Wicked Ugly Bad (A Kinda Fairytale)

by Cassandra Gannon

  “I don’t know how to be gentle.” He scoffed.

  “Yes, you do.”

  Had Marrok ever let himself be this vulnerable with anyone else before? He’d told her he loved her, and he wanted her, and about his past. He gave up his silly shoe kidnapping because she asked him to. She could look into his eyes and read his thoughts. The Big Bad Wolf had just given her everything she’d need if she wanted to break his heart.

  Luckily, that wasn’t what she wanted, at all.

  Marrok looked up at her as she stopped in front of the chair. “So, I should let you go off and marry that prince, then?” He demanded. “Even though you don’t love him and he slept with Cinderella, and you’re supposed to be mine? Is that what someone gentle would do? Because all I want to do is kill that asshole.”

  “Let’s just say, if I was insisting on marrying Charming, I think you could talk me out of it without slaughtering the groom.”

  “What do you mean, ‘if’ you were insisting on marrying him? You mean you’re not insisting on marrying him?”

  Risky or not, Scarlett knew what was going to do. “No.” She said simply.

  “No?!” He repeated at a roar. “That’s all you’re going to say? Just no?”

  She shrugged. “Just no.”

  “That quick you’re done with the idea of being a princess?” He demanded skeptically.

  “It’s not quick, so much as it’s… complicated.”

  “Complicated, huh? Well, why don’t you just break it down for me in small words, then?”

  Scarlett braced herself. He took a chance on her and now she’d take one on him. “I’m trusting you, Marrok.”

  Marrok frowned. “What the hell is that supposed…?” He stopped abruptly as she sat down on his lap. “Christ,” he groaned, “if you’re trusting me not to touch you, I’m about to let you down.” His gaze dipped to the gap in her robe like he just couldn’t help himself. “Are you completely naked under there?”

  She sent him a grin, feeling how aroused he was. “Completely.”

  “If this is a distraction, it’s a pretty damn effective one.” He fiddled with her belt.

  She batted his hands away. “You’re the one doing the distracting, not me.” She reached over to grab the glass slipper and shoved it into his palm. “Here.” She shifted sideways so she could rest her bare foot on the armrest of the chair. “Put it on me.”

  His amusement faded. “I don’t want to.” He tried to hand the shoe back to her. “I don’t want to see you wear that.”

  “Use your eyes, then. Do you think that little hunk of glass is going to fit my size nines?

  Marrok blinked. His gaze went from her toes… to the shoe… and then back, again.

  Scarlett waited.

  “Why, Red… what big feet you have.” He finally said.

  “Just what every girl longs to hear.”

  Marrok seemed thrilled, though. More confident now, he tried to wedge the tiny shoe onto her foot, smiling in delight when it didn’t fit.

  She rolled her eyes. “Ouch.” She deadpanned.

  “Sorry. I just…” He sounded dazed. “Letty, this isn’t your shoe.”

  “Of course it’s not.” She didn’t understand why it had taken him so long to figure this out. “I couldn’t be Charming’s destined princess and your True Love, could I?”

  “No.” He whispered.

  “So, if you’re right and I’m yours…” She let her voice trail off and gave a “duh” sort of hand gesture.

  “I am right.” His palm came up to caress the side of her face. “You’re mine. You’re a crazy fucking lunatic, but you’re all mine.” His forehead leaned forward to rest against hers, like he just wanted to get closer to her. “Did you enjoy tormenting me with the idea of you and Charming or is there some semi-logical reason you didn’t tell me this sooner? Because I’ve been going out of my mind and you know it.”

  “I know. I’m sorry.”

  “It was cruel. And not fun-cruel, but actually mean-cruel and you’re never mean. Why did you lie to me?”

  Scarlett swallowed. She really was betting on The Big Bad Wolf.

  “I’m trusting you,” she repeated, “with something really precious to me.”

  “You can trust me. I am on your side and no one else’s. Always.”

  She sighed and just… told him the truth. “The shoe’s not mine or Cindy’s. It’s Drusilla’s.”

  “Your sister? Charming and Dru?”

