Chapter Eleven

Beauty stared wonderingly into the glass, beginning to wonder if the apparition reflected was truly her or some extra magic of the castle. Matty and Shannon had clucked disapprovingly at her state when she'd returned to her room from the morning's chance encounter. Well, Matty clucked... Shannon had giggled and teased her about being headstrong. The two cats had quickly put together another bath of the same scents, and set about scrubbing the dried sweat from her body and hair. She'd spent the next hour waiting for her hair to dry, clad in her silky white robe and re-reading Romeo and Juliet. The Capulet party succeeded only in reminding her of her first night in the castle, when she and Rayven had shared those few glorious kisses.

Now she stood in front of a grand mirror, wearing a gown that would send any self-respecting Juliet into a fit of envy. The skirt was full and fell gracefully from the fullest part of her hips in a waterfall of dark green satin over an embroidered underskirt of ivory. The bodice and sleeves of the same contrasting hues was tight-fitting and pushed her breasts up and out at what she considered must be an enticing angle. A medium-sized brooch of pure gold, encrusted with diamonds and matching sapphires drew the attention the crevice between them as well. Her neck and shoulders were left bare, as well as her chest almost down to a frighteningly immodest level.

Shannon had done her hair in a simple style for once, taking two small braids from the crown of her head and fastening them at the nape of her neck with a small clip. Matty had even applied some subtle face paint, heightening the natural blush of her cheeks and darkening her lashes to a far more noticeable shade. Even now, the gray cat was trying to paint some salmon-hued concoction on Beauty's lips while Shannon fussed with her red hair delicately.

"Hold still, dear. Unless you want this all over your chin as well." Matty scolded lightly when Beauty leaned towards the mirror for a closer look.

"Are you sure that's me?" she asked once Matty had dropped the tiny brush back into it's holder on the vanity.

"Of course, it's you!" Shannon smiled, her eyes twinkling happily with excitement. "The master will never know what hit him tonight!"

"Why are we going through all this anyway? Any other night, you would let me get away with something a little less... alluring. What's so special about tonight?" Beauty asked.

"Should we tell her?" Shannon turned to the slightly frowning Matty.

"Might as well, now... she did ask outright... and I suppose it can't hurt." the older cat sighed, her fox-like tail swinging back and forth in mild irritation. "Tonight is the anniversary of the night the curse was put on us. Traditionally, the master is very morose and moody because it marks one year less he has to break the spell. Tonight may be especially stressful for him because he has only one year left to the day."

"That's all? Oh, God..." Beauty stepped instinctively towards her door, eager to see Rayven and comfort him.

"That's not all." Shannon added. "Rumor has it, he has something very important to tell you tonight. He's been going insane trying to make tonight memorable for you as well. We figured that if we make you look absolutely stunning, you'll not only distract him from his troubles, but you'll feel... prepared... for anything."

"Now, you're scaring me. What's he going to tell me?" Beauty asked fearfully, her hand straying to her throat in anxiety.

"That's not for us to tell, milady." Matty silenced any reply Shannon might have had.

"He... he doesn't want to send me home does he? I'll be crushed if that's what he wants." Beauty whispered, aware that her heart was beating a panicky tattoo from within her ribcage.

"No!" both cats cried at once.

"No such thing!" Matty assured her mistress quickly. "The master wouldn't dream of sending you away. He's waited so long for you to come along already..."

Beauty sighed with relief, laughing guiltily at her own presumptions. "Thanks Heavens. I was frightened for a moment."

"Don't worry. It's nothing like that. Now, you'd better hurry along. He's already waiting for you down in the dining room... and pacing a track in front of the fire, I'd wager." Matty smiled as she gave Beauty her customary once-over.

"Very well. I'll see you both after dinner." Beauty nodded, heading for the grand dining room and trying to keep from seeming over-eager. As Matty had predicted, Rayven was pacing in front of the fire, his hands clasped behind his back and his eyes boring holes into the carpeted floor.

