Page 47 of Beast and Remedy (The Last of the Heirs #2)

Stop Doing That

A light nudge jolts me awake, and a startled gasp escapes me.

“You’re safe. I’m here.”

Beau’s soft voice calms my thundering heart.

He squeezes my arm, and I mutter my thanks despite the interruption of my sleep putting me on immediate alert.

Next to me, Christine lies still, her curls sweeping across her features as I twist to Marcel commenting, “Didn’t sleep well, Beau?”

“Yeah, not much.”

“Christine didn’t even budge when it was our shift. Maybe she won’t be grumpy in the morning,” Jules whispers.

“Yeah, I’d rather have her in a good mood than a bad one,” Marcel jokes.

“Same.” Beau chuckles. “Get some rest while you can, Vi and I will take over.”

I rub my eyes, processing what he said.

Me and him? On watch together ?

Shit, I should have paid attention earlier.

Grumbling and not wanting to wake the others, I grab my dagger, water pack, and a block of cheese, needing all the distractions I can get.

The edge of the cave brightens, my vision adjusting and taking in the moon and streaks of clouds stretching across the sky. The darkness inside saved me from admiring Beau, but with light illuminating him leaning into the alcove, my pulse quickens.

He braces against the stone and slides down, his legs unfurling to get comfortable.

I swear to Yeva, every time I’m around this man, the world fades away.

Early signs of age appear in his hair and along the shadowy stubble of his square jaw. And even as time drains the life from him, I still and always will find him handsome.

“You’re staring,” he murmurs.

My grip tightens on the cheese and my pack as I lower to the floor. “Sorry.”

“I’m all for you staring because it means you are thinking about my offer.” Beau arches back, his amusement still visible.

I eye him incredulously, my mental walls remaining on the defensive. “That wasn’t what I was doing.”

His lip quirks. “Oh?” He uncrosses his legs and raises his knees, hugging them to his chest. “Then, why were you staring?”

Heat floods my cheeks, and I avert my gaze, my mahogany waves falling forward.

“I love your hair,” he whispers.

I don’t allow myself the chance to appreciate the compliment.

“Stop. Doing. That.” I angle toward him, annoyance masking the pain I struggle to repress.

“Or what?” A light challenge lies behind the question. “You’ll kiss me?”

I tense, and hiss, “Be quiet, or they’ll hear us, you imbecile.”

He smirks, a fire ablaze behind his gold-flecked irises. “Careful, Rosebud. Or I’ll have to punish you for that.”

The promise of punishment to drive pleasure from me, to edge me and remind me I am his and he is mine, runs my mouth dry. I clench my thighs, trying not to imagine it.

He uses my lingering stare as an invitation to scoot closer. “We could go beyond this cave, say we are checking the perimeter, just so I press you up against a tree and kiss you senseless.”

Oh fuck.

My stomach plummets, and I turn away, trying to gather my bearings.

We can’t be seen, can’t be caught, but most importantly, can’t do everything we both are dying to do.

But Beau leans in, his breath hot against my ear, as he fuels my desire. “And then I can drop to my knees and taste you, worship you, and then fuck your needy cunt raw until you beg me for release.”

I shudder.

His words paint a vivid image, my arousal hard to deny knowing what his fingers, his mouth, and his cock can do.

Sweet. Fucking. Makers.

I groan and pinch the bridge of my nose. “Why can’t we just be on watch together?”

“You know why.” His hand trails up my side.

I track Beau’s movements, loathing how badly I want him to touch me. Disappointment rages in my chest when he circles my arm, leaving me desperate to feel him trace my bare skin rather than my shirt.

“Ugh. Why must everything you say sound so perfect and so right?” I sigh, my restraint wavering the more his presence consumes me.

“ You know why.” He cups my face, our eyes meeting.

My control slips.

The soft press of his lips against mine sends me into a frenzy.

I grab his tunic and yank him closer, deepening our kiss. The two of us fill ourselves with the missing part of our souls.

Beau groans, and I answer with a moan before breaking apart.

“I want you to kiss me senseless,” I pant, unable to deny myself any longer.

“So fucking badly,” he agrees, bringing my mouth to his.

I melt into him, relishing the blend of his scent, his kiss, his love. Deities, he is my heart and soul. And I have missed—

A twig snaps.

Beau and I whirl back in alarm, holding each other close, scanning our surroundings.

