He was right, what he thought earlier; she'd like it, she'd want more. The beast had taken his fill like a mindless animal, and she lay sated, a content and purring lioness. She'd lit aflame with his hunger like a shared bonfire, responding in like passion. All he'd had to do was wait for the man to lock himself away and let the monster come out to play.
A smug little grin held his mouth up. Not a word was spoken, the beast never talked, but not a word was needed. His cold eyes looked over her passively. He could not linger for much longer. That little weakling was screaming honor and duty, stuffy control. One of these days he'd learn to relinquish that tight grip a little more easily. Then he could enjoy more delightful treats like this spicy little sweet. But, until then...
He rolled his eyes and gracefully slid back to the cavern in the mind, curling up with a pleased little grumble. That is how it is done. Do not pretend you didn't enjoy it. I am you, and you cannot lie to yourself. A mocking chuckle followed, echoing until silence won over it.
Ainlif groaned as he struggled to free himself of the deep muck of his mind. His mouth was dry and he felt as if he'd been ripped from a deep meditation, or a completely different reality altogether. He was losing his sanity still, wasn't he? He almost thought he'd taken a woman, but that was certainly the insanity, just a nightmare. He hadn't come close to laying with anyone since.. his mate. So long ago.
He swayed on his feet, which made him realize he was standing. His dark forelock lay limp across his face, and his eyes opened to reveal the dirt floor beneath him. But his gaze shifted slightly and landed on a serene little figure, red with a white face and shuttered eyes he knew where the most hypnotizing blue. His mouth felt like he swallowed a thick fluff of cotton.
A memory of something far more than dirt beneath him surfaced, and deep shame rose with it. His face flushed and he retreated a few shaky steps. No way, that wasn't real. But there she lay so peacefully pleased with herself.
Or with him.
He choked on his thoughts, guilty bile rising to his throat. Ah, hell. What have I done? Damnit all. His eyes were wide and he felt like he couldn't possibly get far enough away quick enough. He wanted to apologize, but couldn't. Was he really sorry? Well, yeah of course. Sort of. Ok, so it'd been damn good, but it wasn't his to take, no matter how willing she'd been.
It wasn't right. And it was clear he was going to need to avoid this one a lot more than he'd been trying to. Her presence alone seemed to call to the beast within, stirring him up for more. He couldn't let that happen. And like a coward he turned to put distance between them, a LOT of it.