"Ahem." Beauty cleared her throat to announce her presence, foolishly pleased at his apparent anxiety over something as simple as dinner.

He turned towards her and froze, he eyes riveted to her intriguing figure at the top of the staircase. Behind her, the hallway glinted with candlelight, creating a halo of light around her head, gleaming through her red hair. Her skin was almost translucent and her eyes shined happily as she slowly floated down the stairs, her skirt trailing after her like a Queen's train. He couldn't take his eyes off of this angelic, enticing epitome of womanhood.

"Milady." he whispered when she stood before him, taking her small white hand in his huge paw and drawing it up to his mouth briefly. "You are stunning... absolutely stunning tonight."

She blushed prettily, her eyes glancing downward for a second as she smiled. "Thank you, Rayven. You look most handsome this evening as well."

"You flatter me, milady." he shook his head ruefully despite the smile tugging at his lips.

"I'm not flattering you... it's the truth." Beauty insisted. In truth, he did look quite attractive in his own dress clothes. He wore a linen shirt of pure white with ruffles at the wrists and throat, the cloth contrasting delightfully with his dark fur. Over that was a tunic of dark indigo blue in the same luxurious velvet that he normally wore, an embroidery pattern at the hem matching hers in a gold brocade. A belt pulled him in at the waist, the gold buckle shining brilliantly enough to be a mirror. He had traded in his traditional breeches of dark brown wool, for ones of midnight black velvet. He had combed his mane and tied it back with a white ribbon. Without the dark locks framing his face, he seemed less ferocious than she had originally thought him.

For the first time since she'd met Rayven, Beauty found herself analyzing what animals had inspired his form. Now that his mane was pulled back, his face was very feline, with a short muzzle and slightly slanted eyes. Yes, a lion was what he most resembled as far as his face was concerned. His ears were sharper than most cats', much like a lynx's and his deep chest was more characteristic of the great bears of the north, as were his massive paws, despite their retractable claws. Strange, alien, completely inhuman but for his eyes... and yet... he was compellingly beautiful in her eyes. His fur glinted in the firelight, beckoning her touch on its soft surface and his gorgeous eyes gazed at her with abject adoration.

"You no longer find me... repulsive?" he asked, his rough voice little more than a low growl in his chest.

"I never found you repulsive, Rayven. Never." she said solemnly, cupping his cheek gently and stroking his short fur. "Lately... I... I've been finding you... rather attractive. More so than I have anyone else."

Rayven's eyes snapped to hers, searching for any sign of mockery and finding none. "Beauty... do you mean that? Do you truly find me... handsome? This wild beast?"

"You're not a beast as far as I'm concerned... you merely appear like one to those who don't know anything about you. And yes... I think you're very handsome." Beauty nodded, blushing furiously at her own audacity... but she could no longer contain her attraction to the man in front of her.

"Beauty..." Rayven whispered, almost in a moan. "Oh, Beauty... you have no idea how I've longed to hear such words from you. But I must tell you something before anything else happens."

"Yes?" she asked, her heart jumping in her throat instantly as he led her to her chair at the dining room table. Her heart stopped dead when he knelt on one knee before her with a humility normally reserved for the faithful in church.

"Beauty... have you ever thought of... love before? The kind of love between a husband and a wife?" he asked tentatively, holding her hands within his with infinite gentleness.

"Not until recently... I had no beaus back home and never truly paid attention to such things... until I came here. Why?" she replied in a soft voice, aware that his hands were trembling slightly on her lap.

"This curse that I'm under... the remedy depends very much on a love like that. I know that we've only known each other for a little over a month... but believe me, Beauty, when I say this." he stopped suddenly, looking down with his brow furrowed in pain.

"What is it, Rayven? What do you wish to say?" she coaxed him gently, stroking his mane gently with the backs of her fingers.

