Page 44 of The Botanist and the Beast

"I want to eat you!" Sebastain blurted out.

A long silence hung between them as Theo absorbed the words and stepped back. "You want to eat me?"

"Yes," Sebastian said, gripping the desk harder now. "I thought it was because you were human but I didn't feel hunger towards Adora. The more I grow to care for you, the deeper the hunger gets. Every time I feel attraction towards you, I salivate. I want to taste you, literally and figuratively. I want to see you cry out as I have you and as I feast on you. I've fantasized about getting to hunt you down like prey, but I don't know how I would devour you once I caught you." He looked down in shame. "I enjoyed our kiss, but the urge to consume your flesh grew every passing second. I lost control and I bit you, and I'll probably do it again. That's why we can't work."

Theo thought this over and then took Sebastian's hand, lacing their fingers together. "And what if your hunger doesn't dissuade me?"

"Why wouldn't it?" Sebastian blinked a few times. "Did you not hear what I said? You should be afraid of me."

"I'm terrified, and I probably will be for a while," Theo admitted with a laugh. "But I still want you. Besides, you've held off eating me so far on your own. So together we can figure something out, right?"

"You don't know what you're saying. You still don't understand."

"I'm saying I like you and I understand fine. You want to hunt me down like prey but once you catch me you don't know if you want to fuck me or eat me. Did I miss something?"

"Did you have to say it that way?"

"Apologies, my dear prince," he teased. "We want each other. Let's give this a chance. Admittedly, your appetite for me is an obstacle, but I want to try and overcome it with you."

"Theo..."

"Don't make me beg on my knees. I'll do it if I must." He lifted their hands to his lips and kissed Sebastian's knuckles. "Say you want me."

Sebastian's antlers and eyes shined a peach blossom pink as he mumbled, "I want you."

"Now, can I kiss you?"

Sebastian hesitated but snaked his arms around Theo and kissed him.

It was rough and wanting. Theo was sure if he wasn't firmly held he would've crumbled to his knees. He let his fingers tangle into that iridescent hair and drank every ounce of him in.

Pressed this close, he could feel Sebastian getting harder against him. Roughly Sebastian lifted Theo, turned, and set him on the desk all the while still kissing him. He smiled, enjoying the slight manhandling. Just as he was about to ask for more, Sebastian broke the kiss and rested his forehead on his with closed eyes.

"We need to stop."

"Talk to me," Theo said gently. "I won't judge."

Sebastian met his eyes, and his hunger was apparent in that gaze. "I want to bite you," he rasped, running hands up his sides. "Here." He slowly slid his soft hands to Theo's chest. "And here." His touch moved to Theo's neck. "And here. I want to taste your skin and everything under it.”

Theo shivered under his touch but the predatory gaze held him in place. "If we have to stop for tonight, I understand, but I want to keep going. Any precautions we can take?”

"Well, I have an idea, but I don't know how effective it'll be," Sebastian said, licking a fang as he looked down Theo's body.

Theo laughed and lifted his chin with a finger. "Focus. Let's try it. Get what you need, and I'll wait here."

Sebastian left the room for a moment then returned with a chain. He looped it around his neck. "We can lock this on and ifI try to bite you, you can pull me off.” He handed Theo a padlock and key. "You can hold the key, too. Would that be enough to make you feel safe?"

"I think so." Theo clicked the padlock into place forming a leash and collar. He saw the way Sebastian swallowed and smirked. "I knew you liked being tied up, but I had no idea how much."

"Don't tease me." He groaned. “This is already a bit embarrassing.”

"Alright, alright, no more teasing." He lay back and yanked the leash, making Sebastian stumble forward slightly, his hands landing on Theo's chest. "This is fun. Now, hurry up and undress me."

Theo jumped as his shirt was roughly ripped open. Sebastian ran his claws lightly down his bare abdomen. The light scratches sent a shiver down his spine. "Are you finally going to admit you find me nice to look at?"

"I might." He leaned in and kissed Theo’s cheek.

In a flash, Theo was stripped completely bare. His pants and underwear left tattered on the floor in ribbons. Naked, he looked up at Sebastian who was standing between his open legs still dressed. Sensing his hesitance, he took Sebastain’s hand and brought it down to his lower abs. "You can touch me. Don't be shy now after you ruined my clothes."

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