Page 17 of Of Curses and Beauty

The witch may have taken her beauty, but the black dress, now plastered to her body like a second skin, accentuated her feminine curves, the low neckline highlighting the pale skin of her décolletage. Her hair hung loose, the damp locks springing naturally into gentle waves. Though her eyes were swollen, likely from the crying that had eaten at him all night, a light glimmered from within, the first hint of hope he’d seen from her since he’d told her she should leave.

She gave him a questioning look when she caught him staring, but he waved her off. Towel in hand, he attempted to dry off, giving up after the task proved futile.

“Why don’t we both change into something dry,” he said. “Then, I’ll meet you at the fireplace with some hot tea.”

“Good idea. See you in a moment.” Alaine rushed to her room, a trail of water in her wake.

Daric peeled off his shirt and wrung it out in the kitchen sink, placing it over the back of one of the dining chairs as he swiped up the towel to finish drying off. He was almost to his bedroom door when Alaine’s cracked open. It would have been the fastest he’d ever known a woman to change, but he glanced over and saw her peeking out at him between the door and the frame.

“Is everything alright?” he asked, concern lacing his voice.

She glanced down and fumbled with the ties of her bodice. If he didn’t know better, he’d say she was embarrassed. He thought he heard her mutter something under her breath, but the words were lost to her cleavage.

“I’m sorry. What did you say?”

She tilted her head up, looking him square in the eyes. “I said I can’t seem to undo this knot with it being all wet.” Her eyes dared him to laugh at her, but he failed to see the humor in the situation. If anything, she’d just helped his body temperature rise.

He looked down at the laces entwined in her fingers. “Right. Well, I don’t know how much help I can be, but I’ll give it a try.” A knot of his own formed in his throat and he swallowed against the tightening sensation as he stepped toward her.

Her hands dropped to her sides and she glanced away as he brought his face closer to her chest, attempting to ignore the way the rain magnified her sweet scent. His fingers were clumsy as they ran over the knot. They were much too large and his nails too short to pick apart the dainty knot. Pulling on the ends proved pointless as well.

“How attached are you to this bodice?” he asked casually.

“It’s just a bodice,” she said. “I’m not attached to it in any way other than physically.”

“Good.”

Before she could move away, he leaned forward and grasped the ties in his teeth, tearing them apart with a quick yank.

Alaine yelped in surprise as she hurried to hold together both sides of the bodice, though her dress beneath covered everything—much to Daric’s dismay.

Her cheeks were flushed as he stepped away. “Thank you,” she said breathlessly and retreated into the confines of her room.

“You’re quite welcome,” he said as she closed her door. While he meant for the words to be polite, the deep growl of his voice betrayed his wicked thoughts. He quietly berated himself all the way to his door, utilizing the colorful language he’d had centuries to hone. He’d kick himself if he made things uncomfortable between them, but maybe it was for the best. Obviously he couldn’t be trusted to keep his hands to himself. Alaine would need to be the voice of reason for them both.

Chapter 15

Alaine

Alainepressedherbackto the door, chest heaving from the brief interaction with Daric that left her panting. She’d never been intimate with a man, had never even considered the notion until Daric’s mouth had been a mere breath away from her breasts.

She’d been kissed before, of course. Though she’d never kissed anyone.

That was the distinction.

The action had always been initiated by the other person. She was always the kissee and never the kisser. As such, it had never seemed quite as magical as her books made it out to be.

Though Daric had freed her from her bodice with quick, efficient movements, her body still reeled from the agonizing closeness of him. For the first time in her life, she was overwhelmed by the utterly foreign urge to kiss someone. It could not have been a more inconvenient time to be struck by a crush.

Alaine closed her eyes and inhaled the soft scent of wood smoke and rain. She waited until she heard the quietclickof Daric’s door closing before she finished undressing. Her clothes were soaked and getting them off was far more difficult than she’d anticipated. She briefly considered asking Daric for his help again, but she forced her thoughts away from the improper desire, chastising herself for the way her skin heated at the memory of him tearing through her ties with his teeth.

He was abeast, but he was still a man, and she would be wise not to tempt him. Still, she wondered how it would feel to have his rough and calloused hands running over her body, his captivating mouth nipping at her skin.

She shivered and goosebumps sprang up on her arms, reminding her that she was still half soaked and completely naked.

“Something dry, if you please, cottage,” she said, her voice muffled by the towel as she dried her hair. “Doesn’t have to be black.”

She looked out from under the towel and saw a stunning, red dress laid out on the bed. While the material looked appealing, the neckline looked rather low.

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