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6

Belle

Iwas pretty sure I’d been standing here staring at the cloth in my hand for the last five minutes.

I felt like I didn’t know what I was doing, even though this was the most natural thing in the world.

But I could feel his gaze on me, felt his body heat surrounding me, and especially smelled the most potent, primal scent that came from him.

After dinner, he led me out of the dining room, up the staircase, and into a grand bathing chamber.

Porcelain and tile surrounded the walls and flooring, with a pedestal basin, a clawfoot tub, and fresh oils and dried petals in apothecary jars sitting on a small stool making everything seem softer, like I wasn’t about to bathe the Beast.

“Wash me, wife.”

I shivered at the sound of his growly, inhuman voice. It was harsh and deep, rough, and sounded almost demonic.

I walked over to him as he started undressing. I kept my gaze firmly straight ahead when his shirt came off; then, whenhe removed his trousers, I closed my eyes as overwhelming, warring emotions filled me.

My hands shook as I forced myself to open my eyes once more and move toward the Beast.

I dipped the cloth in the basin of warm, soapy water, then started cleaning his forearm. He was hairy all over, but I was surprised at the downy softness as my fingers skated over it.

A low, deep rhythmic purr came from his chest as I moved the cloth up to his bicep, over his bulging shoulder, and brought it back down.

I could feel his focus on me, an intense stare that made me acutely aware of our size difference.

My head barely came up to the center of his chest, and although I was thick and lush, a woman who had a curvy body, the Beast made me feel positively dainty.

I tried to clear my mind and not take note that although the Beast was big and burly and so not human, he was also beautiful in a strange, fantastical way.

I glanced up and looked at the big, arching swoops of his horns as they curved back from his forehead. They were textured and thick, and before I knew what I was doing, I was running the cloth over one of the horns.

His body visibly tensed, then he shook and the purring grew louder, more pronounced and mixed with a growly tenor. I should have pulled my hand away, stopped touching his horn, but it felt so good to touch him.

“When I first arrived, Madame said you chose well. What did she mean?” My voice was low as I ran the cloth over his massive, hairy forearm once more. When he didn’t answer, I looked up at him from under my lashes.

He watched me with hooded, red, glowing eyes, his unearthly appearance frightening yet causing this tingle of something else to move within me, to settle right between my thighs. “I learnedabout you, as much as I could, having Pierre gather information on your likes and dislikes.”

I paused and glanced into his face.

“I learned you enjoy romance stories.”

My breath hitched, even though he said those words with a cool, calm tone.

“So I made sure to get any and all romance novels I could get my paws on in the five kingdoms.”

My heart was racing so fast, and I found myself holding my breath as I absorbed his confession.

“But if you want more, I will get you whatever you desire. I just yearn for you to be happy here… with me.”

I felt the betrayal of tears pricking my eyes but blinked them back.

This is wrong. It is wrong to feel anything but fear and disgust toward the Beast.

He was big and scary, but I found this strange sort of beauty in how he was created, in the words he spoke.

“I saw you in the village. Knew I’d take you as my wife.” His words were sometimes hard to decipher because of his fangs, but I’d heard those loud and clear. “And so I wanted to win you over. But fate worked in our favor this time, because here you are. Mine.”