Freeing the Beast: Taming the Beast, Book 1 Read online

  He gestured to her basket. “I take it you’ve talked to Desi about screwing around with our food.”

  “He didn’t.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  She didn’t seem surprised. “You talked to him too.”

  Eric’s outrage fell away, replaced by embarrassment. Okay. So he’d also had his doubts, which he’d tried to talk out with her. He hadn’t fled.

  Becca took a halting step in his direction. Eric stayed where he was. She seemed relieved. He was about to explode. Too many emotions raged through him. Wonder, lust, hurt, tenderness.

  “I called my mom,” Becca murmured. “Her second potion turned you back to the way you were when you initially came to my place. It neutralized the first potion completely without adding any additional magic.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  Shock raced across her face. “You talked to her?”

  “I didn’t have to. Deep down, I knew you, only you, had caused the change in me.”

  “Deep down?”

  “Yeah. My heart, soul, guts.”

  Her expression changed from hesitant to knowing. “So even after talking with your uncle, you had to think about it, dig deeper, because you weren’t totally certain either.”

  “Of you? How could I be? But I was willing to discuss whatever problems we had, Becca. You weren’t.”

  Her eyes got shiny. “I shouldn’t have run.”

  If one tear fell down her cheek, he was going to die. “No, you shouldn’t have.”

  “Can we talk now? Is it too late?”

  “We’ve been talking.”

  She nodded agreeably then stopped and looked beyond sad. “You can’t forgive me?”

  “Did I say that?”

  “No. But you’re still pissed.”

  Hell, it went way deeper than anything she seemed ready to accept or imagine. “Let’s just say this isn’t getting us anywhere.”

  She snatched in a tiny breath, her expression panicked.

  Eric warned himself not to react as he wanted. Excusing what had happened, saying it didn’t matter, behaving like a nice guy rather than a man she’d torn to shreds with her absence and silence.

  Resolved, he said what he had to. “I don’t want to go through another minute of the hell you’ve put us through because you don’t trust yourself, me, or whatever. Be mine, dammit, and fight for what we have or else let’s forget it.”

  Becca stopped flapping her hand in front of her face to stave off tears. Her eyes brimmed with them. “I don’t want to forget it.”

  He approached. “Neither do I.” Now all he had to do was prove to Becca that he wanted her because of who she was. How she talked, behaved, looked. The biggest hurdle of all. He leaned down until the tips of their noses just about touched. “My teeth are hurting I want you so badly and that includes physically. I’m not going to apologize for thinking you’re fucking gorgeous.”

  Her skin got rosier than he’d ever seen it. Surprise and joy lit up her face. “I wouldn’t expect you to.”

  “Then prove it. Strip for me.”

  “What?”

  “Take off your clothes. Prove you believe what I’ve just said about how awesome you are.” He gave her just enough space so she could pull off her duds.

  Becca eyed his clothes that he made no move to take off. “You’re going to stay dressed while I strip?”

  “That’s right.”

  The principal gasped in the movie.

  Becca’s attention flicked to the action.

  “Uh-uh.” Eric wagged his finger at her. “Look at me while you strip.”

  Becca’s reddened cheeks matched her hair color. She started to toe off her sandals.

  “The heels and jewelry stay,” he ordered. “Everything else goes. Slowly. You rush, and we’ll start over until you get it right.”

  Her brows drew together.

  Eric stared her down, confident in what she wanted. Him. Only him.

  Dutifully and without rushing, Becca undid her top. The lightweight fabric fell away revealing her lacy black bra. It had the same half cups she’d worn earlier that revealed her nipples. Rosy. Tight. Perfect for his mouth. A growl of delight caught in Eric’s throat. She was driving him wild.

  He stepped closer, catching her scent. Witchy with a hint of pepperoni from the pizza box she’d put in her basket. His mouth watered, and not for the food. “Undo the bra.”

  She stroked the clasp in front.

