Page 66 of Beast

“You’re insane,” I breathe.

“Just remember how good it felt when I fucked you all those times.” He kisses my neck. “How good it felt when I slammed into your ass for the first time.”

His word effect me too much, and I need to get away. So I do something out of character. I slap him sharply, the sound of skin against skin echoing in the empty hallway.

Gaston’s eyes flash dangerously. For a moment I think he might retaliate. But he simply rubs his cheek where I struck him, an amused smile playing on his lips. “Feisty as ever. I do love that fire in you.” His voice drops to a silky purr. “Just imagine how incredible we could be together if you finally embraced us.”

There’s a dark part of me that wants to relent, but I shake my head. “That’s never going to happen,” I say coldly. “Now get out of my way.”

Gaston searches my face, as if trying to ascertain whether I really mean it. After a moment he steps back, smoothing down the fabric of his suit jacket.

“Very well. I’ll leave you be, for now.” He smiles. “But this isn’t over. I always get what I want in the end.”

With that ominous promise hanging in the air, he turns on his heel and strides away down the hall. I watch him go, my heart pounding against my ribs. I’ve got no doubt he’ll be back to torment me again soon. But I know I can’t let him get to me. I won’t be his plaything again, not willingly, because what does that say about me?

Taking a deep breath, I turn and continue on my way to meet with my advisor, trying to focus on getting my life back on track. But my thoughts keep straying back to Gaston and his dark, addictive presence.

If he keeps trying to reel me back into his web of control, I know I won’t be able to resist forever. I can only hope I’ll be strong enough to withstand him when he returns to pursue me again. Because deep down, I know he will. And deep down, there’s a part of me that doesn’t want to resist. A part of me that wants to free fall into the darkness with him.

27

BLAKE

An irritated sigh escapes me when I open the apartment door and find yet another extravagant bouquet of flowers lying on the welcome mat.

Ever since I returned from Mexico, these flower arrangements have been showing up on my doorstep daily. He seems convinced that throwing flowers and expensive gifts at me will win me over, but it’s having the opposite effect. I don’t want fancy flowers or jewelry—I want him to leave me alone.

I scoop up the roses with more force than necessary, the thorns scratching my fingers. Stupid man can’t take a hint. Storming into the kitchen, I chuck the bouquet in the trash with a satisfying thud, not caring that the crystal vase shatters.

The nerve of him, acting like I’m some commodity to be bought again. I’m not interested in his bribes. No amount of flowers or jewelry will make me change my mind.

“Hey girl, this came for you,” my roommate Luna calls out, emerging from her room. She holds out a sleek black box tied with a silky white ribbon. I don’t have to guess who it’s from—the fancy packaging screams Gaston.

“Ugh, just put it over there,” I say with a dismissive wave of my hand. No doubt it’s some gaudy piece of jewelry that costs more than my tuition. As if I’d ever wear anything that came from him.

Luna sets the box on the counter, giving me a sympathetic look. “Still trying to win you over, huh? You’ve got to give him points for persistence.”

I roll my eyes in exasperation. “Yeah, well he’s wasting his time. I already told him I want nothing to do with him.”

But even as I say the words, I feel a twinge of doubt. I know how determined Gaston can be and there’s a part of me that misses him. That grieves the addictive feeling of being with him.

I tense up when I hear the knock, my gut telling me exactly who it is before Luna even opens the door. Gaston breezes right in without waiting for an invitation, acting like he owns the place.

“Blake, I’ve come to ask you to dinner at La Paloma,” he says smoothly, flashing me that infuriatingly handsome smile of his.

I scowl, crossing my arms over my chest. “I already told you, I’m not interested.”

Luna’s eyes go wide because La Paloma is one of the most exclusive places in town. I can tell she’s practically drooling over the thought of their famous roasted duck entrée.

“Oh Blake, you have to go!” she gushes, ignoring the daggers I’m staring at her. “I heard it takes months to get a reservation there!”

I shoot her a withering look. Whose side is she on anyway? Releasing an exasperated sigh, I throw my hands up in defeat. As much as I hate to admit it, the lure of La Paloma’s famous cuisine is too tempting to resist. I’ve dreamed of eating there since I moved to Providence. And Luna does have a point—it’s nearly impossible to score a reservation there. Only someone like Gaston could get a table on such short notice.

“Ugh, fine,” I mutter through gritted teeth, avoiding looking directly at Gaston. I can feel his eyes burning into me. Great, now he thinks he’s won.

“Excellent choice, mi reina,” he purrs, stepping closer and trailing a finger along my jaw.

I jerk my head away, glaring at him. “This is just for the food,” I snap, slapping his hand away. “It’s not a date, and it doesn’t mean anything.”

---