The Fairy Tales Collection Page 7

  Her eyelids fluttered open as he roared his pleasure and she stared mutely at the sharp fangs that were protruding from his mouth. She blinked and they were gone. His big body trembled above hers before he collapsed against her, his heavy body making her gasp for oxygen.

  “Ben, I can’t breathe.” She pounded on his back and he rolled off of her with a harsh groan. They lay panting on the hard floor of the library and her tentative smile died on her face when he sat up and looked at her. The look of regret on his face chilled her to the bone and she sat up, drawing her knees up against her chest.

  “Mirabelle, we shouldn’t have – “

  “Don’t, Ben. Don’t say it,” she said as she blinked back the hot tears.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you were a virgin?”

  “Why did it matter?” She asked.

  His eyes widened. “You should have told me.”

  “It’s not that big of a deal,” she said defensively.

  “Not that big of a deal?” He gave her an angry look. “I was rough with you. I – I hurt you. If I had known you were a virgin, I wouldn’t have,” he looked around the library in dismay, “taken you on the floor of my goddamn library. Hell, I wouldn’t have taken you at all.”

  Hurt flooded through her and she reached for her pants and underwear, yanking them over her legs and hips before buttoning her jeans. “You sure know how to ruin a moment, Bennett Saxby.”

  “Mirabelle,” he protested as she struggled into her bra, “there are – are other reasons for why this was a mistake.”

  Her body stiffened and he groaned loudly. “Wait, that didn’t come out right. I just mean that – “

  “It’s fine, Bennett,” she said. “What girl doesn’t like to hear a guy tell her that sleeping with her was a mistake.”

  She slid her tank top over her head and grabbed her hoodie before stomping to the door of the library. “I’m suddenly not feeling very well. If you’re okay with it, I’m going to leave early. I’ll make up the time another day.”

  “Don’t leave. We need to talk about – “

  “Fuck it,” she suddenly snapped. “If you’re not fine with it, you can fire me.”

  She stormed out into the hallway and slammed the door behind her.

  * * *

  “Wait, let me get this straight.” Rowan crossed Ella’s small apartment and collapsed in one of the armchairs. She folded her legs under her and took the glass of wine from Ella with a nod of thanks. “You finally gave up your v-card to Bennett Saxby, of all people.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Belle said defensively.

  “Belle, honey, I know you’ve spent the last eighteen years romanticizing the boy who nearly got you killed by a cougar but what do you really know about him? You’ve seen him, what – half a dozen times in the last week and had maybe three conversations with him?”

  “Just this morning you wanted to know if I was ‘knocking boots with him’ remember? Now suddenly it’s the worst thing I could have done?”

  Rowan sighed. “Yeah, I know I was teasing you but I didn’t actually think you would sleep with him, Belle.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because – because that’s not you. You don’t sleep with men you barely know. That’s my department.”

  Belle rolled her eyes. “Maybe I’m changing. I really don’t see what the big deal is.”

  Rowan gave Ella a pointed look. “Help me out here, Ella.”

  “Honey, what Ro’s trying to say is that sleeping with Bennett might not have been the smartest idea.”

  “It was a great idea,” Belle protested weakly before rubbing at her forehead. “Fine, I know. It felt right at the time but his whole ‘I made a mistake’ thing kind of killed that feeling.”

  “He said it was a mistake?” Rowan gave her a look of indignation. “Why that giant asshole. The next time I see him, I’m going to – “

  “You’re not going to do anything,” Belle said firmly. “Besides, it was kind of my fault. He was upset that I didn’t tell him I was a virgin and – “

  “You didn’t tell him!” Rowan stared wide-eyed at her. “Belle, you should have told him.”

  “Why? Are you telling me that you told Ricky Jarwin that you were a virgin?”

  “Damn straight I did. And Perry Mosen and Bobby Taylor. Oh and Jim – “

  Ella burst out laughing as Belle stared wide-eyed at the redhead.

  “What?” Rowan shrugged. “Guys like thinking they’re a girl’s first.”

  “Bennett didn’t like it,” Belle said. “He said if he had known I was a virgin he wouldn’t have - have taken me at all.”

  Ella squeezed her arm sympathetically. “I’m sorry, honey.”

