Her eyes grew weary as she read. It was nearly an hour since she started the book. She was tired from work but she forced herself to finish the book. She fell asleep with the book in her hand and thought about how much she hated Brett.
BATB
Beast opened his leather bound book and dipped his quill in the small ink bottle. His head had been swarming with words after seeing her at the garden and he ran to the library as fast as he could.
Her green eyes had sparkled as she met his crystal blue irises. She looked at him as if he were human and that was all he could hope for. He still did not have the courage to speak to her for he never saw himself as a man that deserved her.
The library door opened and he looked up to see his chambermaid. She and all the others knew of his secret except for the woman he loves. He was trapped in a curse and her love for him didn't break it. He was still a Beast.
"Vincent," her voice echoed.
"Emma, you must call me Beast when I am like this. You must not forget."
"This is foolish, sir. Our dear Catherine cries for you every day and night yet you sit here or just watch her from afar."
"You must not tell her. Promise me that you will not expose my secret."
"I promise," she closed the door in a rage and he started to write.
Beast woke up from his sleep and his ears started to ring. The sound put a smile on his face and he immediately forgot the dream as he heard the noise again. "Catherine," he immediately rolled off his mattress and put a shirt on. It had been five sunrise since he last saw her and he missed her too much to waste another second.
The tunnels were blurry as he ran as fast as he could. It took no less than a minute and he was completely out of breath when he reached her. He walked slowly to her as she did the same. Their bodies met and she wrapped her arms around him as he did the same.
Catherine pulled away and his arms fell from her body. She looked up at him with a concern look. "Did I wake you?"
His eyes started to droop and he managed to shake his head but answered. "Yes."
She half smiled almost giggled. It was cute that he was trying not to make her feel bad. "Sorry. I figured you'd be awake by now since it's noon."
Beast leaned against the wall and let his tired body fall to the floor. He made a thump sound as his butt landed on the floor. "I didn't sleep until after sunrise. The second body in the subway, Mrs. Pots, her son Chip ran away again. I helped his dad look for him. It took a while but we found him and Doc is sick, too."
She knelt in front of him and stroked his cheek. For a moment his eyes turned brown when he looked at her, the same color as his fur. Sometimes he cared too much and forgot about his own well being.
"You're exhausted," she removed her hands from his face and looked down, avoiding his eyes. It felt oddly familiar. It was as if Vincent was in front of her.
Beast placed his hands over hers, his soft paw gently pressing on it. He closed his eyes and waited for them to change colors before opening it. "They're blue again," he told her.
She looked up at him and met his blue hue that she had grown to like. Though it changed colors it still felt familiar.
"You don't like it when they're brown?" He asked her.
Catherine shook her head and removed her hands from his. Maybe it was why she was always drawn to Beast.
"It reminds you of...him?"
She nodded her head, unable to speak especially when it came to Vincent. She enjoyed spending time with Beast but it also made her feel sad.
"I can't control it. I just feel it change," he confessed.
"It's not your fault. I'm sorry."
"I should be sorry, not you," he looked down and sighed. "I missed you but I keep ruining it."
"You didn't ruin anything," she placed both hands on his cheeks, cupping his face and he looked up. "I'm still here and I'm free the whole day."
"Is that why you came here?"
"Yes," Catherine smiled.
"I hope you don't take this the wrong way but I'm really tired and I want to spend the day with you. Is it okay if we go to my chamber? There's no curtains or anything. You're free to leave anytime you want."
"We can do that," Catherine replied. She stood up and he did the same.
"Let's go," Beast offered his hand, she took it without hesitation and he guided them back home.
BATB
Catherine held his hand tightly as they entered the huge room with candles and most the residents of the tunnel. Mostly everyone just looked at them as they passed. Some she met before but there were others that she didn't recognize. They were the ones that stayed in their own chambers and they still didn't want to meet her.
His chamber was much smaller than her bedroom and was lit with multiple candles. The mattress lay on the floor in the far corner opposite of the entrance. In another corner were his stack of books and in a messy pile were his clothes.
He looked at the clothes that he completely forgot about. "Sorry about the mess," he let go of her hand and walked to the pile of clothes to sort it.
Catherine walked to the stack of books and squatted in front of it. "Compared to my sister's room this is actually clean."
"You have a sister?" He asked as he folded his clothes. There wasn't much but he took care of it.
"Yes. Younger. Heather," she replied as her fingers traced the spine of the books while skimming through the titles. "Can be a pain sometimes but she means well," she stopped at a book and pulled it out of the pile. She stood up and turned around but walked into him and he caught her before she fell onto the pile of books. "I didn't hear you," she looked up at him in surprise as she was caught off guard by his proximity and his quick reflex.
"Hope I didn't scare you."