The spell of desire cleaves itself from me as I take in early glimpses of dawn. Painfully, I relinquish my hold on Beau, releasing his tunic and sweeping my wavy tresses away.

He follows my lead despite his visible reluctance, respecting my boundaries and always trying to see light in every situation.

“Maybe I am a seer,” he comments, my eyebrow arching in confusion. “Now we have to go check outside.”

I can’t help a soft snort escaping as he stands and brushes off his trousers before extending his hand. But despite his lightheartedness and understanding, I’m being pulled in two different directions.

I glance between where everyone sleeps and the mountain pass, the small flicker of joy I had wilting and withering away.

“We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to,” Beau offers, drawing my attention back.

My chest swells, appreciating how well he understands me.

He knows my mind, body, and soul. Knows when to push and pull. What makes me tic, what riles me up, what lures me in, and what keeps me away.

My love remains buried deep in my chest, hidden from prying eyes, but his love feels different. Reuniting after all this time has invigorated him—enticed him—to put himself out there more now than he ever did in the past.

I was the one putting my heart on the line then, and now, it’s shifted. And I can’t help the flutter in my chest.

Smiling, I take his hand and rise, not releasing him right away.

Beau notices immediately, and I bring his knuckles to my lips, kissing them gently.

Our foreheads meet, and our breaths catch.

I close my eyes and inhale his sugary scent. “Beau,” I whisper, my voice dissolving into the quiet.

He brushes his thumb along my cheek, the calluses rough and bumpy, but still him.

Still my Beau.

“I miss you, too,” I say, my heart sinking as I force out, “But I… I can’t rush into this right now. So much is happening I—”

“I know.” He kisses my brow. “A lot is going on, and despite everything happening, I want you to know how I feel. I want you to know my intentions. I want to flirt with you. And I definitely want to tease you.” He winks, his teeth gleaming.

I huff a laugh, unable to hide my enjoyment.

But Beau’s voice dips with urgency. “I want to do these things because I lost so much time with you. I want to do everything with you. But most importantly, despite what I want and may hint at…” His gaze flicks between my mouth and my eyes.

“I don’t want you to feel pressured. I always want you to decide what you want for yourself. ”

“You haven’t pressured me,” I say. “I want you to kiss me. I want you to touch me. I want you, Beau. Badly. That need is unfathomable now more than ever. But I’m—”

My words run dry, and I look away, the fear of getting him back only to lose him again is palpable and pragmatic. I don’t even know if I can let myself have this chance, only for us to be separated when this is all over.

And when I have to find a husband…

Agony rips through me. What I agreed to do in order for Beau to help me find a remedy.

Shit. There is so much I’m—

“What’s wrong?”

His voice cracks, an edge of worry behind it. He guides me back, and my resolve shatters.

“I’m scared ,” I confess.

Beau pulls me into his chest, cradling my head and keeping me close.

In his embrace, his love and protection blanket me with safety, enough to let my emotions surge forth. Stupid tears.

I push them down and wrap my arms around him, clutching his shirt.

Deities, I’ve missed him. My best friend, my person, my everything .

It’s always been easy and natural with him. And while I have Marian, my family, and my other friends, I’ve constantly repressed my own feelings, reluctant to be fully open—fully myself with them.

And it’s never been like that with Beau.

I cling tighter to him, wishing never to be parted from my other half.

Beau plays with my waves, running his fingers through them and massaging my scalp. “I know, my love. I know.”

He holds me in the silence, patiently letting me work through the war in my mind.

Our hearts beat in tandem, a calming distraction that eases my breathing.

Beau guides me away, scanning my features. “Would you like to check the perimeter with me?”

I press my lips together, unsure.

He brushes his nose along mine. “I know everything seems out of control. But we can ensure our friends and family are safe by checking our surroundings and then be on our way to Northtry. And I know you’re scared. Letum, I am scared, too. But with you by my side, I know we can do anything.”

He kisses me with such tenderness, my knees almost buckle when he withdraws, and his dimples appear.

I can’t help but beam up at him, grateful he is trying to help me grasp something I can manage.

He pulls me in once more, and I savor it—savor him.

I let my heart drive my thoughts to a world where everything is perfect. Where there is no hatred between our kingdoms, no infections, no problems.

Just us.

We break apart, but he doesn’t hesitate to extend his open palm, still wanting to be linked.

“Together?” Beau asks.

I intertwine our fingers, grinning before giving him two squeezes.

His eyebrows shoot up in surprise, and I smile wider.

“Together.”