20. Natalie

20

NATALIE

T he town of Elderberry Falls bustles around me, the wooden bench I’m on worn from many years of use. My fingers rub over the edge of my blouse, twisting it around my finger slightly and letting it unfurl back. A habit from when I was younger, and my secondhand clothes never fit quite right.

I will my hands to still.

My nerves are a wreck, and I let the wondrous blur of creatures and magical people flowing through the square cloud my vision as I wait. My gaze wanders to the path that leads back toward my apartment… and the Hungry Minotaur.

I’m supposed to meet Rian here in a few minutes time, but like with all meetings, I’m early.

His message last night affected me, his sincerity ringing through the pages. My pen pal had opened up to me about how difficult it was to lose his wife. Knowing that it was Rian all along makes my heart ache for him even more.

The deception wasn’t one way, I keep reminding myself. I didn’t want to know who was on the other end, afraid of forming a real connection with someone in this town I’m planning on leaving.

I think it’s only fair that I give Rian this chance. And I need to give him this chance now , since it might be our only one.

Yesterday I let Asper know that I’d like to accept his offer on the shop, which is lucky considering Barnabus sent me news of the corporation ban the council passed last night. The Munchin’ Morsels deal would have been a no-go no matter what.

As soon as my sixty days are up, I’ll be selling. I’ll get enough money from the initial payment on the building, plus my savings, to make the partnership work.

I just don’t want to leave Rian yet. My feelings are growing for him, I can’t deny it. And I’m not sure what to do with that.

“Hi, Natalie.” I look up to see Rian, my breath catching in my throat at his appearance, his light brown fur glowing golden in the sunlight. His dark eyes hold a vulnerability I’ve never seen in them before.

I look away, worried my feelings are written all over my face, and gesture for Rian to sit next to me.

He settles onto the worn wooden bench, the ancient planks creaking under his weight.

I look back up and the bustling sounds of the town square—footsteps clattering on cobblestones, the splashing of the fountain, the distant chatter and laughter—seem to fade into the background as I lose myself in Rian’s gaze.

For a long moment, we simply sit in silence. My stomach flutters with nerves and anticipation.

I take a deep breath, gathering my courage.

“When I found out you were the one writing back to me, I felt so confused,” I begin. “And honestly, mad. I was mad at you, Rian. For not coming forward sooner, and also for trying to manipulate my feelings about the sale.”

He hangs his large head, horns pointed toward the ground. “I’m sure. I deserve your anger. And if you don’t ever want to talk to me again?—”

“I’m not finished,” I say, and he cuts off. “That attraction you mentioned, that you felt right away and were afraid of—I felt it, too. And as I bonded with the person on the other end of those letters, sometimes I fantasized that it was you.”

Rian listens intently, his expression open. I ache to touch him, to feel his soft fur and hard, muscled arms under my fingertips. But I hold back, needing to get this out.

“You’ve seen parts of me I’ve never shown anyone else. And despite everything, despite the secrets and the half-truths between us… I can’t deny that I’m falling for you, Rian.” The words come out in a rush, my heart hammering against my ribs.

There. I said it. It’s out there now, hanging raw and exposed between us.

Rian takes a shuddering breath. When he speaks, his deep, rumbling voice is halting at first. “Natalie, I… I’m so sorry for the way I’ve handled things. For not being fully honest with you from the start.”

He runs a large hand over his beard, seemingly searching for the right words.

“The truth is, I’ve been terrified. Of opening myself up again, of letting myself fall in love after losing Astrid. I didn’t think I was capable of feeling this way about anyone else. But you...” Rian’s eyes lock with mine, earnest and intense. “You’ve turned my world upside down. Being with you, talking to you, falling for you… it thrills me. But it scares the hell out of me too.”

I nod slowly.

Rian’s been just as scared and unsure as I have. Knowing that somehow makes it easier to breathe. To hope.

I reach out tentatively, resting my hand on top of his much larger one.

“I’m scared too,” I confess quietly. “This is all so new to me. But I want to see where this goes. If you’re willing to try.”

Rian turns his hand beneath mine, takes my hand in his. His palm is warm, the fine hair of his knuckles soft against my skin. “I am,” he says, voice rough with sincerity. “I want to try, Natalie. I want to give this a real chance.”

The words settle into my chest, kindling a tiny flame there. I squeeze Rian’s hand, marveling at how right it feels, my slender fingers folded into his grasp.

Rian’s thumb strokes over my knuckles, and the gentle caress sparks something in me, sending a shiver down my spine.

The air between us grows charged with a different kind of tension, and our eyes lock again.

Unable to resist the pull any longer, I lean in, my lips brushing against Rian’s large ones in a tentative kiss. Rian responds instantly, his mouth slanting over mine, his massive hand coming up to cup my cheek. The kiss deepens, our pent-up longing and desire pouring out.