He looked up finally, his green eyes bright with unshed tears. "I love you, Beauty... more than life itself. I know that I'm not worthy of you, that I'm little more than an animal, that you certainly want more than an ugly freak-"

"Hush." she pressed her fingertips against his mouth. "Don't say anymore." she breathed, watching as he bowed his head, a sob heaving his great shoulders.

"Oh, god..." he mumbled under his breath. "I've offended you. I knew this wasn't to be. Please, Beauty... forgive me. I beg of you."

"Rayven... hush, please." she took a deep breath. "I'm not offended at all... quite the contrary."

"Contrary?" he repeated, daring to hazard a glance up at her face.

Without a word, Beauty slid to her knees in front of him, her hands running over his chest to snake around his neck, drawing his dark face down to hers. Her lips met his fiercely, moving over the soft skin gently before sliding her tongue through his shock-slackened lips. The taste of him was intense, bespeaking his physical power and strength to her.

His hands had been resting on her waist, but slowly they grew bolder, sliding up and down her back, his claws trailing oh-so-gently over her bare shoulders and spine. This passionate response in turn emboldened her as she let her tongue trace the contours of one sharp canine fang, molding her body to his so that her breasts were pressed against the hard wall of his chest.

"Rayven..." she whimpered as he broke off their kiss, seeking the hollow of her throat with his lips and tongue. She tangled her finger in his thick mane, relishing the feel of his fur against the skin her gown left bare. "Rayven... oh, God... I love you, Rayven."

He stopped abruptly, his brow pressed against her breastbone. Silence prevailed and Beauty froze... perhaps she had gone too far... but hadn't he confessed his love already? Surely it was past time for her to confess her own deep feelings for the man in her arms.

"Say it again." Rayven finally whispered, his hot breath finding its way down between her breasts, sending shivers down her spine.

"I love you, Rayven... I've been in love with you for some time... but I didn't realize it as love until this morning." she breathed, aware that her heart was thundering like a war drum under his cheek.

"This morning? You did see me in the stream, didn't you? I caught your scent when I came out... I thought you had run away in horror." Rayven closed his eyes. "'Twas not the case, was it?"

"I saw you, yes. I hid in the rhododendron leaves and... watched you for a time. In truth, I thought you... very attractive." Beauty admitted, a blush painting her cheeks a becoming peach.

"Attractive? Beauty, please... be honest." Rayven commanded gently. "I am... an animal."

"No, you're not." she insisted, stroking his cheek. "True, you have fur and fangs... but they almost... add to what I find handsome in you."

"And what do you find handsome in me?" he asked, a small smile pulling on his lips.

"Much. Your eyes are so beautiful, so telling. It's as if I know what you're feeling when I look into your eyes, I know when you're hurting or hoping. I remember standing near the stream and losing my breath to the sight of you, your obvious strength... the way the light glinted off of your fur. The way you move... like a cat for lack of a better metaphor... so silent and graceful." She paused, taking one of his massive hands in both of hers. "And your hands... so big and strong... but so tender when you turn the page of a book or touch me."

She drew his palm to her lips, kissing the delicate skin there and letting his claws graze her cheek, one razor-sharp talon running over her parted lips. Rayven gasped audibly, the sound rumbling deep in his chest.

"Beauty... do you know what you're doing to me? I've not felt such things or heard such words in over four-hundred years. I've been celibate for far longer than any priest you could name." he panted, drawing one of her hands to his own mouth in reciprocation, caressing her small palm with his breath.

"What do you mean?" she asked, her eyes fixed on Rayven's parted lips.

"When you saw me in the water... how did that make you feel? To know that I was not clothed and so nearby?" he inquired gently.

"Hot... sort of drowsy... but not really sleepy. A little dizzy?" she shrugged, uncertain of how to put her sensual feelings into words.

"A little light-headed... unable to focus... longing to join me?" he continued, drawing her closer. "Feel me, Beauty... feel what you do to me, please.”

