Page 25 of Bella and Her Beast
“I was sleeping just fine until a very noticeable change in temperature occurred. What time did you leave?”
“It was pretty early. Maybe around four. I only got about three hours of sleep before I had to be up. Thank you for a great evening. I really enjoyed myself.”
“The pleasure was all mine. I thought I’d return this book and tell you something.”
“What’s up?” I ask, hoping he’s not one of those damn jerks who fuck you, get you into your feelings then drops your ass like a hot beignet fresh out the fryer.
“I’m going out of town for about a week to address some family matters with our property. I’d ask you to go, but I know you are busy at work.”
My shoulders drop at the thought of him leaving. I’m not even sure why I feel this way. I shake it off and return to doing my job.
He must sense my change of emotions. “What’s wrong, Bella?” he asks.
“Oh nothing. You don’t owe me any explanation about your trip. Just have fun and maybe we can get together when you come back.” Normally, this wouldn’t even bother me. Hell, I wouldn’t even speak to him, but he’s changed me somehow.
He backs me into an obscure corner where we are out of the visual for many of our patrons. His fingers lightly graze my cheek, down to my neck and my shoulders.
“Greyson, I gotta get back to work,” I mumble, when his lips find an open space behind my earlobe.”
“You make it so hard to leave, but I gotta do this.”
He pulls away, leaving me hot, horny, and wetter than a gator in the bayou.
We walk towards the entrance, hand-in-hand, slowly strolling.
“I’ll be here waiting for you. Maybe I’ll take a few days off when you get back.”
“That’s a great idea.” He glances at his smart watch. “I gotta get going. See you when I get back.”
“See you, then,” I say.
Our hands still interlocked, neither of us wanting to release the hold.
He lets go and leaves, looking back at me over his shoulder one last time before he escapes from my sight.
“So, what the hell was that all about?” Joy questions.
“Oh, nothing. Greyson was just saying bye.”
“Oh, so we on a first name basis, now?”
I don’t have the experiences she has, and I rarely talk about my escapades, but this one I have to talk to someone about. “So, I went to his house yesterday for dinner, remember?”
“Mmm-hmm, go on.”
“He sent a car to pick me up, so I didn’t have to drive.”
“Girl, he could’ve kidnapped you, dummy. Always take your car.”
“Joy, focus!” I exclaim. “I arrived at his place, and they decorated the entire yard. I mean vintage style Edison string lights, a table for two on the courtyard, complete with music. We ate, we danced, we had sex in his library on the floor. Girl, he read to me.”
We squeal like pre-adolescent girls when their favorite show comes on the Disney channel.
“Noooo! Really? Oh, girl, I know you were all in heaven’s waiting room. But you know what I’m waiting for.” She looks at me with raised brows and an expectant expression on her face.
“Joy, I think that’s too personal. Even if I swear you to secrecy, I really need to see where we end up as a unit.”
“You? Isabella Maria DeLaCruz is thinking about a long-term relationship?”
