Filthy Beast (Filthy Fairy Tales #1)

by Vanessa Booke

  Declan forgot to mention one of the most important parts about skydiving.

  The view.

  Everywhere I look, there’s blue. The sky somehow seems more expansive than it is from the ground. Below us, specks of green are surrounded by miles of desert that lead to an ant like view of the Las Vegas Strip. After about fifty seconds of free falling, I feel a slight tug from the parachutes release. We fall for another five minutes before we safely hit the ground. My legs almost give out at the sheer amount of adrenaline pumping through me as our feet touch the earth again. When we stop moving, Declan quickly unstraps the harness to separate us and spins me around. Before I can even blink, he’s kissing me. Hard.

  When he comes up for air, he pulls back, looking at me expectantly. “Well?”

  I burst into laughter. I can’t help it. I feel giddy and light-headed and exhilarated.

  When I finally stop laughing, I look up at him. “Can we go again?”

  18

  DECLAN

  Olivia squeals, hugging her body tight against me as I maneuver my Harley at top speed through Red Rock Canyon. Despite how much I love the dress she was wearing earlier, I warned her that it wasn’t the best choice of outfits to wear on our outing today. Now, I can’t stop cursing under my breath. She was covered in a green jumpsuit when we were on the plane, but now... Now she’s wearing a pair of tight blue jeans that leave little to the imagination. Even worse is the sexy tank she put on that dips far enough to give the Pope an erection. I grimace at the thought of anyone but me seeing her in this getup. It’s like torture not being able to see her right now, despite the way her hands seem to be roaming over my stomach.

  My cock aches just thinking about what I want to do to her later.

  If she only knew all the filthy things going on in my mind. I’ll just have to show her.

  Olivia’s arms squeeze even tighter as she digs her nails into my side. I’m taken aback by the sound of a muffled voice screaming against my helmet.

  “Too fast!” she cries.

  Shit. Maybe I’m the only one who gets that Zen feeling from this. I slow down a little, looking for a turn-off. I find a little dirt track and pull off the main road, all too glad that I invested the extra money on new tires. I slow to a stop a few hundred feet from the highway, pulling off into a rest stop. Olivia’s grips is still vise-like around my abs, so I gently pry her hands apart and then climb off my bike, pulling her off and into my arms.

  The frightened look on her face sends a kick to my gut. This was meant to be a fun excursion, and now I’ve ruined it.

  “I’m sorry,” I murmur, pulling her to my chest. She’s shaking slightly, but she quickly shakes it off and shoots me an encouraging smile. She’s tougher than I give her credit for. I sigh as I unsnap her helmet, and her chestnut colored waves come tumbling down. I’m tempted to pull my helmet off and bury my face in her hair, but I stop myself. It’s enough to breathe in her flowery scent. God, I love the way she smells and how soft and silky her chestnut curls feel against my skin.

  “It’s not okay,” I say. “I should have known you were scared.” I was being selfish, though, focusing on my own pleasure. I love this road, taking the hairpin turns at top speed, watching the scenery whiz by, inhaling the clean mountain air. I love the adrenaline rush of feeling like you’re one second away from wiping out. For a long time after the crash, I was too afraid of the world to even walk around the mountains surrounding my house. I was a reckless son of a bitch in what I consider being my former life, and it cost me dearly. But since Olivia’s arrival, little by little, I’ve pushed myself farther, edged out onto the limb a bit more. Taking the bike out this weekend, cruising along my favorite scenic drive was a good way of proving to myself that I can be a daredevil without being stupid.

  Except none of that matters if she isn’t having fun, too. I didn't know when it happened, but Olivia’s happiness has become a priority for me.

  I tilt her chin up to look at me. “Forgive me?” I ask.

  She smiles. “There’s nothing to forgive.”

  She pulls herself up onto her tiptoes to kiss me lightly, but my mind has other ideas. Olivia gasps as I sit back against my Harley and pull her onto my lap. My palms instantly steady her as she straddles my waist.

