Page 82 of Beautiful Beast

I was all in from the moment he first hated me.

Chapter 18

Adam

Belleinathree-thousand-dollargold-colored Gucci dress and draped in Harry Winston diamonds almost convinces me it’s a good idea to go out tonight and that I should even do it more often.

She’s sexy in a T-shirt and, right now, she’s a fucking masterpiece.

“These are pretty elaborate gifts,” she greets me.

Without saying hello to me, Buster immediately launches at the new toys I ordered for him in the hopes he’d be entertained while we were out. I even installed a doggy dog that is activated by his collar so that he can let himself in and out.

Yeah, I’ve got it bad for them both.

“Figured it was time you dressed like the princess you are.”

“I thought you were being sarcastic and mocking me with that nickname,” she says.

“Initially,” I admit, “but I’ve come to believe it’s true.”

She rolls her eyes, but still slides into my arms and kisses me. Her lips taste like strawberry and her hair is infused with vanilla, a combination that makes me immediately want to bury myself inside her.

My nervous energy dissipates.

I wasn’t sure if she would still be angry with me about how our last night together ended, but she must not be since she’s letting me paw her. Belle isn’t the passive-aggressive type, so maybe she’s learning to accept what I can give.

Maybe it will be enough.

“I’m really excited about tonight.” She tilts her chin to look into my eyes, and hers are shining. It’s written all over her face that she wants dinner to be more than dinner.

And I can’t let that happen, even though I’m starting to believe the brunette vixen in my arms practices witchcraft.

“If you want to meet our friends, we better go,” I grumble, “Otherwise, I’m canceling so I can rip this dress off and fuck you while you’re only wearing diamonds and stilettos.”

Her gaze darkens, and my hopes soar because maybe I can convince her to ditch Eric and Ariel. But then she bites her pouty lower lip and shakes her head.

“It’s a good idea,” she admits. “But I can’t stand Ariel up. You can fuck me when we get back.”

I’m dreading leaving the house, though contact with the outside world will be limited.

We take a private elevator to a deserted lobby, head straight into the back of a dark limo, and then into the back entrance of Le Bernardin where a discrete server brings us into a private dining room.

“It’s so crazy this is actually your life,” Belle muses.

The only lights in the room are from strategically placed candles and muted crystal chandeliers, exactly what I requested. I’ll be cast in shadows, so maybe the disfigurement won’t be as visible as I fear.

“You mean living like a recluse?”

“No,” she replies, gesturing around the room. “All of this stuff that money buys access to. I’ve never been to this restaurant or anything like it. It would take at least four paychecks.”

Not for the first time, I imagine giving Belle everything she’s ever dreamed about. It’s a fantasy that warms my soul, but material possessions only go so far.

There are too many important parts of a relationship that she deserves and I’ll never be able to deliver on.

But that’s a problem for another night.

I pull out her chair and then sit beside her rather than across from her. The need to touch her is intrinsic, and I want her within arm’s reach.

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