A/N: This story is based on "Beauty and the Beast", but in a more modern setting. Enjoy and please review!

Disclaimer: The characters are MINE. While the overall plot may be borrowed from "Beauty and the Beast", the rest of this story is MY creation. No stealing.

BIG EDIT TIME! Check last chapter for A/N.

The back of the library was dark and the scent of old books filled my nostrils as I crossed from one side of the room to the other. Barely fitting in between the shelves of this rarely used section of the place, it took me a few seconds to register that someone was standing in front of the bookshelf I needed. Sure surprised me; the last time I had seen someone down here, she was with a he and I couldn't read due to their groaning.

"Um excuse me? But do you think I could look at this bookshelf for a second?" I said in my nicest and politest tone possible. Considering the fact that I happen to be a book whore, I will stoop to being nice to people in order to access the lovelies.

"Fuck off," he replied in a monotone voice. His eyes never strayed once from the page as he leaned slightly into the bookshelf behind him.

What in the world? What was up with this guy?

"What the hell is wrong with you? Forget to pull a book out of your ass after a particularly pleasurable reading session?" No one, I mean no one, told me to fuck off.

"Well, if shoving a book up my ass was pleasurable, I wouldn't want to pull it out, now would I?" Wow. Someone knows how to use sarcasm.

I growled.

He turned to face me and I almost swooned. He had the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen. I'm an eye person alright? They were such a deep color of green, slightly shielded by chin length black hair. He smirked at me as those eyes glowed with interest. Almost as though people usually never dared talk back to him.

"Did you just growl at me?" he asked in a mocking tone, pierced eyebrow raised in questioning manner.

"Possibly." I folded my arms across my chest and had to resist pulling my lips into a pout.

His smirk turned into a grin, which thundered into full out laughter. "Well, aren't we just the feral one?"

"For your information, I would like to check out Dante's Inferno, but you are blocking the shelf. If you would just be descent enough to move, I wouldn't have to stand here and growl at you." This sexy-eyed fiend was really starting to piss me off! All I want is my book. Now I really had to work on not pouting.

He held up the book he was reading and slowly moved it from side to side, mimicking a pendulum. "You mean this book? The library's only copy?" He wore a look of innocence that only added to his sexiness.

Oh God, what was wrong with me?

"I'll tell you what," he said, "If you kiss me, I'll give you the book."

My mouth dropped open. "What?"

He chuckled. "I guess you do not find me attractive?" He pouted and moved close to me; almost too close.

He was so sexy, and this is Dante we are talking about. As mentioned before, I am a book whore. That rhymes.

Before he could react, I wrapped my arms around the back of his head and kissed him lightly. I was about to pull back, but he had already placed his hands behind my head to deepen the kiss. His tongue flicked across my lips, begging entrance. Before my body could react, my brain kicked in.

Damn brain.

I pulled back as he resumed his pouting.

"Well now," he whispered as he placed a hand upon my cheek and stroked the side of my face, "I guess you are the one now aren't you?"