Chapter 15

The glow of the fireplace danced behind Beorn's fiery eyes, lounging in his armchair as Ornella poured the honey cake batter into the baking tray. It was an utter joy to watch the swaying of her shapely hips as she hummed to herself, unwitting to the effect she was having on him. The swaying, the flirtatious fluttering of her breathtaking eyelashes and her dauntless touches that lingered more and more each time - it was utter torment. He was just as guilty, his fingers twitching torturously with every innocent embrace they shared.

Little did he know that she could feel his hot gaze on her the entire time, silently seducing her with every sensual glance they exchanged. The constant clashing between their carnal desires and timorousness was as frustrating as it was draining.

"And now we wait," Ornella's voice startled Beorn out of his indecent fantasies.

"Remember they must cool this time," He teased, smirking at the eyeroll she gave him.

She would not soon forget her previous eagerness earned her a scalded tongue.

"I am glad my pain still amuses you so," She scoffed with mock displeasure, enjoying the deep laugh it drew.

"You survived."

"Only just," She teased with a playful glint in her eyes, walking towards him.

The fire in between her legs stirred as he shamelessly took in her movements. He did so for only the briefest of moments but it had been enough to arouse Ornella further. She stopped to lean against the dining table, standing in front of him as he casually sat back. She wanted to slide herself in between his parted legs, to drape her form against his. She held back as she always did.

"We never did finish our previous chess lesson," He suddenly realized, standing from his armchair.

Her eyes lit up, grateful for the sudden distraction.

"I believe I was winning," She lied with a cheeky grin.

"That is not what I recall," He shook his head.

"Perhaps we should start over then," Ornella suggested, "We have almost an hour before the cakes are done."

"If you insist on losing a second time, by all means."

Ornella laughed, giving the large man a weak shove as they walked to the chess board. Sitting face-to-face, Ornella's competitive nature revealed itself. Despite Beorn often times winning their various day-to-day competitions, he never tired of the scorching determination that took over his little clover.

"What should we wager this time?" She asked, raising an eyebrow devilishly.

Their last gamble is why Ornella baked the cakes herself while Beorn rested in his chair.

"Let us think as we play," He replied, moving the first piece.

Silence ran through the house with only the soft patter of chess pieces moving. Ornella drew her lower lip in between her teeth, her brow stiff as she rubbed her chin pensively. Beorn couldn't take his eyes off of her, only looking away when their eyes met. The fireplace crackled soothingly, Ornella basking in its amber glow.

How Beorn wished to kiss her right then and there.

"I will beat you," She spoke after minutes of silence.

"You say that every time," He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as she continued to study the chessboard.

"No, I will win this time," Ornella insisted, "I have to."

"Have to?" He smiled slyly, "And why is that?"

"Because I really do not want to tend to the bees tomorrow."

He shook his head with a deep chortle.

"You need only say so and I will do it myself."

"No, that is not how this works," She asserted firmly.

The game went on for a while. It was their longest game yet – Ornella was proving to be a tougher opponent this time around. She took her time with each move, each time forcing Beorn to take a moment to think. They began to reach the end of the game; Beorn impressively noted that Ornella was only one move from winning – but would she realize it and make that move?

She did. Realizing she had won, Ornella leaned back in her chair with a wicked grin. Beorn gave mock applause.

"Well done," He praised her, standing with a sigh to check on the honey cakes.

"I am starting to believe you let me win," She crossed her arms, raising a suspicious eyebrow.

"I would never dream of it."

He nearly laughed at the disbelieving grunt he received. She glowered at his back as he opened the oven, checking on it.

"Is that what you want for your prize then, to avoid the bees for tomorrow?" He asked as he searched for a cloth to pull the baking tray out.

Ornella quieted, her heart skipping a beat at his question. Is that what she wanted...?

She could ask him for anything and he had to comply – it was an unspoken agreement between them. She said nothing – slowly standing from her chair, her eyes bored into his back like onyx flames as she walked to the dining area. Her heart was beating rapidly, her mind replaying his question over and over.

