AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Back to the people he loves.
Back to a normal life, just like me.
* * *
The next day
I putthe pot of paint aside and marveled at the floral design I had made on the wall. The paint wasn’t cheap, but I’ve got money to spare now that I’ve gotten my father’s account to my name. There is more than enough in that account to keep us happy and healthy for life.
But all the money in the world couldn’t replace a haven like this. A haven we created by hand after cleaning and fixing up every inch of this house.
Beast is still hammering nails into the wood when I say, “I’m done!”
He pauses and lets go of his hammer, the nail still stuck between his teeth as he comes to the bedroom to gaze at what I created.
“I’m not good at it, but it’s better than what it looked like,” I say.
He spits out the nail and says, “Better? It’s beautiful.” He grabs my waist and pulls me close, pressing a kiss onto my temple. “Just like you.”
“Stop,” I say, laughing when his fingers begin to squeeze my flesh like he’s attempting to tickle me.
“No, not until you admit that it’s gorgeous,” he replies, fingers digging into my skin.
“Okay, fine, it’s gorgeous,” I say. “I did my best.”
“Exactly,” he replies, licking his lips as he stares at the flowers. After a while, he releases me and approaches the paint, touching the dried parts with his fingers like he’s inspecting it up close.
“It … reminds me of that flower,” he says. “Before it dried out.”
I blush. “I actually based the design on that.”
He turns to look and smiles. “I’m amazed you still remember what it looks like.”
“Of course, they used to grow outside my father’s house, remember?” I reply, tucking my hair behind my ear. “I just wanted to give this room a special meaning, just like that flower.”
He approaches me and grabs my hands, raising his eyebrow at me. “And what kind of special meaning is that?”
“Hope,” I say, rubbing my lips together. “And unconditional love.”
“All the things you’ve given me,” he says, wrapping my own arms around him as he stands in front of me. “And all the things I won’t ever stop giving to you.” He leans in and presses a damp, sultry kiss to my lips. “Beauty.”
I laugh against his lips. “Why do you keep saying that?”
He doesn’t often smile, but when he does, it’s the best feeling in the world. “Because it’s true.”
“But you don’t have to say it every day.”
“Yes, I do. And I’ll keep saying it until you believe it too,” he retorts.
He tips my chin up and smashes his lips onto mine, reminding me of his unforgettable hold on my heart, only stopping for a breath.
I quickly push away and step back, licking my lips with excitement.
“Aurora …” Beast warns.
I know he hates it when I walk away from him.
Especially when he wants to claim me like that.
