XIII

One Down … Three to Go

Rumpelstiltskin removed the lace cravat binding her wrists and she curled her arms about his neck as she rested against him, enjoying the feel of his fingers massaging the circulation back into her limbs. Her body was finally beginning to cool from his ministrations and she knew it wouldn't be long before he was ready to begin again. He was right about one thing … this was a night she'd never forget, a night she didn't want to forget. His methods might be a bit unorthodox, but she was enjoying every moment of her first night in his arms. A sigh of contentment slipped from her parted lips as she pressed a kiss to his throat, the knowledge that she could do this now filling her with warmth.

He smoothed his hand over her hair and dropped a kiss to her crown. "How are you feeling?"

"Happy," she responded.

"Hmm … let's hope you feel that way in a few minutes," he snarked, wrapping his arms about her waist and flipping her onto her back. She gasped as he came to rest between her legs, her hips cradling his, heat flooding her body as desire pooled once more in her belly. His hands teased her sides, trailing over her ribs and up her arms as he pulled them over her head. He grinned down at her as a pair of sheepskin covered manacles – already secured to the headboard – fastened themselves over her wrists.

Belle turned her head to look, brows raised. "Again?"

"You don't mind, do you?" he asked as he buried his face against the crook of her neck.

"No, of course not. It heightens the excitement, but I am curious as to why you wish to bind my hands. Is there something you wish to tell me?" she asked gently, suspecting him to have his reasons.

He cradled her face in his hands, his lips descending to hers for a scorching kiss, his tongue searching out the honeyed recesses of her mouth. When he pulled away they were both a bit breathless. "I'm not using magic to control my urges, Belle. It wouldn't be fair to you. But I can't have you touch me." At her crestfallen expression, he kissed her again, this time much more gently. "You inflame me, dearest. I won't inadvertently come when you can't." He cast a quick glance at her bonds, making sure they weren't too tight. "If you're uncomfortable –"

"No, it's fine," she whispered, touched by his consideration for her feelings.

Rumpelstiltskin spent long moments just kissing her, having spent entirely too much time over the past several months wishing for the pleasure of her lips on his. Her breathy little sighs and moans were music to his ears, each nuance of sound sending shivers of pleasure skating down his spine. He bucked against her and she broke the kiss, arching and writhing beneath him. She held his gaze, her eyes dark, her pupils blown wide with lust as her slender thighs clenched around his hips to hold him tightly.

"Oh, Belle …" he breathed, kissing her gently as he rocked against her. He could feel her warm wet heat through the leather he still wore, searing his cock. His magic ignited within him, begging to be loosed upon her to tease and cajole her into new heights.

Belle keened long and loud as she felt him thrust his fingers into her. Wait … no! How could he when both of his hands were tangled in her hair and rubbing so gently along her nape? She gasped, overwhelmed in sensation. A hand at her breast, a tickle behind her knee, a bite at her shoulder … "R-Rum! You're cheating!"

He reclaimed her mouth, his teeth nipping at her lower lip. "Never said I wouldn't use it on you, sweetling," he rasped, his voice husky with desire. He withdrew his magic from her and rolled to her side, his expression filled with tenderness and love for her.

She heaved in a much-needed breath and scooted closer to share his warmth. "Don't leave me," she pleaded, feeling vulnerable without his body blanketing hers.

Rumpelstiltskin propped himself up on an elbow and reached over to lay his arm over her waist, his hand caressing her hip. "Never, my Belle. Are you alright? Would you like some water?"

"Please," she nodded, suddenly parched. "And yes, I'm fine."

He left her for but a moment to pour a glass of water from the pitcher on the bedside table. He helped to prop her up on the pillows and made her drink all of it before he laid down next to her once more. She groaned as he reached out to wrap his arm about her waist. Her body was over sensitive, and the least little touch of his hand sent a new spark of need to her throbbing core. It brought her small comfort as she looked down to see his erection straining against his tightly laced pants. At least she wasn't suffering alone. Him and his damn games!

He brushed a stray curl behind her ear and kissed her gently. "Did Regina hurt you?"

"No, she was really more concerned with me finding your dagger, so she could use you to find her step daughter and put an end to her. I actually feel sorry for them both."

"What?!"

Belle sighed. "To think that the queen had so much hate in her heart for one girl. And Snow … driven from her home after the loss of her father, hunted like an outlaw. It had to have taken its toll on them both," she reasoned.

"My beautiful Belle," he murmured, shaking his head. "You have so much compassion, so much love. Snow White may deserve it, but Regina does not. Not after what she did to you."

She curled her leg over his hip, pulling him towards her. "Anyone can change, Rum. You did. You're not the same man you were when we made our deal."

He snorted. "Perhaps you just bring out the best in me."

"You don't give yourself enough credit. I can see how hard you struggle against the darkness. I know you want to be better. Let me in, Rumpel. Let me love you."

He hung his head, blinking away the tears which threatened. "I don't deserve you, Belle. I've done so many things; things which will forever haunt me. You wouldn't love me if you knew –"

"Yes, I would. It's not your fault, and love freely given is unconditional … my love is unconditional, Rumpelstiltskin," she vowed, a lone tear escaping from the corner of her eye.

"I can't understand how you can love me, Belle," he said, wrapping his arms about her as he buried his face against her throat. The darkness within him purred contentedly in the inner recesses of his mind, knowing the girl in his arms was the only person to have accepted it as part of him. "But I promise to do my best to make you happy. I love you … so much."

"Oh, Rumpel, I love you, too."