My hands come up to fist in Rian’s shirt, pulling him closer, the heat of his body seeping into mine.

When we finally break apart, I stand, tugging Rian to his feet. He rises quickly, towering over me, and I feel myself flush in anticipation of what’s to come. Hand in hand, we make our way towards my apartment above the shop, our steps quickening with each passing moment.

My heart races as we reach my apartment door, desire and nerves mingling in a heady cocktail. I’ve never been with anyone like Rian before—the sheer size and power of him, the fur, the horns… it’s thrilling and a little intimidating.

What will it be like to have all that strength and masculine energy focused on me?

To be claimed by a minotaur?

As I fumble with my keys, Rian’s presence behind me is a solid, reassuring warmth, his breath ghosting over the nape of my neck. Finally, the door swings open, and we push inside. Rian spins me around to press me against the door, one large hand cupping the back of my head as he claims my mouth, his big tongue rough against my own.

“Natalie,” he murmurs against my lips, his voice a low rumble that I feel all the way to my toes. “Are you sure about this? We don’t have to rush into anything...”

I reach up and pull his head back down to me, silencing him with another kiss, pouring all my longing and certainty into the press of my lips. When I pull back to look into his eyes, I’m nearly undone by the heat and tenderness I find there.

“I’m sure, Rian. I want this. I want you.”

With a groan, Rian scoops me into his arms, carrying me towards the bedroom as if I weigh nothing. My pulse kicks into overdrive, excitement and arousal and just a touch of nerves sizzling through my veins.

Whatever happens next, I know it will be unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Am I ready for this?

Rian lowers me gently onto the bed, the mattress dipping under his considerable weight as he settles beside me. His hands tremble slightly as he reaches for me, his touch reverent as he traces the curve of my cheek, the line of my jaw.

I lean into his caress, marveling at the contrast between his rough, calloused fingertips and the downy softness of his fur.

His hands reach for the hem of my blouse, and he looks up to me for permission. I nod, wordless, and he takes his time undressing me, caressing each newly revealed inch of skin with his eyes and his touch.

When I’m finally bare before him, Rian’s eyes roam over my body with an intensity that steals my breath.

“You’re so beautiful, Natalie,” he rumbles, his voice thick with emotion.

Heat floods my cheeks at his praise, but any shyness evaporates as Rian begins to explore me with his hands and mouth. He licks a trail across my breasts, his lips trailing fire in their wake. A gasp escapes me as his tongue swirls around a pert nipple, and I arch into him, craving more.

Rian is only too happy to oblige. He lavishes attention on my breasts until I’m writhing beneath him, each pull of his lips sending sparks of pleasure straight to my core. When his head dips lower, kissing down my stomach and then nuzzling the sensitive skin of my inner thighs, a needy whimper escapes me.

“Please...” The word is barely a whisper, but Rian hears it all the same. With a gentle nudge, he parts my legs, settling between them like he was always meant to be there. The first touch of his tongue against my slick folds has me seeing stars.

Nothing could have prepared me for the sensation of Rian’s mouth on me. His tongue is huge, inhuman, reaching places I didn’t know a tongue could. He laps and suckles at my most sensitive spots, encouraged by my desperate mewls and the fingers tangled in his hair. Pleasure builds and builds until it finally crests, my body tensing like a bowstring before snapping, Rian’s name tumbling from my lips on a ragged cry.

Afterward, I drift back down to earth wrapped securely in Rian’s arms, my face nestled against the warm breadth of his chest. One of his hands strokes soothingly over my back as we lie tangled together, basking in the intimate cocoon we’ve woven.

My hand is pressed against his chest and I slide it down slowly. “Your turn?” I ask, wanting to make him feel this good too.

But he covers my hand with one of his, pausing it. “Next time. Right now, I just want to enjoy having you in my arms.”

“Are you sure?” I ask, and note something self-conscious written across his face.

Rian smiles, but there's a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. “I'm sure.” He ducks his head, suddenly seeming almost shy. “To be honest, this is all pretty new to me. I haven't... I mean, it's been a long time since I've been with anyone. Since Astrid.”

Understanding dawns. Of course this would be a big step for him, not just physically but emotionally. Rian is putting his trust in me, letting me see him in a way he hasn't let anyone see him in years.

I shift in his arms until I can see his face, reaching up to cup his bearded cheek. “We can take this as slowly as you need,” I assure him softly. “I'm just happy being here with you, like this.”

As Rian’s mouth finds mine in a slow, sweet kiss, I feel something settle into place inside me. For the first time in longer than I can remember, wrapped in the arms of this gentle, passionate minotaur, I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.