She managed a scoff. “Because you’re just so irresistible, I suppose.”
“Because you and I are inevitable.”
Belle stared at him, wanting to be convinced.
“We’re alone. Maybe we’ll die in here, Bella. This could be it for us. Our last chance.”
“That’s a good line, but I’m not ready to have end-of-the-world sex just yet. I’m pretty sure we’ll live to see tomorrow.”
Avenant’s eyes narrowed, quickly switching to a different strategy. “We’ll make a deal, okay? We’ll do it one time.” He held up a finger. “One. We’ll just face this physical pull, while we’re both calm and rational about it. Once it’s over, things will be a lot simpler between us. It’ll be one less point of tension.”
That argument was more persuasive. “One time?”
“And then we won’t ever have to mention all this, again. We’ll know we got the hardest part over with.” He nodded. “It’s really the most logical plan. I think we both see that.” He began shedding his clothes as if it had all been decided. “It’s going to be such a relief, don’t you think?” He shrugged his chest plate aside.
God, she wanted for him. This was nuts, but she wanted him. “Hang on…” She began desperately.
Avenant kept going. “If we escape this maze, I know that you have a happily-ever-after planned with some knight in shining armor. That’s why we have to get this out of our system, now. Even your True Love would want you to do this. I’m sure of it.” His voice was utterly certain. “He’d want you to have everything clear in your head.”
Belle’s eyebrows compressed. “You think so?”
“I know so.” He pulled off his shoes. “So do you have any special preference on where this happens?” He looked around the clearing for a suitable spot.
Belle felt dazed. “No, but…”
He cut her off, again. “Because I have an idea of what I’d like to try.”
She managed to swallow as his shirt hit the ground. This was exactly why Good girls always wanted to date the Baddest guy in school. Because he could talk you into doing just what you desperately wanted to do. “Do we have to be naked?” She asked softly.
The question was tantamount to an agreement and they both knew it.
Avenant’s eyes blazed, lighting up with that amazing, erotic electricity. “Yes. Very, very naked.” His pants came off next and she found herself transfixed by the hard length of him. His body was so beautiful.
All her insecurities rushed in. “It would still work if I stayed mostly dressed.” She got out. “I mean, the point is to just get it over with. We’re scratching an itch. Why do we need to complicate things?”
“Because I’ve waited a long time to see the itch I’m scratching.” Stepping forward, he began unbuttoning her blouse. Apparently, he was in a hurry, now that she was sort of going along with his crazy plan.
“But…” Belle bit back a whimper as he removed her top, his palms brushing over her breasts as he peeled off the fabric. Her insecurities from high school came flooding back. “What if you don’t like what you see?”
He frowned like he didn’t understand. “Why wouldn’t I like it?”
“Because I’m not as pretty as you are, obviously.” She could feel the heat of his hands through her bra and her nipples beaded. Belle had always hated how small her breasts were, but they were incredibly sensitive. Especially around him. This wasn’t going to be like the last time. “I don’t want you making fun of me, again.”
“What are you talking about?”
The more she thought about it, the more determined Belle became. “The bra stays.” She decided firmly. She wasn’t being completely naked in front of a man who’d probably been with two supermodels at a time. “Otherwise, I’m calling this whole thing off.”
Avenant studied her, weighing her resolve. “You can’t be serious.” He decided.
Belle’s lips firmed and she started the pull away.
He capitulated so fast it was almost funny. “Alright.” He said in something close to panic. “Yes. Fine. Keep it on.”
“Really?” Belle was a little shocked it had been that easy. She was instantly suspicious. “Why are you being so accommodating?”
He blew out a breath. “Because, I’m desperate and you’re holding all the cards. Insane or not, we’ll do this however you want. You’re in control.”
“Oh.” Her gaze slipped down to his straining erection and realized he would’ve agreed to anything, at the moment. Her confidence came rushing back. It wasn’t a trick. Avenant wanted her. “Well, okay. I guess we can do this, then.” She unlaced her shoes, toeing them off. “How did you want to…? You know…”
“Come here.” His voice went darker as he extended a hand to her. “I’ll show you.”