  Mesmerized didn’t begin to describe the effect that had on him. Back and forth she twisted the damn clasp until the two halves parted. The cups pulled away from each other to expose her breasts. Slowly, as he’d demanded, though Eric wasn’t certain he wanted that any longer.

  The thought of caressing and licking her nipples, his cock being deep inside her cunt, was a powerful motivator to rip off her clothes.

  Eric resisted. He’d waited a damn week—no, his entire adult life—for her and he wasn’t going to race through this. They’d done that in the treatment room and at the restaurant. Tonight, he was going to prolong every fucking minute they were together fucking.

  The cups finally pulled away completely. His mouth went dry. Her nipples’ delicate pink tint reminded him of spring, soft breezes and not-so-gentle nights wrapped in a woman’s eager caress.

  Hers.

  Becca rolled her shoulders, shrugging out of her top and bra. They slipped from her fingers to the floor.

  “Awesome,” the football captain gushed from the screen.

  He had no idea. Becca’s breasts were more than a handful, exactly right for Eric. “Put your arms behind your back. No wait,” he said. “Lift them above your head.”

  Becca worried her bottom lip, obviously uncertain of her appearance.

  “I’ll help,” he murmured. He rested her arms over her head and stepped back.

  His legs almost gave out. Jeez-us, she was scrumptious. All pale skin wrapped in softness and heat. Eric went to the side of her, riveted by her supple globes, tight areolas, long tips. He moved behind her, smiling at the mole near her waist and the smaller one on the flare of her hip. On her other side, he saw even more that he liked. The faint blue vein on the curve of her breast.

  His jeans felt too snug. Thankfully, he hadn’t worn underwear that would have trapped his monster erection even more.

  He stopped in front of her and choked out his next command. “Go on. Strip.”

  She studied her boobs then him and whispered as though someone might overhear. “I’ll have to lower my arms.”

  “Just don’t cross them in front and hide yourself from me.”

  Her face turned crimson. She ran her hands over the waistband of her harem pants. It rode the curve of her hips like Eric wanted to, their groins kissing, his rod nestled deep, balls swinging toward her.

  Becca made a sound…part wounded kitten, part she-devil, her desire hopefully getting the better of her.

  To Eric, this wasn’t only about passion. He wanted her to know how beautiful she really was, to believe it as much as him.

  She eased her pants to her knees. They floated the rest of the way to the gleaming wood floor.

  “Wait,” he said before she could push down her thong. Like her bra, it was black and lacy but so sheer he could see her reddish curls through the fabric. On each side of her crotch were embroidered roses. Men had survived brutal wars so they could return home to stuff like that.

  He ran his forefinger over the dainty flowers, then across the lace-edged band.

  Becca arched her back, which pushed her breasts at him.

  Eric began to sweat. The room kept whirling. With tremendous willpower, he ignored her succulent offering, those pink buds, and stepped back. “Off,” he ordered. “I want you nude.”

  She pressed her hand to her throat. “Give me a sec t
o calm down. I can barely breathe.”

  “You can breathe later. Do what I said.” You want it too.

  Her eyes glittered and her complexion glowed. She swung her hips a little to the right, the left, then back, working the thong down to her upper thighs. Revealing her curls.

  Moisture glistened on her thatch and the thong’s crotch. She was drenched for him, willing, wanting.

  A magical moment. Eric offered his hand, thankful it didn’t shake.

  Becca tightened her fingers around his and stepped out of her pants and thong, looking better than any babe in an adult film, or those who’d visited his teen-aged wet dreams. All she wore was her blush, makeup, funky jewelry and shoes.

  “Oh yeah,” the pizza guy bellowed in the movie.

  “Come on,” Eric murmured and led her into his bedroom.

  Becca blinked at the flood of lights he’d turned on, some from chrome table lamps, others in the ceiling, directly over his king-size bed. Draped in a black-and-silver comforter, it faced a wall of mirrors. Each sported a crystal knob. In a Dom’s fantasy, they would have opened onto an area storing chains, whips, riding crops.

