Page 45 of Mated to the Monster Under my Bed
He looked at me like I was dessert.
“Did you enjoy your bath?” he rumbled.
I swallowed hard, nodding.
I’m not sure I’ve ever been this clean—or this ready to be dirty again.
I didn’t say it out loud—I was still a bit shy—but I was definitely thinking it.
The towel slipped as I walked toward the bed, damp fabric clinging to the curve of my hips. Shadow lay sprawled across the mattress like something carved from midnight, his enormous form relaxed but alert, golden eyes gleaming softly in the dim light. He held one clawed hand out to me.
“You don’t need that,” he said, his voice low and gentle. “Drop the towel and come give me a hug, little witch.”
A flutter of nerves flitted through my body, but excitement chased close behind. There was no pressure in his tone—just invitation, open and warm. He wanted me. That much was clear.
And I wanted him just as badly.
Taking a deep breath, I let the towel fall to the floor. It landed in a soft heap at my feet, and Shadow’s gaze tracked every inch of bare skin I revealed, slow and hungry, as though he was imprinting the image into his memory.
“Beautiful,” he growled softly, the single word wrapping around me like a warm blanket.
I climbed onto the bed and moved toward him on hands and knees. The mattress dipped under our combined weight, though his was significantly more than mine—he was enormous, wild and powerful, and yet when I slid into the curve of his body, I felt no fear—only the warm comfort of being completely protected.
His arms came around me the moment I settled against him. He pulled me close to his chest, cradling me with a tenderness that made my heart ache. His scent surrounded me—cedar and fur and cinnamon. I buried my face in his chest and breathed it in.
I loved being so close to him while I was completely naked—the sensuous brush of his fur against my bare skin was delicious. The sheath between his legs pressed low against my belly—hot and thick and impossible to ignore. And I didn’t want to ignore it.
My breasts brushed his chest as I shifted, and I gasped softly at the friction. My nipples tightened instantly at the feel of his velvet-soft fur against them. Little shocks of sensation shot straight from my tight peaks to the place between my thighs. God, I was getting so hot again! Just like I had the night before.
Shadow rumbled deep in his chest—a low, pleased sound that vibrated through me as he rubbed his sheath against my belly.
“You feel that?” he asked, his claws dragging slowly down my spine, careful and precise. “You feel how much I want you, little witch?”
“Mm-hmm.” I arched into him, brushing against him again. “I want you to…only I think we should take it slow.” I didn’t want to rush into anything too quickly. No matter how good it felt, I had only remembered him the day before. Also, he was freaking huge not to mention he was a monster. A little caution seemed warranted, no matter how hot and ready I felt.
“Slow is fine. Tell me what you want, little witch,” he rumbled.
There was no teasing in his tone—only that same deep sincerity that made me feel truly seen. He really cared what I wanted.
I didn’t hesitate.
“I want to touch you,” I murmured, running my fingers down his furry chest, tracing the hard ridges of muscle that flexed under my touch. “I want to make you feel good…the way you made me feel good last night.” I looked up at him. “You didn’t ask for anything in return, and you made me come so hard I thought I might fly apart. Now I want to give something back. I want it to be your turn.”
His breath caught—just a little and his golden eyes flared bright.
“I’m all yours,” he said hoarsely. “If you want to take me, Danni, then take me.”
That was all the permission I needed.
I slid down his body, letting my lips trail across the silky fur of his abdomen. His muscles jumped beneath my mouth as I kissed my way lower. His breathing deepened, and I felt the tension growing in him—tight and controlled… but unraveling just for me.
When I reached the thick, furred sheath nestled between his thighs, I paused for only a second. His scent was stronger here—intoxicating and masculine. I pressed a soft kiss to the long, hard ridge, watching in fascination as the broad head of his cock began to emerge—hot and heavy, flushed a deep blue-gold against his darker fur.
He was beautiful…powerful…animalistic.
Mine.
“You’re so big,” I whispered, brushing my lips along the tip as it slid further out of his sheath. “And I want to taste every inch of you.”