  She nodded and leaned against his chest. It was a relief to finally tell someone. “Her feet are positively tiny. I’m telling you.” She let out a long breath. “Seriously, Drusilla is so beaten down. Everyone would be coming after her if they knew the truth and she couldn’t handle that. So I lied and said I was the destined princess to keep her safe.”

  “Wait,” Marrok still wasn’t convinced, “Drusilla is Charming’s True Love?”

  “Yes. I think Dru must’ve known for a while, actually.”

  “Bad folk always know.” He sounded baffled. “How in the hell did it happen?”

  Letty shrugged. “The night of the ball, we were all in costumes, all trying on the glass slipper in the throne room. But not Dru.” She shook her head. “She just waited. When Charming went out into the garden to be alone and brood about the fact that no one at the party fit the shoe, she followed him. That’s when she tried on the glass slipper and it fit. Later, Dru told me they had sex and were happy. Everything should have been fine.”

  “Except it wasn’t.”

  “Cindy did something. Some kind of spell or… something. She completely hexed Charming, so he forgot what happened, and she passed herself off as his True Love. Dru came running to me, sobbing, just after it happened. I was in Charming’s office, checking my email. She still had the shoe on.”

  “So you took it.”

  “The glass slipper is the only thing that can blow Cindy’s cover.” Scarlett gestured to it. “I knew that. I had about two seconds to think of something to keep it out of her hands. So, I shoved it in a box, wrote my grandmother’s address on it, and dropped it in a bin of outgoing mail.”

  “You mailed it?”

  “It was the only thing I could think to do! I wrapped it in newspaper, first. Anyway, when the rats came barging in to arrest us a few minutes later, they didn’t notice. They dragged Dru and me away, but the glass slipper was shipped out of the palace the next morning.”

  “You’re legit awesome at plans, you know that?”

  She smiled at him. “The glass slipper will prove Dru is the princess.” Letty’s lips pressed together. “Cindy knows I’m going to use it to ruin her. She will hunt me down and kill me if that’s what it takes to get it back.”

  “I’m surprised she hasn’t already. Why send you to the WUB Club, at all?”

  “I told her I’d set it up so the shoe would be delivered to Charming if Dru or I wound up dead. She believed me. Whatever spell she’s using on him, it has to be strong. But, I’m telling you, Charming’s smart. He has to be sensing something’s wrong. Just bringing him the shoe probably wouldn’t get through the spell, but if I can get Dru to him, I can show him the truth.”

  Marrok thought for a moment. “How did Cinderella put the whammy on Charming, in the first place? You’re right, that’s not an easy trick. What kind of powers does she have?”

  “She doesn’t have any powers. I’m sure of it. She must have had help. Probably those damn rats.”

  “Since when do rats have magic powers?”

  “Well, she hired someone, then. What does it matter?”

  “Because, before we go after her, it would be good to know if she’s hired someone who can vaporize us with magic.”

  “‘Us?’” She repeated. “You’ll really help me stop her?”

  “What do you think?” His teeth nipped her earlobe.

  Letty’s eyes drifted shut, instinctively moving against him. “So… you’re not upset with me, anymore?”

  He nuzzled her te
mple. “Oh, I’m seriously, seriously upset that you lied to me and let me picture you wearing that asshole’s ring for so long. But, my annoyance is mitigated by the knowledge that you’re not wearing his ring.”

  “It wasn’t really a lie.”

  He ignored the half-hearted denial and went back to untying the sash of her robe. “Besides, I can’t possibly stay mad at you when you’re half-naked and sitting on my lap.”

  “I’ll remember that for the next time I don’t lie to you.” Her gaze met his as he peeled the terrycloth down her arms. “Charming really isn’t an asshole, you know. He’s a nice guy, under a spell.”

  “Christ, you’re beautiful.” He whispered staring at her naked body. His hands came up to caress her breasts. “On the list of stuff I feel like discussing right now, Charming ranks dead last.” All his focus was on massaging the soft globes. “I’ve got something much more fun on my mind.”

