"Stop trying to sway . I shall be fine as long as you remain still," he replied, lowering his head to rest on her shoulder. He inhaled deeply, savoring the familiar scent that always drew him to her.
"You don’t wish for to leave, nor do you wish to reject . Why put yourself through such tornt?" she questioned, baffled by his actions. Their bond had already been severed through divorce, yet he clung to this connection. The mate bond was relentless, its power could drive one to the brink of death. While she claid not to care, she didn’t wish for him to et such an end. If he perished in this way, the bla would weigh upon her conscience, and her revenge didn’t require such stains.
"When did you start to care for ? I thought you hated ," he murmured, his breath warm against her shoulder, a faint smirk curling his lips.
"I do not care for you," she retorted sharply. "I am simply speaking as any rational person would. I need you alive, Quinn, if only to ensure my own survival. I require your protection, that is all."
"Then will you help to be well?" He asked suddenly, causing her to frown in suspicion. His tone hinted at mischief, and she doubted his intentions.
After a pause, he added, "I thought you wanted to be fine?" He chuckled, amused by her hesitation.
"How do I help you?" She asked reluctantly, already regretting her words. Surely, she thought, his idea of "help" could only lead to one thing.
"A handjob," he said plainly, and she imdiately shoved him away, recoiling as if burned.
"I do not care how unwell you are. I will not do such a thing!" She snapped, turning her back to him in disgust. The very idea was absurd, and she refused to entertain it.
"You are far too easy to tease," he said, laughing heartily, before pulling her into an embrace. Her protests faded as he held her close, her chest now resting against his.
"This is enough to steady ," he murmured softly. She sighed, conceding that a simple hug was harmless. It neither compromised her values nor betrayed Hezekiah.
Yet as the minutes passed, Belle began to feel a disconcerting warmth spreading through her. It was a familiar sensation, one she had managed to suppress during their ti apart. Her thoughts betrayed her resolve, and she grew increasingly needy.
For months, she had kept these feelings buried, convincing herself that he had Sofia to tend to him. But now, hearing his claim of enduring it alone stirred sothing within her. Could he be lying? Why would he resist the bond if he had another? Unless...
"Quinn," she whispered hesitantly.
"Hmm?" He responded, his deep voice resonating through her, unsettling her further. She swallowed hard, silently beseeching the moon goddess for strength, though she knew her pleas were futile.
Raising his head, Quinn tilted it slightly, prompting Belle to do the sa until their gazes locked. Unspoken emotions swirled in their eyes, heavy with words neither dared utter.
"You... you said you endured it alone? Why?" She asked, her voice trembling. The question seed to catch him off guard, as though he hadn’t expected her to recall such a fleeting remark.
"Because..." he began but faltered. His eyes fell to her lips, their fullness captivating him, unraveling his restraint. He leaned closer, his voice low and ragged. "Belle, I can’t hold back any longer."
Without warning, he claid her lips, pulling her tightly against him.
Belle, equally overtaken by the mont, closed her eyes and tilted her head slightly, allowing him deeper access. The warmth of his kiss stirred sothing within her, and the heat in her body intensified, a quiet longing awakening.
Quinn’s lips trailed to her neck, where he began kissing and sucking fervently. Belle let out a moan, her fingers clutching his hair as her conflicted thoughts gave way to sensation.
"Quinn!" She called out, her voice a mix of protest and desire. She wanted to stop him, yet a part of her craved more.
Quinn, lost in his fervor, ignored her weak protests, lowering his mouth to graze her nipple through the thin fabric of her undergarnt. The sensation made her grip tighten, yet it also jolted her back to reality.
"NO!" She cried, breaking free of his grasp. She stumbled to the other side of the cave, wrapping herself in a blanket as though shielding herself from her own vulnerability.
"We cannot do this. I owe Hezekiah my loyalty, and my body," she declared, her voice heavy with regret. She swallowed hard, scolding herself for allowing her emotions to take over.
Quinn clenched his fists, running his hand through his hair in frustration. He leaned back against the wall, silent but visibly pained.
Belle’s guilt weighed heavily on her. How could she face Hezekiah now? How would she explain this mont, this lapse in judgnt?
"Belle!" A voice suddenly called out, cutting through her thoughts. She turned toward the cave entrance to see Hezekiah standing there, looking exhausted and disheveled.
"Hezekiah!" She exclaid, her eyes widening in shock.
Hezekiah glanced between Belle and Quinn, suspicion flickering in his eyes before he quickly masked it.
"I suppose you two can manage your way back," Quinn said abruptly, standing and walking toward the cave’s exit. Without another word, he left them, his retreating figure heavy with unspoken turmoil.
Belle watched him go, her heart sinking as she wondered if he was all right, or how he would cope with the desire raging within him.
"Are you all right?" Hezekiah asked softly, taking her hands in his. His voice was tinged with guilt, as though blaming himself for being late.
"Who took off your gown?" He asked, his expression hardening as his eyes lingered on her half-naked self.
"Quinn dealt with him already. I am fine now," she reassured him with a small smile. "What about Mia and Aurora?"
Before she could say more, Hezekiah pulled her into a tight embrace, his hand gently patting her hair. The relief in his touch was palpable.
"I will never let you out of my sight again," he promised, his voice resolute.
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