Right. The curse breaking. Nearly dying. All that fun stuff.
“Belle?” My voice comes out even rougher than normal.
“I’m here.” She appears from the bathing room, already dressed. She’s grinning. Fucking beautiful in a soft pink silk dress that looks fucking amazing on her lush curves and deep brown skin. Her soft curls falling down her shoulders. Healthy, radiant… I can’t believe she’s mine. “How are you feeling?”
“Horny.”
She laughs. “Of course you are. But how are you actually feeling, love?”
“I just told you.”
“Pierre.” She sits on the edge of the bed, pressing a hand to my forehead like I’m a child with a fever. “You collapsed yesterday. You were practically dead. You need to rest.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine. You’re recovering from breaking a decades-old curse.” Her voice is firm. “Which means you need to rest.”
I stare at her. “Rest?”
“Yes.”
“Alone?”
“Exactly.”
“Belle.” I reach for her, but she wiggles out of my reach. “I’m a Beast. I don’t need to rest. I need to fuck my mate.”
“Beast…”
“But I’ve been resting for hours.”
“It’s been one night!”
“Exactly. More than enough.” I try to stand, but the world tilts alarmingly. I have to grab the bedpost.
Belle is immediately at my side, shaking her head while helping me steady. “See? Back in bed. Now.”
“I’m not weak,” I protest, still letting her guide me back under the covers. “Just adjusting.”
“Uh-huh.” She pulls the blankets up over me like I’m an invalid. “You’re staying in bed. Doctor’s orders.”
“You’re not a doctor.” I grumble, crossing my huge arms over my broad chest.
“I’m your mate.” She winks and leans to kiss my frown, clouding me in her scent, making my hard cock jump under the sheets, and my balls tighten. “I’ll have Louise bring us breakfast. You’re going to eat, rest, and behave, Beast.”
“Belle…”
But she’s already heading for the door.
“I mean it, Pierre!” she calls back. “No getting up. No tiring yourself. And definitely no…”
“Fucking?” I ask with frustrated grumpiness.
Her only answer is a bright, warm laugh. The door closes behind her, and I’m left alone with a rock-hard dick and my wounded pride.
Louise arrives thirty minutes later with a tray of food.
“Oh, poor master,” she fusses, setting the tray across my lap. “You look terrible, sire.”
