Page 72 of Beast

A little space is all we need to stoke the fires of passion. She can deny it all she wants, but I know she misses me as much as I miss her. The way she kissed me in the back of that car was proof enough.

31

BLAKE

Isit in the crowded university cafeteria, half listening to my friends chatter about classes and campus gossip. My mind keeps drifting back to Gaston and our last interaction at the coffee shop. I haven’t seen or heard from him in over a week now, which is strange considering he used to be practically omnipresent before.

Is it possible he’s finally listened and decide to leave me alone?

I stare down at my uneaten salad, pushing around the lettuce leaves absentmindedly.

Why do I even care where he is or what he’s up to?

I should be relieved that he has gotten the message to leave me alone.

“Earth to Blake!” Kali laughs, waving her hand in front of my face. “You in there?”

I blink, looking up at my friends surrounding me at the table. “Sorry, just spaced out for a sec,” I say with an apologetic smile.

“Thinking about Mr. Tall, Dark and Dangerous again?” Alice asks knowingly, raising an eyebrow.

I roll my eyes, but can’t stop the heat rising in my cheeks. “No, of course not. He’s an asshole.”

“Uh huh, sure,” Kali says. “That’s why you’ve been staring into space this whole lunch period.”

I sigh, knowing there’s no point trying to hide anything from them. They know me too well. “I find it weird that he’s suddenly nowhere to be found after being practically obsessed with me.”

Luna shakes her head. “Who cares? You should be happy you finally ditched that creep.”

“I know, I know,” I say. “It’s just strange, that’s all.”

In truth, I’m worried something might have happened to him. As twisted as it was, he claimed he cared about me in his own way. And despite everything, there was a connection between us.

“Well, maybe he finally got the message and decided to leave you alone,” Alice suggests.

Gaston doesn’t strike me as the type to give up so easily. I take a bite of my salad, trying to ignore the unease. I shift uncomfortably in my seat while Kali fixes me with a knowing look.

“What?” I ask defensively.

“Do you have feelings for him?” she questions, eyes searching mine.

“What? No!” I scoff, shaking my head. “Of course not. He’s a monster who bought me. I hate him.”

Kali continues to stare at me, clearly unconvinced. “I wouldn’t blame you.” She runs a hand across the back of her neck. “My relationship with Matias is complicated too.”

Alice and Luna glance between us curiously. Matias is a true psychopath and Kali still seeing him is fucking wrong on so many levels. But I don’t think any of us can really understand what our experience did to us mentally.

And Luna seems to be completely wrapped up in Thiago, the other brother, who while not as bad is still an immoral piece of shit who ‘trained’ many women before us in horrific ways.

“I’m serious,” I insist, avoiding their gazes. “Gaston is cruel and controlling. I want nothing to do with him.”

But even as the words leave my mouth, I know deep down they’re a lie. There’s always been an undeniable connection between us, some dark magnetism. And I pushed him away not only because of the way he treated me, but because he scares me. The power he has over me which had nothing to do with the fact he purchased me.

I shake my head. “I don’t have feelings for him,” I repeat firmly. “He’s in my past now. I never want to see him again.”

My friends look unconvinced but don’t push me further. The conversation moves on to talk of an upcoming party. I try to listen, but my mind keeps drifting back to Gaston despite my best efforts.

“I’ve got to get going to my psychology class,” I announce, standing and shouldering my bag. “I’ll see you guys later back at the apartment.”

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