Page 76 of Secrets of the Six

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."