  Becca guessed Eric had once kept his baggy boxers inside. Now, he was into stretchy, revealing underwear. Very sure of himself. Because of her. Holy crap, what had she unleashed?

  He ran his knuckles down her arm and whispered, “Lots of closet space in here. One of the reasons I got this place.”

  Uh-huh. “What are you doing?”

  She’d been heading for the bed, wanting her nudity hidden and used by his.

  He’d turned her around and directed her toward the mirrors. Standing behind her, he placed his forearms on her shoulders, his fingers dipping close to her nipples. Those babies puckered up so much they ached. Becca sagged against him.

  “Uh-uh,” he scolded, his mouth on her ear. “Open your eyes and look at yourself…watch what I do to you.”

  Even the inside of Becca’s belly button burned from her blush. “Ah…”

  “No arguments.” He ground his hips into her ass, his cock as hard as his words. “You’re going to do what I say, Becca. Beginning now.”

  She trembled at his tongue snuggled in her ear.

  He loved that part of her very well, biting her lobe playfully. Finished, he gave her an openmouthed kiss on her neck then murmured, “If you don’t, this isn’t happening.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me.”

  That she had. However, she didn’t believe one word he’d said. No way could either of them stop now. She arched one eyebrow at his reflection. “You’d really tell me to leave.”

  “I’d let you go.” He cupped her breasts and dragged his thumbs over her nipples.

  Pure pleasure arrowed straight to her pussy.

  “I’m not playing anymore, Becca. Neither are you.” He fondled her gently, breathing nearly as hard as she was with each squeeze. “You’re fucking gorgeous, and you’re going to start looking at yourself as everyone else sees you.”

  Impossible. She was plain and plump, not even close to pretty. Not like her mom or Heather. They were exquisite. She was—

  “Look at yourself,” Eric coaxed. “That luscious skin, not a flaw on it. Your long legs. Curves that don’t quit. That red hair.” He pressed his cheek to hers. “The stuff on your head is nice too.”

  Becca laughed.

  “And your eyes…wow.” He wore a look of wonder similar to someone having a religious experience. “They’re pure blue. Like Windex.”

  She giggled and smacked his arm.

  “You don’t believe me?” Using his body, he pushed her closer to the mirror. “You tell me what you see.”

  A woman ignored by men so easily. A girl who’d wanted to be accepted and popular like the others in her class. An outcast who’d dressed unconventionally and acted any damn way she chose to prove she didn’t care, when she did. Far too much.

  Gently, Eric cradled her breasts. “What do you see, Becca?”

  His acceptance and something akin to worship. Maybe the beginning of love. She whispered, “What I’ve needed for too long.”

  Eric smiled. “That’s a good start. Now, watch.” He dipped one hand to the curls between her legs, separated her folds and stroked the length of her cleft.

  Becca sputtered something incoherent. Every nerve ending in her clit came alive beneath his fingertips. Fascinated, she saw her body bloom with his passionate attention. Her breasts trembled with each breath she managed. Perspiration soon coated her skin. All the doubt she’d shouldered for too many years drained away, along with the heartache.

  To her utter amazement, she looked wanton, sexy…definitely fine.

  Her voice shook. “You put a spell on me.”

  “Nope. Just giving you some foreplay. I’ve had a lot of practice.”

  With thousands of women. Becca elbowed him then spoke above his grunt. “No, I mean, look at me.”

  “I haven’t stopped.”

  “I’m…” She didn’t finish. Couldn’t.

  “What?” he whispered.

  Her coloring and features had come together in a way Becca had never seen or noticed before. Not as Eric had. She looked at herself through his eyes, appreciating her stunning red hair, deep blue eyes, milky skin and striking features. “You sure you haven’t used magic on me?”

  “I don’t use spells. I use arrows—or I’m supposed to.”

  “You must have nailed me with one when I wasn’t paying attention. I look good.”

  “Oh hell, you look way better than that.”

