Page 45 of Betrayal and Vows

“How did you become… this? One of the top soldiers?”

“Because I was better at killing than I was at dying.”

The words are said with no emotion. Just flat, honest words that cut me to my very soul.

I know he’s holding back.

He turns away from me. “You should go.”

I don’t move.

“Lena.”

“Anton.”

“Go before you get both of us killed.”

“You’re the only person in this house who sees me,” I whisper. “I don’t want to go.”

I reach out. Just my hand, on his chest.

That’s all it takes.

He breaks.

His mouth is on mine in a blink, hands sliding into my hair like he’s starving for me. I gasp, and he uses it, deepening the kiss, devouring me.

He pushes me backward onto the bed. Our mouths never parting. His fingers knot in the sash at my waist, and then the robe’s gone. My nightgown is torn off.

It’s not slow.

It’s not sweet.

It’s frantic. Desperate.

His hands roam over every inch of me like he needs to memorize what he’s not allowed to have. I arch into him, nails clawing his back, his name tumbling from my mouth over and over.

He bites my neck when I say it again.

The bite sends lightning through my entire body. I gasp, my back arching off the narrow bed as his teeth graze the sensitive spot where my neck meets my shoulder. His hands are everywhere. Fire races across my skin.

"Anton," I breathe.

"You're going to be the death of me," he murmurs, his voice rough with need. His mouth moves lower, trailing hot kisses down my collarbone. "Do you know what you do to me?"

I can't answer. Can't think. His hands cup my breasts, thumbs brushing over my nipples until I'm writhing beneath him. The contrast between his gentle touch and the desperate hunger in his eyes makes me dizzy.

"Please," I whisper, not even sure what I'm begging for.

He knows. He always knows.

His mouth closes over one nipple, tongue swirling until I cry out. My fingers tangle in his dark hair, holding him to me as he lavishes attention on my body.

"So beautiful," he breathes against my skin. "So perfect."

His hands slide lower, moving between my open thighs. I'm trembling. Already wet and ready for him.

"Look at me," he commands softly.