Page 6 of Beauty and Her Beasts (Dirty Paranormal Fairytale Haremlan 1)

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GUNNAR

The following morning, I returned home. Allana hadn’t left my thoughts once. She was beautiful, headstrong, and the perfect challenge for King. Problem was, I wanted her. Badly. Even my bear wanted her. There was something about the woman fromFleuve Villethat had me itching for more. From the moment I laid eyes on her round woodsy browns, I wanted to protect her and shield her.

Maybe that was the reason I wanted her so bad. She felt like home and her eyes were like the woods in summer.

And to think, I almost missed the opportunity to meet her.

As much as I tried to stay out of the affairs of others, I had lost control of myself when that man struck her. I felt anger on a whole new level and never had to restrain my animal from killing a man until then. I had never been so drawn to a woman before either.

In speaking with her, I believed she wanted me in much of the same way. Never mind I sucked in her arousal with each breath I took, which made keeping my hands off of her all the more difficult.

I had never met a woman like her before. And she was going to arrive here at the hotel soon. I hoped my plan would still pull King out of his dungeon. If not, I might be looking for a job before the year was out and might lose Allana for good as well.

And Declan? He had doubts about me and my plan. But he would soon see the error of his way. I just hoped I could keep my hands off the girl long enough for King to finally get out of his head and live.

I made my way toward Declan’s small cabin in the woods, which was where he preferred to live, and the Heller’s were happy to accommodate him. That was before my time here. It didn’t surprise me a man like Declan was the land’s keeper. He preferred working on his own and being as far away from people as possible. I often noticed working with plants and creating lavish landscapes satisfied him.

I, myself, didn’t mind people. I loved to cook and cater, and nourish people with my food. Ever since the Heller’s passed away, I had been taking over the management as well, though I was in far over my head. I was much better suited for the kitchen. That was my niche. Just as plants and dirt were Declan’s.

I had little doubts that Declan would show no interest in Allana for those very reasons, which would make things a little easier when the time came for her to meet King. The only hiccup to the plan, that I could see, was my ability to keep myself in check. If I could do that, things would work out fine.

I arrived at Declan’s door and slammed my knuckles on the rough wooden surface. Rustling rummaged around and the sound of a growl emitted from the door.

“Easy, it’s me,” I said. “Put the wolf away.”

“Very hilarious, Gunnar,” Declan said through the door. “What do you want?”

“Open up and I’ll tell you,” I said, staring at the plank of wood forming the door.

“I would rather not,” he said.

“Look, I found her and filled the job,” I said, hoping my words were enough to get him to open the door.

The handle jiggled seconds before being pulled open barely enough to see into. I smirked victoriously as Declan’s icy blues settled on mine.

“Prove it,” he said.

“I will. Later tonight,” I said, puffing out my chest.

Declan snorted. “Then talk to me about her at that time. I’m sleeping.”

I held the door open so he couldn’t close it in my face. “This will work. You’ll see.”

“I hope for all our sakes you are right. Otherwise…” He narrowed his eyes. There was something in the way he studied me that made me feel called out. Then he said, “You like her.”

I was taken aback. “What? Sure. I mean she’s beautiful, and tenacious. But I have no interest in her outside of business and getting King out of the rut he’s in.”

Declan shook his head and banged it on the door jam. “Already, your plan is off to an amazing start. You haven’t stopped thinking about her, have you?”

“What difference would that make? I can keep my hands to myself long enough for King to catch a whiff of the girl and pull himself out of his slump.”

“And then what? Watch them eye fuck each other?” Declan’s words came out sharp.

I hated when he called me out. “No. Of course not.”

Declan leveled his gaze on mine. “You’re a terrible liar, cook.”

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