  “Why do you still have that thing on? And why is it shaped like a skull?” she asks, pulling at my helmet.

  I stop her as her fingers begin to unbuckle it, taking a moment to scan the area around us. The rest stop is vacant for the most part, but there are still a few trucks and family vans trickling in. Olivia’s soft eyes meet mine as she stares at me with an expression of concern. It’s stupid considering we just came back from skydiving, but my helmet provides an extra sense of security from the scrutiny of the outside world, even if it makes me look like a ghoul. As much as I’d like to pretend the damage to my face doesn’t bother me, it does. But at least right now, right here, I don’t care because having Olivia touching me feels pretty damn good. I could get used to this. I can almost forget. The thought sends a tightness into my chest. The last woman I ever let get close to me was Elena, my ex. In the beginning, she was a lot like Olivia. Independent, carefree, and a lover of words.

  She was my muse.

  She was my everything.

  Until she found a new toy and tossed me to the side.

  “Why won’t you take if off? Olivia prods.

  My silence only seems to frustrate her as she tries again to remove the helmet from my face.

  “Stop,” I growl. “Stop touching me.”

  Her face looks stricken as she looks up at me. The words are out of my mouth before I have the chance to even think about what I’m saying. The exhilarating feeling of the motorcycle ride is gone and in its place is the ugly realization that even if somehow I didn’t look like a beast, I’ll never stop acting like one.

  19

  DECLAN

  It’s been twenty-four painstaking hours since our arrival back from our excursion. Twenty-four hours since I last saw Olivia’s tear-stained cheeks and the glowering look Adele gave me when she saw the same hurt expression on her lovely face. Hurting her was never my plan, but neither was all of this. Several weeks ago, I was perfectly content being the beast who was more like a ghost. Except now, the same thought scares the living hell out of me. This beautiful woman has done the worst thing possible to me. She’s made me want more.

  After a long cold shower, I step out of the bathroom with every intention of telling Olivia how sorry I am for being an asshole. I’m just about to step out of the room when I notice my computer screen is on. More specifically the monitor that shows a live stream of each major room in the house. To my surprise, all but one of the camera angles are turned off.

  All but one. The library.

  My eyes fall to the curvy figure laying on the chaise lounge beside the wall of books. The slow movement of her hand tells me she isn’t quite asleep. I step forward toward the screen hoping for another tantalizing look at the beauty that has been haunting my life. A soft, sexy moan stops me in my tracks. The sound reverberates through me leaving me shell-shocked.

  “Yes. Faster.”

  Who the hell is she talking to? My gaze searches the screen, but I spot no one else in the room but her. It isn’t until I hear my name on her lips that I realize what’s she’s doing. It spills from her lips like a seductive melody.

  “Declan, yes, right there.”

  Fuck. Is she?

  Another breathy moan answers my question. My cock throbs at the shallow breaths that rise from her lips. I step closer as if I could just materialize on the other side of the screen and touch her. The startling need to do so pulls at me like a puppet. My breath catches at the immediate view of her legs splayed open and her nightgown hiked up past her stomach. Her fingers are deep inside her. A heat hits me as I watch her toes curl in pleasure.

  I’m frozen in place until the moment she looks over her shoulder and stares into the camera. She knows about the cameras
. I never told her, and somehow she knows. A slow smile spreads across my lips. This filthy princess is going to get the fuck she deserves. Despite the pitch black that surrounds me, it takes me less than a minute to find her.

  Her eyes light up with mischief as she openly stares at my cock from across the room. It isn’t even out yet, and she’s staring at it like it’s the last sip of water in a scorching desert. Gone is the hurt behind her beautiful moon eyes.

  “I’m sorry—”

  “Don’t,” she says. “Just fuck me.”

  She doesn’t have to ask twice.

  I grab her, turning her over on her knees in front of me. She practically purrs as I hike up her nightgown and pull down her panties, revealing a creamy sun-kissed tan on her bottom. I’m starting to think she’s been sunbathing naked when I’m not looking. The thought only makes my cock harder.

