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The woman tinkled with laughter and Miko murmured under her breath. Belle took two involuntary steps over the threshold, her balance tilting as she passed me the surprisingly heavy platter, a plethora of delicious scents wafting from it.

I raised my eyebrows and whistled. “Brave one, aren't you? Defying him like that?”

She smiled. “Yes, well, you’ve seen how he is. He can’t stay mad at me.”

“Fair enough.”

I glanced over my shoulder as Miko spoke, no inflection coloring her voice. “If you two are done flirting, I’d like to eat before my acid corrodes my stomach lining.”

The woman flushed prettily, hurrying back into the hallway. “Oh, I-I meant no offense.” Belle gripped the sides of her skirt. “It's clear the two are together and I'm already taken.” She cleared her throat. “Also, I intend to free you as quickly as possible.”

“I bet,” Miko snarked.

“No, really. I just hate it when he imprisons people. It never used to be this bad but ever since those witches showed up and offered him a deal…” she trailed off, scrunching her nose. “Anyhow, this won't be my first time talking him down from one of his…”

“Tantrums?” I suggested.

Belle coughed a laugh. “Quite.” She paused, shifting a lock of hair behind her ear. “In the meantime, I brought you some yummy snacks and a couple of my favorite books, just in case. I know it can get pretty boring being held captive.”

Miko scoffed and my head canted to the side as Belle rolled back her shoulders, straightening her spine.

“I do,” she insisted. “Beast imprisoned me in the dungeons for several days when I accidentally crossed onto his property because of the wolves hunting me. Then, as luck would have it, I was able to trade myself for my father.” She swallowed thickly, her gaze darting from Miko’s to mine. Belle turned to go, then twirled on her heel, aiming a shining smile at Miko. “Hope isn't lost. I plan to try a new method to convince Beast after he and I share a meal.” A blush tinted her cheeks. “How do I say this delicately?”

“Fucking?” Miko suggests.

“I was going to say intimate, but I suppose that works just as well.”

I chuckled. “I called it.” Grinning as the two women stared at me, I continued, “Must’ve been inside my head. Anyway, what I meant was that she’d know the way to her beastie’s heart,” I mentioned, glancing to Miko over my shoulder.

Her eyes narrowed.

I smiled oh so sweetly at Belle and she returned the gesture, displaying all of her pearly white teeth. “We appreciate the provisions, lassie.”

Belle released a tinkling peal of laughter, the door closing on its own. I didn’t miss her parting statement as her footsteps faded. “Quite the charmer.”

Miko folded her arms over her chest, pinning me with a glare.

I pressed my lips together and set the tray on the bed. “Nope, I can't fucking do it. You're so godsdamn cute when you glare at me like that,” I blurted, my thoughts spilling off my tongue. “Is that jealousy? I just want to squeeze you tight and never let go. Maybe, collar you with my tail and leash you to my side. Mmm, I imagine you sound just as tempting when you come,” I winked, “as I’ll soon discover, but first you must eat.”

Miko gaped at me, a deep flush creeping up her throat as she blindly reached for the tray and shoved a hunk of cheese into her mouth. I grinned, shaking my head. In an effort to quell my desire long enough for her to enjoy her meal, I tilted my head back and stared at the beams crossing the ceiling, pressing the heel of one hand into my sternum and adjusting my semi with the other.

Still, I was an impatient grotesque.

“Are you finished?” I asked.

She smirked, squeezing her thighs together, then reached for the silver tray once more.

“Fuck the food,” I growled, sweeping it, and whatever food remained, onto the floor.

“Bane, what are you doing?”

I crawled onto the bed, pinning her wrists to the comforter above her head as she tried to shimmy out of my reach. “Giving in?”

“What?” she asked, her breaths hitching.

“Shhh. Stop talking. Just lie there and be a good lass, hm?” I suggested, covering her body with mine.

Desperate, hungry need pummeled me as my lips met Miko’s for the first time. I moaned, squeezing her breast and circling her hard nipple trapped beneath cotton and lace. My tail twined around her fine boned wrists, freeing up my other hand to explore the contours of her body. Groaning, I deepened the kiss, forked tongue begging for entry as my hands gently held the sides of her neck, thumbs caressing her cheeks. My long fingers traced over her jaw to her throat, collaring her at the base. I rolled her nipple between the thumb and forefinger of my other hand and she gasped.