Page 30 of Heads You Lose (Grim & Beast Duet 2)

Beast:You know I’d never fall asleep on the job. Your safety is my top priority. Always. You never have to fear me.

It’s like he’s read my thoughts, or maybe I haven’t perfected my poker face as much as I’d thought. Flicking my eyes up, I search the edges of my driveway that’s bordered by hedges on both sides, and see the tiny flicker of a flame that briefly illuminates Beast’s face, followed by the deep red of a cigarette tip sizzling. My breath catches at that brief glimpse and my fingers hover over the keyboard, a snarky response on the tip of my tongue, or should I say, fingers. Should I respond?

Fuck it.

Me:You know standing in the dark staring at a lone woman in her house isn’t convincing me otherwise. Turned to stalking now, have we?

Beast:It ain’t stalking when I’m not bothering to hide myself.

Me:Tell that to the two men on my roof.

I grin, hoping that will shake him. If he thinks that George, a man pushing sixty and a retired gangster, is my only protection, he’s in for a rude awakening. When I look back up, I see Beast shift in the darkness. He steps out of the shadows and into the moonlight that cuts across the driveway looking far too relaxed than he has any right to be. I watch as his gaze lifts to the roof, then as he raises his hand and salutes my men. He’s so fucking certain of himself and I’m not sure whether that pisses me off or turns me on. Probably both in all honesty.

Eventually he drops his gaze back to me, and my breath catches. It’s not that he’s wearing a faded leather jacket over a black hoodie and slim fitting jeans that make him look sexy as fuck. It’s not even the way he pulls in another drag of his cigarette before stubbing it out beneath his boot. It’s the way he stares at me unabashedly, like I’m already his and this is just a game to pass the time before the real action begins.

“We’re inevitable, you and me…”

He knows it. My sister knows it. Deep down I’ve always known it.

We stare at each other for long moments. Neither of us making any attempt to move or continue texting. I’m fully aware that my dressing gown has slipped open a little, and I’m showing off more skin than I’d intended and I can’t help but wonder whether he sees how my nipples press against the thin satin material, or that the hem barely grazes mid-thigh. I think about pulling the material together and tightening the belt, but decide against it. Let him get his fill.

Beast:If I were a better man, I’d avert my gaze.

A minute passes as he stares, and I can’t breathe knowing his eyes are on me. Fire licks beneath my skin as he strides across the gravel driveway towards me. He stops on the other side of the window, his chest heaving as he stares. I watch as his gaze travels slowly downwards, lingering on my breasts before tracking towards my bare feet and then back up again before he locks eyes with me. The lust, need and possessiveness billowing in his gaze has my breath hitching. His fingers move over the keypad of his phone as he types out another message barely glancing at the screen. A second later my phone beeps and I break his stare, reading the message.

Beast:Let me in.

My heart jolts. My throat tightens. It’s a simple request, a demand actually, but it’s layered with so much meaning. Yes, Beast is clearly here to talk, otherwise he would’ve left whatever it is on my porch and gone, but I also know he wants more. He doesn’t just want inside my house, he wants inside my thoughts, my knickers, my heart.

And I’m just not ready for any of that yet.

Not because I’m still hurt. It’s not even about my forgiveness, because the second he told me the truth I’d forgiven him about everything. It’s all the other shit.

It’s about the club, my reputation, the people who surround me,us. I’m a figurehead now, a powerful one, and there isn’t one person out there who won’t try and take what’s mine if they thought for one second I’d gone soft.

Grim is tough, unyielding, unapologetic. She’s her father’s daughter.

She isn’t someone who lets people into her heart, period.

But Kate, she’s a whole other kettle of fish.

Chewing on the inside of my cheek, I lift my gaze to meet his.

“Let me in,” he pleads, pressing his hand against the windowpane, his palm flat against the glass.

My clit throbs at the blatant need in his eyes, and I draw in a ragged breath, trying to think with my head and not my heart, or even worse still, my pussy.

For a long time I go back and forth, my heart battling my head until I finally make a decision. Looking down at my phone, I type out another message.

Me:Go home. I’ll see you at Tales in a few nights.

Reading my message, he withdraws his hand and nods, then with one last look that guts me, turns on his heels and walks away. I watch him leave, still standing at the window long after he’s disappeared in the dark. Some time later Cleveland enters the living room.

“Ma’am, he’s left the grounds.”

“I know,” I reply. Gathering my dressing gown tighter around me, I turn to face Cleveland. In his hand he’s holding a book. “What’s that?”

“This is what Beast left for you. I thought you’d want it,” he replies, striding across the room, handing it to me.

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