Page 17 of Unravelling The Beast

"Hey, when we came in, I saw a small railway shop back there." Why don't we go get you a new train, my treat, before we leave?"

Cree looks me in the eyes before breaking into a mischievous grin, and I know I've won him over when he lunges forward, placing his arm tightly around my neck before I lift him. We then turn around and walk toward the shop.

I put Cree down on his feet as soon as we enter, and Arlo follows me closely as I stay near him while Cree explores the shop. When he finally decides on something he wants, he holds it up and beams at me.

"This one, please!"

I smile and nod.

"Let's go pay!"

As he springs excitedly towards the cashier, I take my purse from my shoulder bag and slowly follow him while retrieving my credit card.

Suddenly, Arlo dips his face down from behind and speaks quietly, close to my ear.

"I've got this."

I close my eyes for a brief moment as his deep, sexy voice trembles through me, temporarily melting me and sending a delicious shiver down my spine.

I open my eyes and speak once I have composed myself.

"It's my gift to him, and I want him to have something to remember me by if I don't see him again after today."

He remains silent, but I feel him watching me as I approach the checkout and pay with my credit card. Cree's new toy train is placed in a small bag and passed to him by the cashier before he turns to me with a big smile.

"Thank you so much, Wren! You're the best!"

My eyes soften as I kneel down in front of him.

"You deserved it, and now you have one more for your amazing collection."

He gives me a tight hug, and I embrace him while rubbing his small back with my palm.

"Let's get you back home. It’s been a long day.”

As we drive back, it becomes quiet and I look over my shoulder to see Cree fast asleep in his car seat.

We get out of Arlo's car when we arrive at his mansion, and he removes a sleeping Cree from his car seat before carrying him inside, while I cautiously follow behind.

When we enter the dark house, I close the door gently behind me, and he takes Cree in the direction of the living room. I slowly advance forward until he suddenly returns this way, his devilish eyes fixed on mine, until he stops in front of me.

I maintain eye contact as he stares at me down, expecting him to say something, but he doesn't; instead, he makes a head gesture towards the door behind me, suggesting he wants me to leave. I purse my lips before turning around and walking out of the door.

When I'm outside and face him, he is in the doorway, resting his tattooed arm up on the doorframe.

"So, what do you think?"

His wicked eyes unexpectedly sweep over my body, inspecting every curve I have very blatantly, causing tingles to rush through me and I’m forced to straighten up before glancing away.

“I’ll think about it.”

His unbothered demeanor makes me look into his eyes again and when I speak, I narrow mine.

"You've got to be kidding me? That's not..."

He raises his eyebrow at my attitude, which stops me from going any further.

"I said I'd think about it."

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