Page 36 of Stolen By The Beast
It had been a week since I’d woken in Karvik’s arms for the first time. My world had been upended. Yet within a week, he’d set my world right side up again.
Over the last couple of days, he’d shown me a softer side of himself. He’d refused to let me help with the construction of our house, but he’d been pleased when I sat nearby and kept him company.
The beast who’d valued solitude seemed to prefer having my company. I guess I wasn’t the only one who’d had their world flipped on its head recently.
Karvik would spend the day asking me questions, most of which I doubted he even cared about the answers to. When I’d joked that I feared he would get bored hearing me ramble, Karvik had stopped working to give me his full attention.
“You are a light in a world that has been dark for as long as I can remember. Listening to your voice helps keep the darkness at bay.”
I hadn’t known how to respond, so I’d only nodded.
Since we’d arrived at this new location, I’d hoped each night that it would be the night he took the next step in our relationship. But each evening, he’d tucked me against his body and shielded me from the chill of the night until morning.
Every night, except last night.
This morning, I woke up alone.
I studied the clearing, searching for the dark shape of my protector. Had he gone hunting and been injured?
Stop being silly, Juniper. He’s a grown-freaking-monster,I chided myself.
There was little in these woods that could hurt him. I was the fragile one who had a minimal chance of survival without help.
There was a faint rustle behind me and I spun around to face whatever, or whomever, was there.
“Karvik!” I squealed, rushing to close the distance between us and barely managing to keep from throwing myself at him.
I’d worked hard the past couple of days to not seem too eager, for fear I’d scare him away. Waiting was supposed to make things sweeter or something like that, right?
“Happy to see me, little one?” Karvik leaned down, and I held my breath, unsure what he was planning.
He nuzzled my neck, sniffing at my hair and drawing my scent deep into his lungs. Then he did the unexpected. Pulling back, he pressed his mouth to mine in a tentative kiss.
He kissed me!
My gasp of surprise was all the opening Karvik needed to dart the tip of his tongue in my mouth.
His tongue was far rougher than mine, more like that of a cat than a human, but I enjoyed the way it gently scraped against mine.
“Karvik,” I moaned, having so much to say but unable to find the words.
He pulled back. “We must talk before this can continue.”
“Talk?” I tried to clear the haze from my mind. “Now?”
“Yes. I cannot risk losing my control before we discuss things.” Karvik grabbed my hand and led me to the grassy clearing closer to the cliff’s edge. “Come.”
“I’d love tocome, but you’re a taco-blocko,” I mumbled, too low for him to hear.
“What?” Karvik asked, proving that he had incredible hearing.
“I said you’re giving me blue walls.” I bit my lip to keep from laughing at the confusion that practically radiated from the ancient creature.
“I have given you nothing that is blue.” He scratched his antler with his free hand.
Flopping onto the grass, I crossed my ankles and waited for him to join me. “That’s what you think, mister.”
“You are very confusing, little one,” Karvik grumbled, sitting across from me.