She shook her head but her heart started racing. The feeling of being with him was like déjà vu. There was a similar feeling to when her and Vincent were getting to know each other.
"Did you finish the book I gave you?" Beast wrapped his arms around her waist and locked his hands together behind the small of her back. He didn't know what came over him and why his body suddenly reacted to hers.
"Yes," Catherine whispered, so low that he barely heard her. "I still hate Brett."
"She's misunderstood and just starved for love and affection," he pulled her closer and his breathing became fast, along with his heart.
She placed her hand on his forearms. "Jake loved her, always has."
"She loved him in her own way," he started to lean down.
She squeezed his forearms as she stared at his lips and closed her eyes when she felt his breath on her lips. Her heart started beating wildly and more erratic than his as her nerves gore the best of her.
He placed his forehead on hers. "Catherine," he said her name. For a moment he forgot the rules. "Beauty," he whispered.
"Yes?" She asked, breathlessly.
"I want to kiss you. I do but I don't want you to regret anything," Beast pulled away and let her go. "I can hear your heartbeat, it's fast but not like mine."
She was nervous and scared. This was new to her as it was for him though her feelings were familiar to her.
"Beast," Doc broke the silence between them interrupting the awkwardness that was starting to develop between them.
They both looked towards the arc entrance of his chamber and saw a worried Doc. His face was unusually pale.
"You're needed," Doc's voice was weak from being sick.
Beast nodded his head and started to walk towards the arc. His eyes flashed brown when he looked back at her and Catherine knew why her heart was racing. She had been nervous with Vincent as well.
BATB
Doc and Beauty watched from the edge of the big room as Beast tried to console Chip, who was still sobbing. He missed his mother too much.
"I didn't mean to interrupt the two of you," Doc whispered.
Catherine shook her head. "You didn't interrupt anything."
"It also didn't look like nothing," Do quickly answered, always the witty and observant.
Her face turned red and she turned away from Doc and looked at Beast who was now down on his knees, so he was eye level with Chip.
"You know you're the best thing he ever found outside of here. You're very special to him," Doc informed her as if she didn't know but a part of her knew how Beast felt since she also felt the same way. "Did he tell you how I found him?"
She shook her head and turned back to Doc, who peaked her interest. As a detective she couldn't help but be curious but there was also another part of her that wanted to know for her own selfish reasons.
"I found him in an alley. He was lying on the ground. I thought he was dead and for a moment I think he was. Then the sun rose up high in the sky and he changed to that." They both turned to Beast. "I think that's what saved his life."
Catherine turned back to Doc. "He was human?" She knew he was human but not human, human. Her heart began to race.
"Yes his human but he can't remember who he is. Neither can I," Doc crossed his arms and sighed.
"Everyone else in here, can they remember who they are?"
"It's just Beast and I who can't."
"Did you get a look at his face? I can do a search for missing person," she said but that wasn't the only reason.
"By the time I got close enough he was already changing."
"I'm glad you found him when you did. At least he wasn't alone."
"And he isn't now," Doc looked at Beast who was still talking to Chip. "By the way, the book he gave you. He's not like Jake, you know, impotent," Doc smirked.
"Wh-I," Catherine stuttered. Her whole face turned to a bright red color.
"Just to clarify things."
Catherine turned away from Doc who had a huge grin on his face. She looked at Beast who had all the patience in the world for the little kid, even after he ran away this morning.
Chip was no more than eight and short for his age. He had blonde hair like his mother and very pale in complexion. He was usually hyper and bouncing around from chamber to chamber but that all changed after his mother passed away.
His chipped tooth showed when he suddenly opened his mouth to talk. "Who's that?" He whispered to Beast and pointed at the new girl standing next to Doc.
"That's my friend. Do you want to meet her?"
His little head bobbed in the air as he nodded. Beast stood up and Chip put his tiny hands in his paw. They walk towards her and Doc, who was still amused by her reaction from earlier.
"I think Beast has new competition," Doc whispered.
She half smiled but then almost pouted as she noticed his brown eyes. "Sorry." She reads his lips.
"Chip this is Beauty and Beauty meet Chip."
She bent down to meet Chip's height and Doc's eyes followed her behind which Beast noticed. They were both human and male after all.
"Doc," Beast snarled and Beauty stood up to look at both men who quickly looked away from her.
She knelt down in front of Chip. "Nice to meet you, Chip," she said and offered her hand.
He lets go of Beast's hand and shook hers. "You're very pretty. Will you be my girlfriend?"
She looked up at Beast whose eyes were back to blue and she felt a pang of guilt. It's not that she never wanted to see his brown eyes but it was too difficult. Her heart and mind were processing information in different ways.
"Ask me again when you're older," she placed a kiss on his cheek. "Behave, okay?"
"I will," Chip smiled and ran to his father.