  Her mouth sagged open at his next strokes. Fast. Hard. Becca pushed to her toes then came right back down. Her anklets jiggled and her stars bobbed north, south. She squirmed against Eric, wanting him to continue, needing him to stop. The mounting tension was more than she could endure. Color bloomed in her cheeks and throat. She was practically dripping between her legs.

  Eric used her moisture to arouse her further.

  The climax slashed through her so quickly, Becca let out a wild cry unlike any she’d made in her life. Incomparable sensations welled and receded, then returned to touch every part of her. She couldn’t stop trembling. Her legs wobbled. If not for Eric supporting her body, she would have dropped to the floor.

  As though she weighed nothing, he swept her into his arms. She cuddled close, her head on his shoulder, her finger drawing his initials and hers on his tee, surrounded by a heart. Silly, she knew and didn’t care, because it was also precious.

  Eric brought her to his bed. The linens smelled of him, clean and masculine. Leaning over her, he whispered, “What did you just see?”

  A wish come true. “Heaven.”

  Grinning, he pulled off his tee and jeans. Spectacularly nude, he followed his cock, which pointed straight at her. His balls were already snug against his body, no doubt wanting to release their load.

  Becca held out her arms to him and parted her legs with more confidence than she’d done with any man. For him, she was more than enough. She was beautiful just as she was. “Climb on, baby. I’m going to give you the ride of your life.”

  He prowled toward her, his voice gritty. “Not so fast. My place, my rules.”

  “Aw shit, we’re going back to the mirrors?”

  Eric’s shoulders shook with his suppressed laugh. He sobered quickly. “Go to your hands and knees and face your reflection.”

  Becca did. A little reluctantly, but she obeyed. Her breasts hung like ripe fruit, ready for him to pluck and taste. Her cunt dampened at the thought.

  He climbed on the bed, shaking the mattress as he went between her legs. Smiling, he moved his crown down the full length of her slit. His joy aroused and touched Becca in more ways than she could have imagined.

  “Are you watching yourself?” he asked.

  She lied,
“Yeah.”

  He beamed and drove inside her, his chin lifted to the ceiling, the veins in his neck distended enough to burst. Becca sucked air at his rigidity and size. He was bigger than the last time they’d slept together. Not from the potion. Her.

  Gripping the bedspread in her fists, Becca lifted her ass and gave Eric full reign over her pride and heart. She knew he’d treat her well.

  He rode her slowly, as though he needed to explore the geography of her body. Not minding at all, Becca tightened her cunt around his shaft. His pecs danced with each thrust. His firm belly appeared to harden even more.

  Damn, he was gorgeous and hung. The friction between their bodies built to a dangerous level. With his hands on her hips, Eric pumped as though their future depended upon it, his hair jumping over his forehead, his complexion darkening to a dusky red. If he clenched his teeth any harder, he’d grind them to dust.

  Becca was in danger of doing the same thing, each of his pumps driving her closer to climax.

  When it appeared he couldn’t take much more, he leaned down and rubbed her clit.

  She shouted. Okay, she howled at the rush of sensations storming through her, behaving worse than her clients and nearly as good as the actress in his X-rated flick.

  He growled, groaned, grunted. The sounds Becca loved most.

  On a bellow of reckless delight he came, driving her over the edge a second time. Close to the end of her endurance.

  Damp and shaky, he kissed her spine, his gasps warming her skin.

  Becca labored to speak. Only a wheeze came out.

  Eric panted. “What?”

  “Rest,” she finally urged.

  He made a sound of dismissal. “You think I can’t keep going?”

  If not, he’d die trying. Just like a mortal guy. “You’re a god, not Superman.”

  Eric laughed.

  “Wait. What are you doing?”

  He’d pulled Becca to her knees even as he kept his cock inside her sheath. Using one hand, he held both of hers to her chest. With his other, he lightly stroked her clit and whispered, “What do you think?”

  Becca tried to answer, but he was too fast, making her burn for more, her body fully imprisoned, melting into his, their hearts beating in time. The mirror showed their indecent pose that was also wonderful, accentuating their differences. The firm planes of his form, her soft curves.