The Beast And The Blessed

Thirty-Three: Natalie

Natalie’s P.O.V.

I felt a pain in my chest as I realized that he was only seconds away from admitting that he had made a mistake by choosing me and sending me back home. If he did, I could live with it, but I was also frozen. with a deep panic that I wouldn’t ever feel his arms around me again or get to enjoy the way the room. smelled like him after he showered.

He may not have let me in, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t already wormed his way into my heart. Even if it was only a small amount. I was hooked on him. I was jealous of Joselin, and I was angry when I didn’t get to spend time with him.

The sudden realization that I wanted him to stay in my life… that I wanted to learn more about him, not just because I wanted a civil relationship but because I wanted him to be mine, was terrifying. I had never felt like this before, even for Jake. With him, we were just comfortable.

We dated because it felt right, and we enjoyed each other’s presence and touch. If I was being honest with myself, I enjoyed having someone who protected me and he enjoyed being seen as someone’s hero. With Killian, I couldn’t even say if we were officially a couple. But the more time I spent around him, the more I discovered this insatiable need to talk to him, touch him, and be near him. He was a like a magnet, constantly drawing me in and then flipping over when the sun rose and pushing me away.

But he had been right. It had only been one day, but after last night he was putting forward an honest effort to make things better between us. I was woman enough to admit that he was right.

I wasn’t ready to give up on whatever we had or could have in the future.

my heart, or maybe he could smell

to fight. We have already covered that I have never had anything to do with Joselin. For you to believe me, is up to you, and I know that it will take time for me to earn your trust.” He let out a deep breath but this time I was the one confused.

the couch with a sigh as the weight of the world seemed to grow heavier

his face before staring at me, his deep hazel eyes filled with torment. “There was a sighting just outside of the city. I sent out patrols and came right back to

Vampires.

danger. I hadn’t been mad at him for the dinner itself, but I had the feeling if he

going to have you come with me, but I didn’t want to take you away from your first ball.

He was pushing back his emotions, but I could see in the clenched fist on his thigh.

in his eyes told me that he was, and I closed the space between us, dropping to my knees before him and grabbing his fist

with real issues, bigger problems. He had lost two men and had to tell their families that they had been murdered, and I

need

“I’m so sorry, Killian.”

opened, and he turned it over to grab mine. “I’m trying to make things better.” The repeated statement only confirmed how broken he was by the new development, and I gripped his hand tightly. “Things are getting better. I was just being insecure and jealous. I… I like having you around. I like being around you when you are you.” I whispered, scared to look at him as I spoke, not wanting to have

need to learn to tolerate being around both because that is who