Beast in Shining Armor (13 page)

Desire
washed over her and her toes curled.

This
was what she’d been waiting for.

“Please,
my love.”  He breathed against her lips and she knew what he wanted.

Belle
gathered her confidence and kissed him back.  It was insane, but she kissed him
back.

Avenant
gave a growl of approval at her hesitant response.  He maneuvered her backwards
so she was trapped between the gym wall and his body, his fingers tangling in
her hair.  The careful work of the stylist was ruined and she didn’t care. 
Belle’s arms wrapped around his neck, lost in the heat of it.

Avenant’s
hands shook with need.  His mouth carefully caressed hers, even as the strength
of his grasp had her flattened against the cinderblocks.  He touched her like
he expected her to slip away and, at the same time, like she was precious to
him.  The combination of power and gentleness was intoxicating.  Belle softened
against him, granting him even deeper access.  He was always so cold, but now
she felt him melting.  Giving.  Avenant’s whole body leaned into her embrace,
his restless cruelty tamed.  He wasn’t trying to ravish.  The Beast of the
Northlands wanted to be tender with her and Belle was completely under his spell.

This
was
who
she’d been waiting for.

When
the kiss finally ended, Avenant seemed as mesmerized as she felt.  “You are the
most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”  His thumb brushed her cheekbone like she
was made of crystal.  “You always have been.”

“And
you’ve always been a liar.”  She glanced away from his intense eyes, feeling
befuddled and not knowing what to say.  “Really, I should look a lot better,
given how much this outfit cost.”

Her
parents hated budgets and had flawless taste when it came to clothing.  Prom
was one of the few occasions when she deferred to their wishes and let them
dress her up as fancily as they wished.  God knew, she had no sense of style.

She’d
wanted to look pretty… but she was suddenly very sure it hadn’t been to impress
her date.  Like so much else in her life, it had all been about Avenant.

Belle
hesitated, trying to make sense of this.

“I
love this dress, even if you did wear it for another guy.”  Avenant’s palm came
up to cup her breast through the yellow silk.  “But, it is definitely
not
what
makes you beautiful, Bella.”

No
one had ever touched her like that before and it felt… amazing.  She’d always
been embarrassed by her breasts.  They were too small, but, when he touched
them, she could feel them swell with desire.  Shocked, her gaze flew back to
his and she saw his mouth curve.

Since
she was never inclined to give Avenant the benefit of the doubt, she didn’t
stop to think he was smiling because of her astonished reaction.  Instead, her
mind instantly went to a dark place.

He
was tricking her.

He
was
laughing
at her.

Of
course
he was.  It was the only thing that made sense.  Why else would
Avenant be there with her, when he could have anyone?  He was out for revenge. 
She’d done everything in her power to make sure he wasn’t elected prom king and
now he was trying to get back at her.  Or it could’ve been because she’d been
named valedictorian over him.  Or because of a thousand other things.  Their
battles were endless and this fake seduction was just a new tactic.

Belle
shoved him away.  “No.”  She shook her head, trying to clear it.  “I’m not
falling for this, you bastard.”

Avenant
seemed surprised.  “Belle…”  He reached out his hand and she swatted it away.

“Don’t.” 
She warned.

“But…”

“Why
are you really up to?  Are you videotaping this or something?”  She looked
around for cameras.

“No!”

“Well,
whatever you’re plotting, it’s not going to work.”

“God
damn
it!”  He looked like he was going to explode, no doubt angry that she was
spoiling his newest plot to humiliate her.  His voice got darker and he didn’t
seem to notice.  “This is real.  You can deny it if you want, but you feel it,
too.  We’re
real
.  That’s what’s scaring you.”

She
began fixing her dress, trying to hide the tremors in her limbs.  “I can’t
believe I almost bought your bullshit.  I can’t
believe
I let you kiss
me against a wall.  The punch bowl really is spiked.”

“Don’t
walk away from me.  Not when we are so
close
.”

“Close
to
what?
  You doing something else to ruin my night?”

“You’re
supposed to be with me!”  He roared.  “It’s supposed to be this way.  Why can’t
you see that?”  He scrapped a hand through his hair, dislodging his stupid
paper crown.  “Why won’t you just surrender?  Do you get off on torturing me? 
Is that it?”

“How
in the hell have you turned yourself into the injured party here?”

“I’ve
been the injured party since we were kids.  You never thought I was Good enough
to be your friend, but we’re
going
to be a lot more than that.  It’s
inevitable.”

“No.”

“
Yes
.” 
He was more worked up than she’d ever seen him, blue eyes glowing with rage.  “
I’m
your True Love!  Not Peter.  Not anyone else. 
Me.
”

Belle’s
mind whirled, her mouth parting in shock.  “What?”