  Scarlett arched into his hands and tried to concentrate. “Fun or not, we have to save Charming. If for no other reason than I need him to wake-up Dru with True Love’s kiss.”

  “Well, seeing as how I hate the guy, you’re going to have to make this rescue effort worth my while, Red.” His thumbs strummed over her nipples.

  “What do you want?” She asked breathlessly.

  He gave a wolfish smile.

  “You really are Bad.” She raised a brow. “You think I’ll sleep with you just to convince you to help Charming?”

  “No.” He leaned forward, his mouth hovering above hers. “I think you’ll sleep with me because you’re my True Love and I’m asking you to.” His lips brushed hers.

  Letty bit back a moan at the brief contact. “You’re always asking me and I’m always telling you no.” She reminded him, just to prolong the game.

  “This time is different. I really do need you right now.”

  “Am I supposed to melt at that? Because, you could be more romantic if you said something about my hair or my eyes…”

  “I really need you, Scarlett.” His topaz gaze met hers and she saw the strain he was trying to hide. “Please.” He said hoarsely.

  …And Scarlett melted.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Scarlett’s biggest problems are her ideas.

  Bad folk should never get ideas. Ideas just confuse them.

  Psychiatric case notes of Dr. Ramona Fae

  He was going to die if he didn’t have her.

  Marrok tried to suppress his need, not wanting to scare her, but the wolf was trying to take control. The news that she wasn’t determined to marry Prince Charming roared through him like fire.

  Scarlett was sitting on his lap, allowing him to take the robe from her still damp body, keeping her magical blue eyes on his… and it was all he could do to stay in control. Despite his attempts to rein it in, he could see the black smoke of his wolf form begin to appear on his arms. The wolf wanted out.

  It wanted Letty.

  In the dungeon, Marrok had ground his teeth and urged her to come against his hand. He’d been aching for her, but he’d known how important it was to move slowly. To tempt her closer. To try and be gentle. He still knew that it was the smart play. The long view. It was what Scarlett deserved.

  But…

  “I need you so much.” He whispered. “I’ll make it good for you. You know I will.” His teeth nipped her lower lip. “Say yes, baby.”

  “Yes.” She breathed. Instantly, his mouth slammed against hers and she gasped. “Oh yes.” Her hands tugged at his clothes, as wild as he was.

  Marrok could feel his body changing even as his mouth ravaged hers. In his wolf form, everything was heightened. He could hear every seductive sound. He could smell her desire. He could feel her small movements, and see her perfect body, and –God-- could he taste her.

  Marrok dipped his head to lick the side of her neck. “Mine.” It was a growl.

  She shifted, so she was facing him. Her legs parted, straddling his lap and she smiled up into the face of The Big Bad Wolf.

  The innocent show of trust turned him on even more. The wolf wanted to be inside of her before she changed her mind. Its hands pulled Scarlett even closer and she whimpered. It didn’t want to coax or take its time. The swirling edges of the wolf form licked along her skin and his deepest animal instincts screamed to slam into her.

  To just take.

  No.

  Marrok gave his head a shake, holding onto control. He wasn’t an animal. What was he doing? She was too small. Too breakable. Too Good. What if he hurt her?

  Suddenly terrified, Marrok pulled back.

  Blue eyes met his, dazed with need. “You okay?”

  “I’m scared.” He said breathing hard.

  “Of me?”

  Only Letty would ask something so ridiculous. “No. Of harming you.”

  “You won’t.” She leaned up to kiss him. “You’re always gentle with me.”

  Wolves had no idea how to be gentle. He tried, for her sake, but he probably sucked at it. She had such faith in him, though…

  “Show me what you want and I’ll do it.” He vowed. “Give me a minute and I can get back to my human self.” His eyes drifted down to her spectacular breasts. “Maybe two minutes.”

  “You don’t have to change.” Her lips whispered across his. “I like you this way.”

  Marrok groaned. “Thank God.” The wolf came out when he was stretched to breaking point with desire and he didn’t see that abating anytime soon. “I had no idea how I was going to keep my word on that one.” He stood up, carrying her towards the bed. “Tell me if I’m too rough.”

