Page 33 of Beautiful Beast

“Why can’t the actual military in those countries just do this stuff?”

This is such a strange conversation, let alone when I’m slicing into a chicken breast and creating perfect strips for the quesadillas.

“Depending on the country, they might not have the manpower or skillset. If it was the US hiring us, then it was probably to cut through red tape and get shit done.”

I pucker my lips and toss the chicken on a separate cast iron skillet with a satisfying sizzle. I stir the vegetables around the neighboring pan before asking the question that keeps circling my mind.

“Okay, so… was it like the movie The Expendables?”

Adam bursts out laughing, and I can’t get over how super-hot he is. Faces like his are usually on the covers of magazines or kissing leading ladies on the big screen.

“Nothing is like Hollywood, Belle. But yeah, that movie glamorizes what I did.”

“You’re like stupid rich though,” I remind him. “Why would you need to go to war?”

“I didn’t need to. I wanted to. I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie, and I like the comradery of going to battle with my brothers in arms. I wasn’t ready to ride a desk.”

“So, you got a bunch of tattoos and enlisted instead?”

“Close, princess. I enlisted, served my terms, left the army, got a bunch of tattoos, and then became a mercenary.”

“They call you the Prince of Wall Street in the media,” I remind him.

“They’re wrong, but I will be taking the helm for… complicated reasons.”

He’s already confided in me way more than I ever imagined he would, so I decide not to push. Eventually, I’ll find out why he’s hanging up his weapons and picking up a laptop.

“Do you have guns here?” I demand.

“Tons.”

“Can I see?” I ask, glancing over my shoulder to watch his reaction.

His lips tug up in amusement. “Want me to take you to the shooting range so you can try one out?”

“Hell, yeah! That will be an actual date.”

He rounds the counter and stands so close to me that the heat of his body steals my breath. “Why do you want to go on a date with me, princess?”

“Hot AF,” I manage, but the words are more air than sound.

“Tell me the real reason.”

He takes a step closer, and I turn from the stove so we’re facing each other head-on, our bodies an inch from touching.

“It’s true that I think you’re sexy,” I admit. “But you also fascinate me. You’re like a puzzle where I can’t see the picture on the box. I have no idea what I’m building, but all I want to do is grab the next piece and find where it fits.”

He uses his thumb to tilt my jaw up, and I’m certain that he’s going to kiss me. My ovaries are proactively on fire and even though breathing used to be instinctive, it’s now above my lungs’ paygrade.

My entire body tingles, my stomach flip-flops, and my mouth is bone dry.

Just from Adam looking at me.

Jesus.

That’s it.

If he doesn’t kiss me, I’m going to kiss him.

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