Page 150 of Beasts of Mine

“You okay?” Tavian asked at once, every trace of teasing disappearing as his body went still beneath my arms.

“Yes.” I tightened my hold around Tavian and breathed through the sudden pressure until it settled again. “Apparently laughing was a bad decision.”

“That seems difficult for you.” Tavian murmured after he felt me relax, amusement returning carefully as his hand resumed its slow movement across my back.

“You are not helping.” I warned Tavian, although my own amusement ruined most of the threat.

“I can be quiet.” Tavian promised with exaggerated sincerity while his very loud purr continued rumbling against my chest. I lifted my head and stared at him, and Tavian managed an innocent face for about half a second before his mouth twitched. I decided not to risk laughing again.

Once my body relaxed more fully around his knot, Tavian shifted us carefully onto our sides without breaking the lock. He moved far more slowly than he usually did anything, watching me through each adjustment until he was settled behind me with one arm curled around my waist and his chest warm along my back.

“What?” Tavian asked when he caught me glancing over my shoulder, his face half buried against my hair while his thumb moved lazily over my stomach.

“You’re cuddling.” I told Tavian as I glanced pointedly toward the arm wrapped securely around my middle, unable to keep the amusement from my voice.

“Yes.” Tavian answered without hesitation and tucked himself closer, his chest pressing against my back while his purr vibrated through both of us.

“You.” I emphasized to Tavian, turning my head enough to catch part of his face from the corner of my eye.

“Yes, Evie. Me.” Tavian murmured against my shoulder, his mouth twitching before he pressed a lazy kiss against my skin.

“The man who spent half the morning climbing things that did not need to be climbed.” I reminded Tavian as I settled more comfortably against his chest, resting my hand over the forearm curled around my waist.

“I can climb and cuddle.” Tavian informed me as he nuzzled against the back of my shoulder, sounding faintly offended that I would consider the two skills incompatible.

“That combination feels dangerous.” I told Tavian as I traced my thumb along the warm skin of his forearm.

“You’ll survive.” Tavian assured me, tightening his arm enough to pull me closer while satisfaction returned to his voice. I smiled and relaxed into him. Tavian’s hand moved lazily over my stomach while every few minutes his mouth brushed the back of my shoulder or the side of my neck. Beyond the sheltering root, the waterfall continued its steady rush, and cooler mist occasionally drifted through the ferns to touch skin still warm from him.

“You okay?” I asked Tavian after a while, reaching back until my fingers found his hair as I remembered the conversation that had brought us here.

“Yeah.” Tavian answered quietly against my shoulder, his fingers slowing over my stomach while he actually considered the question.

“Believe me now?” I asked Tavian as I gently worked my fingers through the hair near his temple, keeping the question light even though I meant it.

“More than I did an hour ago.” Tavian admitted, his voice softer as his arm tightened around me.

“I’ll take it.” I told Tavian, rubbing my thumb once over his hand before settling more fully against his chest.

“You really know how to make it difficult for a man to have a perfectly good insecurity.” Tavian muttered into my shoulder, the returning humor in his voice making me smile.

“I’m talented.” I told Tavian as I squeezed the hand resting against my stomach.

“You are.” Tavian agreed softly before pressing another kiss against the back of my shoulder. Several quiet minutes passed with the waterfall rushing beyond the ferns and damp air moving across the edge of the blanket. Tavian’s breathing gradually slowed against my back, but his hand never stopped its lazy path over my stomach.

“You smell like me now.” Tavian murmured eventually, satisfaction creeping back into his voice as he breathed near my hair.

“There he is.” I smiled, recognizing the smug edge returning to his tone.

“What?” Tavian asked as his thumb moved across my stomach again.

“The menace I recognize.” I told Tavian.

“I was here the whole time.” Tavian protested before pressing a kiss behind my ear and breathing in again. “Malek’s still there too.”

“What about him?” I asked Tavian, hearing curiosity rather than jealousy in his voice.

“I can still smell him on you.” Tavian nuzzled closer, taking inventory with absolutely no shame. “Mine’s stronger now.”