Page 57 of Carnal: The Beast Who Loved Me

She walked across the room and pulled the shutters closed, acting like the shiver was the result of cool night air. “If you mean that the way I think, I hear it doesn’t take much to interest you.”

“What have you heard?”

She turned to see him prowling toward her with a grace that reminded her of the way big cats move when they’re not in a hurry. He stopped just short of touching. She thought he seemed even bigger when he was standing so close and looking down at her with that intensity that she’d come to think of as purely Carnal.

“I heard you’d been screwing around in the city.”

He chuckled . “So, Rosie, who’s just a girl who cleans up and serves drinks, I like you.”

“I like you, too, Carnal. So I guess we’re done here?”

She started to step around him, but he pulled her back and held her in place, his hands on her waist. That was the first time she heard it, the low rumbling vibration.

“What is that?” She looked around, trying to locate the source of the sound. Her eyes snapped wide open as they jerked up to his face. “Are you…? Are you purring?”

He smiled slowly. “I can’t control it. I know you think it’s an obnoxious noise, but…”

“I didn’t say I think it’s obnoxious.”

“Yes. You did. About Catty Kay.”

“The cat is a monster. Everything she does is obnoxious.” Rosie moved closer, pulled in by the sound. “It’s different coming from you.”

His smile broadened. “I’m glad you don’t think I’m a monster. Does that mean you don’t hate it?”

“I don’t…”

Whatever Rosie was going to say was swallowed by his kiss. It started slowly, tentatively, but within seconds she was swept up in the moment and pressing her body into his. When he broke away to nuzzle her neck and collar bone, the purring grew so loud it reverberated through her entire body. Apparently either the witch or demon in her liked it. A lot.

She’d thrown her head back and was struggling to breathe when there was a loud knock on the door.

“Ignore it,” Carnal ordered.

What she ignored was Carnal’s order. She pushed away from him, strode toward the door, and opened it wide.

Looking from Rosie’s flushed face to Carnal’s irritated glare, Charming sized up the scene in a flash.

“Oh,” he said. “Sorry. They started the bonfire. I thought you’d like to come down. For an ale?”

“Thanks, Charming. I’ll be down in just a minute.”

He nodded, but it was clear that he was disappointed about finding her with Carnal. He stepped toward Rosie. Speaking softly he said, “Hope you know what you’re doing.”

“Figuring it out one day at a time. Like everybody else.”

Charming glanced at Carnal, not attempting to disguise his concern, then turned away.

Carnal had come up behind her. When he reached out to close the door, Rosie put her hand up and stopped its progress. “I’m going to the bonfire. Want to come?”

“Had something else in mind.”

“Maybe you can be flexible.”

“Maybe. We’re not done talking.”

Rosie looked up, her hand still holding the door open. “What else do you want to know?”

He reached up and traced her jawline with his thumb. “How long are you staying?”

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