  They sat in silence for a moment before Rowan drank the last of her wine in one large swallow. “Okay, enough wallowing in self-pity. When you fall off a horse, you dust yourself off and climb back on, right?”

  “Are you suggesting that Belle climbs onto Bennett Saxby again?” Ella asked with a small grin.

  “Nope. Obviously that ship has sailed. Sorry, sweetie,” Rowan said when Belle winced, “but if the guy is showing regret immediately after sleeping with you – it’s not exactly a lasting relationship. But, that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of guys in this backwater town to ride.”

  Belle laughed and shook her head. “Not interested, thanks.”

  “Of course you’re interested,” Rowan said. “You’ve finally had sex! You can’t tell me you don’t want more. Sex is better than chocolate and wine and amusement rides put together. Sex is a gift from the Gods!”

  Ella nodded solemnly. “She has a point.”

  Belle didn’t reply and Rowan leaned forward and patted her knee. “Sweetheart, don’t judge sex from the first time alone. It always hurts and it’s awkward and forget having an orgasm. It’s just too – “

  “I had an orgasm,” Belle interrupted. “I had two.”

  “Damn,” Rowan said softly, “nicely done, Bennett Saxby.”

  Belle flushed and Rowan patted her knee again. “Still, I think you need to forget about your boyhood crush and start sampling what this town has to offer. You don’t just eat one thing off the menu, you know?”

  Ella laughed and Rowan winked at her. “We’ll have her dating someone by the Centennial Ball.”

  “It’s not a ‘ball’,” Ella said. “It’s the Centennial Celebration.”

  “Whatever,” Rowan replied. “The whole town will be there, there will be music and dancing and we’ll be dressing up fancy. It’s a damn ball and I, for one, am looking forward to it. Anyway, the three of us are going out tonight and we’re going to get Belle laid again.”

  “I don’t want to get laid again,” Belle said. “Honestly, Ro, I really don’t. Besides, you know how people see me in this town. They all think I’m a lunatic. If I haven’t found someone to date me by now, I never will.”

  “Not with that attitude,” Rowan said. She eyed Belle’s jeans and t-shirt. “Or that outfit. Listen, you don’t have to actively try and get laid tonight but can we at least go out and do some flirting? I finally have a night off and I want to live a little.”

  “I have to work in the morning,” Belle said. “I think. I mean, there is the possibility that Bennett is going to fire me, I did kind of storm out earlier this afternoon.”

  “C’mon, Belle-boo,” Rowan wheedled. “Ella and I don’t want to go without you.”

  “I’m not going,” Ella said.

  “Like hell you’re not!” Rowan said.

  “I don’t want to go to Gaston’s. Not after what happened the last time I was there,” Ella said.

  “We’re not going to Gaston’s. You think I want to hang out at my place of employment?” Rowan said. “We’re going to The Woodsmen Pub.”

  “That place is practically out in the damn forest and its full of loggers and cowboys,” Ella replied.

  “Save a horse, ride a cowboy, sweetheart,” Rowan said solemnly.

&n
bsp; Chapter 5

  “Remind me again why we’re here and not at Gaston’s?” Bennett asked irritably.

  “I told you,” Duncan said, “I don’t want to run into Ella again, not after what happened the last time.”

  “So now I’m forced to drive an hour for a beer because you’ve got a hard-on for a woman?”

  “Oh please, you’ll fit right in with the rest of the rednecks,” Duncan said cheerfully as he grinned at the waitress who had approached their table. “I’ll take a beer, whatever you have on tap.”

  She nodded and gave him slow look of appreciation which, Bennett was amused to see, Duncan took no notice of. He had only been back a few weeks but even he could see that Duncan wasn’t acting normally. The lion shifter loved women and if he was to be believed, the women loved him.

  “I’ll have the same,” he said. The waitress nodded before giving Duncan a smile. “You sure you don’t want something to eat? I can get the cook to make you something special.”

  Duncan shook his head distractedly as he glanced at his phone. “No, thanks.”

  A look of disappointment crossed her face and she walked away as Bennett elbowed Duncan. “What was that about?”

  “What?” Duncan asked.

  “Our waitress, who is lovely by the way, was practically offering herself on a platter to you.”

