put out for pickup at his house when everyone was asleep. When it was time to take it, he walked down the path to his house, which was only about a mile away through the woods. He left the garbage by the gate, and looked up longingly at his house. He couldn’t stay there and risk someone seeing him. His cover story was that he was traveling for a few years. Only his attorney knew he was still here, and he never asked questions. With one last look at his home, he turned away and started back to his ruins.
In the next few weeks, Rose visited Christopher almost every day. They talked about so many things and found that they had a lot in common. Rose felt herself growing closer and closer to him, and she could tell he felt the same. There was just that one thing between them. Rose wondered if he would ever let her see him. She had to admit the truth…she was falling in love with him. It was no longer enough to just talk to him. After that time he had kissed her hand, he hadn’t touched her again. And she needed his touch. At night, when she was lying in her bed, she dreamed of his kiss, his touch, the feel of his arms around her. She always trembled at the need she felt deep inside, but there was no release of that need. It was time she demanded more from Christopher. She was determined that he would make the choice of either letting her see him face to face or letting her go. She couldn’t take this anymore.
She walked toward the ruins with determination in her heart. She couldn’t let go of her resolve; Christopher had to make the choice. Her heart broke at the thought that he might choose to let her go rather than show himself. But what kind of life was this? It wasn’t enough, and it wasn’t fair to her for him to expect her to live like this. She was going to give him the ultimatum tonight.
She walked through the entrance, not bothering to turn on the flashlight. She took a deep breath, trying to steel herself for the choice she was going to ask him to make. Rose trembled at the thought of losing him. She just hoped she wasn’t making a mistake.
“Rose?” she heard him call.
“Yes, Christopher, it’s me,” she said softly.
“Is something wrong? You sound stressed,” he said, concern in his voice.
“We need to talk,” she said. “I can’t do this anymore.”
“What do you mean, Rose? I don’t understand.”
“I need to see you, to touch you. I can’t go on like this, never able to look at you. I want to hold you, Christopher.”
“Rose, I can’t. If you saw me, you wouldn’t want to touch me. Please, let’s just be like this, like we always have been,” he implored.
“I can’t, Christopher. Things have changed,” she said quietly.
“What has changed?” he asked.
“I love you,” she said.
His head was reeling from her pronouncement. She loved him! Joy filled his heart as he realized he had longed for this moment, this acknowledgment of her love. He had been afraid to hope for more than friendship from her, but now his dream had come true.
“Rose…I…”
“You don’t have to say you love me if you don’t. I’ll understand. But I love you, and I want to see you. Nothing could change my mind, no matter how badly you’re scarred, no matter how you look. I love the man inside, not the one on the outside.”
He said, “If you love the man inside, then why do you have to see me? Why do you have to touch me?”
“Don’t you ever long for me? Don’t you ever want to hold me in your arms, to kiss me?” she demanded.
“Every day,” he whispered.
“Then come out of hiding. Step out of the darkness and into the light. Let me see you just as you are. I’ll love you no matter what.”
The Beast didn’t know what to do. He needed her. He couldn’t lose the best thing that had ever happened to him. But if she was repulsed by him, her rejection would be the death of him. The choice was right here, right now. Everything rested on this moment. He took a deep breath and stepped out into the light shining into the outer room. His eyes fixed on Rose. But there was no revulsion in her eyes. Instead, her eyes were filled with wonder.
“I don’t understand,” she said.
Rose watched as Christopher stepped out into the light. Her eyes widened as she saw him. He was the most beautiful man she had ever laid eyes on. There was no scar, not one little imperfection on his face. His eyes were a beautiful shade of blue, his hair dark and long, his noise straight, his lips full and sensual. His body was lean and muscular.Never was there a more perfect specimen of man. Why had he lied to her about the scars? None of this made sense.
“Rose? How can you look at me like that and not feel horror? I’m sorry I lied about the scars. I didn’t know how to tell you that I looked like a beast.”
“Christopher, what do you mean, you look like a beast? Is this some kind of joke?” She was starting to get angry now.
“Rose, you can see with your own eyes. A witch cursed me three years ago and left me looking like this. Before, I was so handsome that woman practically fell at my feet. Now, this.”
She looked at him, puzzled by his words. She still didn’t get it. There was no beast here, just Christopher, looking so good her knees were weak.
“Christopher, why do you think you look like a beast?” she asked.
He picked up the mirror and showed her. “The evil witch even gave me this mirror so I could constantly be reminded of what I looked like.”
“Let me see that mirror,” she said.
Christopher handed the mirror over to her and she peered into it. She saw an ugly hag looking back at her. Suddenly, she understood. She laughed in delight, and Christopher looked at her in shock.
“Christopher, come look!” she exclaimed.
He stood beside her and peered into the mirror, and both the beast and the hag appeared in the reflection. He looked at Rose then back at the mirror, confusion on his face. It was clear he still didn’t understand. Rose was glad she had brought her purse with her, although she had no idea what had made her grab it this time. She pulled out her compact and opened it up, revealing the mirror inside. She passed it to Christopher, and a look of astonishment came over his face. He stumbled backwards and fell to the ground, sitting there in a state of shock.
“You see, Christopher? It wasn’t you that was cursed; it was the mirror!” she exclaimed.
He looked up at her, not knowing what to say or do. He had spent three years of his life believing he was a hideous creature, afraid to venture out into the world. His self-esteem was gone, and he hated himself for what he was. What a waste of three years of his life. But then he started thinking about it. He had been a selfish playboy, not caring who he had hurt. He drank too much, and used women like they were toys. And if this had never happened, he would never have been here in the ruins…he would have never met Rose. Everything in his life had been pointing toward this moment in time, the day he would look upon the woman he loved and she upon him. It was all worth it.
Christopher took Rose into his arms and kissed her gently. Then, feeling her tremble with passion and need, he deepened his kiss until their tongues were entwined and the heat from their lips seared deep into their souls. His arms tightened around her and she wrapped her arms around his neck until their bodies felt as if they were melting into one being. Their hearts soared with the joy of love and desire, and the release of a curse that had held The Beast for years. When the couple finally released each other long enough to catch their breath, they looked into each other’s eyes.
“I’ve been waiting for you forever,” she said.
“And I for you. Come into my inner chamber, and I’ll show you what a beast I really am.”
She smiled.
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