  “I want you,” she says, pleading.

  My lips brushing against her right ass cheek as my tongue slips down to like her wet pussy. I can still smell the sunshine on her skin.

  “I promise I’ll make it so good,” I say.

  She turns to look at me over her shoulder. One corner of her mouth tilts up into a smirk. “You always make it good, Declan.”

  I groan as I release my cock from their jean prison. She’s too much for me. Too perfect. I reach over and turn her on her back. I need to see her face when I fuck her. I need to see those big beautiful eyes looking down at me as if I’m all she needs.

  I kiss her deeply, delving into her mouth, licking everything I can reach.

  “Do you still want me?” I ask.

  She bites her lip in a smile, and I have to curl my hands into fists, so I don’t maul her. I take a deep breath, watching her. Slowly, she nods.

  I smile into her mouth as I kiss her again and then lead her over to one of the bookshelves. She looks over her shoulder with a curious expression. It isn’t until placing her hands above her that she realizes what I’m doing. Olivia shivers as I trail my hands across her breasts and press my erection against her opening.

  “Too cold?” I ask.

  She shakes her head. “No. I just need you,” she says.

  I smile. “I know. I’m here. I’ll always be here.”

  She whimpers. “Will you?” she asks.

  Suddenly, the question seems more serious than I realized. I smile as I trail kisses all across her soft belly, licking under her breasts. “Always.” Her hips buck, and I grin. “Are you ready, my filthy girl?”

  “Yes,” she moans.

  Olivia’s sweet pussy feels like heaven as I lift her legs over my hips and slide into her. She groans at the sensation of each delicious thrust. I start slow, silently punishing her for leaving me alone these past twenty-four hours.

  Her hips begin to move with me in a tantalizing rhythm that leaves us both breathless. I reach up to support her arms as they weaken with thrusts. She whimpers as I speed up and lean forward to take her left nipple into my mouth. She throws her head back, crying out my name.

  God, I love this. I love her.

  I love fucking Olivia.

  The realization hits me like a train.

  I love that perfect fit inside her tight, hot pussy. I love the current look of bliss on her face, but that’s not the only thing I love about her. I love her passion for reading, the kindness that she shows to everyone around her and the way she puts those same people before herself. Even if they don’t deserve it. I know I didn’t.

  “Declan,” she pants.

  Olivia digs her nails into my skin and throws back her head against the bookshelf behind her. I love the way our bodies slide together, the smell of us, sweat and soap and just sex. I love how simultaneously dirty and pure it feels, being deep inside her. Like I’m home.

  I groan. “Me too.”

  She drops her hands, gripping my head and kissing me fiercely. A second later, she’s coming around me, and I’m unraveling inside her. My chest aches at the thought of letting her go. When we recover our breath, she kisses me again, but this time, it’s slow and soft. Like we have all the time in the world.

  “I’ve always wanted to have sex in a library,” she says, pulling back.

  I chuckle. “You’ve never done that?”

  She shakes her head, smiling. “No, have you?” She bites her lip, looking sheepish at her own question.

  I lean and kiss just below her ear. “No. As fitting as that is, I’ve never,” I say.

  I feel her smile against my cheek.

  “So let’s do it again.”

  20

  OLIVIA

  Good morning, beautiful.

  Take the day for yourself. Go read a book. Swim. Run. Whatever you want. I’ll be back tonight after I get some words in. - D. Hart

  The note from Declan on my nightstand is enough to send butterflies swarming from my stomach to my chest. I reach up touching my lips, carefully brushing over the swollen skin. I can still taste his sweat on my tongue and the musky flavor of his cologne.

  I lean back against my bed and smile. I feel energized, despite the lack of sleep last night. As Declan said, there's no rest for the wicked. Each time he touched me, it was as if a little piece of me bloomed inside. Before coming here, I spent most of my days tucked away inside my office or inside my apartment. I never did anything crazy or reckless. I never fell in love. I was content. Or so I thought.

