Page 26 of Taming Grumpy Dr. Beast
I held back a groan when I saw who it was. Even annoyed at his presence I couldn’t stop my eyes from roaming over him. Beast’s rumpled hair was a distraction. It stuck out in various places, making me wonder if he’d run his fingers through it in frustration. Begrudgingly, I acknowledged it gave him a rakish air.
I lowered my eyes, realizing he’d undone the top few buttons of his crisp shirt to reveal a smattering of chest hair. I wondered if it would feel soft or rough against my fingertips. I snapped my gaze up to see a smirk forming on his lips. He was such an arrogant jerk. He knew I’d been staring at him.
“Were you waiting for an invitation to dinner?” he grumbled.
“Dinner?” I was still working on gathering any of the sensible thoughts that had flown out of my head at seeing him.
“The last meal of the day.” His sarcasm had me narrowing my eyes at him.
“I’m not hungry.” I’d rather starve than sit with him at a table where I’d be held hostage and forced to listen to his insults.
A loud grumble filled the silence between us.Why did you have to betray me?I griped at my stomach, wanting to sink through the floor. I wished I’d spent two minutes searching for snacks in my purse. If I had, my hunger wouldn’t be making itself known.
He crossed his arms over his chest.
I fought with myself not to worship what the move did to his biceps. His arms were like large branches. I shifted my gaze lower, needing to look elsewhere. His legs were just as much of a distraction. They were thick, like tree trunks. “Nope. I’m good.”
Without looking, I knew it was only a matter of time before he lifted his right brow, silently questioning my defiance. He’d done it often enough to me today.
Instead, his angry eyes focused on me. “You’d rather stay in this room hungry than eat with me?”
I straightened my spine, not letting my gaze waiver from his. “Yes.”
He dropped his arms, clenching his hands into fists at his side. With a deep growl that reverberated through my room, he said. “Fine. Then don’t eatat all.” He pivoted and stormed off down the hall.
I bit my lip while gently shutting the door. That didn’t go well. I really had to stop poking at him, especially when I needed this job to work out.
An angry sound emanated from my stomach, letting me know it was pissed at my decision. I sighed. “I might as well put away the rest of my stuff.” At least it would get my mind off of being hungry, and I could dig in my purse for the granola bar I’d stashed there this morning.
After thirty minutes, I’d unpacked all my things, reorganized my makeup and hair products about five times on the vanity’s glass surface, rearranged a small stack of romance novels by my bedside, and paced my room for so long I was sure to wear a path in the plush carpet.
I called Dad and checked in with him, happy to see he was having a good day. He looked visibly relieved that everything was working out. I didn’t want him to feel guilty about his condition or me needing to cover for him.
There was no way I was sleeping tonight. I was far too hungry, and it was only 8:30 p.m. Perhaps I could sneak downstairs for a bite. The only problem was I’d have to find my way to the kitchen without getting lost in this maze of a house.
A knock on my door stopped my thoughts in its tracks. Had he returned? I smoothed a hand down my pants, trying to make myself look less travel weary, and stood tall. I drew confidence around me like a shield.
“May I come in, Dr. LeBeau?” Ms. Ketill’s voice filtered through from the other side.
My shoulders slumped.How could I be relieved and disappointed at the same time?“Yes, of course.”
Ms. Ketill, the blessing of a human being she was, pushed a cart into my room. The smells coming from the covered dishes made me want to groan with joy. I could kiss her.
“Thank you so much. It smells delicious.” I trailed after her as she pushed the cart over to the small table and chairs flanking a window at the rear of my room.
She lifted the trays and placed them on the table, along with a glass of water and one of a pale yellow wine. “Oh, it was no trouble. Jaxon said you’d be dining in your room this evening.”
“Dr. Beast said that, did he?” I found that hard to believe.
She gave me a soft smile. “Sometimes he knows when he’s being an ass.”
I covered my mouth, trying to and failing to stifle the chuckle threatening to emerge. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t laugh.”
“He’s not all bad, Dr. LeBeau. He had a rough childhood. It led him to build walls and to believe that it’s better not to let people in.”
I eyed her quietly. Afraid to say anything, fearful if I did, she’d stop giving me this glimpse into Beast’s personal life. Despite how much he frustrated me, I wanted to know more about the man behind the rough exterior.
She sighed. “Well, it’s not my place to say anything else, but over time, I’m sure he will soften with you.”
