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“Yeah, and I don’t have a piercing in my clitoral hood.”
When his mouth drops open in shock I take the opportunity to fill it with the prawn. “Chew.”
He chews, chasing the prawn down with a glug of wine, swallowing hard.
“Tell me you’re joking,” he says.
“Tell me you’re not a tease.”
“I’m not a fucking tease.”
I grin, a smile pulling up my lips. “Yeah, and I don’t have a piercing in my clitoral hood.”
He narrows his eyes at me then stabs a prawn with his fork none too gently. “I think you need to try one,” he says, lifting a prawn to my parted lips.
I take it between my teeth, a droplet of oil sliding down my chin as he slowly removes the fork from my mouth. Reaching up, I try to swipe the oil away, but he gets there first, the pad of his thumb gliding up my chin and capturing the droplet. He brings his hand to his lips, and sucks the oil free from his thumb. His plump lips taking it all the way into his mouth, his cheeks hollowing out as he sucks, before he pulls his thumb free. It takes every single last drop of restraint not to melt in a puddle right here on the chair. Fortunately for us both, I’m better at keeping myself in check.
Ithink.
“Delicious,” he mutters, and I can’t help it, I let out a nervous laugh that sounds far too mocking than I’d intended. “What’s so funny?”
“Seriously, you don’t know?”
“Know what?” he asks as he grabs his glass of wine and knocks it back in one long gulp. I’m pretty sure his cheeks are flushing, though I can’t be one hundred percent certain, given all of the dappled light from the stained glass windows. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Beast blush, it’s endearing.
“This,” I say, waving a hand between us. “You’re flirting with me.”
“I’m not,” he retorts, grabbing a slice of bread and slathering it in aioli before taking a huge bite, the sauce dripping out of the corner of his mouth. All the refinement of a moment ago of gently spearing the food and tenderly feeding it to me is now gone. He’s acting more beast than gentleman and I can’t help but find that amusing. I’ve unsettled him. Good, now he knows what it feels like.
“Oh come on, admit it. We’re on a date. You’ve taken me on a date,” I tease.
“No, I haven’t,” he argues. “You were hungry and so was I, figured we could eat together.”
“So bringing me to an intimate speakeasy and feeding me all whilst staring into my eyes like it’smeyou want to feast on wasn’t what you were doing just now?” I ask with a sweet smile, internally giggling at how flummoxed he is.
“I—” he splutters, dropping the slathered bread onto his side plate and swiping at his mouth with the back of his hand.
“Because as much as I’ve enjoyed this meal so far,” I interrupt, “Maybe it’s me who should put some boundaries between us, given everything you’ve already said tonight? Youcan’t and won’tmake a move on your boss’s daughter, right?”
“Princess,” he says, and it comes out like an apology that makes me feel far more awkward about what’s happening between us than his flirty behaviour ever has. I don’t like the sound of regret in his voice. It pisses me off.
“Look, I’m not someone you can come onto one minute, then disregard the next. I’m not your plaything, Beast,” I say, and despite the relaxed smile I give him, I mean every word.
“You’re right.” He nods, swiping a hand over his face. “Looks like I need a lesson in chivalry. I wasn’t thinking. I meant no harm. I apologise.”
“You’re only human,” I reply with an easy shrug. “Can’t say I blame you for wanting what I’ve got to offer.”
Beast shakes his head, and I see him shutting down, all the flirtatiousness making way for seriousness once more. “And now that I’ve been effortlessly put into my place, shall we just eat using our own forks this time?”
“Sure,” I reply, digging into the food, the rest of our conversation drowned out by Nina’s seductive voice singing as we eat.
I feel Beast’s eyes on me throughout the whole meal and there’s no denying that Beast wants me as much as I want him. He can lie to himself all he wants, but I know his secret.
I also know what it means for us.
Nothing good, at least not where Carter’s concerned.
