When he’s completely inside me, he growls softly in my ear. “Are you okay?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure?” He traps my earlobe between his teeth. “Tell me the truth…”

“I promise.”

“Good girl,” He pulls out of me all at once and I suddenly feel bereft.

I’m about to ask him what the hell he’s doing, but he slides inside me again—all at once—and I cry out in a mix of pleasure and pain.

I immediately let go of the metal and grab onto his back, scraping my nails against his skin with every deep and demanding stroke.

The bed creaks against the motion, echoing against the room amidst the sounds of our slapping skin.

“Belle…”

“Gabriel…” I can barely say his name.

“Fuck…”

His mouth finds mine again, and while his kisses obliterate all the ones he’s given me before, his cock controls my entire body with its hard and penetrating rhythm.

I try to say his name again, to tell him I can’t hold on for too much longer, but it’s no use. His lips have yet to leave mine, and I’m struggling to breathe.

The sensation of him owning me in two places is all too much, and before I know it, he’s muffling my screams with a kiss that takes the last of my breath away.

I instantly come apart beneath him, and I feel him stiffening and pulling out shortly after.

As I’m struggling to catch my breath, he rolls off me, pulling me against his chest.

Oh my god…

We lay panting in silence, both drenched in a slight sweat. He runs his fingers through my hair, kissing me in between breaths.

“Is something wrong, Belle?” he asks finally.

“Yes, Gabriel,” I say. “Something is very wrong.”

“I’m sorry.” He looks into my eyes. “Did I hurt you?”

“No.”

He raises his eyebrow. “Then what is it?”

“The problem is me…” I can feel my cheeks heating. “Something I want.”

“I’m listening.”

“I would very much like for you to do that to me again…”

“I see.” He smiles. “Later?”

“No, now.”

A Changing Tide

Belle

I stare at Gabriel as he stands on his balcony.

I’m tucked under the silk sheets of his bed, unable to shut my eyes for more than a few minutes at a time.

As amazing as he feels inside me, the moment he isn’t, my mind races with questions and uncertainties, and I can’t seem to shut them off.

Slipping out of the sheets, I rush across the room and outside, moving in front of him.

“What are you up thinking about right now?” He kisses my forehead. “Books?”

“I’m wondering if I’ll be able to handle watching you kiss my sister or watching her fall for you like I have.”

“I see.” He laughs. “Pretend like I asked you something else, then. I was hoping you’d mention a story.”

“I can’t dive into any fantasies when reality is this bleak,” I admit. “You’ll have to be with my sister or find another way to break the curse, right?”