Part 12 (1/2)
”I think it will,” she said. ”You're unsure?”
”Only because I don't want you to feel forced into anything. I would never do that.”
”Oh, really, Mr. I Like To Tell Bella What To Do?” She smiled and kissed him. ”I'm here of my free will.” ”Good. If you should ever change your mind-”
”I'll be gone before you can argue otherwise. So! After that nap, I'm starving. I don't think a piece of toast is going to cut it.”
”Heloise is making something savory right now. She's my cook and housekeeper.”
”Does she know what you are?”
”Yes, and she's a faerie, so she's cool with that.”
”A faerie?” Bella chirped in an entirely too wondrous tone. ”Does she have wings?”
”No, she's more of the brownie persuasion. You'll meet her. She's great. Been with me for years. If you need anything, just ask Heloise. You don't mind staying in my room? There are other bedrooms, but I'd prefer if you slept with me.”
”Of course you do. You like to be the one in control. The man on top.”
”Is there any other position?” He clasped her wrists before him and squeezed.
”I think you'd like it rough, wouldn't you?”
”Mmm, Bella, you would be pretty tied up.” His eyes glittered with desire.
The suggestion startled her, but only because she didn't react offensively to it. Tied up and at his mercy? Warmth spread up her neck and hardened her nipples. ”I won't rule anything out with you. But let's take things slow, lover.”
”You undo me with your acceptance, sweet. Why are you so accepting?”
”I'm not sure. I just...I said I love you earlier.”
”You made me feel like I'd been given the greatest gift.”
”And I mean it, even if it still feels a little crazy to fall in love so quickly and with a man who isn't even the same species as me.”
”There's a lot you still don't know about me. Things you haven't seen.”
”Like the werewolf?”
”Yes. Your tumble down the rabbit hole has only begun. The full moon is in three days. I'll want to get myself far away from you before then.”
”Why? I want to see you as you are. Is it the wolf? Would you, or he, or whatever you call it, be violent toward me?”
”I don't suspect so. When I am the wolf, I am in canine form, but I, this man, am in there, as well. But I don't ever remember what the werewolf has done after I've s.h.i.+fted.”
”Really? So the werewolf can go out and do something and you wouldn't know?”
She straddled his legs and ran her fingers through his chest hair. ”It's interesting that you talk about this other part of you as another ent.i.ty.”
”I do and I don't. I have a subtle influence over the werewolf. I mean, part of my were mind is present in that form, but it's mostly instinctual. Bella, listen to me.”
Again he gripped her wrists, but gently, and kissed her knuckles.”When the full moon is out, the werewolf comes out, too. You wanted to know what werewolves do if they don't drink blood?
We seek to mate. Unfortunately, there aren't many female wolves to satisfy my werewolf. Let's say the werewolf has been going through a dry spell-an exceedingly long one-and is very frustrated. I sense it lashes out and does other things that I wouldn't be proud of.”
”Like killing?”
”Not humans. Rabbits and such.”
”So...it needs a mate?”
”Yes, and...” Kissing her knuckles, he held them to his lips. ”I've found one.”
”And that means the werewolf...?” Bella swallowed. She didn't want to think what she was thinking.
”Yes. It would expect as much.”
”Ah.”
So if she was Severo's girlfriend, that also made her the werewolf's girlfriend. Which disturbed her on a new level. Because if the were part of Severo enjoyed mating with her, well then, it was likely the werewolf would, too.
”Don't worry. I'll keep it from you. I promise. If I can be away from you the day preceding and following the full moon, we'll have beaten it for the month.”
She nodded, not having words to say anything hopeful or promising. For the month? So that meant this would become a monthly thing.
”Though there are ways to keep the werewolf at bay entirely,” he said, his tone becoming less serious and more playful.
”Such as?”
”s.e.x until I'm sated.”
She delivered him a tight but wicked grin.
”It's true. If I have copious s.e.x on the day preceding the full moon, then the werewolf will be kept at bay. I've never tried it before. It would require a lot, from any woman, to sate me.”
”You don't think I'm up for the challenge?”
”I'm sure you are. But there's always the risk of what would occur if we were not successful.”
The werewolf would come out to play.
Bella could deal with the man. She didn't want to deal with the animal.
”So, what's to eat?” she asked.
He leaned in and nipped her earlobe. ”Besides you? I think Heloise has stew simmering. Let's go check.”