Page 93 of Revenant

Turning away from that troubling thought, I survey the rest of the room. A set of French doors leads out to a snow laden balcony, the glassy surface of the windows reflecting our image back at us. A massive fireplace sits opposite the bed, its flames lighting up the entire room and keeping the chill of the night air at bay.

Stepping farther into the room, I spot a massive walk-in closet next to the bed. It’s so full of clothes that it’s practically bursting at the seams. The cavernous space looks like apassageway, and when I glance at the other side of the bed, I realize it wraps around the length of the room like a walkthrough closet.

I smother my snort as I recall the many times I’ve spotted James sneaking bags back into the house whenever he would leave. I questioned him about it once, but he just yelled that they were tampons and that I should mind my own business.

I shake my head, a tiny smile on my lips as I head toward the bed. As I bend to lower a sleepy Rue to the mattress, she startles and tightens her hold around my neck.

“No,” she protests, clinging tighter and shaking her head. “I’m disgusting and stink of smoke. I don’t want to dirty everything.”

I straighten, then slowly spin and locate the bathroom behind us. I step inside the space, hitting the lights with my elbow, and my brows shoot up at the sight of the remodeled bathroom. It’s every girl’s dream. The whirlpool tub is massive, easily able to fit even Gunner. The shower is a granite masterpiece, fixed with multiple shower heads. The place even has a heated towel rack.

A toilet is tucked around the corner for privacy, and a large linen closet takes up most of the far wall. A massive mirror lines the full length of the room, and I count four large sinks along the counter. Recessed lights are built into the ceiling and fill every corner of the space with light, banishing even the most persistent shadows.

Rue ducks away from the brightness, and I quickly dim the lights. Once she relaxes, I reluctantly release my hold, lowering her feet to the ground. Releasing her is akin to peeling off my own skin, and my arms feel empty without her. When I straighten, her arms tighten around my neck, and concern squeezes my insides. “Rue?”

“I don’t want to be alone,” she murmurs, her words muffled against my chest.

“Of course.” I’m instantly relieved that I don’t have to be parted from her. My hands settle on her hips, and I drag her closer. I feel stupid for not realizing that she might be terrified of being separated from us…almost as much as we are afraid of being parted from her. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Rue nods, taking a shuddering breath and stepping back. Her eyes meet mine, her gaze steady…then she reaches down and boldly pulls her shirt over her head. My breath stalls in my lungs, and my heart threatens to pound out of my chest. I’m afraid to blink and miss even a second.

“Rue…” I swallow hard, my throat bobbing. “You don’t have to do this. I’ll stay, regardless.”

A sexy smirk kicks up the corner of her mouth, mirth sparkling in her tourmaline green eyes, and her right eyebrow kicks up. “And if I want you to join me?”

I harden so fast at her husky offer that it nearly drops me to my knees. I clench my hands into fists to keep from lunging for her. It’s hard to shake off the effect that she has on me, the need to claim her impossible to resist, but I refuse to take advantage of her when she’s vulnerable. “Rue…”

My resolve crumbles when she reaches behind her and releases the latch to her bra. Her gorgeous breasts bounce into view, her bra drops to the floor, and my resistance vanishes in the face of her bountiful charms.

“Touch me, Ellis.” It’s both a demand and a plea, and I’m helpless to resist. I search her eyes one last time, looking for even a hint of doubt, but find none.

My body aches at the thought of finally claiming her after so long. I dreamed of her every night she was gone, fantasized about this very moment. If I were a good man, I would insist we wait, but I just can’t let her go again.

If she wants me, she can have all of me.

Heart and soul.

Chapter Thirty-five

RUE

When Ellis doesn’t move, doesn’t answer, mortification heats my cheeks. I hastily cover my breasts and bend to grab my shirt, wondering how I could’ve read the situation so wrong. I duck my head at the rejection, wishing I had the ability to disappear.

“Stop,” Ellis orders, and I freeze at his harsh tone. “I didn’t give you permission to cover up.”

I automatically flinch at the reprimand. I open my mouth to stutter out an excuse when my brain finally processes the rest of his words, and my head snaps up in confusion.

Before my anger has a chance to kindle, I’m captured by the change to my gentle computer nerd. The soft-spoken romantic is gone, replaced with a harsh man who expects his orders to be obeyed. He takes off his glasses, then meticulously folds them before setting them on the counter, never once looking away from me.

He crosses his arms, his short sleeves accentuating the muscles along his forearms, the shirt clinging to him in a waythat turns my mouth dry. Though Ellis might be the slimmest of the guys, he isn’t weak. The way he fought one of the guards when we were escaping was sexy as fuck.

He didn’t hesitate, didn’t think twice as he faced off against a bigger opponent. He moved fast, landing four blows before the guard could even draw back his arm, effortlessly knocking him out cold without breaking a sweat.

“Eyes on me.” My gaze snaps to his face, and a hum of pleasure rumbles from his chest. His attention wanders lower, his gaze lazy, and I revel in the lust that flares in his eyes as he takes in my nakedness. Tension coils through his body, then his eyes narrow and a furrow appears between his brows. “I won’t ask again. Arms down at your side. I want to see your beautiful breasts.”

Heat blooms between my legs at his husky command. I hesitate for only a moment, shy to be standing before him naked while he remains fully dressed. Though he issues me orders, I know I have the option to walk away.

He would never force me to do anything I didn’t want.

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