He stood, pulling her flush against him and not bothering to hide the growing bulge between his legs. His chest heaved as her stomach pressed against him there, briefly rubbing him in a lover's caress. He groaned at the contact, the sound vibrating erotically under Beauty palms.

"I need you, Beauty. I know this is sudden... I know that I am frightening to you, if not in looks then in some way, but..." he paused and took a deep, shuddering breath. "Lie with me, my love... let me be the one to show you how it could be between us. Let me be your first..."

"My first... my last... my only." she whispered, her shimmering blue eyes darkening with a passion Rayven knew well.

"Come... to my chambers... the beast will have you in his lair." he growled deep in his throat, a sensual sound that made Beauty gasp as a shock of electricity pulsed through her.

"Oh, God... your voice." she mumbled as he swept her into his arms, carrying her to the door that lay hidden within the darkest shadows.

"My voice?" he repeated in a question. "What of it?"

"It's so deep and... breathy... I can tell that you... that you're..." she drifted off as he began to kiss her neck, running his tongue along the pulse in her throat.

"Highly aroused?" he finished for her. "Very much so, Beauty."

"Good thing... I'd hate to be the only one." she smiled as he carried her into his dimly lit chamber and laid her on his bed. Like her own, a canopy floated overhead and thick blankets and quilts cushioned underneath her, but the colors were far more somber than the delicate whites, peaches, and mossy greens that decorated her rooms. Rayven's room was done in dark blacks, purples, and red... the heavy velvet draperies of black were drawn, blocking out all of the light from the stars and moon outside. A burning fire and a lone candle on a bed stand were the only illuminations in the room, but Beauty could still make out the massive armoire and bookshelves.

"Oh, you're not. But, tell me... you feel this way as well?" Rayven asked, his eyes seeking hers. "You do not have to go through with this... in fact, I'd prefer you not to go into this unless you want to... regardless of what you think I want or don't want."

"I do want this... I'm just... just... a little scared." Beauty breathed, the weight of her situation gaining ground over her desire.

"I see. Because, you've not done this before?" Rayven nodded, stroking her cheek with the back of one finger, a supremely tender gesture that made her heart skip a beat.

She nodded, closing her eyes so that he wouldn't see the very real fear there... that she would fail to please him, or that she would be awkward and clumsy.

"Calm yourself, sweet... I'll not leave you on your own. If you wish it, I will guide you, tell you what to do, whatever you want." Rayven assured her, pulling her into a sitting position so that he could hold her close and soothe her troubled mind.

"Well, first of all, I suppose we... we should get rid of some of these clothes." she suggested and Rayven almost heard her blush.

He chuckled deep in his throat, pulling back to look at her affectionately. "You certainly are the bold one when you want to be. Let's start like this..." With that, he took her hands in his and led them to the buckle of his belt. "I think perhaps you should see me first... so that you may back out if you feel you need to."

Beauty opened her mouth to declare him mistaken on that respect, that she wouldn't dream of leaving him now, but she was silenced by the task of releasing the golden buckle. She breezed through, tossing the belt aside and sliding her hands under his tunic, lifting the heavy garment over his head with his help. Her nimble fingers lost some of their dexterity as she tried to untie the knots of his shirt's laces, dimly aware that Rayven had kicked off his boots somewhere along the line. One by one, the ties lay loose against the linen of his shirt, exposing the massively muscled chest underneath, his dark fur glinting red in the sultry firelight. She paused between each obstructing tie, running her fingertips over the visible flesh, smiling gently when he gave a shuddering gasp in response. Soon his shirt lay completely open and Beauty slowly pushed it over Rayven's broad shoulders, letting it drop limply to the bed behind him.

He was as beautiful in this close proximity as he had been that morning when viewed from a distance. The firelight highlighted his tense muscles exquisitely as she stroked his cheek, down his neck, over his chest, and down his trembling arm. His eyes closed, savoring the tender touch of his love. No matter what happened, even if he died a year from this very night, he would cherish Beauty with all of his soul.