  Duncan blinked at him before glancing at the retreating waitress. “I didn’t notice.”

  “Yeah, that was obvious. What’s up with you?”

  “Nothing,” Duncan insisted. “What’s up with you?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Bullshit. You’ve been acting weird since you got in my car. Plus,” he sniffed at Bennett, “I can smell Belle all over you. You two finally had sex and you’re acting like your dog died. Was she terrible in the sack?”

  “Keep your voice down, Duncan,” Bennett growled at him. “It’ll be a cold day in hell before I discuss Mirabelle’s bedroom abilities with you.”

  “Fair enough,” Duncan said. “But her scent is ridiculously strong – you must have gotten her really hot and bothered – so, well done?”

  Bennett rolled his eyes. “Please be quiet, Duncan.”

  Duncan laughed. “Hey, I’m just saying that – “

  He stopped, his eyes widening as he sniffed the air. “Oh fuck, it can’t be.”

  “What? Oh shit,” Bennett muttered as the scent of cinnamon drifted to him. “Are you kidding me?”

  They both turned and stared at the entrance to the pub. Belle, Ella and Rowan had just walked through the door and both he and Duncan shrank into the shadows as the three women walked by.

  “Time to leave,” Duncan said. “Right now.” He was actually holding his hand over his nose and their waitress gave them an odd look as she set the beer down in front of them.

  “That’ll be eight fifty.”

  Bennett gave her a ten and shook his head when she held out the change to him. She made it disappear into her apron and gave Duncan another appreciative look before leaving.

  “Let’s go, Bennett,” Duncan said.

  “The wolves are here, Duncan.”

  Duncan followed his gaze to the group of men standing near the two pool tables at the back of the pub. There was a pack of wolf shifters who had lived for years in the woods outside of town. Rafe Taggert’s pack, actually, until he had done the unthinkable and left them.

  “So what?” Duncan said. “Let’s go.”

  “They like human females, you know they do,” Bennett said. “Unless this group is different from every other pack of wolf shifters I’ve met?”

  “They’re not,” Duncan said. “But there are dozens of women here, the odds of them going after Belle or Ella is…”

  He trailed off as four of the wolf shifters broke off from the others and headed toward Belle, Ella and Rowan. The three women had snagged a table near the dance floor and Duncan growled loudly when the wolves took the table next to them. The biggest of them, he had long dark hair and a thick beard, smiled at Ella and she blushed and glanced at the table.

  “Oh hell no,” Duncan growled again. “That fucking asshole touches her and he’ll find my claws in his intestines.”

  “Keep it together,” Bennett snapped at him. “He hasn’t even said anything to her.”

  Duncan glared at the wolf shifter, his large hand squeezing compulsively around his beer as Bennett glanced around uneasily. He had no doubt that Duncan would lose his cool if the wolf shifter went anywhere near Ella and he needed to do something to distract the lion shifter. He caught a glimpse of a familiar face and he half-stood before waving. The man, a small smile on his face, crossed the pub before holding out his hand.

  “Bennett Saxby. I heard you were back in town.”

  “Hello, Rafe. It’s good to see you.” Bennett shook his hand firmly. “You remember Duncan Gillis?”

  “I do. Hello, Duncan,” Rafe said politely before taking a swig from the bottle of beer he held in his left hand.

  “Hey,” Duncan grunted. He was still staring at Ella and Rafe followed his gaze. He jerked and took a step back as Bennett gave him a curious glance.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” Rafe said quickly. “But I should probably get going. It was good to see you again Bennett. We should – “

  “Don’t leave,” Bennett said. “Let’s get caught up. It’s been a long time.”

  He pulled the chair out and Rafe hesitated before sinking into it. His large body blocked Duncan’s view of Ella and Duncan glared at him as Bennett placed his hand on his arm.

  “Relax, Duncan.”

  “Maybe you should tell your pack over there to stay away from Ella Cinders,” Duncan snapped irritably at Rafe.

  “They are no longer my pack and have not been for many years,” Rafe said calmly. “I would have about as much sway with them as you do, lion shifter.”

  Duncan scowled at him and Rafe folded his arms across his chest. “Perhaps it would be best if you and your friend left, Bennett.”

  “I’m not leaving her here alone,” Duncan said. “No fucking way.”

