Intent on His claim (Beauty and the Beast #3)

Chapter 36

Warren sat up, his head tilted slightly as he waited for my explanation.

I turned onto my back, tucking my hair back as I gazed up at him. He looked so handsome in the soft light that it hurt. The cool breeze that picked up flirted with the ends of his hair and I wished that I could immortalize this moment.

"Annabelle," he prompted, a ghost of a smirk playing at his lips.

I blushed but boldly challenged, "It's your fault for sidetracking me."

"And how, pray tell, have I accomplished that?"

"You're just too handsome," I grumbled, letting my eyes drift. Then I sighed and sat up, leaning into him to steal some of his warmth. "We have time for breakfast."

He shrugged out of his jacket and draped it over my shoulders almost absently. I wasn't even cold – I was just addicted to his warmth.

"What of this flight?" he reminded.

"Oh, right. I'm going to Denver for the weekend. Well, just overnight really."

His raven brows lowered and his hand slid into mine, twining our fingers. The possessiveness in his touch surprised me. "Did we not schedule that for a fortnight from now, following our final examinations?"

Oh, right. He'd been serious about that. "Yeah but I kinda need to talk to Aunt Lily now. I wanna know more about my mom, Warren. Dane said she's the best person to go to."

"Lily knows of our kind," he half asked.

"I guess. I want to find out and it's not exactly a phone conversation."

He looked away, watching the waves crest and fall a few feet from us.

"Hey." I tugged on his hand, trying to get his attention. "What's wrong?"

"I do not wish to have you away from me," he admitted quietly, still avoiding my eyes.

My heart squeezed. I'd been silly to think for even a second that his distance could ever be permanent. And Axle had been right – I hurt Warren deeply that night. And maybe he'd pulled back so I wouldn't have to deal with the pain my rash words had caused him. He'd been protecting me from his feelings.

Was Warren still feeling insecure?

I smiled softly and wrapped my arms around his neck, pushing onto my knees. He turned back to me in surprise, then he smiled softly as his arms automatically came around my waist. "It's just one night," I whispered, my voice dropping lower, and I leaned in closer. "Then I'm all yours."

"Oh, Annabelle," he murmured back, his grip tightening at my waist. "This is no incentive to let you go."

I giggled and pulled back suddenly, taking him completely by surprise as I ran off a little way. When I turned to him, the wind blowing my hair wildly, I grinned at him. "Sorry, I'm not ready for that cave yet."

His eyes lit up and he bit his lip, and then he was suddenly on his feet. I squealed and raced towards the beach house, knowing I had no hope of beating my alpha.

"I suppose I get a prize when I catch up to you?" His voice carried over the wind and waves to send a shiver through me.

I knew he could have caught me by now if he wanted, but he was toying with me. My heart swelled as I realized that he was willing to play with me. We hadn't been alone in so long...

"I don't have anything on me," I called back on a laugh.

His voice was low and silky, coming from close behind me.
"Oh, I'm sure we could come to an arrangement."