Page 60 of Rosabel and the Billionaire Beast

Hazel jogged in place once more, returning the pod to her ear. “I run this path just about every morning, so I’m sure I’ll see you around.”

“Yeah, see you,” I said, but Hazel was already on her way.

That was cool. It was nice to know someone else who lived around here.

I followed the curve in the road until another sight caused my steps to slow. A secret path cut right down the center of the woods, worn enough to imply that many others had followed it many times.

There was something alluring about paths, especially those in forests. Trying not to think about ticks—or about the climb back up once I was done exploring—I gave in to my curiosity and started a slow descent toward the lake.

Soon, wooden planks interrupted the dirt, providing steadier footing along the increasingly steep decline. Trees with their tall, thin trunks scattered along the brush. There was something rejuvenating about being enclosed by trees that my heated moment with Duncan had finally—nearly—cooled.

Duncan Hawthorne was a stone-cold fox—there was no denying that fact. I’d pegged him as a beast to be avoided for so long, and I’d been so determined to show him a thing or two on this trip, I hadn’t ever considered I’d get the same treatment.

The only difference there was that I doubted he was intentionally trying to turn my life upside down.

And then there were his family issues. Initially, I’d been touched by the idea of him buying his grandma ahouse, but the more I thought about it, the more doubt nestled in. In all reality, how could he think that would solve anything?

Wounds ran deep, and in my opinion, Duncan needed some serious Beatles therapy. Money couldn’t buy everything. It certainly couldn’t buy love.

He was ostracized from his family. It would take more than money to fix that.

I tried to leave the issue alone—not my circus, not my monkeys. But a different thought nudged its way in. Peculiar as the notion sounded, as before with his family, I wanted to help Duncan.

Everything inside of me argued against it almost immediately.

He was selfish—he’d onlyexpectas much from me. In fact, I was surprised he wasn’t demanding something the way his grandma had done with the flowers.

He’d take me for granted, the way he’d done since I’d accepted the executive assistant job.

Regardless, I wanted to help him. His hazel eyes, the heat of the moment that had surged between us, the intrigue I’d felt at his openness, flared once more, along with the memory of him taking my hand to hold the mild coffee burn under water, but I pushed those feelings aside.

This desire had nothing to do with my attraction to him, the way he made my awareness prickle or added heat to my blood with a single glance.

Helping people was just the right thing to do. Any decent person would want to do the same.

Besides, I started to suspect there was more to Duncan Hawthorne than I’d ever thought. What else was he hiding beneath that gruff, grumpy, gorgeous exterior?

Only a few wooden steps led to the lake’s edge. A wide dock planked from there, long enough for a handful of people to stand on. I stepped onto it, feeling it bob slightly beneath my weight. It held, and so I stayed and stared out at the view swallowing me on every side.

Water spread as far as I could see, hemmed in by trees in every shade of green. Blue sky capped the scene, shouting its happy color in every direction and yet adding tranquility all at once.

“Wow,” I said with a breath. “This is absolutely amazing.”

Beast or not, I wouldn’t be here, experiencing this, if it wasn’t for Duncan. Ugh, could I stop thinking about him already, please?

Not thinking about Duncan. Here we go.

A sigh escaped my lungs. I tipped my head back to face the sunlight and inhaled, drinking in the loamy, crisp air…

Not thinking about Duncan.

The gentle sounds of leaves being rustled by the wind. The slight crackle of twigs.

Not thinking…

Not…

A boat sped past, disrupting everything with its motor and causing ripples to shimmer across the lake’s glassy surface, and then I turned and released a little squeal of surprise.

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