Page 122 of Carnal: The Beast Who Loved Me

“There’s definitely that. But it’s more. And I think you know that. Something between us is special. You feel it, too, don’t you?”

Rosie smiled and said, “Maybe,” with an inflection that meant definitely yes and not maybe.

She steered the conversation in the direction of positive things and moved to end the evening before Carnal drank one too many mugs of ale.

Standing on the Extant’s front porch, Rosie felt like she’d rather take a beating than walk into that house and watch Carnal be hurt by what was waiting inside, but there was no way around it. She knew she could make minor changes in the way things had played out, to insure that Carnal’s last day was as good as possible, but she also knew she couldn’t alter anything of consequence.

Steeling herself, she opened the front door, and headed straight for the kitchen knowing what she’d find there. She stepped into the room and said, “What’s happened?”

Free swallowed. “Someone left this message in a saddlebag today in Farsuitwail.”

“What is it?”

Rosie wasn’t surprised by the raspy growl that came from behind her because she was expecting it. She relived the horror of the discovery, but this time, she made sure she was at the front door before he was. She blocked it with her body.

“Carnal…” she began.

“Get out of the way, Rosie.”

“No, Carnal. Don’t go. Please. I’m begging you. Come upstairs with me to your room. Let me hold you in my arms and tell you stories until your mind sorts things out. Don’t leave.” He looked confused and conflicted. He took in a quick breath, like he’d just remembered to breathe. “Stay. Don’t leave me.”

Carnal looked down at her two hands holding onto his arm.

“I love you,” she whispered. He looked at her with eyes that were clearing. “Stay with me.”

At length he gave a slight nod and followed Rosie upstairs. He sat on the side of the bed and watched with mild attention while she lit the lamp. His interest grew as she stripped and took her time changing into the floor-length shift she usually slept in.

Carnal gave a soft growl when the shift floated down, covering her naked body. They both looked at the window when lightning gave the room a flash of silver brightness. Carnal didn’t flinch at the crack of thunder. With hooded eyes, he stood, pulled the shift up over her head, and tossed it so that it draped over the dresser.

Rosie stood transfixed as Carnal began removing his own clothes slowly. With the exception of those who had been scarred or mutilated, all the Exiled were beautiful. Rosie knew she was looking through the eyes of love, but even if she wasn’t, Carnal was gorgeous enough to leave any woman dumbstruck.

When he was naked, he stood in front of her and rumbled with his rough voice. She wasn’t sure if her nipples had pebbled because of the coolness in the room or the sight of Carnal unclothed.

“Rosie.”

He sounded uncertain. So she walked in to him, snaking her arms up and around his neck, pressing his arousal into her stomach. He picked her up like she was the most precious thing imaginable and walked toward the bed.

When he lay down beside her, she said, “Are you mine, Carnal?”

His voice was deeper than usual, gruff and raspy, but he answered without hesitation. “I’m yours, little demon. And I always will be.”

She reveled in every touch, reaching out with her senses to linger in every sensation and burn it into her memory. She did all possible to make it last, whispering, “Slower. Slower.”

As he moved over her, she fought back tears that stung her eyes and made her throat burn. When Carnal reached up to push her hair back from her face, he felt the wetness on her face and stopped as if he’d been frozen.

“Are you crying?”

“No. Well, I was, but it’s not what you think.”

“Did I hurt you?”

“Just the opposite. You make me feel so good I can’t contain all the emotion. It’s a demon thing,” she lied. “Please. Don’t stop. I love everything you’re doing, just the way you’re doing it.”

When his strokes grew faster and harder, she tightened her muscles around him repeatedly, which made him rumble with masculine satisfaction. He reached between them and massaged her nub, pressing and releasing with the soft part of his thumb until they climaxed together. For a millisecond she considered allowing the warm semen to join with an egg and blossom into conception, but she shoved that impulse away, thinking it wouldn’t be fair that Carnal’s child would never have the chance to know him.

When he collapsed on top of her, she felt loved and almost worshipped. He buried his face in her neck and began nuzzling while also purring. Against her skin, she felt his lips pull into a smile.

“Rosie. Mine,” he rumbled.

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