Page 11 of The Rhino's Rose

“Tell me.” It comes out deeper than intended. Not a demand, exactly, but firm. I can’t take care of her if I don’t know what she needs.

“I know it’s literally impossible for anyone from my old life to find me, or breach the boundary even if they did, but this is the first time I’ve been alone in the house. All the normal sounds and shadows are different without Garion there. You probably think that’s another example of me beingsweet little Rose.”

The tone she uses to mimic the term I use makes it clear she doesn’t like it. More important in this moment, though, is that she’s not here with seduction in mind. She’s here for security and comfort. Those are things I can provide without crossing a line.

“I think it’s completely normal to feel uneasy when you’re not accustomed to being alone. And if it’ll help, I can do a walk-through of the house when you go back after your bath.”

“It might help,” she says, then pulls her bottom lip between her teeth. “Until I’m lying in the dark, listening to all the noises.”

Do it, the voice deep inside urges.Your mate needs you.

“I have a guest room. You’re welcome to stay here as many nights as you want.” Just making the offer unlocks some of the tension inside me.

“Really? You—” She cuts herself off with a headshake. “I’m sure I’ll be fine at home.”

Instinct demands I insist, but I push it down. “Whatever makes you comfortable.” I force a generic smile into place, then gesture for her to follow me. “Just have one bathroom here, but it’s spacious and someone your size could float like a starfish in the tub.”

Her soft laugh becomes a gasp when she enters the bathroom. “It’s so big!”

“I need a tub large enough for wallowing during the months when the backyard pool isn’t an option.”

Wrinkles form at the top of her cute nose as she tilts her head. “Wallowing?”

“Much like our wild rhinoceros relatives, my species doesn’t sweat. We rely on hydration and submersion to cool our body temperature. Wallowing is our word for a long, deep soak in moderately cool water.”

“That explains why you spend so much time in your pool.” Again, her cheeks flood with a delicious pink. “Not that I spy on you.”

“Of course not.” The urge to wink is strong, but I don’t want to embarrass her. Especially now that she’s getting comfortable talking to me.

She steps farther into the bathroom, her eyes opening wide when she trails her fingers along the smooth, curved lip of the eight-foot-diameterbathtub, then down the outer side of the freestanding structure. “Is this stone? Did you make this?”

“It is, and I did. The stone is local, each one handpicked from the mountain. Since I couldn’t have a natural pool to wallow in, I decided to bring some of the nature indoors.”

“It’s stunning.” Leaning over the side, she runs her palm along the interior. “So smooth. I’m sure there are seams, but I can’t feel any.”

My chest puffs out at her praise. “There are many, but you won’t find or feel them.”

“It’s really beautiful.”

“I’m happy you like it.” Consciously deciding not to pursue my mate hasn’t removed the innate desire to please her. That motivation will stay with me the rest of my life, even after she finds someone to love. An inevitable future I’m not going to think about tonight. “It will take some time to fill the tub for someone your size—since you won’t displace water the way I do—so let me get it started and then I’ll leave you to enjoy your soak.”

“You mean, mywallow,” she says, smiling up at me as I step closer to start the water.

Thoughts of joining her in the tub, sharing a long, sensual wallow, rush through my mind. Inside my pant leg, my cock strains against its confinement. “Yes,” is all I manage to choke out. Being near her, and this new rapport, makes me feel lighter than I have in my adult life. But it can’t lead to anything more than casual friendship.

After showing her where everything is and telling her to use my home as it were her own, I exit the bathroom and head for the kitchen because the living room is out of the question. Sitting with my cock taped to the inside of my thigh would be uncomfortable, if not impossible. The damn thing is still hard. Still fighting the binding. Releasing it from the wrapping is out of the question while Rose is in the house. She can’t know how she affects me. What I feel for her.

The sound of lapping water isn’t helping my situation. It means she’s now naked in my tub. Soft humming triggers my hearing, and my ears twitch as I automatically hone in on her vocalizations. Listening intently, it’s clearly not melodic humming, it’s the distinctmmmof pleasure, accompanied by shallow breathing and quiet, high-pitched gasps.

Unable to resist, I go into my bedroom, hovering beside the closed secondary door to the bathroom so I can better hear every gasp and moan. But that’s not the worst I do. Hell no. I open my pants and shove them down so I can free my cock. Grabbing a t-shirt from the laundry hamper, I stuff it into my mouth, then lean against the wall and take the first firm stroke up my rock-hard shaft.

What I’m doing is beyond inappropriate. It’s unforgiveable, even if I don’t get caught. I’ll have to leave town. Get as far from Fate’s Falls as possible. Maybe somewhere in the middle of nowhere, to grow old and die alone, because there’s no way the Oracle will wantme in any protected area after I violate Rose’s privacy this way.

I know I should stop, but every second she takes her pleasure in the next room makes my hand stroke faster, harder. As if it has a mind of its own and my brain is no longer in control of my actions. And when she gasps and moans, clearly reaching her climax, mine hits too, sending ropes of thick cum shooting across the bedroom floor.

Everything goes silent and still in the room next door. My heart pounding inside my chest and my muffled, heavy breathing are the only sounds in my ears.

“Cornelius…are you…out there?” Rose’s quiet, tentative question shatters the illusion that my presence—and actions—went unnoticed.

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