Beauty in Autumn Page 5

  "Then I shall keep going endlessly," he murmurs. "Until the end of time."

  His words make my breath catch. I wish I could kiss him, but I know I can't. Instead, I lean forward until my forehead meets his chest, and I wrap my arms around him in a hug. I don't care if this might be our last night together. It's going to be magical. I'm going to live more in the next few hours than I ever have. I'm going to take in everything.

  My hands slide down his back and I caress his buttocks. They're hard and firm, a pair of spectacular tight globes that make me feel all restless and hungry at the thought of my hands moving over them. I don't care if he thinks he's a beast - he's the most perfect thing in the world to touch. "You're magnificent," I tell him. "Touching you is almost as enjoyable as touching myself."

  "Almost?" he replies, a wry note in his voice.

  "Almost," I tease back. "But I haven't gotten to the good parts yet." I slide my hands forward, dragging over his hips until I move to the front of him. I let my fingers glide over his skin until I find what I'm looking for - short, wiry curls that let me know that I've found his cock. I touch them gently, and then begin to explore his length with little, light touches of my fingers. He's thick at the base, his skin as smooth as I remember from last night, and the length of him seems to be endless. Perhaps as long as my forearm, but it's hard to tell without seeing him to compare. He's thick, so big that I can't encircle him and have my fingertips touch. Most fascinating is the feel of him, though. He's like soft skin over heated steel. It's fascinating and I could touch him for hours on end. I trace my fingertips up to the thick head of his cock and discover more wetness there. "What would happen if I put my mouth on you?"

  The groan he gives me is soft, broken with need. "You would push me to the edge of my limit."

  "Would I?" the thought's an intriguing one. "So...you don't want me to do it?"

  He gives another groan. "I...would not stop you."

  Oooh. That tells me he wants me to do it as badly as I want to touch him. I slide off the edge of the bed, holding onto his hips as I move to my knees on the floor. His cock pushes against my face and I draw back, putting a hand on him so I can guide him to my mouth. I feel a tremor rack through him and it makes me shiver with my own need. To have such power over someone with such a small touch. It's thrilling.

  I guide him to my mouth and lick the head of him. I taste salty droplets, and the musky scent of his skin. It's exciting and I catch myself moaning as I explore him with my lips.

  His hand steals to my hair and I freeze momentarily, thinking he's going to reach for my blindfold. But he only grips a handful of my hair, anchoring me in his grip. "You have such a sweet mouth, Willow."

  I squirm at his compliment, aroused at the mental image of his cock resting against my tongue. I flick him with my tongue and then drag it up and down his length, trying to discover which touches he likes the best, which ones make the hand in my hair tighten, which ones make him groan with need. When the breath hisses out from his throat, I can't help myself; I slide a hand under my nightgown and between my thighs, touching myself even as I run my tongue over him.

  Ruari groans. "Are you stroking yourself as you pleasure me, my Willow?"

  I don't respond - instead, I take him deeper into my mouth, sucking on his hard length. I'm lost to the taste of him, the feel of his hard, erect length spearing my throat, the hand in my hair. I'm not surprised to find that my pussy's slippery wet, and that rubbing my clit just makes me squirm harder. I'm so turned on right now that I could come, just from this. Ruari's hand tightens in my hair and I whimper with desire.

  "Too close," he growls out. A moment later, he steps away and the hand is gone from my curls, his cock gone from my mouth. I make a sound of protest - I want more. "To your feet," he commands me.

  I shiver at the firm, authoritative note in his voice and do as he commands. I rise to my feet, standing, and reach out for him. But his hands go to the neck of my nightgown, and then he undoes the ties there, sliding the material off my body until it pools at my feet.

  "Look at how lovely you are," he murmurs. His big hand cups me between my thighs and his fingers stroke my clit. I cry out sharply, nearly falling backward with how good that feels.

