Page 66 of Carnival Shadows

I find only superficial damage—a few cuts that have already stopped bleeding, and his right hand’s knuckles are split and swollen. The rest of the blood belongs to someone who crossed him tonight.

“Let me clean you up.” I grab the first aid kit.

Remy stays still as I wipe the blood from his face with a warm cloth, revealing the sharp angles underneath. His eyes never leave my face as I work, watching me with that intense focus thatmakes my skin tingle. I clean each cut carefully, though none are deep enough to need stitches.

“Your hand needs ice,” I murmur, examining his bruised knuckles. The skin is split, but the bones feel intact beneath my probing fingers.

He flexes his hand under my touch, testing the movement. “It’s fine.”

I’m already wrapping an ice pack in a thin towel, pressing it carefully against his swollen flesh. His other hand comes up to cup my face, thumb brushing my cheek.

I notice Remy’s breathing change as I tend to his injuries. His grip on my wrist tightens, and he pulls me closer.

“I’m fine,” he insists against my ear. “Come with me.”

He leads me through the carnival’s back area to a secluded spot behind the equipment trailers. The moon casts silver shadows across his face as he backs me against the cool metal wall. His hands frame my face with surprising gentleness, thumbs stroking my cheeks.

“You take such good care of me,” he whispers, pressing his forehead to mine. “My beautiful, dangerous girl.”

I lean into his touch, savoring this rare moment of tenderness. My hands slide up his chest. “I’ll always take care of you.”

“I know.” His lips brush against mine. “That’s what makes you mine.”

The kiss deepens slowly, without the usual desperate edge. His hands trail down my sides with reverent touches, making me shiver. I’ve never felt so cherished, so completely understood.

“Remy,” I moan against his mouth.

“Shh,” he soothes, cradling me closer. “Let me show you how much I need you.”

His gentleness makes my heart ache more than any roughness could. In these quiet moments, I see the man beneath the monster and love them equally.

Remy’s hands slide down my back as he presses me against the metal wall. A delicious shiver runs through me. The moonlight casts an ethereal glow on his face, softening the harsh angles as his lips begin to trail kisses along my jaw.

“You’re trembling,” he points out, his voice a low rumble.

“I can’t help it,” I whisper, my eyes fluttering closed. “It’s you.”

His hands move to my hips, guiding me closer until our bodies are flush. “I need to feel you,” he says, his breath warm on my skin. “I always need to feel you.”

He lifts me, his strong arms supporting my weight. I wrap my legs around his waist, letting him carry me into the shadows behind the trailers. He lays me down gently on a bed of rough fabric, probably one of the spare ground sheets for a tent.

His hands slide under my shirt, pulling it over my head. The cold night air sends a wave of goosebumps across my newly exposed skin. I reach for his belt as he strips off his own shirt.

We undress each other urgently, our clothes forming a dark pile beside us. Remy settles between my legs, his hands caressing my waist, hips, and thighs, mapping every curve of bare skin. The night sky above us is a blanket of stars, watching as he positions himself.

Our mouths unite in a desperate kiss as he pushes inside me. I gasp into his mouth, my back arching off the ground. He thrusts slowly, deliberately, making me feel every inch of him.

“You feel so good,” he groans against my lips. “Always so tight, so perfect.”

I clutch his shoulders, my fingernails digging into his skin. “More,” I plead. “I need more.”

He moves with long, deep strokes, shifting the tent beneath us. I match his rhythm, my hips lifting to meet his. Each thrust sends a wave of pleasure through me, and I tighten around him, drawing out his growls of pleasure.

His thumb traces my lower lip as he watches my expression, gauging my reactions. “You like that?” he asks.

I can only nod, unable to find words, as he fills me completely. His fingers tangle in my hair, tilting my head back to expose my throat. He kisses along my neck, his teeth scraping my skin, marking me with bites.

His pace quickens, driving into me harder. I scrape my fingernails down his back, leaving red welts in their wake. He groans, thrusting deeper, and I tighten my legs around his waist, urging him on.

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