Wanderlust Beastkin, Beauty and the Beastkin-Chapter 35: Honorable Oliver

But in a swift moment, his hand darted out, a barrier between us as he gently covered my lips, halting my advance just before our mouths could meet. The surprise of that gesture caught me off guard, leaving me in a whirlwind of confusion, a blush of embarrassment, and an aching sense of longing that I couldn’t quite shake off. Did I completely misread his intentions? Am I really facing rejection here?

He wore a bittersweet smile, a hint of melancholy dancing in his big, warm brown eyes, which glistened as they met mine. "Trust me when I say this isn’t a rejection; quite the opposite, really. It just doesn’t feel right to let you kiss me after I’ve offered you that soothing tea meant to help you unwind. It would feel as if I were taking advantage of your vulnerability, like I had slipped something into your drink. If there comes a moment when you wish to kiss me, and you’re entirely yourself, I would welcome it with open arms."

His gaze fell, breaking our connection, and he spoke softly, almost as if afraid of the weight of his words. "If, by morning, you find that your feelings for me have faded, I would understand completely."

With a tender gesture, I lowered his hand from my mouth and caressed the side of his face, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath my fingertips. "I promise I won’t waver in my feelings, but if it eases your mind, we can take our time. However, I meant every word I said—will you at least share this bed with me? The thought of sleeping alone feels too lonely."

He nibbled on his lower lip, and a charming blush crept across his cheeks, painting them a delightful shade of pink. Oh, the thrill of watching him turn crimson was simply irresistible! "If you trust me," I teased, "I could easily curl up beside you for the night."

"Even if you tried something with me, I doubt I would mind," he replied, his voice a mix of bravado and uncertainty.

In an instant, his face transformed into a vivid shade of red, so intense that I half-expected steam to rise from his ears. And then, as if conjured by magic, a brilliant green light enveloped him, revealing a chipmunk the size of a basketball! With its fluffy tail, adorable little ears, and those big, soulful brown eyes, it was utterly enchanting. I couldn’t help but squeal with delight, scooping him into my arms. There was no way I was letting another woman steal this man away from me! The cuteness was so overwhelming, it felt like my heart might just burst from the sheer joy of it all!

As I nestled him against me, his face found its way into the soft embrace of my chest, a delightful collision of warmth and comfort. The moment was pure magic, reminiscent of childhood days spent with beloved stuffed animals, and I couldn’t resist the urge to playfully tease his fluffy tail, eliciting a surprised little squeak from him that made my heart flutter. ƒreewebɳovel.com

Glancing down, I noticed his cheeks flushed with embarrassment, his tiny hands instinctively shielding his eyes from the world. It was utterly adorable, and I felt an overwhelming urge to lean down and plant a gentle kiss atop his sweet little head. The thought of him being mine danced joyfully in my mind, a tender sentiment that wrapped around my heart like a cozy blanket.

With one hand securely cradling him, I reached for a soft blanket with the other, draping it over us both as if to create our own little sanctuary. He let out another endearing squeak as I continued to play with his ears, my fingers weaving through the softness of his fluffy tail once more, lost in the bliss of our shared warmth and affection.

As he squirmed, attempting to create a bit of space between us, I couldn’t help but pull him closer, enveloping him in my embrace. It wasn’t long before sleep claimed me, cradling him tenderly in my arms.

When dawn broke, I stirred to find the fire crackling softly, its warmth a gentle reminder that someone had tended to it throughout the night. The other men were nowhere to be seen, perhaps off on a hunt or gathering supplies, or maybe they were simply granting me this precious moment of solitude with Oliver.

Nestled against me, Oliver was lost in a peaceful slumber, having transformed back into his enchanting human-like form. Those adorable little brown ears perched atop his head were simply irresistible, and the smoothness of his skin was like silk. His cheeks, slightly rounded, gave him an almost ethereal beauty, reminiscent of a cherished doll. His long, thick eyelashes framed his eyes, and his magnificent tail curled protectively around me, as if he feared I might slip away. He was a treasure beyond words, a delightful blend of charm and innocence.

