MY MONSTER

Sophia sat on the bed, her heart pounding as she looked at Darian.He kissed her.And it wasn't some casual, passing kiss. No. It was a real, deep, passionate kiss that she could still feel on her lips.And the worst part?It didn't bother her.In fact, she enjoyed it.Her face burned as she stared at him, and he looked just as confused as she was.

"Well…" she said, breaking the awkward silence between them."Well?" Darian repeated, raising an eyebrow."Aren't you going to say anything? I mean, you just kissed me.""You kissed me first."Sophia blinked. "That was just... a small kiss. And then you attacked me like a wolf hungry for dinner!"Darian smiled slightly. "If I remember correctly, you weren't exactly fighting me off.""Ugh!" She crossed her arms and turned her head away.But he just watched her, with that half-smile that drove her crazy.

"Sophia," he said softly, "I think you might be the key to my curse."She turned toward him, now more serious. "Key? What do you mean?"Darian moved, leaning against the table next to the bed."Do you remember when you kissed me on the cheek?""Of course.""Back then... I felt something unusual. I didn't pay much attention to it, but now I know what it was."Sophia leaned forward, curious. "What?""My claws… disappeared."Her eyes widened."What?""That touch... your kiss... it pulled the curse back."Sophia stared at him, and then, suddenly, burst out laughing.Darian raised an eyebrow. "What's so funny now?"She waved her hands, trying to catch her breath."So... to reverse your curse, all we have to do is…" she paused dramatically, "kiss?"Darian looked at her seriously."It seems like your touch, or maybe your feelings, affect what's happening with me."Sophia was still in some kind of shock.And then, in a moment of madness, she said something she would never say if she were fully composed."Well... if just a kiss works... what would happen if we slept together?"Darian froze, and Sophia laughed at the look on his face."What?!""I'm kidding, I'm kidding!" She waved her hands, still laughing.But Darian was still confused. "You... really relaxed quickly about all this."Sophia shrugged. "I think I've just gone through all the stages of shock, and now all that's left is to laugh."Darian kept looking at her as if trying to figure her out.And then, she surprised him again.She stepped toward him and gently hugged him.She felt his body stiffen for a moment, but then he slowly relaxed and returned the hug.He was warm. Strong. His scent was a mixture of something spicy and wild, but pleasant."You know," she said quietly, "maybe you are a monster... but now you're my monster."She felt his chest move as he chuckled softly."Yours, huh?""Yes, mine."She pulled away and looked at him.Darian stared at her, and something in his gaze made her feel that same unease in her stomach again.And then, without thinking, she kissed him again.This time, there was no uncertainty.Darian immediately responded, his hands sliding down her back, pulling her closer.There was no doubt – they could no longer ignore what was happening between them.