Page 81 of Fairy Tales are Forever

“And I thought being rude was reserved for the hospital staff.”

“It’s not being rude when it comes to your needs.”Reaching down, I pick up Belle so that she’s gently cradled in my arms.

“I can walk.”She tries to wiggle out of my hold, but I shake my head.

“Not today.”Or any day for that matter, but I keep that to myself.

“Why won’t you tell me what happened?”she asks, and I feel her watching me as I carry her up the stairs and through the front doors.

“The doctor said it would come back to you.For now, it’s better to wait.”She didn’t say it exactly like that, but I’m choosing to believe that’s what she implied.

There’s been a fire lit in the library, and tea and cakes set out next to the couch.After I place Belle on the couch, I grab one of the blankets off the back of it and tuck it around her.I spend a few moments fussing with the table so that it’s close enough that she can reach it and then put extra blankets at her feet.Once I’ve put a few more logs on the fire, I realize there’s nothing left for me to do, so I stay crouched in front of it poking the flames.

“Will you sit with me?”

I’m surprised by her question, but I nod before I take a seat on the couch with her and put her feet in my lap.It feels natural, like we’ve done this a thousand times instead of it being the first.The gold of my wedding band catches in the light of the fire, and I’m reminded that this was placed on my finger not so long ago.

My large hands begin to rub her feet, and she makes the smallest sound of pleasure.A rumble of pride spreads through my chest, and I allow myself to enjoy this moment.

“Damien?”The way she says my name makes me want to groan with need.

When I look up from what I’m doing, I see she’s nervous.

“Will you kiss me?”

“What?”This wasn’t the question I thought she was going to ask.

“I-I think it might help?”It comes out like a question, and she flushes with embarrassment.“With my memory.I think kissing my husband would be familiar, right?”

“Right…” I slowly agree even though we’ve never kissed.

“Then will you do it?Will you kiss me?”This time, she says it with a little more confidence.

“Belle.”Her name falls from my mouth like a prayer because she has no idea what she’s asking for.

“Just one kiss.”Her voice is a whisper, but I’d hear her call to me even if I was on the other side of the world.

“Just one,” I echo, and without thinking it through, I brace one hand on the back of the couch and the other on the arm of it behind her.I move over her with my massive body and shield her from everything that isn’t me.“Just one,” I say again, and she nods as she tilts her chin back and her eyelashes flutter closed.

Her lips are full and slightly parted as I bend down and claim her mouth.

ChapterThree

ANNABELLE

When his lips press against mine, a swirl of emotions fills me.Again, my mind flashes to a memory of wearing a white dress as I walk toward Damien.He stares at me like I’ve created all the sweet snowflakes that fall around us, and I don’t notice anyone else but him as I draw closer.

The man I’ve come to know in a few hours can be a jerk, but he wasn’t lying when he said he wasn’t an asshole to me.Deep inside I know that to be true, and for some reason, it’s endearing.

My bossy husband needs me more than anything.I might not remember everything, but those thoughts feel so right in my mind.I’ve given Damien something no one else could, and I’ve tamed the beast.

“Belle,” Damien groans against my mouth, pulling me back to this moment.

My fingers are tangled in his hair, and I’m on his lap, straddling him.I don’t remember us moving at all, but I’m not complaining.There’s something about straddling this massive man that makes me feel powerful.Like I hold all of him in the palm of my hand.

He’smybeast.

Those three words are loud inside my mind as I whimper with need.“Don’t stop,” I beg.

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