"You're so beautiful, Rayven..." Beauty whispered, leaning up to kiss Rayven, her lips merely brushing over his before deepening the kiss.

"It's you who are the beautiful one, love. To compare us is to compare night and day." Rayven breathed even as his hands slid around her back to unlace her gown. “Perhaps you’ll be angry with me for mentioning this, but… I’ve watched you bathe several times as well.”

“Have you? When?” she asked, her voice only curious, with no reprimand whatsoever.

“The mirror facing the tub… it’s a mirror to you, but a window to me. There are tunnels within the walls of the castle… in case we ever came under attack and had to hide or escape. I’ve slipped into the one there to watch you… even your first night here.”

“And… what did you think?” the shyness in her voice nearly made him melt.

“I thought that a mischievous angel had accidentally fallen from her celestial bed and into my castle, for no mortal could be so perfect, so astonishingly beautiful. You are the loveliest woman, I have ever seen… and if I do perish a year from tonight, I only pray that the last thing my dying eyes see will be your sweet face.” He breathed, holding her tightly against his chest, terrified that if he loosened his grip on her, she would vanish like a figment of his imagination.

“Rayven…” she whispered, her voice so soft that even his keen hearing barely picked it up. “I… I don’t know what to say.”

“Just tell me that you love me again.” He replied tenderly, kissing her hair.

“I love you, Rayven. And I will do everything I can to save you… you will not die this night next year.” Beauty declared, rubbing her cheek against his neck.

“Only time will tell, Beauty. What will be, will be.” He busied himself with what remained of the laces holding her gown closed. Underneath, she wore a shift of white silk, soft and enticing under his fingertips, but not nearly as much so as the warm skin beneath. She managed to disentangle herself from his grasp and stand, turning from him to push the dress down, the garment pooling around her in a blue puddle of satins. Her shoulders and arms were left bare by the shift and with the fire behind her, Rayven could see the outline of her slender body through the thin silk. She remained where she stood, not facing him, her shoulders shaking slightly as though she was chilled. Rayven stood and approached her slowly, wary of frightening her.

“Beauty…” he breathed in the softest whisper he could manage. “Are you ill?”

“No… I’m merely… I’m frightened… I’ve never done anything like this before.” She shivered, her arms wrapping reflexively around her middle.

“My love…” he gently touched her shoulder with the tips of his fingers, vaguely thrilled by the softness of her skin. “You can still say no to me… you can change your mind.”

“No, I don’t want to do that… I want to keep going…” she shook her head, looking up at him with wide blue eyes that managed to be fearful and passionate at the same instant.

“Then we will continue.” He murmured quietly in her ear, turning her to face him. He bent, brushing his lips over hers in a tender kiss, meant to reassure her. She fell against him, pressing her entire form close to his aching body, kissing his chest with soft lips. Surprised, but in no position to protest, Rayven ran his fingertips up and down her back, letting his claws glide over her skin in the sheerest of caresses. She raised on tiptoes, a hushed moan escaping her in the form of his name. He captured her mouth again, tentatively sliding his tongue inside and exploring, a muffled growl rumbling in his throat and chest. The vibrations running under her fingertips, accompanied by the rapid thudding of his heart, made Beauty break off the kiss and lower her lips to his chest. Rayven’s breath caught in his throat when she reached his throat, kissing his pulse where it throbbed under his skin.

Without a word of warning, he swept her up into his arms, and carried her back to his massive bed, laying her down on the mattress and covering her with his own body. He kissed her neck, nipping slightly and the laving the skin with his tongue. Her hands combed through his mane urgently, her voice raised in a quiet cry as his sharp teeth grazed her pulse. Slowly, he made his way down to her collarbone, before lowering his lips to her silk-clad breast.