Belle debated the wisdom of letting him direct this part. “Alright.” She edged closer to him. Avenant probably knew what he was doing, at least. “Just don’t laugh.”
“I’ll try not to.” He watched her with a hooded gaze.
She cleared her throat, stopping in front of him. “Okay, let’s get this… Oh!”
Avenant grabbed her arm and guided her backwards until she hit the stone wall. He loomed over her, pinning her there…. And she suddenly knew what he wanted.
“Really?” She whispered nervously. “Is it a good idea to complicate this?”
“It’s the best fucking idea I’ve ever had.” His hand unfastened her pants, stripping them off of her. Before Belle could adjust to the idea that she was naked from the waist down, Avenant’s hand brushed against her damp flesh, testing her readiness. Her head went back as he slipped a finger inside of her. God, his touch always felt so damn Good.
“Beautiful.” He murmured.
Avenant adjusted her leg so it was at his hip, giving him total access. Vulnerability hit her and she whimpered. The Beast could do anything to her… and she liked it. Belle automatically looked away from his face, even as her body wept with pleasure at his invasion. She rocked against his palm and she knew she was rapidly losing control of this situation.
“I’m getting all the way inside of you.” He leaned closer to her, his lips grazing her neck. “Just like I told you I would the last time. You’re going to give me everything, Bella.”
See? That didn’t sound like she was in charge, but still her body was screaming for more. For years, she’d been fantasizing about this. About him. She was seventeen again and Avenant had her pinned up against the wall of the gym. Then and now, the man overwhelmed her. What was she doing?
“Avenant? Are you sure about this?”
“Only you would ask me that.” He kissed her throat, even as his fingers slowing explored. “God, I have waited so damn long.” Apparently, he was willing to wait some more, because the man was taking his time. “Just let me touch you.”
She had to get this experiment back on track. Belle’s hand came up to grip his shoulder, her fingers digging into his skin. “We don’t have to make this quite so… leisurely.”
“You in a rush?”
“It feels complicated.” She said desperately. “You’re trying to get what I denied you at prom and this is supposed to be quick. That was the plan.” Why did Avenant always get her so muddled?
“I don’t remember saying I’d be quick.”
“You implied it.” The longer he took, the more mixed-up her emotions became. This would be so much easier if it was just physical. If she didn’t feel so much. “Once it’s over, I won’t be so,” she swallowed, “confused.”
“You’re right. I’ll make it clearer for you.” His finger vanished and then the hard length of him was at her entrance. “Here’s the simple truth, my love: You didn’t deny me at prom.” Avenant smiled. “You just postponed the inevitable.”
Belle gave a long cry of pleasure as he eased into her. It was sooooo sloooow, like he wanted both of them to experience every millimeter of his possession. It felt so right. It felt too right. Panicked, Belle’s gaze flashed to his and she real
ized that he’d been waiting for that.
Electric blue eyes caught hers and held fast. “Luckily, I’m very patient when it comes to my True Love.”
Belle gaped at him. “Wha…? Oh God.”
She instinctively went up on tiptoe to accommodate his final push home, unable to even speak as he filled her to bursting. Then, he just stood there so she could feel him. All of him. So she’d know it was true. Good folk always knew when they had sex with their True Love, but Bad folk knew even sooner than that. Avenant had led her to this point, because he’d already figured out what she was suddenly realizing.
They were True Loves.
Belle squeezed her eyes shut.
Goddamn it, maybe she’d always known that. Who else would her True Love be but Avenant? The very thought of him marrying another woman had made her crazy. No other man had ever fascinated her like this one did. Fate had tied them together, right from the beginning.
It had always been Belle and Avenant.
But that didn’t mean she’d surrender like this. He had totally tricked her into it. He hadn’t planned to make love once and then never mention it again. That had been a lie so he could trigger the bond. This whole time, he’d been setting her up!
