The B*E*A*S*T* Within

�Baby, I need to know. How are we?�
Lanie knew what he was asking. He wanted to know her reaction to him--what she thought of him now that she knew. It was crazy, but she didn�t hate him. And she couldn�t leave him.
�Stop the car,� she whispered.
Without a word he complied, braking then putting the Hummer in park. For a few agonizing seconds, he looked as if he expected her to jump out and run away. She unbuckled her seatbelt, and Noah actually flinched. The poor man had been through so much, and she knew what he needed from her.
Climbing over the center console, Lanie positioned herself by straddling his lap, facing him in the driver�s seat. He looked shocked but a bit relieved as well that she hadn�t run.
�I have never felt more confused and afraid than I do right now,� she said. �And even though I have no idea how you could be what you are, I can�t leave you, Noah. Not now.�
His entire body shuddered as she ran her fingers through his hair. His strong arms circled her waist, pulling her closer to him. Their faces were mere inches away from each other, and Lanie couldn�t have broken their eye contact even if she�d wanted to. His eyes were haunted, telling her of all the hell he�d endured. She wanted to be the one to offer him a safe haven.
�God, Lanie. I thought I�d lose you.�
She bit her lip and shook her head. �Not a chance, mister. You�re stuck with me.�
He smiled at her use of the very same words he�d spoken to her only the night before. Leaning forward, Lanie pressed her lips against his. It was a soft, chaste kiss as she moved her mouth against him, trying to give him the comfort he both wanted and needed from her.
But it wasn�t enough. She could feel his desire through his jeans, pressing hard against her and making her want him more and more with each passing second. Noah�s hands clenched in her hair to hold her tight, as if to make sure she could feel every inch of him.
Before she knew it, his tongue had forced her mouth open, and he tasted her deeply, making her gasp at his boldness. She answered him timidly at first, then with an ardor all her own. She could hear his growls low in his throat, and it excited her.
Even knowing the truth of what he was, even knowing he had another side to him--an animal side, Lanie didn�t care. All she wanted was to feel him moving inside her.