  But then he's pushing me back against the bed, spreading my thighs apart, and I do as he commands. I feel a sweep of his hair against my legs, and then his hand is on my inner thigh. It's the only warning I get before his mouth is on my pussy, his tongue slicking through my wet folds. I cry out again, my hands going to his hair as he makes a hungry sound, licking me hard before focusing on my clit.

  "I'm...oh gods, I'm going to come, Ruari. It's too much!" I arch against him, unable to stop whimpering. I can't see what he's doing, but his mouth on my sensitive skin is an onslaught of pleasure, and I'm so sensitive that it's going to make me shatter within moments.

  He doesn't lift his head, though. He only growls low - and I feel it all through my body - and continues to lap at my clit. Something hard pushes at my core and then he sinks a finger inside me.

  My body feels like it snaps. My muscles lock and I give a sharp little cry as I reach my peak, intense pleasure washing through me. I can feel the wetness of my release on my thighs, and still Ruari doesn't lift his mouth. He licks me over and over, until I'm coming hard and fast a second time, and stars burst behind my eyes as satisfaction washes over me once more.

  When he finally lifts his head, I let out a low moan. He pauses, his hand sliding out from between my thighs. "Willow...there's blood here. You're a virgin?"

  I nod. "Is that...bad?"

  He falls over me, his weight heavy and pleasing all at once. I feel him press his mouth to my neck, and his hands are tight on my body as he holds me close. "I am humbled you would give such a gift to me."

  "I'd give everything to you, Ruari."

  "Everything but your sight?"

  I sigh softly. "Everything but that, yes."

  He presses a kiss to my throat again. "Then I shall take what I can get."

  I put my arms around him as he shifts his weight over me, adjusting. He's big and heavy, but I like the feel of him. When he touches my leg and places it against his hip, I take the hint and spread my legs wide for him. Immediately, he rests his cock against my pussy, and I suck in a breath at the sensation.

  "Are you...are you sure you wish to go forward?"

  I nod at him. "I want you."

  Something hard shifts against the entrance to my core. I wriggle a little, the sensation an odd one. A moment later, the hard length pushes into me, and I suck in a breath. It's...not quite as lovely as I'd expected. He feels far too big, far too tight a fit, and I try to hold still, biting my lip so I don't cry out at the uncomfortable sensation.

  "You're so tight, Willow," he breathes over me, his face so close to mine. Again, the urge to kiss him moves over me and I wish I could. But I won't betray his trust. I touch his face, loving the intimacy of the act even if it hurts.

  "Does it feel good?" I ask him.

  "Better than anything." He presses his face into my neck again and then I feel his hips move. He thrusts hard into me, and I inhale sharply. That...that wasn't all pain. He moves again, and the discomfort eases, bringing with it a strange sort of pleasure as he begins a slow, steady rhythm inside me. Oh. I wasn't expecting this. And as his movements grow faster, his thrusts harder, I'm surprised when I begin to feel the prickle of need once more, this time deep in my belly.

  He shifts his hips and pushes into me again and I gasp, because this time, it feels vastly different. It's like he's pushing against something new inside my body, and it makes my legs jerk in response. The delicious feeling is growing deeper, and my nails dig into his skin. "Ruari," I whisper, the urgent feeling rising. "I...I think..."

  "I know," he growls against me. "Can feel you...your cunt's so tight around me..." He rocks into me again, hard, and I gasp once more. "Need you to come again for me, Willow. Won't come without you."

  "Keep moving,"
I tell him, lifting my hips restlessly against his when he surges into me again. "Oh my gods, yes, again!"

  As if frenzied, he snarls and pumps into me with relentless ferocity. His hand grips my hip, anchoring my body against him and there's nothing but endless pleasure as I push up to meet his every thrust. I'm lost to the sensations, lost to everything but the feel of Ruari on me, Ruari in me. Ruari panting my name between slaps of our bodies.

  Ruari. My Ruari.

  Then it happens - this time, the orgasm seems to come from somewhere deep inside my body, and I give a little sob as everything in me clenches tight with my release. I can't breathe it's so intense, and Ruari's growl of fierce pleasure just makes it that much more delicious. His thrusts take on a wildness, and then before I know it, he's shouting my name and collapsing on top of me.

