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I lean my shoulder into the case next to me and accidentally knock into a book. The sound is quiet, but his head snaps up. He settles back when he spots me, and a welcoming smile crosses his lips as I blush furiously at being caught watching him. “What are you reading?” I ask to cover for me perving on him.
There is just something about a huge, scarred monster reading a book that is so incredibly attractive.
He holds out his hand, and I take it, expecting him to sit me down next to him, but instead, he lifts and drops me between his parted legs so my back is to his front. He notches his head on my shoulder and wraps one arm around my middle to grip the book, the other playing with my hair as his tail encircles my ankles. The move was so natural and quick, I just sit here blinking.
We cuddled last night, but I was asleep. With me awake, it feels very intimate. His breath wafts over my ear, and I can feel his heart’s soft if not slightly racing rhythm, the hardness of his muscles, and the movement of his lips as he continues to read. I settle back and read with him, focusing on the words and not on the feel of this very large, muscular man pressed up against every inch of me. Slowly, the nerves fade as I become absorbed in the story.
I gasp when the heroine runs away from the love of her life over a miscommunication, and Cato holds me tighter. Turning my head, I bury it in his arm, hiding. “I hate these parts,” I mutter. “I know they usually end happily, but that part between letting it all go and fighting for happiness? It terrifies me that they won’t be strong enough to fight for it.”
“Me too,” he murmurs. “But that part is also my favourite.” I look up at him, and he smiles. “It’s the moment they realise how much they love each other and just what they are willing to risk to keep that person. Yes, it’s scary, change always is, and the pain? Of course it hurts, but it’s the best type, don’t you think? When they finally get their happy ending, they will deserve it that much more.”
“I guess I never thought of it that way,” I whisper as he delicately pushes a stray hair behind my ear. “Still, I usually have to close the book and walk away for a little bit.”
“Then let me read it to you,” he murmurs, and I close my eyes as his voice washes over me, reading me chapter after chapter until the couple end up back together again. All the while, his low, purring voice transports me into the story. The soft stroke of his hand across my side, thigh, and arm grounds me, and when he starts to read the makeup sex scene, I turn bright red and shift my body, both nervous and aroused. I hear him inhale, and a slight growl escapes his throat as he tugs me closer, letting me feel the very hard, long evidence he isn’t unaffected either. He doesn’t stop, though, and I don’t ask him to.
We remain locked in a bubble as he reads me smut, our desire growing between us until I’m almost panting and his voice is crooning.
“‘Sliding down her silken thighs, I drag my tongue along the arch of her foot before slowly kissing up the legs I have been imagining entwined with mine for months now. I stop and taste every inch of her freckled skin, memorising the star constellation on her flesh so I will never forget. Groaning beneath me, she arches up, seeking my mouth, and when her hand tangles in my hair and pulls me up, I go willingly. I sink into the kiss as she wraps herself around me and holds me tight. Her wet heat welcomes me as I settle between her legs—'”
“Fucking hell,” I whisper, trying in vain to ignore the throb between my legs and the tightening of my nipples.
“You okay there, Tally?” he murmurs in my ear. The bastard. He did it on purpose, and if he didn’t, he’s the most sexually unaware man I’ve ever met. I hate the fact that I sigh and lean into him, rolling my hips slightly. Grunting, he grips my left hip and holds me still, his claws pricking my skin. “Don’t do that,” he rumbles.
“Do what?” I ask innocently.
“Rub against me like that. I had to sleep with you wrapped around me, Talia. Every inch of your sweet, soft human skin was against mine, and now here you are again, rubbing me like a cat in heat. Your body is begging for me to give in and taste you like I want to.”
“I… We…” I stumble over my words, and he chuckles softly, licking the shell of my ear.
“I can smell your arousal, Talia, so behave, little human. It’s very hard” —he drags out the word, making me swallow— “to read as it is.”
“I know, I can feel it,” I quip, unable to help myself.
“Don’t talk about it, just ignore it,” he mutters, rearranging himself before diving back into the book. When he finally finishes reading, we are both sexually frustrated but also grinning from the happy ending.
“You were right—it was worth it,” I murmur as I turn in the circle of his arms to see his face, but his expression has me freezing. “What?” I ask. His face is so serious. “Cato?”
“Walk away right now, Talia,” he rumbles. My eyes widen and my heart hammers in desire when I recognise the pure intent blazing in his eyes. “Right this second, unless you want me to kiss you.”
“What?” I whisper.
“I have wanted to since the moment I met you. I’ve been fighting it, not wanting to scare you, but I can’t… I can’t not kiss you with you looking at me like that. So walk away now, Talia.”
“Tally,” I respond, licking my lips. His eyes track the movement, and he fists his clawed hands on the floor as if to stop himself from pouncing on me. “You call me Tally. Don’t stop now.” I don’t know why that seems important, but it is.
“Tally.” He drags the word out, his forked tongue flicking across his lips as he watches me. “Walk away.”
“And if I don’t want to?” I question, being brave for once in the face of such need. No one has ever wanted me that way, as if they are in physical pain because they need me that much. Only him, only Cato, and he’s right—I need him to kiss me. I need him to make that move, because I never will, but I want it.
This monster slowly wormed his way into my heart and soul, with his protective arms and soft-spoken words. He danced with me under the lights, read to me in the library, and protected me from his people, while also working with me side by side. It’s not hard to admit that I care for him, and I’m curious about what he’s offering.
“Last warning, Tally,” he snarls, his eyes flashing red and only glowing brighter the longer I linger before him.
“I’m not going anywhere.” I tilt my chin up defiantly. “So what are you going to do about it?”
He moves so fast, I don’t even have time to brace myself. One moment, I’m on my knees before him, and the next, I’m on my back on the floor with him crouched above me, forcing himself between my legs. I gasp as he rolls his hips and lets me feel his hard length. “You should have run, little human.”
“Do your worst.” I smirk, knowing I should be afraid, but I’m not.