"You just made Chip the happiest little kid in the world. Beast, you should have her talk to Chip next time. I'll leave the two of you alone," Doc walked away and went to his chamber. He didn't have much strength yet though it was fun teasing Beauty. He just felt comfortable with as if they were friends in the past.
"Doc is right about Chip. Thank you."
"Is there somewhere private we can talk?" She asked.
Beast looked around and then in his chamber. There was no privacy with it being an open space. "Grab a candle. It's a long walk."
BATB
The tunnels were much narrow than she was use to. If it weren't for the candles and Beast she didn't think she would be walking through them. One of the things she liked about being there was having her hand in his. He made her feel wanted and comforted.
The flame on her candle went out and she immediately squeezed his hand. He turned around and lit her candle with his.
"Thank you."
"Don't worry, I know these tunnels better than anyone. What did you want to talk about?" He asked.
"Uhm," Catherine bit her bottom lip. It was a simple question but for some reason it made her heart race. All she wanted was to be alone with him.
"Catherine?"
She looked up at him and his blue eyes were dancing with the flames. Her mouth opened then closed.
"What's wrong?" He asked. His voice was gentle and full of concern.
"Nothing," she smiled nervously as her heart started to race again.
"I can hear your heart beating fast."
"You can?"
"All the time. We can go back if you want."
Catherine shook her head. "I just wanted to be alone with you. There were too many interruptions in there," she finally answered.
"I should have warned you about that. I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault. You're a great guy with a kind heart. I know you really care about them. I hope you don't mind that I stole you away."
He stepped closer and minimized between their bodies. "Had I known, we would have left sooner rather than later," he said in coarse voice. His eyes turned dark brown, lust filling them.
"Beast," she whispered softly. "What are you feeling right now?"
His heart raced and his breathing was rough. He leaned down until their forehead touched. He closed his eyes as they were unable to hide what he was thinking. "I don't think you want to know Catherine. We should go."
She nodded her head and their lips graze. He opened his mouth as she did the same. Their breaths mingle and their lips flutter closer to each other but the moment quickly vanished as they part from one another.
"We should really go," he kept his eyes closed as he tried to calm his breathing and racing heart.
"Let me see your eyes."
Beast opened his eyes and met her dark green iris, both clearly pulsing with lust.
"You're not the only one."
"Let's go. We're almost there."
BATB
Beast went up the metal ladder first and pushed the wooden trap door. He climbed into the room and set his candle down. "Give me your candle," he said as he looked down the tunnel.
She took a couple of steps up the ladder and put her hand up to give him the candle as he reached down to grab it. With both of her hands free it was easier to go up the ladder. She continued to go up and climbed up with his help. "Where are we?" she asked as she looked around.
He gave her a candle and took her other hand in his. "An abandoned warehouse by the port. I found it a few months ago while I was roaming around."
"Is it safe?"
"No one has been here but me. I go here when I need some peace and quiet. I want to show you something."
Beast led her to one side of the building with many painted windows. Through the uncovered windows he pointed at the Brooklyn Bridge. "You probably see it everyday but I don't get to see it often. It still amazes me to see such a magnificent structure," he stared at it in awe.
Catherine forgot just how amazing New York was with all the skyscrapers, buildings and other well known structures. She took its beauty for granted as as she went on with her daily life. "You're right. It is amazing."
He set the candle down by the window and let go of her hand. "I heard you and Doc talking," he turned around and sat on the sill.
The scene was familiar to her but she tried to push it to the back of her mind. "Do you hear everything?"
"I try not to but it's hard not to listen when I know it's about me. I never meant to keep it secret."
She placed her candle next to his and sat beside him with their backs turned against the view of Brooklyn Bridge. "I'm not mad. I'm worried. Do you remember anything at all about your past?"
"Sometimes I get flashes but I get really bad headaches afterwards so I try to stop it," he said in a sad tone. It was the reason he sometimes couldn't sleep. He had too many nightmares about his past life and he could barely control himself.
"Don't you want to remember who you are?"
"Honestly? No," he shook his head. "A few times I've seen blood on my hands, human hands. I can tell I did some awful things in my life. Why would I want to remember that? Maybe I deserve this," he pointed at himself. "This is my life now, living underground."
"Don't you miss it? Being normal?"
He jumped off the window sill and stood in front of her. "My normal is when I'm with you. You never judged me and you accept me as I am," he leaned closer. His stomach touched her knees. "Normal to me is the feeling I get when I'm with you. Like how my heart race when we're together. Normal is when I haven't seen you in a while and start to miss you but I know I'll see you again. Everything I feel is new to me but somehow, someway, with you it feels natural like I've felt them before."
Her started to race as if she heard those words before. Perhaps she had. It could be that she also felt the same. This was now her normal. "Maybe you have, in your old life with someone. Don't you want to remember that?" Maybe someone out there was missing him like she missed Vincent.