  I lay underneath him, stunned by what just happened. I'm so, so wet between my thighs.

  I've let him come inside me. I've completely forgotten Leta's warning. I bite my lip, worried. She said it wouldn't affect the curse, though, so I decide to say nothing. The damage is done. I hold tight to my Ruari and snuggle close to his sweaty body, utterly content.

  6

  WILLOW

  We make love over and over, until we're both exhausted and our bodies are sticky with sweat. At some point, I fall asleep in his arms, his large body spooning mine as he holds me tightly against him.

  When I wake up the next morning, it's to sunlight spilling into the room. I'm facing the window of an old fashioned, ornate chamber with a mural on the ceiling. Everything looks gray and faded, as if time has taken its toll. Sunlight pours in and outside, I can see the bright red and orange leaves of the trees in the distance.

  Light...trees?

  I touch my face. There's no blindfold.

  "Oh no," I breathe, horrified. Have I already looked at too much? Have I ruined things?

  Behind me, Ruari kisses my shoulder. "You said you could be rid of it on the morning of the third day. I took it off while you were sleeping. I wanted to see your face, my love."

  Oh no. Please, please no. A sob builds in my throat and I squeeze my eyes shut. I can't. I can't come so close only to lose everything. "Oh, Ruari."

  "Look at me, my Willow," he says softly. "Don't you want to see me?"

  Hot tears spill down my cheeks and I swipe them away. I'm so terrified of what i'm going to see, but he's right. I do want to see him, if only one last time before I get turned into one of the enchanted roses. I want to look at my Ruari.

  I roll over slowly, still keeping my eyes tightly shut. I turn in the bed until I'm facing him, and then slowly open my eyes.

  The man before me is...beautiful. Bright red hair, warm brown eyes, and a strong nose with just a hint of a bump on it. His mouth is just as full and lovely as I thought it would be and his body looks as sculpted as a statue. He's gorgeous, right down to the spatter of freckles on his face and chest.

  "Am I as horrible as you imagined?" He looks grave. "You are silent."

  A choked laugh escapes me and I fling my arms around him. "You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

  "I...am?"

  "The curse. It's broken! See for yourself!" I can't stop laughing with pleasure, not even when he scrambles out of the bed, naked, to the mirror on the far side of the room.

  He touches his face with wonder, staring at the mirror. and then turns to look at me with an expression of pure joy. "You've done it, Willow! You've broken the curse!" He rushes to the window, then points below. "Look! Come see for yourself!"

  "I can see plenty," I tell him, gazing firmly at the freckled bottom of my rather sexy lover. I'm almost disappointed I didn't see his beast form. Almost...except the un-enchanted Ruari is so handsome that I don't mind in the slightest. I'll let my imagination fill in the blanks. I move to his side and there below, the flowered hedges are slowly transforming into...women. Girls of every hair color, every dress, some in old-fashioned frocks with strange braids, and one I recognize from a Harvest festival a few years ago. They've all been freed.

  "You did it," Ruari tells me, an incredulous smile on his face. He pulls me against him, cups my face, and brings my mouth to his in the sweetest of kisses.

  It was worth the wait, I think, as I twine my arms around him. Because this kiss - like my Ruari himself - is just plain magical.

  Epilogue

  Eleven Months Later

  WILLOW

  ”You have a visitor at the royal nursery," a guardsman tells me as I gently rock my son against my breast.

  I glance over at him, a curious look on my face. "Who?"

  "She says her name is Leta. Shall I send her away?"

  "No, let her in." I swaddle my little Connall tighter in the blankets and wait. It's been months since Leta was seen in the village. She disappeared the same morning that all the enchanted girls swarmed out of the forest and descended upon Windybrook. Not long after, the minister ceded the throne back to my Ruari, and he's ruled as king ever since. The kingdom is still struggling, but things are getting better day by day under my love's firm hand.