Beauty arched up, Rayven’s hot breath teasing her nipples to hard points before lowering his mouth to them, sucking briefly through the silk of her shift. The material did nothing to disguise the heat or moisture of his demanding mouth and Beauty could feel the answering warmth between her legs intensify and grow wet. One of Rayven’s hands trailed down her side and down one leg, tracing over the silk stocking she wore and deftly removing her shoe. His fingertips trailed back up, under the hem of her shift, to pull the stocking off, before paying the same attention to her other leg. All the while, his mouth never left her but continued to pay homage to her now panting body. If this is what it is to be “mauled” by him… I should’ve instigated this a long time ago, Beauty thought vaguely as Rayven’s hands again slid under the shift, skimming over her now bare legs to pull her undergarments past the swell of her hips and down to join her other discarded clothes at the foot of the bed.

“My love…” he whispered, lifting himself off of her to kneel between her legs, allowing himself a good look at her.

Ye gods… she was stunning! Her burnished hair was spread out over his pillows like a sheet of satin; her skin was flushed and shadowed enticingly in the dim firelight. Her shift was in disarray, a wet spot over each peaked nipple announcing his fervor in loving her. Her legs were spread slightly to accommodate his body between her knees, and he could almost feel the heat radiating from her. Her entire body with shaking, her hips unconsciously moving back and forth in the slightest of thrusts. His hard sex throbbed sympathetically at the realization that this sweet, lovely creature wanted him.

He turned away, sitting on the edge of the bed. He had to slow down, or risk taking her too roughly, of throwing himself on top of her like a rutting beast. His breathing was harsh and ragged, he knew, the sound like a snarl than actual breathing.

Beauty sat up, kneeling behind him, her small hands resting on his broad shoulders. “Rayven? What is it? What’s wrong?” she asked, her own voice low with passion.

“Too much… I don’t want to hurt you.” He panted, pulling her hands to rest over his frantically beating heart. The movement also succeeded in drawing her body flush against him; the pebbled tips of her breasts pressing against his back hard.

“You won’t hurt me, Rayven.” She insisted, kissing his cheek gently and prompting him to turn his face towards her. “Please…”

Her hands drifted back around him to slide under his arms to the waistband of his trousers, her fingers caressing the buttons just above the aching bulge that swelled in response to her touch. The buttons came undone one at a time and Rayven stood, pushing the garment down and kicking it aside. Knowing that the fire silhouetted him as it had her, he sat back on the bed again drawing her hands over his heart.

“Beauty… don’t be afraid to say no at any point. Promise me?” he asked in a rough whisper, aware that at this point he would likely kill himself with wanting if she asked him to stop.

“I promise.” She nodded.

“Then touch me… please. Know how your nearness affects me.” He gasped as her fingers glided over his chest and stomach, his muscles tightening in response.

She hesitated going any further down, drifting back up to his arms and shoulders, tracing each rib and delighting in the little jerks his flesh made in reply. His legs were as well-muscled as the rest of him and rock hard under her fingertips.

“Beauty…” he heaved, covering her hands with his. “Don’t be afraid.” Slowly he led her hand to the insides of his thighs, his intent clear. With only a second’s more uncertainty, Beauty let her fingers close slowly around his straining erection. Rayven gave a shuddering exhalation of breath and panted heavily, his lust almost painful in its intensity. Beauty glanced at his eyes, for a split second thinking that she might have hurt him somehow. But his hand grasped hers again and squeezed, tightening her hand around him. She could feel the heat of him, the relentless pulsing of blood throughout, and she almost moaned with knowledge that she could effect him in such a way. He was larger than she might have thought, but then, having had nothing to compare him to, she wasn’t sure what was normal anyway. All she knew was that she’d never felt anything like it before, flesh that was fever-hot and as hard as iron.

