Page 49 of Beast

“We’re here.”

“Where is here?” she asks, stretching her arms out and sitting straight. Her brow furrows when she sees the port.

“Acapulco,” I reply. “I thought a little getaway would do us both some good.”

She tenses, looking angry. “I don’t want a getaway. Take me back to your apartment,” she demands.

I love that she’s still got that defiant streak.

“Why would I do that? This is a treat, baby girl. Not a punishment.”

She bites her lip, looking uncertain. “We can’t keep doing this.”

“Doing what?” I demand.

“Acting like this is normal. Like we’re a couple just going on a last minute vacation or something.”

Ah, that’s why she’s angry. I’ve noticed her trying to pull away from me ever since we started sleeping together. She’s falling for me, just like I’ve fallen for her, but she’s resisting it. Natural, but futile. In the end, she’ll come to accept we’re meant for each other.

I reach out and cup her face, tilting it so she has to look me in the eye. “This is normal, mi reina. You and I, we’re special. We belong together.”

She shakes her head, tears welling in her eyes. “No, Gaston. This isn’t right. I’m not?—”

I press a finger to her lips, silencing her. “Shhh. Don’t fight it, mi amor. Just let it happen.”

She stares at me, fear and uncertainty swirling in her gaze. I can see the conflict within her, the desire warring with the need to pull away.

“I don’t want to,” she whispers.

“Yes, you do,” I murmur, leaning in to press a soft kiss to her forehead. “You want this as much as I do.”

She turns her head away, breaking the contact. “Take me back to the apartment. Please.”

I sigh, my hand dropping from her face. “Blake, you’re being unreasonable.”

“I’m being reasonable,” she snaps. “You bought me, for fuck’s sake. You can’t just act like I’m your girlfriend when you’re my fucking owner.”

“Watch your language.” I grab her throat, squeezing in warning. “And stop being so defiant.”

Blake opens her mouth to protest, but I silence her with a firm kiss. Initially, she’s tense against me. Until, she beings to relax, her lips opening to welcome my tongue. And then we’re clawing at each other, desperate.

When we break apart, I press my forehead against hers. “Now no more dramatics. Let’s enjoy our getaway.” With that, I release her throat and open the car door, signaling for her to step out.

She slides out and I follow her, offering my hand. I see the hesitation in her eyes before she takes it. My girl is being cautious and I don’t like it.

“Here we are,” I say, nodding at my yacht docked at the port.

Blake carefully steps onto the luxurious yacht, her blue eyes widening as she takes in the gleaming teak deck and state-of-the-art amenities. A part of me thrills at the chance to impress her, to lavish her with the kind of lifestyle few ever dream of. But something tells me Blake’s above all that.

Blake stares at the yacht, her lips parted slightly in awe. I can see the longing in her eyes, the temptation of the luxurious life I’m offering her, but there’s also a shadow of fear and uncertainty.

“It’s beautiful,” she murmurs, almost to herself.

“It is,” I agree, stepping beside her and placing a hand on the small of her back. “And it’s yours now, mi reina.” I can’t understand why Blake is different from the other girls. All I know is for a while now I’ve been sure I won’t be purchasing another girl ever again. Blake is it for me.

She tenses at my touch, then slowly turns to face me. “Gaston, I can’t keep doing this. I don’t want to be here. I want to go home.”

I frown, my grip tightening ever so slightly. “This is your home now, Blake. With me.”

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