Beauty in Autumn (Beauty #3)(10)

Ruari pauses again. "You are...different from the others."

"I'm going to take that as a compliment." I move my hand down my thigh. "And you must like it or you wouldn't be back."

He makes the broken gravel sound, and I realize he's laughing. I like that. I lie back in the pillows again and arch my back, thrusting my breasts into the air. It feels sensuous and I'm getting turned on at the idea of him watching me. There's something freeing about the blindfold despite it limiting my vision. I don't have to worry about looking foolish when I writhe on the bed because who is there to see? Who will care except me and Ruari? It gives me a bit more courage to do as I like.

"It makes no difference if I like it - or you. None of this will matter in two days. You will just be another rose for me to lament over."

His words strike a note of fear in my heart, but I choose to ignore it. I'm going to have faith in what Leta told me. I recline on my side and slide a hand over my hip. "Then why do you care if you like me or not? Why not enjoy ourselves for the time we have?" I move my hand between my thighs and cup my pussy. "Want to see me touch myself again?"

"More than anything." His breathing is raspy, and I feel his presence at the side of my bed.

I grow bolder at hearing his excitement. I'm wet already, and my nipples feel tight and hard with excitement. "Then you have to give me something, too," I tell him. I slip a finger between my folds and rub my clit, just a little, just enough to make a gasp escape my throat.

Ruari growls. "Name it."

"I want you to touch yourself."

"I shall give that freely. Take off your mask so you can watch." I like how raspy his breath is, as if the very thought drives him wild.

With a little shake of my head, I continue to play with my pussy. "The mask must stay on."

"Then how do you expect to see me touch myself?"

"I'll experience it with my hands."

He growls again. "You...want to touch me?"

"More than anything," I whisper. The thought is a deliciously naughty one. Touching the beast? Putting my hands on him while he pleasures himself? It's not done. Not at all. Maybe that's why I want it so very badly. There's so much to experience and I have to cram it into these last two days...

Just in case Leta is wrong. Just in case.

"Very well," he tells me. "But you must go first."

"I planned on it," I tell him softly, and run my fingertip over my clit, just like I always do when I touch myself.

Ruari lets out a choked sound. "Do that again."

I bite my lip and do just that, sliding my finger through my wet folds and then circling against my clit. The little nub is tingling with every touch, and I feel my nipples grow tighter in response. The hollow ache begins in my belly and a sigh escapes me. It feels good, and yet I want so much more.

"Spread your legs for me," he murmurs, voice low. Something hot fans over my skin and I think it's his breath. Oh. Is he that close?

I do as he asks, letting my fingers explore my pussy before gliding back up to my clit again. Normally when I touch myself, I go straight for my clit and don't stop until I've come. But with him watching, it makes me want to take my time, to play a little more. To hear his reactions as I pleasure myself. "Are you...are you going to touch me?" The thought makes my legs jerk, as if I'm about to come. I like it far too much.

"You want the beast to touch you? To stroke your sweetness?"

"I want you to touch me, Ruari." The thought is so exciting I'm practically coming off the bed. I wait, panting with anticipation. Is he going to do it? Or is he going to leave me wanting?

After what feels like an excruciating amount of time, I feel a hand on my stomach. His skin feels hot against mine, but he still feels completely and utterly human. Strange -- and wonderful. I moan at the small touch, and my thighs automatically begin to close as I feel a bit of shyness creep in.

"No," he rasps. "Open for me."

My breath catches in my throat and I force myself to do as he commands, to part my thighs and give him access to my most secret parts. His big hand cups my pussy, scorchingly hot. I moan, unable to remain quiet. It's the most intimate thing I've ever felt, and it makes me feel excited and squirmy both at once.

"Your cunt is so wet."

His blunt words make me gasp, and when he rubs a finger along the seam of my folds, I moan again. "Is that bad?" He sounds surprised, and I wonder if it's something that's not done, getting all slick and hot when you're turned on. I've never given it much thought; it's something that's always happened when I got aroused.

"No. It's very, very good," Ruari whispers. "I like it."

"I like your touch," I tell him, and then moan again when one of his big, blunt fingers strokes over my clit. "Just like that!"

"Tell me how you want it," he commands. I feel a big hand land on my belly, his other between my thighs. It's like he's holding me down so he can touch me, and it's the most arousing thing ever. I can't stop moaning or moving underneath his grip. I want to raise my hips up, to put more friction against the gentle strokes he's giving my pussy but he's holding me in place.

I pant, my hands going to my breasts so I can pluck at my nipples while he toys with my folds. "Rub me again," I demand of him. "Go in little circles around my clit. Soft touches."