Page 22 of Mariposa
We’re alone again. My heart hammers in my ears. The way he closes the distance with that entrapping masculine body of his always has me in a chokehold. Still, he’s an asshole.
And…he’s Adam’s dad. And my instructor.
Snap out of it, Violet.
Beast turns back to me. His beautiful lips lift into a haunting, sinful smirk.
“Am I dismissed, sir?” I ask nonchalantly.
There’s another pause of tense silence. You could hear a pin drop. I dart my vision to the exit of the building, wondering what the hell is going through his head now.
He leans forward, and my breath hitches. Fire travels into my blood, infecting every cell, until I feel like I’m getting burned alive. His mouth is right by the shell of my ear, making me want to punch him in the face for being so hard on me. I know I can take him, but my hatred for him grows by the day.
What is he going to make me do now? What over-the-top punishment does he have up his sleeve? One thousand push-ups?
“Watch yourself, Isla. Because if it were me, you were sparring, you’d tap out. I don’t show mercy like you showed every one of them.”
He pulls back.
“Is that a threat?” I say loosely.
“It’s a fact. You don’t like me very much, do you?” he coos wickedly.
I grind my teeth, fighting the urge to walk away from him. He leans in again, and this time, he gets really close to my face. The tips of our noses almost brush together.
“Good.” His voice is deep and his words slow. “I’m doing my fucking job right, then, Isla. I want you to hate me. I bet you’d like to hit me right now, huh?” he taunts.
I keep my eyes on the exit and focus on what I came here to do. To prove everyone wrong. If I punch his lights out right now, I’ll be kicked out of here faster than I can blink.
“No, sir.”
He scoffs.
“Highly doubtful, but if you’re going to punch me, make sure to do it like this.” He grabs my hand, tucking in my thumb. I glare at him, even though he smiles from ear to ear like he’s enjoying ticking me off.
“You’re dismissed.” He pivots to the side, not looking at me anymore. I don’t bother to pay him any more attention and practically bolt forward.
“And Isla? One more thing.”
I reach the door and grip the doorknob.
“Careful…” His tone is stern, warning me again in his drill sergeant voice. He takes his sunglasses off, and I’m met with those entrapping, sinister eyes. So vibrant and texturized, like a wolf. “There will be consequences if another man holds you like that again.”
The way the words rolled off his tongue so effortlessly, I could have sworn there was a possessive fire intertwined between each word. His voice deepened, sending an eruption of butterflies in the pit of my stomach. There’s an uncomfortable pause full of tension between us. Or is this all in my head?
His jaw flexes. He can order me around and put an emotionless, alpha-hole facade on display, but his eyes give more away than he thinks.
My cheeks warm, and I stare at him, waiting for him to continue.
What does he want me to say to that?
He clears his throat and places his glasses back onto the bridge of his nose. “You know, it can be seen as inappropriate.”
I quirk an eyebrow.
For letting him grab my waist for support?Really?
He clears his throat when his phone chimes, and he breaks his gaze from mine.
