My Wild Beast
Chapter 35: In His Snare (1)

Chapter 35: In His Snare (1)

Yoa didn’t wait. He instantly slid into bed and tugged Nova into his arms under the covers like she was meant to always be in them. "Don’t cry, little one." His low, rumbling voice was soothing and chipping at a small part of her chest, like a clink in armour. "You’re not alone. I’m here."

Those words made it impossible to close the dam of tears that were brimming at the surface of her eyes. Sniffling, Nova cuddled him tighter, her head resting comfortably on Yoa’s chest. Squeezing her eyes tighter and hiding her face a little into his skin, she muttered, "I must seem so pathetic to you."

Tears escaped her clenched-shut eyes, sliding down her cheeks and onto his chest. Why was she so pathetic?! Is it because there was no more drama of running for her life, and now that things had settled, everything was catching up to her?

"Never." Yoa’s arms tightened around Nova, and he pulled her impossibly closer to him like he was trying to shield her from everything. Now Nova was entirely on him like the first time on the tree.

She couldn’t deny the warmth flooding her body wasn’t nice. She snuggled into him a little more, unable to look at him quite yet, enjoying the sound of his steady heartbeat and listening to what he said next.

"You have been through a lot. I do not know of your home or people, but I know you are not of this world. You would not seem so clueless otherwise."

Ouch. Nova wanted to grumble and defend herself, but that was merely the truth. Yoa was just a little blunt at times, like now.

"And I might prefer my solitude most of the time, but if I was in a place I didn’t know..." Yoa seemed to be struggling now to sound genuine. It was quite adorable, really. He was trying to comfort her. "Without my friends... or anyone I knew... I, too, would-"

"Don’t," Nova chuckled, wiping a few stray tears away and smiling up at him. He’d already lifted her spirits. "You would kick ass. You don’t need anyone."

Yoa chuckled, his chest rumbling beneath her. It was comforting to Nova’s ears. "You’re right. I would kick ass."

"Hey!" Nova playfully smacked his chest. "You’re not meant to agree!"

Yoa chuckled, taking the hand that smacked him. It felt like nothing more than a fly landing on him. "And why not? I am only stating the truth."

Nova shook her head, grinning, her chest warming at this fun back and forth, feeling better. "Because it comes off as arrogant!"

"Oh? And what is wrong with a confident man?" He arched an eyebrow at her. "I am confident in my skills and powers."

Nova’s lips parted and shut, but she couldn’t come up with a good answer because he was right. But there was that stubborn side of her that just wanted to argue with him because of that air of confidence. It wasn’t the same as Chad’s cockiness, though. This was... she gulped... it was hot. That didn’t stop her from grumbling unintelligibly below her breath, though.

Stubborn little mouse, Yoa mused, watching her and enjoying her pouting lips. It made him want to play with her more. The beast within him was finding great enjoyment in it.

"What was that?" Yoa’s giant hand gently caressed her face and slipped his finger and thumb to grip her chin softly, tilting it up so her gaze met his. His eyes bore into hers with such intensity she almost forgot how to breathe. "Speak up, little mouse."

His voice dripped seductively, like honey. Nova could only gape up at him, her jaw slackened. He did the move. Where the hell did he learn that?! Her shocked expression made him chuckle and bring his face closer to hers.

Yoa couldn’t help it. He was in a playful mood, and he much preferred seeing this side of Nova than feeling her pain and seeing her cry. He couldn’t ignore the way her body felt against his, either. Those small curves just moulded around him.

Yoa’s hands twitched slightly on her waist like he wanted to touch more. Nova swallowed again, sensing the slight change in mood. She sucked on her lower lip, glancing at the sun setting across the horizon, kissing the sea in hues of gold and red.

"This place really is magical... huh?" She whispered breathily.

Yoa tilted her face back to his, and she saw that same sunset burning in his eyes. He wanted her attention solely on him. To have her gaze locked on his, to stare into those starlight blue eyes. Sometimes it was like he was staring into the early night sky swallowing the last of the day, the stars already shining through and twinkling.

His face inched closer.

Nova forgot to breathe.

"It is," he murmured, his voice low and rough, like a purr drawn from deep in his chest. Those enchanting eyes held her there—captivated.

Nova’s eyes darted between his, searching for a reason to stop; there were so many reasons, she was sure, but instead, she found every reason to give in. Maybe it was the comfort she wanted and needed... or maybe it was something deeper, more dangerous.

Right now, Nova didn’t want to think anymore. Why shouldn’t she cave into Yoa?

His breath ghosted over her lips first—hot, soft, promising. Nova shivered.

Yoa noticed her reaction. A quiet rumble stirred in his throat as his warm hands glided up her back, slow and certain, drawing her against the hard lines of his body, pressing her into him more.

Like a magnet unable to resist the pull, Nova gave in. Her arms slid over his neck just as their lips met—tentative at first, then lingering, savouring.

Nova trembled beneath the kiss, drinking in the heat of him, the way his presence wrapped around her like smoke, invading her mind and making her forget how to breathe. One hand cradled the back of her head, deepening the kiss, prolonging it.

She melted into it, breathless, and caught in the snare of this wild beast.