Page 10 of Bella and Her Beast
“I haven’t fleshed that part out, yet. Not sure if he will. You know the characters write their own fate.” I shove my hands into my pocket and pause on our stroll when I inadvertently hit the injury reminding me of the pain.
She rushes to my aid. “Ooh, Mr. Devereaux. You should sit down. Here, let’s go over here so you can rest.”
We do a slow two-step to the sitting area under the rose trellis and take our seat on the wrought iron benches.
“Do you mind if I take a look at your injury?”
“Are you a medical professional?”
“No, but I have this salve that mi abuela gave me. Since I’m always getting paper cuts from the books we shelve or from the safety razor we use to open the boxes. It has a healing compound that my family has used for years. Joy used it once and within two days it healed her wound. I had Gigi mix her up a batch.”
“I’ll take anything at this point.” I wince when I remove the tape from my skin exposing the area where she stabbed me, but not in the human form she knows.
She takes from her little purse a plastic bag containing the ointment which she raves about and her hand sanitizer, which she uses first, before opening the small tin container. “Now, if I hurt you, let me know. It needs to be rubbed into the skin for better absorption.”
“So you just carry that around with you everywhere?”
“Well, I never want to be in a situation without it.”
She makes small sensitive circles first on the direct area and then outward. I squirm under her graze, but only because of the pain. Her touch, however, affects me differently.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Not trying to hurt you.”
“I know. So, abuela, that’s Spanish for grandmother, right?”
“Yes, it is. Do you speak Español?” she smiles.
“Hmm, let me see. Tú nombre es tan hermoso como tú (Your name is as beautiful as you).”
“Aww gracias. Eso fue dulce (That was sweet).”
We share a laugh, and our gaze meets. There is definitely a connection between us and I’m sure she feels it too.
“Um, I think that’s enough rubbing,” she shyly speaks and puts away her container. “You should definitely be sure to cover that immediately with clean bandages, Mr. Devereaux.”
“Please, call me Greyson and Russ will help me with my wound care.”
“So, is he like your uncle?” she asks.
“Not exactly. My family comes from a lengthy line of wealth, if you will, and from what I was told, we’ve always had a man Friday.” I can’t divulge the truth, not now. I just need to gain her trust and understanding.
“Oh, I see. Well, I should go now. Besides, you need your rest.”
She stands to leave, but I don’t want her to go.
My wolf is calm when she’s around, and I want her around all the time. I rise and tug at her arm just enough to pull her to my chest.
She looks up to me with those beautiful eyes, and I am in her trance. I pluck a rose from the garden and place it in her hair; carefully brushing the loose strands behind her ear. She smiles and I take a chance and go in for a kiss. She doesn’t move, but when she looks deeply into my eyes, she pulls back.
“I’m sorry. I really need to go. Here’s the book. I’ll see you around.” She hurries off toward her car, and I do a quick breath check to make sure I didn’t offend her senses. Not sure what has her running away, but I know without a doubt she’s the one.
CHAPTER FOUR
ISABELLA
It’s been two days since I last saw Greyson. When we were alone at his place, sitting on those benches made me feel something I don’t think I’ve ever felt. The way his touch against my skin sent pulses of electricity running down to my inner core. Or, how his voice melded in my spirit, connecting deep within, or giving butterflies every time he smiled. Those pale in comparison to how I felt when I gazed into his blue eyes. There was something familiar in that moment. I felt safe and frightened at the same time. Like I’ve seen those eyes before, but on the beast I wounded.
“Bella, girl what are you daydreaming about?” Joy asks, snapping me from my thought process.
