Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 25821 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25821 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
The Beast looked over his shoulder at me. The flames from the fireplace, coupled with the fact this room didn’t have a single window to let in sunlight, gave it all lowlights and eerie shadows.
“I’ll always know where you’re at, Belle. I can sense you in any part of the castle. I can smell the sweet scent that surrounds you.”
My face heated at his words because they seemed so very intimate, and then when I thought that, the memories of what we shared last night came back to mind.
He turned and faced me, and I told myself not to look, but still I glanced down at his trews, seeing he was already hardening, as if my very presence was an aphrodisiac.
His gaze flickered to the crumpled-up paper in my hand, and I looked down to stare at it, loosening my fingers around the edges.
“My father sent a letter,” I said almost absentmindedly. “He’s asked for help.” I lifted my head and stared at the Beast. “From you. Monetary help. Of course.” I swallowed harshly, feeling embarrassment that I was asking the Beast for this.
It didn’t matter if we were legally husband and wife. I’d only been here for such a short time.
And the shame that my father continuously got himself into these messes, and that I was the one who bailed him out, had my face heating and had me glancing down to the ground in humiliation.
When I felt his finger under my chin, lifting my head up, I stared into his eyes.
We didn’t say anything for long moments, but the low humming sound he made could’ve been interpreted in many ways.
Pleasure. Empathy. Displeasure.
“I’m sorry,” I found myself saying, and if the Beast’s expression could soften, I felt like it would’ve in that moment.
He cupped the side of my face, his palm so big that one could easily cover my entire head.
It wasn’t lost on me every time I was near him that the Beast could break me as if I were nothing but a toothpick between his teeth, snapping me in half until I was but a splinter.
“My father’s troubles aren’t your concern but—”
“He’s your family. Your only family.” He smoothed a claw gently along my jawline. “That was the past, though. You have me now. So if he needs help, that’s an extension of you and I’ll gladly step in. Because I care for you.”
I felt my belly tighten, my heart skip a beat. How could this Beast, so big and fearsome, be gentle and soft? How could he completely go against everything I’d ever heard about him?
Was he just misunderstood or was he this gentle only with me?
I cupped the back of his palm, my hand so insubstantial compared to his, his fur so soft beneath my touch.
I smoothed my thumb over his prominent knuckles, could feel his body visibly shiver, and heard a deep sound leave him. Because of me.
“I will leave momentarily. I will fix whatever wrongs he’s done that directly affect you.”
“I’ll go with you,” I said instantly but he was already shaking his head.
“I would prefer you stay here, in the safety of the castle. I will not put you at risk.”
I felt a smile curve my lips. “But I have you to protect me.”
He growled low and moved his hand to curl it around my nape. “You are my only priority. I will protect you until it kills me.”
I felt that flush of heat move through me, that warm wetness between my thighs once more.
I let my gaze move around his face, memorizing every dip and hollow, everything that had once been unusual to me but now seemed fantastically beautiful. I stared at his mouth, so foreign yet so attractive.
I actually found myself taking a step forward, placing my hands on his furry chest, feeling his muscles and sinew clench and relax against my touch.
He didn’t say anything but he started breathing faster and harder as I lifted up on my toes, bringing us closer together.
As if he knew where my thoughts were going, he lowered his head at the same time I tipped mine back.
“You’re not what I expected,” I whispered, our mouth so close together that my bottom lip almost touched his tusks.
“You are everything I envisioned.” His words were a deep rumble that I felt all the way down to my toes.
He still had his paw around my nape, the gentle prick of his claws against the side of my throat reminding me how very deadly he was. But I knew without a shadow of a doubt, deep within my soul, that he’d never hurt me.
He would always keep me safe. And with that thought in mind, I gently pressed my mouth to his and gave the Beast my first kiss.
He groaned deeply but didn’t kiss me back, just held still as he let me explore his mouth. I ran my tongue along his bottom lip, then over one tusk before dragging it up and touching the point.