He shook his head. "No," he pushed her knees open and leaned towards her.
She looked into his eyes, blue as the skies, staring back at her but it slowly changed to a familiar brown hues. "Why not?" Her heart raced, pounding hard against chest.
"I don't care about my past when I have you here, now."
His brown eyes were telling her everything she needed to know and it was always Vincent she saw in them. He drew her in, like a moth to a flame. She knew how dangerous emotions could be but she no longer gave a damn, it was too tempting and he was too close. She had nowhere to back up or runaway. He stilled her shaky hands and held it in his. He leaned down and covered her lips with his. It was soft and hurried.
Catherine kissed him back and let go of his hand, moving her hands up to the back of his head, pulling him close and deepening their kiss. She opened her mouth when she felt his tongue pushing through. He moaned as he tasted her tongue. It was his first kiss as Beast but something about it all was reminiscent of his past.
He wanted to savor the moment but his body was saying another thing. It had been too long since he had any physical interaction and his body craved it. He pulled her hips towards his and she leaned back against the window pane. He wasn't gentle nor was he rough. Truth was, she wanted him as much as he wanted her. They had danced this dance before but neither knew of the truth at least not him. In the back of her mind she had an inkling.
Catherine wanted to slow down but her body ached for release. Their hips start to move as their tongues fought for control. He liked the way she moaned constantly into their kiss. It meant he was doing something right. Stroke for stroke, their tongue tasted and took all it craved. Thrust for thrust, their hips swayed in rhythm of their hearts. She wanted him as much as he needed her as they continued their lustful dance.
Her hands moved everywhere and then nowhere. "Shit," she grabbed his shirt with both hands.
"Should I stop?"
"No, no," she panted. Dammit Catherine, she thought to herself.
Beast kissed her again and rocked his hips with hers. He liked the feeling and somehow knew what to do.
"I'm coming," Catherine rasped against his lips as she moaned.
From some of the books he read, he knew exactly what just happened and what he had done but his body was craving her even more. "I didn't mean to," he looked at her apologetically and his dark brown burned into hers.
"It's okay. It was a good thing. Are you okay?" She asked. Her dark green eyes told him they both wanted the same thing.
"I think so," he looked down and notices the huge bulge in his sweat pants. "I'll be okay. It'll go away soon."
Catherine looked down and bit her lips. Doc was right about him not being like the protagonist in the book. "Don't you do anything about it?"
He raised his hand and reminded her of his paw. It's not like he never tried but the feeling was unpleasant so he usually left it alone.
"Would you like me to help you?" She daringly asked.
"No. I just got carried away. Change the subject."
"What do you want to talk about?" She placed right hand on his chest that was rapidly moving.
"Books. What was the book you chose?" His breathing was loud and shallow.
"Persuasion," she replied as she slid her hand lower to his stomach. "Jane Austen," she brought her hand down inside his pants and underneath his boxers. "Have you read it?" She stroked his length and was surprised it was the same as a human.
"Once," his voice trailed as her hand gently went down the entire length.
He quickly gave into and lowered his sweats and boxers to his knees giving her more room to maneuver. Her hand tightened around him as he placed her hand over his.
"Tell me about the book," she said. Her eyes glazed over as she followed the movements of their hands, stroking him in steady pace.
"She was engaged. Family and friends didn't think he was good enough. She ended it," he couldn't possibly give her a full summary. His mind was elsewhere.
He never felt something like this before, at least none that he can remember. He began to thrust his hips against their hands. It felt so good.
"Why wasn't he good enough?"
He slowed down, unable to think clearly. "He wasn't rich, lower class, unknown family."
"Did she love him?"
He loved the feeling of her hand sliding up and down his length. He moved hands moved faster when he was close.
"Very much but she was young. They found their way back," He tightened his hand around hers. His hooded eyes told her he was close.
"Rekindled love. The end," he moaned.
Catherine raises her legs as he aimed for the wall beneath the window sill. His body shook with his release and knees felt like it would buckle. He leaned forward and kissed her lips.
His dark brown eyes eventually disappeared and his blue eyes stared into her green ones. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen," he said as he pulled his boxers and sweats up.
"I could have stopped anytime but I didn't," she replied. Her body craved it as much as his did.
"I should have stopped," he felt guilty for some reason.
"We both know that we couldn't."
"What now?" He asked. "I haven't exactly done this before."
"This is my new normal. I'll visit you as much as I can," she answered.
"Are you sure this is what you want?"
"As long as it's with you, yes," Catherine answered and kissed his lips. "Let's go before they realize you're gone."
He lifted her off the window sill and they both grabbed their candles before heading out. They went back down the tunnels and this time she was no longer afraid of the unknown darkness.
