The Taming

Enticed

I have to get away from her before my need draws my beast out to play. Sebastian thought. Having a moment where he warred with the predatory beast in him. Wanting to use what she'd aroused, to bring her to the heights of pleasure.

To hear her moan.

It was a bit surprising he'd risen so easily at the mere brush of her finger. It wasn't like him to act like a boy of his first blush.

Yet around her, I always do.

All the former sexual prowess in the world could not have prepared him for the magnetic draw this woman had over him.

I can think about little else.

"What are you trying to hide from me?" She leaned over his shoulder trying to see if he'd something in his hand.

Shifting further from her, initiated a tugging war where she pulled at his shoulder trying to pull him back onto the bed so she could see.

He blanched. Trying to maintain his distance.

"What are you hiding?" She forcefully shoved his shoulder to the bed. Pushing him onto his back.

Oof. Too weak. He was shockingly feeble, and exhausted from the small exertion already. Grunting, he yielded. Flopping dully back to the pillow.

Fine. Have at! He blinked up at her as he shifted his head deeper into the pillow and lifted his arms up to fold them behind his head. Propping himself up. You asked. Enjoy the view.

She examined the hands behind his head. Her blue gaze travelling to meet his blue-green ones. Leaning so far over him, he was tempted to kiss the soft skin so close to his face. He was drowning in her sweet smell. He'd never wanted so badly to wrap his arms around a woman.

He knew he could catch her off balance and pull her right down over him.

So she can feel what I was hiding.

As if reading his thoughts, she put a hand to his chest and leaned up, her gaze roving down his bare chest and flat stomach until she glimpsed where the blanket swelled. By now his mortification had morphed into vague amusement. Certain he knew how she'd react.

As her eyes set on that lump, they slitted accusingly. Shooting back to his amused eyes as she rolled violently off the bed in one smooth motion.

He heard the pad of bare feet fleeing across the wood floor, and the slight creak of the door as she skid into the hallway. Run, Little Bird.

But he wasn't smiling this time. Though he'd expected the reaction, it was still somewhat wounding that she'd react as though his arousal meant he'd attack her. Despite that I've never hurt her.

She clearly thinks I'd force her. Sorrow washed through him. His head fell back into the pillow.

I would never been that man.

The fact that even if he had it in him, he was currently as weak as a babe, made her volatile response seem even more an overreaction.

***

Dinner tonight was just as somber as the last few had proven.

They shared the sides of a long wooden board which they used as a makeshift table.

Elsabet glanced at him from under lowered lids. Seeing his attention, she set the fork down and met his look. "What?"

"It's nice to see a woman partake of real fare, in a real manner."

She was hungry after not eating all those days she was fighting to keep him alive.

"All women eat."

"Rarely, that in my experience."