  We married a scant month after the curse was broken, and our son was born eight months later, on the nose. Windybrook prospers at the edge of the forest, woodcutters and hunters move through its paths regularly, and my parents have apartments in the castle befitting the family of the queen. Life has been magical, and I'm happier than I've ever been. Truth be told, I'd be happy to be in a hut somewhere with Ruari, but rich and powerful is also good.

  A woman sweeps in, dressed in opulent skirts that rival my own and a jeweled headdress. It looks like Leta, but she's radiantly beautiful, her hair a pale gold. Her eyes are a riveting green and she looks...otherwordly. Like a fairy princess. I stare at her in surprise, clutching Connall tightly to my chest.

  "Come," Leta says in a musical voice. "Did you think Ruari was the only one affected by the curse?" Her smile is impish.

  "Who are you?" I ask. "Truly?"

  "Someone who has been freed, just like all the others." She gives me an enigmatic smile and moves toward me, extending her hands. "That's all that I will tell you for now. Come, let me see the child."

  I stand and offer her my small, sweet son, wondering what she'll think of him.

  She takes him and pulls the blankets away, holding him toward the window. Even without the sunlight, it's obvious to see that my son has a pair of tiny horns on his forehead. His round eyes are an otherworldly yellow shade, but he otherwise looks like any other baby. Leta examines him, and then glances back at me. "You let him come inside you."

  I blush. "We ah, were caught up in the moment."

  "Clearly." Leta shrugs and hands him back. "I foresaw this happening, though he's much cuter than he was in my visions. I suppose it was bound to happen, given your impulsive nature. It's served you well in the past, though I've come to offer you a second warning."

  I clutch my son tightly, terrified. My heart starts to race. "Another warning? Is there another curse?"

  "What? No, nothing like that." She wags a finger at me. "The same warning, I'm afraid. Don't let him come inside you the next time you go to bed with your husband."

  I stroke my little Connall's sweet baby head and press a kiss to his brow. "Why? What will happen? More horns?"

  "Worse," she says with a grave look and then shudders. "Triplet daughters."

  Oh. Well. If that's all that it is. "My husband will be back from the borderlands tonight," I confess, and bite my lip. It's been a week since I've seen him, and I've missed him terribly.

  Leta studies me and then sighs. "You impulsive, impulsive thing. I know exactly how this will go." She gathers her skirts in her hands and gives me a pointed look. "I'll be back in nine months, then. With three gifts."

  And I cannot help but laugh.

  BEAUTY IN SPRING

  Inspired by the story of Beauty and the Beast, a short and sexy interpretation of the classic fairy tale…

  A beauty unchained…

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sp; For ten years Cora Walker has yearned to return to Blackwood Manor…and to her childhood companion, Gideon Blake. But her dream of returning home soon becomes a nightmare—and the fully grown, dangerously sexy Gideon is nothing like the young man she’d loved before.

  A beast unleashed…

  Cursed by the monster that killed his family, Gideon sacrificed his heart to protect Cora from the beast that lurks beneath his skin. But when she returns and the curse chains her to his side, he only has two choices: to persuade her to marry him though he has stolen her freedom…or die to save her from the beast within.

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  BEAUTY IN SUMMER

  Inspired by the classic fairy tale...

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  Bellamy Beaumont thought nothing could be worse than being broke and jobless. Then she found out her parents sold her to a mysterious company with its headquarters far from town. Inside the huge but plain concrete building she finds a growling new boss who doesn't seem to want a new assistant. But who also refuses to let her leave. And what is his obsession with her scent?

  Adrian Garrett's life is fine. Perfectly fine. He runs his pack and his company with efficiency and has no time for a mate. No matter how loud and how angry his wolf becomes, Garrett believes that a mate is unnecessary. That is, until Bellamy is brought to his attention. One sniff and he's smitten.

  The problem is that Bellamy is a human and Garrett's a wolf. Can one beauty save the beast?

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  BEAUTY IN WINTER

  Coming from Alexa Riley

  April 21st!