Hunter's Moon

The Night

Elizabeth had fallen asleep. He could tell by the way her breathing had slowed, become peaceful. Her face lacked any emotion and she looked utterly beautiful sleeping in his arms. He wanted to stay like this forever. His hand continued to run through her hair, loving the way the silky tendrils spilled between his fingers. She sighed contentedly and nuzzled into his chest.

Lincoln stopped breathing. Goddess, slay him now for he was not having appropriate thoughts. Elizabeth's mother wouldn't be home until late morning and it had only started the evening. How was Liza even asleep? It was only just before eight. He wanted to wake her, to taste her again, this time without the lingering feelings of the beast's desire. He wanted to feel for her as a man, to pleasure her, not maul her as the beast would.

When the tears came back, Lincoln gently wiped them away with his thumb, wishing he could stop her pain. He wondered if she would ever tell him what caused her to cry like this. She seemed like such a strong, independent woman. His heart broke just thinking about the pain she had to go through every day. Did she even know her father? If she did, did she wish she didn't? Was he some kind of druggie, determined to get his daughter to take after him? Is that why they moved?

He scowled at himself for jumping to such conclusions. Liza would tell him when she was ready; he felt sure of it. Until then, he would have to keep his mouth shut and not press the issue. If I let the beast take control more often, I wouldn't have to worry about it, he lightly joked. The beast had no intention of getting to know the girl—he just wanted to take her and mark her as his.

He got the feeling he had better get out of Liza's bed before he initiated something he was going to regret. He sidled to the side but was stopped when her hand grabbed his shirt.

"Don't go," she mumbled in her sleep. "Don't leave me alone."

He looked down and startled when her blue eyes met his. The pain there was so raw. "I won't," he vowed. "I'll never leave you alone, Liza."

She clenched his shirt in her hand and wiggled so she was pressed against his side, her head resting in the crook of his arm. She sighed again, swinging her leg over his, and said, "Thank you."

Goddess, her leg! Lincoln couldn't take it anymore. He turned onto his side, Liza grumbling a little, and kissed her forehead, inhaling her sweet scent. She smelled like coconut and it made his head spin. He wound his arms around her, pulling her closer. Before he could think about it, he was bringing his lips to hers, needing to taste her.

Her response was quick, despite her sleepy state. She kissed him back, grabbing his chest. He deepened the kiss and she moaned into his mouth. He wanted more of her. He rolled her onto her back so he could hover over her.

He felt her eyes flash open, smelled her anger, and heard her smack his face more than he felt it. He turned back to her in shock. Her eyes blazed with fury as she shoved him off, rolling herself off the bed to get farther away from him.

"What the heck, Lincoln!" she shrieked. "Is that seriously how you play? Scream at a girl until she cries, then lull her to sleep so you can have your way with her while she's asleep?"

"Wha—? Liza, are you serious right now?"

"Does it look like I'm joking?"

He studied her posture. She was sitting cross-legged in—Goddess help her—those boy briefs girls wore, showing off all of her legs, arms crossed over her chest, and a serious expression on her face, one eyebrow raised in angst, preparing for his reply.

"No, it would appear as you are not. I was simply asking because you were kissing me back."

Her brow shot up further. "I was sleeping, Lincoln. You were taking advantage of me!"