Page 134 of Beast and Remedy
Surprise flashes across his eyes, and a sinful smirk appears. He inches closer, his arm molten next to mine. “Well, I’m more than happy to oblige all your wants and needs.”
My breath hitches at his lowered voice, smooth and velvety with promise. I lick my lips, trailing my fingers near his.
His breathing shifts at my touch, and it sends arousal down to my core. I scan him from head to toe, halting at the protruding bulge in his trousers.
I clench my thighs, desire and need building in my core and between my legs. Looking away, I notice my friends and my sister all having similar hushed conversations.
And I hate the restraint I have to keep when all I want to do in this moment—ineverymoment—is get utterly lost in him.
Releasing a long, disappointed sigh, I glance at Beau. “The next time we are away from the others, youbetterfulfill that obligation.”
His eyes darken, furthering my want as he murmurs, “Oh, I’ll do that and more, Rosebud. That and more.”
29
Longing For Normalcy
The roads brighten the closer we trek to Unterkirch’s castle. Scenic greenery is a welcome sight as we pass through Dutril, a light salt in the wind from the nearby harbor.
Even though we all savor a cool breeze in the summer heat, Marian’s exhaustion radiates beside me. And something else.
When I awoke this morning, her eyes flared at how close Beau and I were. And we were…close.
My movements jostled Beau, bewilderment in his features until he, too, saw Marian watching us. During the night, our bodies practically molded to each other, and her catching us so intertwined must have struck her with unease.
Or horror.
Or betrayal.
She then stormed around camp, packing her belongings without so much as acknowledging us further.
Beau and I didn’t even spare a chance to converse, both of us immediately putting distance between the other. It physically hurt to leave his warmth, but given my distress of how she’d take our relationship, I pushed that longing down.
I needed to be careful.Weneeded to be careful.
I hoped traveling beside her for the day rather than our friends would return her to her usual self, even with her reluctant agreement to healing and tea this morning.
Yet, she hasn’t said awordto me.
She even eviscerates Leo’s cheerful demeanor, ignoring him as he approaches.
“Do you think we will receive more of a welcome from them?” Leo flicks his eyes toward Marian, her shoulder-length tresses masking her features.
I ignore his piercing worry. “Queen Verena can be intimidating, but I’d like to believe her letter meant we’d get a better welcome than in Northtry.”
“Don’t blame Stefan for sticking to his kingdom’s customs when visitors are involved,” Marian snaps.
I rear back. “I-I-I-I’m not trying to blame anyone.”
Leo chuckles, distracting my sister. “Vi, that was a poor joke. I thought you’d be wittier than that?”
I play along, appreciating his attempt at diffusing her brimming irritability. “You know me, trying to save my best material for making jabs at you.”
“Sure.” He scoffs and winks at my sister before clicking his tongue and trotting toward Marcel and his brother.
I slow my steed, trying to nudge Marian to do the same. But Marian whirls on me, scorn and fury blazing through her stiffened posture.
“Don’tfuckingtouch me,” she seethes with venom.