Is that what you want for your prize then?

Her footsteps made no noise, stepping close enough to startle him with a sudden reply.

"No."

He looked over his shoulder briefly, turning back to slide the baking tray out of the hot oven.

"Oh? What do you wish for then?"

"You."

Beorn froze with the scalding tray still in hand – the heat quickly penetrated the protective cloth but he couldn't even feel it. He felt overcome with a sudden numbness, unsure of how to take her words. Surely, the scatterbrained woman spoke before she thought her words through as she tended to do; always unconsciously taunting him with unwitting innuendos.

Ornella's soundless breathing quickened, her heart galloping like a fierce horse's trot. She reached for the shoulder of her sleeve, sliding it down before doing the same with the other. Beorn spoke as he turned to face her.

"That is not much of a prize-"

The tray he held fell to the floor with a loud clang, Ornella's dress sliding off her form in unison.

The naked woman stood before him, her skin flushing yet her chin was held high. He held his breath, amber eyes grazing her nude body hungrily. She was everything he envisioned underneath her clothes, his eyes raking over the alluring curve of her wide hips and ample breasts. Her hair streamed down her shoulders to her lower back; it had grown so long since her arrival. He lost count of the number of times he wished to comb his fingers through it.

She continued to gaze at him, her eyes like an ebony firestorm. She began to walk slowly towards him. He took a step back in almost a frightened manner. It didn't deter her. She took another step and he took another backwards. This continued until the heat of the stove against him forced him to stop.

He inhaled sharply; Ornella now so close that a deep breath would brush her breasts against him. She brought her hands to his vest, tugging at it with a knowing look. He closed his eyes, gritting his teeth as he willed himself to resist.

"I get to choose my prize," She whispered huskily, "And my prize... is you."

"You know not what you ask of me," He finally breathed out, his already-gravelly voice raspy.

As they did the night they first kissed, he gripped her wrists to stop her. He finally opened his eyes, regretting it instantly when he was met with a sensual stare. Ornella could plainly see he was fighting his desires; he wanted her but he was afraid.

"Do you not desire me?" She asked daringly, knowing full well he did, "Do I not affect you as you do me?"

"You cannot imagine how much," He confessed breathlessly, subconsciously leaning forward.

She pressed herself against him, allowing her curves to meld against him. She sprang on her tip toes in an attempt to catch his lips in hers but he wouldn't allow it.

"Then why do you fight it so?" Ornella pressed, attempting to jerk her wrists away but he only tightened his hold.

He struggled to find the words. She remained patient despite the terrible aching in between her legs; it felt as if she would combust with her burning flames.

"I cannot trust that you will not get hurt," He warned her, his voice barely above a whisper, "I am not an ordinary man."

Truthfully, Ornella wasn't sure what he meant by that. Beorn couldn't find the proper words without being vulgar. By "ordinary", he referred to the length and girth of the manhood that pressed against his trousers, begging to be released. That and his skin-changer's raw passion that he would be unable to hold back. Ornella could feel it pressed against her, shifting against him to purposely rub against it.

"I have told you I am a woman who knows what she wants... And I want you to take me."

A piercing hiss escaped him, his hands grabbing her upper arms. Ornella gasped, feeling herself being picked up and almost tossed her against a pillar behind her. Beorn grabbed her wrists, pinning them against it, settling his hips between her legs as they dangled from either side of him. He loomed over the wide-eyed woman, his stare so fierce it almost resembled a glare. She shuddered at his roughness, excited.

"Is this what you want?" He challenged her, searching her eyes.

He was giving her only a tiny glimpse of the raw mating she would be in for. He was giving her a chance to change her mind though he prayed to the heavens she wouldn't. To his utter delight, her wide eyes relaxed into a sultry gaze, wantonly wrapping her legs around his waist.

"Yes."

With a fierce growl, he crushed his lips against hers and proceeded to do give the silver-haired woman exactly what she asked for.