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"I love you," I repeat.
"Draven, do you mean it?"
"How could I not? You are the light in the darkness, Beauty."
"I love you too, you wicked, delightful man."
I kiss her again, claiming every inch of her mouth as mine. She moans, seaming her body to mine as if to anchor herself to reality. I don't let her up for air until she's trembling in my arms, shaking with desire.
"Make love to me," she demands, clinging to my shoulders. The command echoes in her fathomless blue eyes, compelling me to give her what she wants. "I need you."
"I need to shower, Beauty," I murmur apologetically. "I still have blood on me."
Her smile is downright sinful. "I bet you have room for two in there."
She is not wrong, brilliant woman.
I scoop her into my arms, storming out of her bedroom and back down the hall toward mine.
"Where are we going?" she laughs, twining her arms around my neck.
"My room," I growl. "My shower." Hers is good enough, I suppose. But it's nothing compared to mine. Everything in my room was designed specifically for a man of my size, from the bed I sleep in to the chair I sit in to the shower.
"Walk faster," Dahlia demands in a soft purr that makes my cock throb. Either she's fallen in love with my shower while cleaning…or she's as eager as I am to be skin-to-skin again.
We make it back to my room even faster than I made it to hers. I fumble the lock on the door to keep Ma out just in case she decides to come looking for me. She tends to pop up whenever and wherever she wants. And then I stomp toward the bathroom with my woman in my arms.
"I love this room," she murmurs before flipping off the light and plunging the room into darkness. I had a feeling she would love the space. Our little corner of Screaming Woods may hide a monster, but it's fit for a king. The bathroom is massive, leaving me plenty of room to maneuver around without bumping into or knocking things over. The rock-walled shower stretches across the west wall, with a large tub opposite. The vanity runs between them on the south wall. The toilet is set apart in a room of its own, offering privacy.
There are no windows. Ma had them bricked in when I was still young so that I could shower comfortably. Trying to bathe and groom when you can't see what you're doing isn't easy.
I place Dahlia on her feet in the middle of the room. "Stay there, Beauty," I murmur. "Let me take care of the lights."
"You won't be able to see."
I run my hand down her arm and smile. "A little candlelight won't blind me entirely," I promise. "I'll be able to see enough."
She bobs her head in a nod, swallowing. She's thinking about the night we met in the library. When she found my whiskey. One day soon, I'll show her what I was really there after, but not right now. Later. For now, my beauty wants me to make love to her, and I'm dying to heed her wishes.
I stride to the vanity and light the candles sitting on top. They reflect in the mirrors like twinkling stars flickering around the massive room.
"Oh," she whispers, her voice soft. "It feels like another world, Draven."
"Good." I turn on the shower and then stride back to her. "It's our world, Beauty." My lips meet hers in a soft kiss. Despite how badly I ache for her, I take my time, sinking into her slowly. So slowly, she whimpers, pleading wordlessly for more.
I deepen the kiss, stripping her silently. Her nightgown drifts to the floor, landing in a silken heap at her feet. Her panties follow, the wet spot on them making my mouth water. She's so responsive, so eager. My mouth waters at the thought of getting to taste her again, of feeling her juices flow over my tongue while she's crying out my name.
"Close your eyes, Beauty," I murmur, reaching for the hem of my shirt.
"I want to see you," she protests.
"You will, but not until I wash the animal's blood off."
She huffs out a long-suffering sigh. My beauty does not like to be told what to do. But she obediently closes her eyes, allowing me to undress and spare her this sight. Red spots of blood have dried on my skin. The sight of them has anger fighting to rise to the surface all over again. Nothing will harm her. Nothing will take her from me. I won't allow it. She's mine to love. Mine to protect.
Perhaps it's a good thing I am a fearsome beast. With a beauty like this to protect, I'll need every advantage. There are all sorts of wild animals in these woods. There are other men. Other monsters.
"You're growling," she whispers.
