Chapter 14

Chapter14

Daphne feltthe beast’s gaze on her. Anyone else she might have snapped and told them to look elsewhere or lose their eyes. But with Baptiste, she found a certain measure of satisfaction in knowing he watched.

Someone coyer might have simply assumed he did it to safeguard her meditation, however, the tingling awareness in her body claimed otherwise. Add in his previous smoldering interest and the protectiveness, all signs that indicated he cared for her as more than simply a companion on a quest.

He wants me.

At the same time, she knew he’d never actually do anything about it. He remained too busy flagellating himself.

She, on the other hand, saw no reason to abstain. On the contrary, she found herself thinking of him, wondering what it would be like to take him as a lover.

The man had come to her rescue. A novelty. Daphne had never had anyone save her intentionally before. Usually, Daphne had to be the hero, the one risking her life for others. It felt nice to have someone who cared enough to put themselves in peril for her.

As the sun set, he approached and draped a blanket around her shoulders. The simple and kind gesture drew her gaze to him.

“Hungry?” he asked.

In that moment she realized she was, but not for food.

Daphne had never learned the art of flirting. She didn’t know how to be subtle, hence why she launched herself at his body and mashed her mouth to his. A kiss that lacked finesse and caught him by surprise.

He recovered quickly, his hesitancy lasting only a second before he returned her embrace. His hands drew her against his solid frame. He hummed as he kissed her, a low, growling sound that sent shivers throughout her body.

Being Baptiste, he pulled away. “We shouldn’t.”

“Why not?” she complained.

“Because.”

The one word arched her brow. “That’s not a reason.”

His lips flattened. “Because I’m not worthy.”

At that reply, she snorted. “According to you.”

“How about because a day ago you barely tolerated me.”

“If I didn’t tolerate you, I would have never asked you to come with me on my quest.”

“Is this your way of saying you like me?”

“Do you think I’d be kissing you if I didn’t?” She arched a brow. Then because he didn’t look convinced, she added, “I like how you look.” Rugged and strong. “I like how you feel.” She stroked a hand down the front of his solid chest. “I like how you are brave and didn’t abandon me even if it would have been simpler.”

He frowned. “I wasn’t about to let you come to harm if I could prevent it.”

“And for that alone, you are worthy,” she murmured, drawing close for a soft, tender kiss.

When she tugged at his shirt, he murmured, “Shall we go inside for some privacy?”

“No. I like it out here.” At one with nature.

His lips quirked. “Good thing the next cabin over is empty then or we might have management coming over to complain.”

“Complain about people doing what is natural?”

“Natural for you and me, but the humans tend to be more prudish about public displays of affection.”

Her lips quirked. “Then they should look away.”

At her response, he chuckled. “You really are unique.”

“And impatient. Take off your shirt,” she demanded.

“As you command.” He stripped the garment, leaving his chest bare for her to skim her hands over. She touched him, reveling in the texture of his flesh, teasing the hair on his chest that arrowed down to the waist of his pants. She slid the top button from its loop.

“Not so quick.” He put his hands on hers.

“Why?”

“Maybe we should take things slow.”

“I don’t have the patience for that.” To prove her point, she removed her own shirt, leaving her bare as she wore no brassiere. She’d refused when Nelly showed her the confining contraption.

His eyes glowed as he beheld her bared breasts. “Like perfect peaches,” he murmured.

She shifted from her meditative pose to kneel on the picnic table, the only way to properly kiss him given their height difference. She laced her arms around his neck as she pressed her nipples to his chest, enjoying the friction that puckered them.

It had been a long time since she’d desired, but despite that she recognized there was something electric about his touch. Something meltingly pleasurable in his kiss.

His hands cupped her buttocks, squeezing and pulling her against him, his confined erection still very much noticeable against her lower belly even with their trousers in the way. The fabric impeded her need to be close to him. Skin to skin.

She stood suddenly so that she might tug at her pants, pulling them down over her legs, baring herself to him. Before she could kneel again, he nuzzled her mound. Heat shot through her. A weakness of limbs too. She clutched his hair to steady herself as her legs threatened to buckle.

But she didn’t fall. He held her effortlessly and did nothing more than rest his face against her pubes. She wanted more than cuddles though.

She gripped his head and pushed it to where she wanted it. Between her legs.

He growled. “Let’s get you in a better position if I’m going to feast.”

By that he meant lying her down on the table, her legs spread and him bent over between them.

He blew hotly on her, his breath making her shiver and gasp. The first lick had her arching and digging her fingers into the wood. He tasted her, his tongue spreading her nether lips to taste her nectar. His lips slid and teased, gripping her clitoris, making her pant and keen as pleasure flowed through her, awakening desires long dormant. Like a tree after a long winter, she came to life, her juices flowing and being tapped by the man determined to make her orgasm.

He flicked his tongue fast against her, making her whimper as her body tightened. When her climax hit, her whole body bowed, rising in an arch as a wave of bliss took her and kept rocking her.

When it subsided, she remained tingly, aware of everything, and not ready to stop. She sat up on the table and reached for him, kissing the lips sticky with her sap. Her hands tugged at his pants to release his erection, hard and thick, a bough that wouldn’t break.

Her legs went around his hips as she guided, pulling him into her still-quivering channel, locking him into place. She sucked on his lower lip as he groaned. His fingers dug into her buttocks while his whole body trembled.

She wiggled until she was off the table and supported by him, an angle that pushed him deeper. Holding her, he bounced her up and down, the short slams jolting a pleasurable spot inside that soon had her panting and her body tightening again.

Faster.

Deeper.

Harder.

Their breathing emerged raggedly as they found a rhythm that had her coiling before climaxing again. Her orgasm squeezed him tight and drew a harsh cry from him as he spilled his seed hotly inside her.

He rested his forehead against hers as their bodies calmed and cooled, the night air wicking the sweat.

“Wow,” he finally rumbled.

“That was better than expected,” she agreed.

He shook his head and his reply held amusement. “Glad to know I didn’t disappoint.”

She doubted he ever would. There was something about him that drew her like no other.

“About that food you were mentioning…” she said rather than spew something completely sappy and unlike her.

“Does my psycho need sustenance?”

“She does if we’re going to be doing that again before bed.”

He stilled before tilting her chin for a kiss. “In that case, I’d better go grab us some food and whipped cream for dessert.” A comment she didn’t understand until he licked it from her body later that night.

A body that came so hard, she thought she’d died of pleasure.

As they snuggled in bed afterwards, he held her close to him, the steady thud of his heartbeat soothing.

When she woke before him, she found herself still desirous, and it took but a few strokes of her hands on his flesh before he pulled her atop him, and she rode him to a glorious sunrise.

While she lay sated and her muscles lazy, he dressed, giving her a soft smile as he said, “There’s a breakfast place across the road from the main rental office. I’ll go grab us something to fill our bellies. Try to not get in any trouble or kill anyone while I’m gone.”

Her lips curved. “Worried I’ll have fun without you?”

At that, he laughed. “Yes. I won’t be gone long.”

Only he didn’t return and as she dressed, she suddenly paused as a wave of emotion hit her. Anger. Not hers, but the beast’s. Then worry. Not for himself, but her.

Perturbed, she went to stand outside, wondering if she should seek him out when the Mother whispered, It’s too late. He’s been taken.

And Daphne would wager she knew by whom.