Page 106 of Beautiful Beast

But the sharp ache in my cheek whenever I move my mouth is all the reminder I need.

“Are you going to dance with me?” she asks, her eyes shining.

“Don’t push it,” I grumble. “I thought you couldn’t dance anyway.”

“I can’t. But I want to, with you anyway. Please?” she asks sweetly, intertwining her hand with mine.

With a sigh, I agree, like I’m sure she knew that I would. “But at least let me have a glass of wine first.”

I order us a bottle of Screaming Eagle Sauvignon Blanc, forcing myself to make eye contact with the server.

“Are you happy we’re here?” I ask Belle after he’s left.

She shrugs and busies herself with shredding a cocktail napkin. “I guess.”

I glare at her. “What do you mean, you guess? This adventure was your idea.”

“Adam, I’m a bookworm. I live in yoga pants, and usually prefer fictional worlds to the real one. I’m happiest at home on the couch hanging out with you and Buster.”

Is this girl for real right now?

“Then what the hell are we–”

And then it hits me.

She’s forcing me to go out because she thinks it’s what’s best to help me heal, not because it’s what she wants. She bites her lip, watching me figure out her diabolical plan.

“You can’t stay hidden. You’re a strong, confident, sexy guy, and I don’t want you to become a shell of who you’re meant to be.”

Jesus.

“You’re an evil little vixen.”

She tells me how excited she is to go to Europe, the setting of some of her favorite books, while she rubs the back of my hand.

“Pride and Prejudice was set in England,” Belle explains. “That’s one of my favorites. And then there’s A Year in Provence, A Moveable Feast, The Enchanted April, A Room with a View, Illyrian Spring, Murder on the Orient Express, The Book Thief, Girl with A Pearl Earring…”

Everything is always about books with Belle.

Even blowjobs.

I’m damn glad she found that one on the shelves though.

“Am I boring you?” she asks. Despite the darkness, I recognize the familiar signs of her flush and the way she looks down, trying to appear smaller.

“Absolutely not,” I say, using my thumb to tilt her chin back up. “I could listen to you talk about books forever. I love how passionate you are. You’re the sexiest librarian on earth.”

“I was saving up to go,” she admits. “A European book tour of sorts. I was going to stay in hostels to be more budget-friendly so I could travel everywhere.”

I shake my head. “You belong in private villas with me, princess. We’ll go everywhere you want to go, but let me figure out all the details. It will be a trip to remember, I promise.”

“It’s so crazy how you can just do that,” Belle whispers. “Just like that.” She snaps her fingers to emphasize her point. “Make one of my biggest dreams come true. But finding you was the dream I was too scared to even have.”

I’m going to look like a total pussy if I start crying in the middle of a wine bar.

“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I love you.”

“I love you, too. And I’d still love you even if you weren’t rich. You’d probably be a lot nicer and less stodgy.”

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