Anchor of Secrets by Tessa Hale

30

Ronan’s nostrils flared,and his fingers flexed around my neck. “You’re not ready for this.”

Blood roared in my ears. “Take what you need.”

Ronan’s free hand traced up my thigh, underneath my kilt. “My little firecracker. So fierce. So brave.”

My breath hitched as heat pooled low.

His fingers swept higher, skating featherlight across my skin. “You don’t know what I could do to you.”

Maybe not, but I wanted to find out.

My fingers fisted tighter in Ronan’s tee, pulling him closer.

That gold in his amber eyes flamed brighter. “You don’t know what you’re doing.”

“Then maybe you should teach me a lesson,” I challenged.

A low growl left Ronan’s throat as his fingers ghosted along the apex of my thighs. “Does this turn you on? Knowing I’m riding the edge? That I could flip and hurt you?”

“You turn me on. Whatever form you come in.”

Ronan’s hold on my neck loosened, his hand dropping away. He leaned forward, skimming his nose down the column of my throat and breathing deep. “Your smell taunts me.”

A shiver skated over my skin, sending echoes to the deepest parts of me.

“Tell me you’re sure.”

I swallowed hard. “I’m sure.”

Ronan moved in a flash. He grasped the sides of my shirt and ripped it down the center, sending buttons flying.

A gasp escaped my lips.

The corner of Ronan’s mouth kicked up. “Changing your mind, Firecracker?”

I shook my head. “Never.”

Ronan’s gaze went hooded as it skated over my chest, lingering on the swell of my breasts encased in pale pink lace. A finger skimmed the line of the bra. “So delicate. So fragile.”

Another shiver coursed through me, taking root in my core.

“Scared, my little firecracker?”

“No,” I breathed.

“I almost believe you.”

Ronan’s hand shot behind me, unhooking my bra. It fell to the floor along with my ruined shirt. He stared at me as if committing the image to memory. “So sweet and innocent, standing in the lion’s den.”

I arched a brow, forcing a look of challenge onto my face. “I thought you were a dragon.”

A low, rumbling laugh escaped him. “So much worse than a lion.”

“Prove it.”

Ronan threw a hand out, and talons grew from his fingers. My eyes went wide as those talons shot toward me. He shredded the side of my skirt in a single second, leaving me in nothing but my lace panties, knee-highs, and shoes.

“Scared now?” he growled low.

Anger flared deep. He was trying to frighten me. To get me to leave so he could stew in his fury alone.

I jutted out my chin. “You’ll have to try a little harder.”

Those golden eyes flashed. A claw trailed up the center of my panties, and wetness pooled between my legs.

I couldn’t hold in my whimper.

Ronan’s teeth ground together as his finger hooked on the side of my underwear. There was one flash of a talon, and the lace fluttered to the floor.

Ronan knelt, lifting one of my legs and pulling my shoe free, then the other. He gazed up at me. “I’m keeping the knee-highs on.”

Heat flared, sweeping through me like a wildfire only he could extinguish. But I knew Ronan would only want me to burn hotter.

He leaned forward, pressing his nose to my core and breathing deep. “Heaven and hell, right here.”

A soft mewl escaped me.

Ronan’s tongue lashed out, a sharp swipe to my clit.

My legs shook.

“So sweet.”

Ronan stood. “Turn around.”

His voice was gruff, commanding.

I did as he instructed, my heart hammering against my ribs.

“Grab the desk.”

I bit the inside of my cheek as my hands hit the dark wood. The cool surface warred with the heat pulsing through me.

Ronan’s hand dipped between my legs, teasing my entrance. Each pass of his fingers stretched me wider, making me ache to be filled.

“Be very sure, Firecracker.”

“Please,” I begged. I was no longer just wanting to comfort Ronan. I needed him just as much. To lose myself in whatever demons he needed to shed.

Ronan’s fingers were gone. Then there was the sound of a zipper. Each tine of metal was like a mini gunshot going off in the silent room.

He grabbed hold of my hips, fingers tightening as he battled for control. He thrust inside on one long glide.

My mouth fell open on a silent plea.

Ronan didn’t wait. He took. Each arch of his hips hit a spot I didn’t know existed. Each time he bottomed out, my eyelids fluttered.

His fingers gripped me tighter, digging in to the point of pain, but I didn’t care. The pain only drove the pleasure higher.

I met Ronan thrust for thrust, my hips pushing back and seeking more.

My entire body trembled. My core squeezed him tight. “Take what you need,” I breathed.

Ronan cursed, and then he truly let go. He pounded into me, letting his animal nature bleed into taking me. Thrust after thrust.

Tears leaked from my eyes. It was too much. I felt him everywhere. Yet it was everything I could ever want.

I tipped over the edge, lighting a fuse that rocked through me. Light danced in front of my eyes as I clamped down around Ronan.

He cursed, thrusting once more as he emptied himself into me.

I felt it all in the deepest parts of myself.

Ronan bit down on my shoulder, teeth digging into my skin, holding me in place as he wrung out every ounce of my pleasure.

As my legs collapsed, he caught me, lowering us both to a chair. Chests heaving, bodies slick with sweat, Ronan held on. He breathed me in over and over, as if only my scent was a balm to those most savage parts of himself.

He pressed his lips to my neck. “Thank you.”