Page 106 of In Shadows We Dance

“Areyou sure you want to know the rest?”

Her eyelashes drop, her lips parting. “Yes.”

“Do you think you’re ready for it? Right here, with nothing between us but the dark?” My lips skim her neck.

I need her to unravel under my touch. But the woods, while fun, isn’t where I want to fuck her.

“Yes!”

“No. Not here.”

I wrap my fingers around her wrist, and pull her away from the tree.

“Where ... where are we going?”

“Somewhere I can show you everything.” I meet her gaze.

She blinks, confusion clouding her eyes. But then, she nods. She wants the truth more than anything. No matter what the cost is.

I tug her forward, her feet stumbling slightly over the uneven ground as I lead her out of the woods. The clearing gives way to the open space in front of my house, the building looming ahead of us. She stops for a second, but I pull her forward.

She’s not running from this.

The door opens with a heavy groan, and I pull her inside, shutting us in. The isolation is complete. There’s no more woods, no more night—only the two of us, and the truth she’s about to face.

I lead her up the stairs, each step creaking under our weight, the air thick with everything unsaid. I need her upstairs, surrounded by the photographs I’ve taken of her, naked, needy, with nothing to hide behind. The door opens, and moonlight floods the room, washing her in silver. She stands in front of me, her arms crossingover her chest, still trying to shield herself.

“Arms down.” I growl. She needs to understand that there’s no hiding from me anymore. Not here.

Her arms fall, and her head lifts. And, although her hands are trembling as they drop to her sides, there’s a look of anticipation in her eyes. Her nipples are hard, and there’s a sheen coating her inner thighs, which ignites the hunger burning under my skin. I let my eyes drag over her, taking in every inch.

“Beautiful.” My voice is soft, almost reverent.

“Who am I, Wren? If what you’re saying is true ...”

I take her face in my hands, tilting her chin up. Her pulse is rapid beneath my fingers, her eyes wide.

I circle her slowly, my eyes roaming over her body. She stands there, her breaths coming faster, and I know she’s feeling it—the tension building between us.

“You want answers? Then it’s time you paid for them. On your knees.”

Her breath catches, her eyes locking with mine.

“Did you think I’d give you all the answers you want, and take nothing in return?” My fingers wrap around her throat, and I squeeze. “No, Ballerina. That’s not how this works. You’ve had a taste, and now it’s time for you to give me something. So get on your fucking knees and open your mouth.”

Her tongue comes out, licks her lips, but then she drops to her knees, eyes still on me.

Fuck. The way she submits to my demand makes my blood hum. I thread my fingers through her hair, my grip tightening, and she gasps, her lips parting slightly.

“Unzip my pants.”

Her fingers move to the button, her eyes flicking between my face and the zipper. But it’s different from before. Her fingers don’t shake, and there’s a matching hunger in her eyes.

“You like being on your knees for me, don’t you?” I taunt, my fingers tightening in her hair. “You’re eager to have my dick inyour mouth again.” The zipper comes down, the sound deafening in the silence of the room. I free my dick, guiding her head closer. “Open your mouth, show me your tongue.”

Slowly, she opens her mouth, her tongue coming out.

“Lick.”

---