  “Ditto.”

  God, he loved her.

  Her legs wound around his waist and her lips found his as he tumbled them onto the mattress. For an endless moment, everything was perfect. She was sweet and yielding and tasted like heaven. Pillows and blankets were shoved aside as they devoured each other. He needed her more than oxygen. It was what he’d been fantasizing about for weeks. He could have her and she would let him.

  …Then what?

  He’d never done this with someone he loved. Everything felt different. Better and hotter and so much more important. But what if it wasn’t different. What if she didn’t feel it too? What if she just left afterwards like the others?

  He couldn’t recover from that.

  Uncertain, Marrok eased back and tried not to notice how radiant she was. It just made everything more confused. He needed her so badly he was shaking and the wolf was still vying for total control, but he suddenly nervous.

  “Marrok?” Letty tilted her head so she could maintain eye contact when he would’ve glanced away. “It’s alright. I won’t hurt you.”

  He flinched. This time it didn’t sound so ridiculous.

  “If you’re not ready, we can wait.” She assured him in the most caring voice he’d ever heard. “Do you want to stop?”

  “Christ no.” That was the last thing he wanted. The wolf wanted to howl at the very thought. “Just… You’ll stay when it’s over?” No one else ever had. Not once they were finished with him.

  “Where else would I go?” Her hand came up to his cheek. “Don’t worry.” The woman really did know his thoughts as soon as he had them. “You’re safe with me, remember? This isn’t because you’re handsome. It’s because you’re you.”

  He swallowed. “Promise?” The word was out before he could censor it.

  She nodded, blue eyes locked on his. “Looks actually don’t matter quite so much to an ugly stepsister, you know.”

  “You’re not ugly, Scarlett.”

  “And you’re more than just a gorgeous face, Marrok. I promise.” She hesitated and he sensed her getting another new and surprising idea. “Has anyone ever made love to you before?”

  “From the time I was twelve I was being…”

  Letty cut him off. “No.” Her palm came up to his shoulder and she eased him onto his back, so they could switch positions. “Has anyone ever made love to you?” She rolled
on top of him.

  He shook his head, understanding what she meant. “No.” In every way that mattered, there was just Scarlett.

  She leaned down to kiss him, looking flushed and tousled and smug. “Well, I’m about to.”

  Marrok gave a reluctant chuckle at her teasing grin. “Baby, I have been waiting years to hear you say that.”

  “You’ve only known me six weeks.”

  “I always knew you’d show up, though.” He hadn’t known her name, but he’d known that she’d come. “I never doubted that I’d find my True Love and that you’d save me.”

  She smiled. “You really think I saved you?”

  “I know you did.”

  “Because I think we’re about even.” She moved against him and he saw stars. The woman was everything he’d ever dreamed of and more. “I never would’ve gotten out of the WUB Club without you, Marrok. In fact, since you would’ve been released in less than six months, I’m thinking you only escaped at all because you wanted to help me.”

  “You couldn’t stay in there. It wasn’t safe for you.”

  “See?” Scarlett’s slid down his body. “You’re always trying to protect me, even when it puts you at risk. We’re partners.”

  Marrok’s eyes closed as her mouth trailed southward. “I would do anything to protect you.”

  “I know. It’s part of you being gentle.”

  “It’s part of me being insanely in love with you.”

  He felt the heat of her breath against him. “I think we’re both right.” She whispered.

  One of his hands fisted in the sheets as her tongue danced across the tip of his straining manhood. “Jesus.” His free palm tangled in her silky, shiny, soft hair and he tried to keep himself still. There was no way he could completely succeed, though. He urged her head closer to him. “Baby, I need you so much I really am going to go crazy if you don’t…” He let out an agonized groan as she sucked him deep into her mouth. “Letty.”

  No one had ever done this for him before. No one had ever cared enough about his pleasure. Obviously, he’d known it would feel awesome, but it felt fucking awesome. Better than anything ever had. The lush pink lips he’d been obsessing over for a month and a half sealed over him and he lost the capacity to think. He couldn’t get enough oxygen into his lungs.