He pulled away, rising and turning to face her, his emerald eyes smoky with desire. With no word, he knelt and grasped the hem of her shift. Slowly he stood, one hand bringing her with him, the other pulling her shift up and over her head. She raised her arms obediently, letting him toss her last remaining garment on the floor. Instinctively, she crossed her arms over her breasts, hiding her body in shy modesty.

“Beauty…” he breathed. “Never was a woman so aptly named… let me, please… let me see you.” He grasped one her arms and gently tugged so that she lowered it, revealing her breasts to his hungry gaze. She was perfect, there was no other word he could put forth; her breasts were full and pink-tipped, the nipples stiff and begging for his touch. The firelight played over her skin, settling on her with subtle tones of shadow and orange light. Rayven took a deep breath and laid her back on the bed, again looming over her on his hands and knees, the hungry beast once more. He lowered his head to her neck, kissing and nipping slightly, moving down her body to the crevice between her breasts and using his tongue and breath to warm her. The scent of her, the feel of her soft body against him, the catches in her breath tinged with moans… he was so close to thrusting himself inside of her right away. No, he reminded himself of how young and inexperienced she was, even as he moved to take one of her swollen nipples into his eager mouth.

Beauty gasped and stretched against him, bringing her legs up to curl reflexively against his sides, holding him tight to her. Inside his mouth, his tongue, rougher than a human’s but not as much so as a cat’s, massaged the aching tip of her right breast. His teeth were carefully concealed from her flesh, his mouth hot and moist, the low growls in his throat vibrating through her body. She was barely aware of anything but his seductive mouth until she felt a gentle hand probing between her thighs, claws strictly contracted, the callused pads of his fingertips stroking the moist entrance. She surged upwards, a gasp of surprise escaping her throat, but Rayven held her still, his mouth leaving her breast.

“Shh… Beauty. It’s all right… I’ll not hurt you.” He whispered in a hoarse, passion-filled voice. “I want to touch you…”

She nodded shakily, unable to speak without moaning, and slowly relaxed to watch Rayven kiss her stomach on his way back to her breasts. Hidden from her sight by the darkness, she felt Rayven’s fingers slide over the wetness she had been trying to hide. Without quite knowing what was happening, she felt a pressure pushing inside of her, her body stretching to accommodate.

Rayven ducked his head, hiding his face from her, certain that the lust would show in his features. The flesh that his inquisitive fingers encountered was so wet, so hot… her body contracted around him in tight pulses. She wanted him, that much was indisputable, but he would have to be careful… she was a virgin, and he was a beast. Caution would be of great importance.

He rose up above her, using his hands to spread her legs further apart. Her eyes met his, frightened and uncertain, but trusting him implicitly in hues of sapphire blue.

“My love… try to relax.” He panted, the tip of his arousal pushing inside of her with infinite slowness.

Beauty braced herself, gasping as she felt him slide in further stretching her tight passage beyond what she would’ve thought possible. She spread her legs wider and brought them up to wrap around his waist, allowing him deeper access inside of her. She could feel his hips trembling with urgency, holding back so as not to hurt her.

“Beauty,” he gasped. “This… may hurt. I’ll do what I can to see that it doesn’t but-“

She kissed him, silencing his worries. “I know, Rayven… I know. But I need you… please.” She whispered, surprised at the wantonness in her voice.

Rayven nodded and pushed further, feeling the resistance of her virginity impeding him. With a quick breath he plunged into her, breaking through her purity with a hard, quick thrust. She cried out, her nails scratching down his back and her body tensing in response. He busied himself with kissing her neck gently, pleadingly, whispering tender words of love to her.

“Beauty, I’m sorry… I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” He interspersed between kisses.

“I know you didn’t. I-I’m all right, I think.” She replied in a quiet voice. “I just… need a minute.”

“My love, you’re so beautiful. You can’t imagine what you do to me… your voice, your body, your scent… I can tell that you want me and it’s… indescribable. I know I’ve hurt you, but I promise… you will feel pleasure.” He breathed, giving a gentle thrust to test her reactions.

