Page 65 of Beast

“I was telling the dean, Blake, you had a bit of a vacation from hell after losing your passport, but you sure as hell made up for it doing psyche evals for some of my staff.”

I stare at Gaston in disbelief while he spins an elaborate tale to explain my absence to the dean. Lost passport? Psyche evals for his staff? It’s complete fiction that surely no one would believe.

“I’m so sorry to hear about your passport troubles, Ms. Carter,” the dean says, shaking his head. “It sounds like you’ve been through quite an ordeal these past few weeks.”

He’s not buying this shit, surely?

I open my mouth but no words come out. What can I say? No that’s not what happened, the charismatic and charming man next to me actually purchased me from the cartel and then proceeded to hold me captive.

Likely story.

The dean checks his watch. “Well, I appreciate you both coming to explain the situation. I’m willing to make an exception so you can resume your studies, Ms. Carter. But I expect you to meet with your advisor to get caught up on missed work.”

“Yes, of course,” I manage to say. “Thank you, I really appreciate it.”

Gaston stands and buttons his suit jacket. “Wonderful. Well, I should be going. But Blake, if you need anything else, please don’t hesitate to call.” He hands me a business card. I take it without looking at him.

“Thanks again for your help, Mr. Marques,” the dean says as he escorts Gaston out.

And then I’m alone, sitting in shocked silence. I glance down at the business card: Gaston Marques, CEO. Once the shock wears off, I stand and walk out of the dean’s office too.

Despite thinking I’d escaped Gaston’s grasp, he still has me trapped. Somehow he has this power over people, even in the states. Forcing my mind off away from him, I decide now is as good a time as any to visit my advisor’s office and start catching up on the coursework I’ve missed.

Glancing around the corridor, I make sure there’s no sign of Gaston before turning left and walking toward the advisor’s office. Only a few moments later, I sense him. “Wait a minute, Blake.”

I freeze at the sound of his deep, husky voice. And when I whirl around he’s standing right behind me. “What do you want?”

He smirks at me. “A thank you would be a good place to start.”

“I don’t have time for this,” I say through gritted teeth. “I have to see my advisor.”

I try to step around him but he sidesteps, blocking my path. “That’s no way to thank someone who just helped you out.”

“Thank you?” I scoff. “You call spinning a ridiculous story to cover for me ‘helping’? I never asked for your help.”

“But you needed it,” he says. “Admit it, you’d be in serious trouble if it wasn’t for me swooping in to save the day.”

“The only reason I was in trouble in the first place was because of you,” I shoot back. “Now get out of my way.”

I try to push past him again but he grabs my hips and yanks me against his warm, hard body. Instantly, I’m on fire. My body floods with an electric current while I gaze into those cold, gray eyes. “I may have let you go, Blake, but you know I don’t like being talked to in that way.” He brushes the hair from my neck and kisses me softly. “I miss you in my bed, beautiful.” The feel of his lips on my neck drive me crazy and I arch toward him, knowing I’ve missed his touch too despite myself.

Part of me wants to melt into his embrace, claw at him and kiss him. But it’s ridiculous. He can’t just do this. Waltz into my life and expect me to fall in line for him. Using all my willpower, I push him away.

Gaston doesn’t try to keep hold of me, allowing me to step back. “Stay away from me,” I say, my voice shaky. “I don’t want anything to do with you.”

“I’m afraid that’s not possible, beautiful. Getting you to fall in love with me requires proximity, doesn’t it?” He steps toward me again.

I hold up my hand, stopping him in his tracks. Fall in love with him? He really is crazy if he thinks that’s going to happen. “I told you to stay away I want nothing to do with you, not after everything you’ve put me through.”

He steps closer, a flash of challenge in his eyes. “Come on, Blake. We both know that’s not true.” He takes another step toward me. “You can’t deny what’s between us. I felt it on that yacht, and I know you did too.”

My cheeks get hot at the memory and I clench my thighs. A movement that Gaston instantly notices as he smirks, stepping even closer and grabbing me for the second time.

“Admit it, baby girl,” he purrs into my ear. “You can’t help but get turned on when I’m around. And all those times you gave yourself to me, you fucking loved it.”

It’s true, but it means nothing. “So what? Sex is just sex. It means nothing.”

He growls softly. “It means everything. And you better not go near another man on this campus unless you want him dead at my hands,” he hisses, making my heart skip a beat. “I took your anal virginity. And I wish I’d taken your pussy for the first time too, but if any man goes fucking near you.” He shakes his head, danger sparking in his irises

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