Beauty And Her Beast: Part 2.

The beast is more than she knew.Based on a post by secret sexy writer. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories.Once back inside, he removed the cloak and laid her on his bed. She sighed in her sleep, and the creases in her forehead disappeared. He ran a warm cloth over her cheeks, washing the dirt away. And then he turned to her foot.A dark bruise circled her swollen ankle. He carefully ran his hand over her leg and foot, not feeling any broken bones. Certain it was only a bad sprain, he cleaned and wrapped her ankle loosely, and then propped it up on a pillow to reduce the swelling.Before he pulled a blanket over her, he gazed down at her sleeping form. Her lips parted as she breathed evenly once again, her head tilted to the side, exposing the delicate lines of her neck. His eyes traveled downward, following the curves of her torso as the nightdress clung to her, and rested on the dark patch visible through the material at the apex of her legs.His loins burned with fire, and he hardened immediately. Then he threw the blanket over her and forced himself to turn away. He turned the chair to face the fire, and he eased himself down into it, brooding over the day’s events.How could he have thought she’d run away? Did he not trust her? She had proven herself to him time and again. But he had jumped to conclusions. He’d almost lost her due to his stupid fears.He made a swift decision: the dogs would be destroyed in the morning. He’d do it right now, but he couldn’t bear to leave her side. What if she needed him while he was gone? But they had to go. They’d already caused at least one death. They were a weapon, triggered by his temper.He dozed off eventually, but he woke throughout the night to check on her, adjusting her ankle, watching the swelling, making sure she appeared comfortable. And each time he forced himself to return to the chair when he wanted to sit and watch her sleep.A dull throbbing in her ankle woke Kristiana. She opened her eyes to see Prince Dalemond wrapping a cool white cloth around her entire foot. He placed her foot on a pile of pillows and reached for the blanket. When he turned back toward her, he started.“You’re awake!”“I am.” She stared up at him. At his five o'clock shadow; at his messy mane of hair; at his wrinkled shirt, open at the neck; at the thick muscles in his arms where the sleeves had been rolled up. She swallowed and tried to sit up, propping her elbows behind her.His eyes dropped down to her breasts.She realized they were jutting out in this position and lay back down. But her nipples tightened, painfully. It had been almost a year. How much longer could she go on denying her attraction to him? He obviously felt some himself. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be looking at her all the time.“It is late. I did not mean to disturb you.” His fingers grazed over her ankle. “How do you feel?”“Sore.” She licked her dry lips, refusing to meet his gaze. Instead, she watched his hand on her foot. The heat of his skin was evident against hers even through the bandage.“I’m sorry I overreacted earlier.”She flinched, her eyes leaping up to his. “I, I had only gone for an evening stroll. I did not disobey you. I never have. I never will.”“I’m sorry about the dogs. They won’t bother you again.”“Thank you.” It was hard to swallow. “Thank you for rescuing me.”“You’re welcome.”Was it her imagination, or was he stroking her ankle? She didn’t dare tear her eyes from his; it was a nice feeling. And she didn’t want him to stop. She settled back into the pillow and tried to keep her breathing steady when his hand crept up to caress her shin.“Did; did you have a good trip?”He nodded, tilting his head to the side. His chocolate-brown eyes watched her. Watched when her lips parted as his hand moved behind her knee. Watched when she gasped as he slid his fingers up and down her calf. Watched when she moaned as he pushed the hem of her nightdress up her leg.“I didn’t mean to be so late. Things took longer than expected.”It was her turn to nod, and she licked her lips again when he massaged the top of her thigh. Then her breath hitched when his fingers brushed her inner thigh.“Do you want me to stop, Kristiana?” His voice was a low whisper.She shook her head, unsure of what she was feeling. She’d never been with a man before. It was exciting and scary at the same time. He seemed to know what he was doing. She told herself to relax; and for once be glad he was in control.His hand stilled, feeling the tension in her muscles beneath the silkiness of her skin. Prince Dalemond had never seen such a timid woman before. Her soft gasp when he’d first touched her made his chest tighten with anticipation. He was sure this was a new experience for her. He intended to make it memorable.He told himself to go slow. He knew this evening had been frightening for her. He wanted to ease her fears. Regain her trust. Nothing more.He...