  Now, I'm not so sure.

  Now, I can't stop thinking about what it would be like to spend my days with Declan. To help him remember the man he was… is. My chest squeezes at the memory of how he treated me the first time I met him. He's not the beast he thinks he is. I smile. Tonight will be special. Tonight, I'm going to show him just how good this can be.

  * * *

  Declan’s eyes are on me as I descend the stairs wearing the mermaid scoop dress and the nude WARREN heels Adele said he left. When I came back from swimming, I found it waiting for me on my bed. I smile at the memory of Adele's words…you're as lovely as a rose. Tonight, I feel it.

  With each step down Declan's spiraling staircase, my skin grows hot, and the ache between my thighs begins to mirror my excited heart. Despite my satin dress sitting well below my ankle, I feel naked. Unraveled. Vulnerable. And it’s all because of him. His filthy words have me falling head over heels.

  I let myself get drawn into his world, and now I can’t imagine being without him.

  To my surprise, Adele’s waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs. There’s a gleam in her eye as she takes in my appearance.

  “You look...well, dear, if Declan isn’t in love with you yet, he’s going to be,” she says, in a small voice.

  In love? Those words seem too close to a fairy tale to be true. Too close to my heart to even let myself believe them. A blush spreads across my cheeks as my eyes lift toward Declan. Across the dining hall sits a handsome devil wearing a black suit with a dark crimson tie that matches my dress. The room around us is decorated in lace and linen. It seems Adele went all out with the tea candles. A flicker of worry fills me at the flames. I can’t help but wonder if it bothers him. If it does, he shows no indication of it.

  Surprise fills me at the familiar look in his eyes as his gaze sweeps over me, stopping just short of my cleavage. The only word that comes to my mind is hunger. The kind of look that tells me he’s hungry for something more than just food.

  “Hello, princess.”

  The nickname sounds like heaven rolling off his tongue in a husky melody. I’ll be his princess. I’ll be whatever he wants. The question is, does he want me? For longer than tonight?

  “Hello, Mr. Hart,” I tease.

  Declan’s gaze stays glued to me as I round the long dining table. There’s a slight smirk on his lips as he mulls over my greeting.

  “I’m not sure I like you calling me that.”

  “No?” I ask. “Why not?”

  “It’s too formal. You’re not just my editor anymore.”

  If only he knew just how
much I need him to say that.

  “Come, sit,” he says, gesturing toward his lap.

  My eyebrows fly up as he pushes his chair back and waits for me to comply. There’s a wicked gleam in his eyes as he rubs his lap. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he’s already hard just sitting there looking at me. I step forward without hesitation. Like a puppet, he pulls my strings. His hands grab ahold of my waist as he pulls me downward.

  Oh, yes. He’s definitely hard.

  “Declan,” I gasp.

  “Yes, princess?”

  “I— We—”

  Before I can say another word, Louis steps in carrying a large tray of food and Adele trails just behind him with a smaller platter that nearly engulfs her. My neck grows hot as she looks over at me with a small smile. It’s like she knew this is how it would all play out tonight, which could very well be. I’ve mostly been kept in the dark all day. A darkness that until now felt suffocating. Now, I bask in the warmth of Declan’s touch.

  His fingers bring a grape to my lips with purpose. I try to grab it from him, but he pulls it away. It isn’t until I’m letting him hand feed me that Declan’s satisfied. We sit feeding each other dinner piece by piece, savoring the amount of love and attention Louis put into each dish. But my favorite part is dessert. To both Declan and my surprise, Louis baked a giant chocolate cake. I’m surprised Adele didn’t wring his neck considering the strict diet Declan’s supposed to follow.

  Declan watches me as he gently brushes my hair with his long, firm hands. I lean into his touch, savoring it as it envelops me with warmth. I’ve dreamt about this all day. Being here with him. The memories of last night come flooding back into my mind as I watch Declan lean back and take a sip of wine from his glass. His blue eyes seem brighter tonight. More alive. The thought of me putting that there fills me with joy.