“Told ya so.” Avenant whispered. “At prom, I told you what this really was, didn’t I?”
“You son-of-a-bitch. You think you’re going to beat me?”
“I think I just did.” He began moving in unhurried thrusts that left her seeing stars. “It took a while, but I’ve finally claimed my prize.” He smiled, relishing his victory. “You can’t get rid of me and you know it.”
Belle’s body undulated against his, instinctively trying to pull him deeper. She glowered at him, her mind and body on two separate paths. “It’s not going work.” She snapped in irritation, even as her fingernails dug into his back. “You don’t really want me. You just think it’s all a game.”
“Certainly feels like I want you.” Avenant nuzzled her temple. “Feels like you want me, too.” His teeth nipped her ear. “You can’t fight the inevitable, my love. You’re mine.”
Belle hated him. Absolutely hated him. Except… Jesus, he was good at this. Her eyes squeezed shut. “Harder.” She needed it just a little harder. “You might as well finish this before I kill you.”
Avenant chuckled at that. “Christ, how I’ve longed for you.” His pace increased like he just couldn’t help himself.
Oh God. Her mouth parted in wonder as he sped up. That was what she needed to come and he knew it. That powerful penetration right at her core. Her orgasm loomed and it would just make him even smugger. She tried to focus, but it was getting more and more difficult. “Even if I’m your True Love, I’m not ‘yours,’ you know.”
Except, she was.
Goddamn it.
“We’ll see about that.” He lifted her other leg, so it was wrapped around him and he was supporting all of her weight. “Right now, I have what I want. Or at least, I’m getting there fast.” His perfect face was tight with passion. “Can we take the bra off, now? I need to see more of you.”
“No.” She panted. “You’re lucky… I’m not making you… stop altogether.”
“I knew you were going to be bitchy about this.”
Belle gave up arguing for the moment. It was too hard to concentrate. Her thighs tightened on his body, so close now. “Please, Avenant.” The words escaped without her meaning them to. She’d always known it would be like this between them.
“Tell me what you need.” He braced one hand on the wall, somehow achieving an even deeper angle. “You want it harder?” Avenant teased her with one forceful thrust and Belle gasped. He liked that reaction. “I think I was right about you in the courthouse, Bella. I don’t think you’re Good, at all.” He bent his head to whisper in her ear. “I think you like it when I do Bad things to your pretty little body.”
She almost exploded just from his words. “Please.” She moaned, right on the edge.
“I think you like coming for a beast. Don’t you?”
She gave a jerky nod.
“And you’re all hot and ready for it.” He sounded sooooo solicitous, but she knew better. “You’re just aching for that little push.” His eyes glinted. “Ask nicely and maybe I’ll help you out.”
“Bastard.” Her forehead fell to his shoulder. “Give me the climax and then get smirky.”
“Give me a reason.” He sounded strained. “Why should I let you come when you won’t even take all your clothes off?”
“Because…” She tried to think, but it was hard. He was hard and Bad and it felt so right. She gave a languid sigh and forgot what they’d been talking about.
He shifted, hitting a new spot. “Give me a reason, Bella.”
She bit her lower lip and tried not to beg. “So you can laugh at me?”
“I swear to God, I won’t laugh.” He met her eyes. “Please, my love.”
She gave up and just went with the truth. “Because, this is the way I always imagined it should’ve ended on prom night. Except, you weren’t being such a total asshole in my dreams.” She’d deal with the ramifications of that admission later. Right now, it was impossible to care about his gloating. She was so close. “God, I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve imagined this.”
Avenant’s mouth curved. “Feel free to try. I want to hear every twisted idea in your head.”
“I knew you’d laugh.”
“Believe me, I’m not laughing.” He pounded into her, his voice getting desperate. “Christ, it’s my fantasy, too, Belle. That’s why it had to be this way the first time. I’ve spent years jacking-off to that memory and now I get to finish it for real.”
