Page 24 of Beautiful Beast

Adam pinches the bridge of his nose, and I can almost hear him silently counting to ten. I should just give up and leave him alone, but I’m too close to retreat now.

We’re almost there.

Maybe I do need more hobbies, but I have to be up early for work tomorrow. What the hell am I supposed to do, hit a club? And why shouldn’t I be friends with my neighbor?

He’s the one who is abnormal in this situation, not me.

“I’m taking the casserole with me if we leave,” I warn. “It’s chicken and broccoli, which sounds simple, but my grandmother used a secret ingredient. She has a whole recipe book that I’m prepared to work my way through. And I know this one tastes good because I tried some.”

He laughs and this time the sound comes from his gut. “You brought me a casserole with a bite taken out of it?”

“Two bites,” I admit. “I had to let Buster try, too.”

“Look, Belle, I don’t hate you. In fact, you seem very nice, but I’ve had a long, trying day. I really just want to be left alone.”

And yet he still hasn’t gone inside his apartment.

“You must have long, trying days every day then.”

He runs a hand through his hair – thick, chestnut brown hair that looks perfect to curl your fingers in – and lets out a long sigh.

“Why won’t you give up?” he asks.

I shrug. “You intrigue me. Plus, you’re hot AF.”

“AF?”

“Oh, I forgot that you’re old people. That means as fuck.”

This time, his laugh sounds bitter. “Belle, trust me. That statement is not accurate.”

“But I’ve seen pictures and–”

“You’ve seenoldpictures. That statement is no longer accurate.”

I’m learning that Adam has very expressive eyes, and there’s an unspeakable sadness in them now that breaks my heart.

There’s something else, too.

Tragedy.

Pain.

Chaos.

Regret.

Longing.

If eyes are the windows into someone’s soul, then Adam’s soul has been to some dark places.

Something really bad happened.

And I want to know what. I’m certain that whatever it is, it won’t take away my hot AF assessment. I might have been saying it to try and make him laugh, but it’s still true and whatever is under that bandana won’t change my mind.

I mean, it’s not like half his face can be missing or something. He wouldn’t be walking around if that was the case.

So, it’s got to be something to do with his mouth. Maybe someone knocked his teeth out. But he’s rich enough that he would get those fancy veneer things.

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