do I make myself clear?"
I exhale another waft of smoke, letting it sting my eyes. "Perfectly."
"Good." She makes for the door. "Now clean yourself up and make sure you're at the ball tonight." Just like that, she slams the door behind her.
A few minutes later, I watch from my window as Otero ushers a polished Ines to her awaiting carriage, Lupe in tow.
I feel rebellion boiling in my blood. I have done a lot for Dona Otero and would willingly give my life in her stead if it ever came down to it, but I won't sacrifice Ines.
She's mine. Whether she be my downfall or salvation, she is mine.