  “Then perhaps you should heed your friend’s advice and relax,” Rafe said. “You do not want to be on the wrong side of a wolf pack.”

  “I don’t give a shit about that,” Duncan said. “Besides, I can tear them apart easily.”

  “One or two, perhaps,” Rafe said. “But there are at least eight here tonight and that isn’t even half of the pack. Injure a member of the pack and the rest will go after you.”

  “You think I’m afraid, old man?” Duncan snarled. “Is that what you think?”

  “Duncan! For God’s sake, just relax,” Bennett said. “Sorry, Rafe. He’s got a, uh, thing for Ella Cinders.”

  Rafe’s eyes, which had flared to the colour of jade at Duncan’s insult, faded to his usual hazel. “Then might I suggest that, instead of threatening to kill the wolves, you claim Ella as yours before one of my former pack mates does.”

  “Easier said than done,” Bennett replied. “She kind of hates Duncan.”

  “She doesn’t hate me,” Duncan said heatedly. “She’s just mad because I pulled her braids in school.”

  “For an entire year,” Bennett said.

  A slight grin crossed Rafe’s face and Duncan scowled again at him. “You’re one to talk. You think we can’t smell your lust for Rowan?”

  The smile dropped from Rafe’s face and his hand clenched around the table. “I feel nothing for Rowan Jameson. I barely know her.”

  “Whatever,” Duncan snorted. “Maybe you should take your own advice instead of dishing it out to me.”

  Rafe didn’t reply and Bennett sighed loudly before taking a drink of beer. “Can we all just admit that we’re attracted to the humans and be done with it?”

  Rafe’s nostrils flared slightly and he stared pointedly at Bennett. “It would seem Ms. Vale is receptive to your advances.”

  Bennett, blushing lightly, looked away from the wolf
shifter’s steady glare. The man was only thirteen years older than him but he suddenly felt like he was being chastised by his father. “She’s working for me – cataloguing my mother’s library. She’s been in my home all week, that’s why you can smell her on me.”

  Duncan snorted loudly and Bennett glared at him as Rafe made a low chuckle. “I am not a fool, Bennett.”

  “I know,” Bennett said. “It’s just kind of complicated at the moment.”

  “Love always is,” Rafe said solemnly.

  “Oh my God,” Duncan suddenly groaned. “Is she trying to kill me?”

  Bennett took a quick look at the three women. They were out on the small dance floor and he watched, desire flooding through him, as Belle shimmied and shook her body to the fast beat of the music.

  The smell of his own lust was being overpowered by Duncan’s and he forced himself to look away as Duncan groaned again. “Jesus, I am going to lose my shit in a minute, I swear to God.”

  His eyes were glued to Ella’s ass as she swayed to the music, giggling and bumping her hips against Rowan’s.

  Bennett glanced at Rafe before he stared nervously at the people sitting at the table next to theirs. He breathed a sigh of relief when they weren’t paying any attention to them and nudged the wolf shifter lightly.

  “Maybe you should leave, Rafe.”

  The wolf shifter’s eyes were glowing bright green and a dark beard covered his jaw. He was watching Rowan with a fierce intensity and his hands were in tight fists on the table. As Rowan raised her arms and rocked her hips, the wolf shifter made a low growl and a nearly overwhelming scent of lust radiated from his body.

  “Rafe,” Bennett said again, “you should go.”

  Rafe blinked at him before shaking his body and standing abruptly. “Yes, I believe you’re right, Bennett. Good night.”

  He stalked away as the music ended and a slow song began. Bennett sat back in his chair as Duncan shoved his chair back and stood.

  “No fucking way,” he snarled under his breath and yanked his arm out of Bennett’s grip before hurrying toward the dance floor.

  “Shit,” Bennett muttered. Two of the wolf shifters had joined the women on the dance floor. The largest of the wolf shifters was about to pull Ella into his arms to dance but Bennett’s concern that Duncan would rip him apart ended the moment he saw Belle smile at a second wolf shifter and nod. The wolf grinned happily and put one thick arm around her waist as she took his hand and he pulled her up against his body. His hand rested familiarly at the top of her ass and Bennett growled angrily before standing and following Duncan to the dance floor.