Page 111 of Monsters in Love

His lips pulled back, teeth clenched with disgust.

“Oh, Thomas,” she breathed.

“Talos.” His gaze was fierce. “I no longer deserve that name.”

“Talos, then.” Unlocking her arms from his waist, she kept her body against his and once again cupped his face. She willed him to see the truth of her feelings. “I don’t care what your name is or whether you have wings. All that matters is that you’re here.”

“Belle…” He turned away, pulling his head from her grasp. “I’m not the man you loved. I have nothing for you.”

You don’t want me?

Gods above, was it possible to die while breathing?

Insides reeling from his words, she slowly laid her shaking hands on his chest. His heart pounded wildly beneath her touch, the skin tensing beneath every fingertip. She frowned at the muscles dancing across his pecs. Was that the response of a man who no longer wanted her—or one who was desperately trying to save her from herself?

There was only one way to find out.

Lips trembling, she lifted her gaze. “When you gave me your ring, you swore to me I was the only woman you’d ever want. The only soul you’d ever love. Did claws or fangs change that?”

His throat worked.

She held her breath, unsure how she’d hold herself together if he’d found another in these tunnels.

“No.” He sighed. “Nothing will change that.”

“Thank the gods.” She sagged against him with relief.

“Belle,” he rumbled. “I’m no longer a man. You should not touch me…”

But even as he spoke of distance, his fingers were skimming over her hair, tracing the line of her back.

Eyes closed, she curved into his embrace. Strange, how a body could be so foreign, so strange, and yet so perfectly familiar. His chest still broad and strong, able to shield her from any danger. His steady heartbeat what she’d longed to hear every lonely night. He’d always been tall—tall enough she could rest her chin on his chest and gaze up into his eyes. An extra foot or so made no real difference to her, nor did wings or claws.

So what if he was changed or he called himself Talos?

His heart was hers.

And her prayers to the gods had been answered, because that heart had come back to her. She couldn’t imagine what she’d done to deserve such a gift, but she would not shun it. Warm in his arms, wrapped in rainbow light, she couldn’t ask for a better moment.

He nuzzled her hair, the gesture as sweet as it was possessive.

“Thom—I mean, Talos.” She stretched up on her toes to wrap her arms around his neck.

“Belle.” He rested his forehead against hers.

She gazed into his eyes, the same eyes she’d loved since she was in short skirts, and her heart stuttered. Her breasts pressed into the hard line of his muscular chest. Her thighs rested between his. Warmth spread through her, running from her heated cheeks to her toes in a heady wave, and she sucked in a breath as a rush of desire followed.

A year ago, she’d barely been bold enough to acknowledge that desire, let alone fight for it.

But that girl had disappeared when her love had been cast into the pit.

She held his gaze. “I never got to be with Thomas before he was taken from me.”

His eyes widened. “Uh…Belle? Do you need to lie down?”

Well. That reaction wasn’t the best start to this conversation, but she was no faint-hearted lass. “No, I’m perfect where I am.” She twined her fingers through his ruff and brushed the tip of her nose against his. “But if I did decide to lie down, I was thinking—”

“No.” He jerked away from her.

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