Free Remus by Madison Stevens Page A

of her sweet little mouth. Rem loved that mouth and her quick wit.
    Jenna leaned into him, and he groaned. As much as he wanted to take this as far as he could, there wasn’t time, and a hurried quickie wasn’t how he wanted to spend his moments with her.
    Rem pulled back and stared at her sleepy eyes. It was a look he wanted to remember. To have her pretty face seared into his head so that it would be the last thing he saw.
    She yelped when he grabbed her around the waist and placed her between his legs. For a moment, Jenna sat ramrod straight, her back to his front. He wrapped an arm around her middle and pulled her back to his chest. Her curly brown hair rested against him and tickled his neck. Rem could feel her relax in his arms, and he smiled.
    He leaned back and sighed at how comfortable it was having her in his arms.
    Jenna rolled a little and placed her cheek against his chest. He looked down at her confused face.
    “I thought you wanted my cake?” she said.
    Rem smiled. “Let’s just stay like this for a bit.”
    She placed a hand on his chest and traced little patterns with her nails. It felt good, and he let the moment just seep in. One day. He wanted one day with the woman he could never have.
    “You aren’t acting like yourself today,” she said quietly.
    Rem frowned and looked down to her.
    “What do you mean?” he said.
    She shrugged and glanced up at his face. “I mean, normally you’re making jokes or trying to get me upset.”
    He chuckled. It was true. He’d spent the better part of his time just trying to drive her crazy. Better she was mad at him than tempting him to act on something that shouldn’t happen.
    “Today I just want to pretend like we’re normal,” he said and wrapped both arms around her. “Just the two of us having a picnic on a beautiful day.” He nuzzled her head. “I just want to relax with my beautiful Jenna.”
    She grew quiet, and he knew she was thinking about what he had said. Her face had gone hot against his chest.
    “I yelled at Titus,” she said abruptly.
    This time he let out a real laugh, and it felt good to do so. “I bet that was a sight.”
    He could see her mouth quirk up a little.
    “He won’t make you leave,” she said, looking up at him. Irritation lit behind her eyes.
    Rem snorted. “I’d like to see him try.”
    Jenna sat up a little more. Her face was solemn as she stared at him. “Could I?”
    He started to respond but stopped. She could, and he knew it.
    It wouldn’t be right though. Things had changed. Before it had just been about a little research. Maybe stealing a book. Now things were so much more complicated. Above all he needed to wound the group and ensure that Magnus and his people were free of this hell.
    “Yes,” he said finally and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “But I hope you don’t. This is bigger than we thought. Much bigger.”
    Jenna watched him for a moment and then placed her head back on his chest.
    They lay like that for some time. Several times he thought about getting up, but the idea of leaving her made him ache more than he had the words to say. It was only when he could hear the Glycons stirring from the morning meal that he sat up.
    Jenna stood without a word and packed her bag.
    “You didn’t eat your cake,” she said quietly and sealed it back up.
    Rem didn’t answer. There really was no answer. It went along with the chance he would never have. A taste and nothing more.
    Without warning, Jenna wrapped her arms around his middle and pressed her face into his chest. He felt the two wet patches as she wept against him.
    “Why does it feel like you’re saying goodbye?” she whispered. Her voice choked with emotion.
    A lump formed in his throat. That was exactly what he was doing.
    Rem pulled her away from him and placed a tender kiss on her lips.
    “You still owe me one chocolate cake,” he whispered and grinned.
    Jenna stared back at him, and it was as if she saw through his