“It’s
true and you know it.  You
have
to know it, Belle.”

“No.” 
She didn’t trust him.  She never had, because he gave her no reason to.  “I
don’t believe you.”

“Take
your clothes off and I’ll prove it to you, then.”  He shot back furiously. 
Good folk always knew their True Love when they had sex.  “Why the hell would I
lie about this?”

“So
you can set me up, obviously!  So, you can get me into bed and then laugh your
ass off when it’s over.”

“You
think I’m thrilled about it?  That I wouldn’t walk out there and find someone
less aggravating if I could?”  He flung a wild gesture towards the prom on the
other side of the bleachers and all the large busted girls who idolized him. 
“You think I can’t have
anyone
I choose?”

Belle’s
temper reached its flashpoint.  “Well, you can’t have
me
.  You could beg
me on your knees, I
still
wouldn’t be yours.”  She shouted.  “You’re
playing some new game to try and screw with me.  Only it won’t work, because I
see right through you.  I see how cold you are inside.  You wouldn’t know your
True Love if you sat on her, because you aren’t capable of feeling anything
real.”

“Oh,
I’m feeling a lot of things, right now.”

Belle
shook her head.  “You can’t win this.  You know that, so just give up the
ploy.”  She met his eyes.  “It will always and forever be
no
, Avenant.”

Avenant
glanced away, his face going tight.  For once, he didn’t have anything snarky
to say.  He knew his scheme had been busted and that she’d won the round.

Feeling
vindicated, even if her body was still aching, Belle marched passed him. 
“You’d better not tell anyone about this either.  It never happened.”

“I’ve
already forgotten it and
you
.  I’m going back to my very limber prom
queen and you can go back to being the third wheel on Jill and Peter’s date.”

As
always, he sounded completely confident in his own superiority.  Untouched and
unaffected by her.  But when she glanced at him over her shoulder, Avenant
wasn’t heading towards the dance floor.  He was alone, leaning against the wall
with his face tilted back and his eyes squeezed shut in defeat.

Like
he was broken.

Rosabella
Aria Ashman
:  As soon as I started
looking into the finances of the kingdom, I knew there was a problem.  I don’t
know why I was even surprised that Avenant was behind it.  He’s always got some
trick up his sleeve.

Look at
him over there plotting.

Defense:
 Ms. Ashman, my client is handcuffed to a chair and
surrounded by armed guards.

Surely
you’re not so paranoid that you think he’s up to something right
now

Rosabella
Aria Ashman:
Of course he’s up to
something!  He’s breathing, isn’t he?

Testimony
of Ms. Rosabella Aria Ashman
- The People of the Northlands v. Prince Avenant

Belle
let out a gasp as Avenant’s lips met hers.  It was unfair that he was so
beautiful.  That he tasted so good.  That he felt so warm.  All the clear and
rational reasons why she should stay away from him faded away when he touched
her.

“Goddamn
it.”  She whimpered as his teeth grazed her lower lip.  “How do you keep doing
this to me?”

“It’s
you who does it to
me
.  You always have.”  He lifted a palm to touch her
cheek and Belle saw his palm was bleeding.

“Are
you alright?”  She caught hold of his hand and turned it to survey the damage. 
“You’re hurt.”  The jagged thorns of the rosebushes had torn long gashes into his
flesh.  He’d cut his skin to ribbons coming to find her.  Belle lifted her eyes
to his.  “You should’ve been more careful.  For all we know these plants are
poisonous.”

“When
you’re out of my sight, all I care about is having you beside me, again.  This?” 
He lifted his wrist and made a rueful face at the scratches.  “This is one of
the
least
crazy things I’ve done to be with you.”  He dipped his head to
find her mouth, again.  “I want you so much it makes me insane.”

Belle
felt herself falling under his spell.  It was always like that when the Beast
showed her his softer side.  When Avenant stopped snarking at her and became
tender, she felt almost spellbound.

And
very, very aroused.

The
kiss got deeper.  More passionate.  Avenant took everything she offered and demanded
more.  His body pressed against hers and she instinctively rocked against his
erection.  Belle’s whole system was screaming for him.  The last time he’d done
this to her was right before he was sent off to jail and the memory of it still
left her waking up panting for him.  It was such a bad idea to let this happen,
again.

Belle
tried to think.  “What about your True Love?”  She asked, coming up for air.

“This
has been brewing between us since that day in the pool.  Longer than that.”  His
breathing was harsh.  “We’re never going to move forward until we deal with it.”

Belle’s
body felt like it was on fire.  “You think we should sleep together?”  She
translated, wanting to make sure they were on the same page.  “Really?”

“This
is our moment.”  His voice was dark and hypnotic.  “Sooner or later, it had to
happen.  We both knew that.”

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 realized 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?”