The Beast (SHORT STORY) (EDITED)

Chapter 8

Gently, Rune laid Hollis's sleeping form on the plush expanse of his brand-new bed. The room was naturally cool, a stark contrast to the humid air she was accustomed to. He didn't want her catching a chill. He quickly set about building a fire in the hearth, the crackling flames soon casting a warm glow across the room.

He heard a soft grumble from the bed and turned to see Hollis shifting in her sleep. As long as she didn't roll off, he figured she was comfortable enough. With the fire blazing merrily, he stripped down to his underwear, the weariness from the long flight finally catching up to him. He had enjoyed their day in Rouvia, the novelty of shopping for his long-neglected home amplified by her enthusiastic presence. But the flight had been tiring.

He settled into the bed beside her, pulling her close until her back rested against his chest. Soon, the rhythmic sounds of their breathing filled the quiet cabin.

The next morning, Hollis awoke to an unusual weight pressing down on her. She was practically buried beneath Rune, his face nestled intimately between her breasts, sending a wave of heat rushing to her cheeks. She tentatively threaded her fingers through his thick, dark hair, and a low groan rumbled in his chest.

"That feels good," he mumbled sleepily. Hollis giggled as he stretched languidly, like a large, contented cat.

"You're cute," she blurted out, the word escaping before she could censor herself. Rune's head shot up, his dark eyes snapping open, a look of mock offense on his face.

"Cute? Is that all you can come up with?"

Hollis laughed at his exaggerated indignation. "Yes."

"It's a shame," he said, shaking his head dramatically. "When you come up with a better word, we'll talk." He stood on the bed with surprising agility and then gracefully leaped onto his feet. "Adorable. Handsome. Charming," she offered, ticking off the words on her fingers.

"I'll go with handsome," Rune conceded, a small smile playing on his lips.

She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. He turned, his gaze expectant. "You missed one," he pointed to his other cheek. "You missed a lot of spots."

Hollis playfully peppered kisses all over his face until he finally seemed satisfied, a low rumble of contentment vibrating in his chest.

"Now we can go back to bed," she suggested, her eyes sparkling mischievously.

"I need to pee first," she said, a matter-of-fact statement that shattered the romantic mood. He sat down on the edge of the bed while she went to relieve herself. He stretched out, making himself comfortable.

When Hollis returned, she climbed onto the bed, straddling him. He swiftly rolled them over, so she was now lying beneath him, his weight pressing down on her. He nuzzled her neck, his lips leaving a lingering warmth on her skin, a subtle mark of his possession. He moved lower, his mouth hovering just above her breast.

"What are you doing?" Hollis asked, her breath catching in her throat.

A predatory smirk stretched across Rune's lips as he abruptly ripped the front of her simple dress. A gasp escaped Hollis as her breasts spilled into his view.

"That's my only dress," she protested weakly, a thrill mixed with a hint of panic coursing through her.

"Good," Rune growled, his gaze intent.

He flicked her nipple with his thumb, and Hollis squirmed beneath him, a sharp intake of breath escaping her lips. He pinned her hands above her head, his eyes darkening with a primal hunger as he drew her nipple into his mouth.

The scent of her arousal filled his nostrils, and the beast within him surged forward. Hollis gasped as his dark eyes flickered, the black pupils contracting into vertical slits, the irises glowing with a molten gold.

"Rune?" she whispered, a mixture of fear and fascination in her voice.

"Relax," he murmured, his voice now a low growl. He swiftly pulled the remnants of her dress down her body and then lifted her legs, wrapping them around his waist. He moved back up, his lips claiming hers in a fierce, hungry kiss. His tooth grazed her lip, a sharp, metallic taste filling her mouth. She barely registered the slight sting.

Rune growled, her scent driving him to the edge. Hollis whimpered beneath him, and he knew he had to stop, his control fraying rapidly. His fingernails elongated, shifting into sharp claws as he instinctively, sink them into the mattress on either side of her.

He released her hands and buried his face in her neck, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He looked down at her face, a curse escaping his lips as he saw the faint sheen of blood on her lips – blood she had unknowingly swallowed. Her tooth had nicked him, and now the intoxicating taste of his blood would undoubtedly send her human hormones spiraling into chaos.