Page 103 of Beautiful Beast

He nods, but his expression is stormy and unreadable.

“Do you want to be with me?” I whisper.

He closes his eyes, and his face is pained. “Belle…”

“I guess you forgot to add, ‘can’t follow simple instructions’ to your trying to scare me away list.”

“Did it work?”

“Not by a long shot. Now answer the question. Do you want to be with me?”

“Yes.”

My insides somersault at his confession. I suspected that the laundry list of his sins was amplified and a misguided attempt to try and protect me, which actually disproves everything that he tried to convince me – and maybe himself – was the truth.

Heisa good man.

“So then listen to me closely. I don’t date someone based on the hours they work or how easy it’s going to be. I trust you to make time for me and to do the work that will keep me safe. Neither of us exactly fit the mold of high society.”

“Are you suggesting that most CEOs don’t have neck tattoos?”

“It might be a bit outside the norm. Look, I’m not pretending everything is going to be smooth sailing, but I want to try. I want to be with someone I’m passionate about. Someone I love. I wantyou.”

“Belle…”

“I get to make my own decisions. So much autonomy was taken away from me as a kid, and I want to decide the course of my life. You’re not the only one who had a hard life. But you are the only one who can change your future and break the cycle.”

He slides his arm around my shoulders and pulls me onto his lap, righting my entire world. “You’re impossible.”

“You’re not exactly easy to be around yourself.”

I’ve told Adam I love him on two separate occasions now, and he hasn’t said it back. I believe that he does, but I also want the words. Every step forward in our relationship is so much effort, but getting to know him is the most fun I’ve had in… Well, ever.

“Things will be better when I’m fixed,” Adam says. “I’ll take you to Europe for the trip you’ve always wanted.”

It warms my heart that he remembers the dream I told him under the stars one night. The thought of holding his hand while walking through Paris, the city of love, swimming on the coast of Greece, and then exploring the romantic, cobblestone streets of Italy while eating authentic cuisine almost makes me squeal with glee.

I have the feeling Adam won’t want to backpack and spend time in hostels, which is all my limited budget could afford. We would be going in style and the experience would be a fairy tale come to life.

He said that he isn’t my Prince Charming, but he’s wrong.

“How will you get away from work?” I ask.

He shrugs a massive shoulder. “Temporarily put someone else in charge, and if they fuck up, fire them.”

“Such a good boss.”

“I try.”

“We could go now.”

He glares at me. “I don’t even like going downstairs to your place.”

I roll my eyes. “Surgery isn’t going to be a magic, simple solution.”

“I know. But it’s a start. And now you sound like Briggs.”

“Maybe I should date him instead.”

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