She took a deep breath, exhaling with a soft sigh of his name. Encouraged, Rayven thrust again, slowly easing himself inside of her until he was completely sheathed within her body. He groaned, every fiber of his body fighting to remain in control; but she was so receptive and passionate, her hands rubbing over his back and sides, her breasts pressing against his chest as she arched her back… to say nothing of her wetness engulfing his swollen flesh. He began to thrust rhythmically, slowly shifting his hips back and forth.

“Rayven…” she moaned, kissing his shoulder and neck drawing his face to hers before running her tongue over his lips with demanding passion. He covered his mouth with hers, thrusting his tongue within the wet cavern of her mouth even as he claimed her body more fully.

Too much, these new sensations… Beauty couldn’t control herself, couldn’t keep herself from trying to touch him everywhere. He filled her, caused her to ache in places she’d never known existed, made her want more. Her hips moved of their own volition, pressing up against him just as he thrust down, forcing him in deeper. She cried out his name, a plea for more as she arched her head back, exposing her throat to his fervent mouth.

Rayven was close to losing control, grazing her neck with his teeth and then soothing the skin with his tongue, pumping his hips furiously with quick, hard thrusts. He was too close; he had to bring her to climax quickly, before he lost himself completely. His hand sought one breast, finding her nipple easily and pulling at it gently before lowering his head to draw it into his mouth.

Beauty arched up, pleasure flashing through her body like a wildfire, her heart beating so fast she thought it would stop. Nothing in her young life could have prepared her for this, this inexplicable need for Rayven’s touch and love, the urgent pressure that had built inside of her and now spilled over, out of control. Her voice was no longer her own, no longer under her command as she cried out louder, almost screaming to the heavens. Her mind was devoid of any thought except the intense passions running through her veins. She was shaking uncontrollably, desperately searching for more and more from Rayven.

She was beyond his wildest fantasies, beyond what he had ever expected. Rayven had known that Beauty was a passionate woman, but the fiery lover in his arms was one that had only haunted his dreams thus far. Her shouts of pleasure were enough to push him over, sending him into a frantic fury for completion. He thrust into her as hard as he dared, groaning in his chest as he felt her convulse around his straining sex, panting for breath. Liquid fire replaced his blood, his heart pounding like a war drum, his claws digging into the cloth of the sheets and mattress. Heat spread through him at an alarming rate and he couldn’t contain a leonine roar from tearing itself from his throat as he spilled himself into her with the force of a summer flood.

He lifted himself partially off of her, mindful even in his blissful state of her delicacy, heaving for breath after such exquisite exertion. Beauty laid beneath him, breathing just as heavily, her eyelids half-close with pleasure, like a cat’s. With tired, but gentle arms, she pulled him back down, laying his head against her shoulder and forcing him to relinquish his entire weight upon her. A soft, sultry moan met his ear as he settled down and he kissed her neck with aching tenderness.

“I love you, Beauty.” He whispered once his respiration had returned to a semi-normal pace. “More than anything in the world.”

She smiled lazily, starting to drift asleep. “I know. And I love you, Rayven.”

@>--------,------‘--------,----------------

Shannon twitched her nose as she followed Matty into Rayven’s quarters around two the afternoon the next day. They had done nothing other than raise their eyebrows when their master had emerged that morning with Beauty in tow, their clothes wrinkled and looking like they’d spent more than several hours in a heap on the floor. Now, as the two cats finally entered their master’s rooms, both could see the chaos that the sheets and blankets of his bed were now in.

Even Matty’s sternness didn’t last that sight for long.

“Did they-? Do you think that-?” Shannon babbled excitedly.

“Either that or it was one major pillow fight in here last night.” She replied without missing a beat. “Come on, then ,girl… help me change the sheets.”

On to Chapter Twelve

Back to Chapter Ten

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