His rough words and the increased friction had her eyes going wide.
“I knew you were my True Love, even back then.” He continued relentlessly. “You’ve always belonged to me. If you hadn’t panicked, I would have had you that night.” Electric eyes burned into her. “But, I have you now and I’m never letting you go.” He slammed into her, harder than ever before. “Never.”
Belle exploded.
She vaguely processed Avenant’s shout of triumph as he found his own release. It sounded like the roar of a beast. Then, all she could do was hold on as waves of pleasure wracked her. She clung to him, shaking and sobbing his name. It was exactly the way it was supposed to be between True Loves. Intense and insane and incredible. How else would it ever feel with Avenant?
When Belle finally recovered, she was still wrapped in his arms. He was cradling her against him and looking more arrogant than he’d ever looked, which was quite a feat considering the size of his ego. She slowly raised her eyes to his, wary of what came next.
…With good reason.
He kissed her cheek. “I win.” He said simply.
Goddamn it.
Chapter Twelve
The Beast didn’t have a true royal palate, because he’s nothing but an animal.
I was the royal baker and Avenant said I was insubordinate, because I refused to only make chocolate desserts.
After he fired me, I sat in the corner for weeks, eating pies to console myself.
I’d eaten two-hundred and sixty of them, when the paramedics found me.
He’s why I contracted plum poisoning.
Testimony of Mr. Jack Horner- The People of the Northlands v. Prince Avenant
His True Love was curled up beside him, safe and warm.
Avenant inhaled deeply, breathing in the scent of her hair. He’d longed for this moment forever. Belle had spent the night cradled in his arms, like they’d been made to fit together. Which they had been. He’d always known that. After so many years of waiting, Belle was finally right where she belonged. And she wasn’t getting away.
Inside, the Beast was satiated, purring contentedly with their prize. It had been screaming at Avenant to claim her for longer than either of them could remember. At last, Belle was securely in its clutches. She didn’t want to be his True Love. S
he’d never love him. She didn’t even like him. But, short of killing him –which, granted, was always a possibility-- there was no way she could undo their connection, now.
He’d won.
So why didn’t it feel like it?
Avenant tightened his hold on Belle, uneasy despite the fact he had what he’d thought he wanted. He’d believed that being True Loves would be enough. He’d tricked her into having sex with him, because, once he was inside of her, she’d know the truth. He’d lied and told her it would only be once. He’d pushed her farther than she’d ever go on her own. He’d completely manipulated her in order to get his own way. It had been cheating, but he didn’t care. It had worked.
Except, it hadn’t.
Belle still hadn’t surrendered. Without that, she could just… leave.
She made a soft sound and he realized he was gripping her too tightly. Avenant eased back, but she was already half awake. Belle shifted in his grasp, her stunning eyes blinking like she had no idea where she was. He could see her sleepy confusion. Then, she looked up at his face and the most amazing thing happened…
Belle forgot she hated him.
For one drowsy moment, she forgot their war and smiled as if seeing him reassured her. “Hi.” Belle murmured, turning towards him. She cuddled into his embrace, drifting off again like she instinctively felt safe with him beside her.
If Avenant had been standing, it would’ve dropped him to his knees.
He was beaten. Christ, he’d been beaten since kindergarten. It was a good thing her eyes were closed, otherwise Belle would’ve seen how far gone he was. How completely and totally at her mercy. Avenant would do whatever she asked, if only she’d stay with him. He’d hand over his kingdom, his heart, his soul… anything.
He had to make her surrender before she figured that out.
Using their bond was the best way to accomplish that, so obviously it was his next move. Avenant’s hand slipped down, easing between her legs. Jesus, she was the softest thing he’d ever felt. Belle opened to his touch, the liquid warmth coating his fingers. She gave a hum of pleasure and Avenant’s mouth curved. He’d gotten through eight months in prison fantasizing about that sound.
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