I leaned in closer, wrapping my arm around his back, and pressed my lips softly against his. A gentle moan escaped him, and he instinctively nestled deeper into my embrace, still lost in the realm of dreams. I kissed him again, this time letting my tongue dance along his lips, and to my delight, he responded by parting them, his arms encircling me in a tender hold. His eyes remained shut, yet I poured my affection into each kiss, feeling the warmth of his body against mine. Another soft moan slipped from his lips as his tail curled more securely around me, a silent testament to his growing comfort.

As my fingers glided down his back, they found their way to his firm backside, and I couldn’t resist the urge to tease the base of his tail, which twitched playfully at my touch. It was then that I felt something stirring, a sensation that was unmistakable. Being a modern woman, I was well aware of what it was, despite my limited experiences with the clumsy advances of men who had previously tried to kiss me. Those encounters had been awkward at best, filled with too much enthusiasm and not enough finesse, leaving me with memories of painful boob squeezes and overly aggressive attempts at intimacy, with lots of slobbering.

Reflecting on my past, I realized how disappointing those moments had been. Who could have imagined that stepping into the enchanting world of beastkin would lead me to discover the true art of a kiss? Oliver, even in his slumber, surpassed all my previous experiences, leaving me breathless and yearning for more.

He gently slid one hand behind my head, his fingers weaving through my hair, drawing me closer into the intoxicating embrace of our kiss. I felt an unexpected pressure against me, a reminder of his size that was far beyond what I had anticipated. As I swallowed my nervousness, I realized I had stepped into a new realm, one that demanded my adaptation. The tales I had heard about mermaids echoed in my mind, warning me of the dangers lurking beneath the surface. If I didn’t embrace this world and pursue what I desired, would I not become prey to some dreadful men, or worse, be captured by a band of mermen, forced into a life of endless reproduction like some queen ant? Absolutely not! To ensure my safety, I had to heed Kai’s advice and seek out more allies among the males. Kao, being a general, could handle any disputes that arose. Yet, I couldn’t help but wonder if this resolve was merely a product of my racing hormones.

The heat coursed through my veins, an undeniable longing for him that made my heart race. I bit my lower lip, surrendering to the intoxicating pull of my desires, and began to sway my hips against him. The moment our bodies connected, it was as if a spark had ignited, sending waves of warmth radiating between us. I gasped, and in that instant, his eyes fluttered open, revealing a mix of sleepiness and confusion that quickly transformed into a smoldering intensity as I pressed my lips to his, awakening him to the reality of our tantalizing predicament.

"Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry!" he stammered, his voice a mix of surprise and embarrassment as he became aware of the way our bodies were entwined. He instinctively tried to pull back, but I refused to let go, tightening my embrace around him. With a boldness that surprised even me, I deepened the kiss, rocking my hips against him with a daring confidence that left no room for hesitation.

With a soft, almost hesitant tone, I leaned in closer and whispered, "I desire you, if that’s acceptable?"

His cheeks flared with a deep crimson hue, a delightful mix of surprise and shyness. He paused, retreating slightly to scan our surroundings. Once he confirmed we were indeed alone, his gaze met mine, filled with a blend of trepidation and a flicker of hopeful anticipation.

"The tea has long since left my system, so that excuse is off the table now."

"I wasn’t attempting to offer an excuse, so please don’t take it that way. My only intention was to ensure that any choice you made stemmed from your own genuine wishes."

"I understand, I was merely playfully nudging you." I swayed my hips against him once more, eliciting a sharp intake of breath from him. The desire I felt for him was overwhelming! It was a longing deeper than anything I had ever experienced. Every inch of my body was ablaze, yearning for his touch, aching for his presence.

A dreamy haze enveloped his gaze, and a soft, almost involuntary sigh escaped his lips. In that fleeting instant, I witnessed the delightful fracture of his determination, as he leaned in to capture my lips with a fervent kiss. His mouth danced along the delicate curve of my neck, lingered on my shoulder, and then, with a tantalizing slowness, he let his kisses wander down my chest, igniting a fire that spread through every fiber of my being.

Coming Next Time: A True Mate