Page 27 of The Beast

“I was a little caught up in the moment,” I reply sheepishly.

Irene tries to hide her smile but fails miserably. “What do you want from me?”

“A chance. I know you had a bad experience with the last guy. I just want an opportunity to show you that not all men are like him.”

“I know that.” She rests her forehead on the center of my chest. “But I can’t see us working.” The last part of her sentence is so soft I almost miss it.

Fisting my hand in her hair, I tip her head back so I can look into her eyes. “Why not?”

“I would drive you nuts.” Irene smiles sadly. “I love hugging the guys, it’s part of who I am. I won’t be stripped of my independence again.”

“That’s not what I want to do. I only want to be along for the ride, doll.”

She looks at me for the longest time, trying to figure out if what I’m saying is actually true.

“I’m sorry.” She won’t look at me, instead looking over my shoulder into the distance. “I knew sleeping with you would cause problems.”

“Irene,” I start but she cuts me off.

“We are too different. I’m too independent, too abrasive, toomefor this to ever work,” she says while stepping away. “If we do this and everything turns to shit, it won’t just impact us. I’m not willing to take the chance.”

“So, that’s it?” I ask. I want to rage at the situation, but I know it’s her choice.

“You are possessive and violent. You barely have any control over your emotions. Those are all the classic markers for someone who’s likely to become abusive,” she says softly. “I can’t ignore the red flags this time. I won’t put myself in that situation again.”

I balk at the idea of ever hurting her. “I would never hurt you.”

“I actually believe you.” She smiles sadly. “But it’s not a chance I’m willing to take.”

I watch her as she walks away, her shoulders hunched. I know everything she said is true, but I also know that I’m not just going to give up. Irene is special. I just need to convince her to give us a chance.

Chapter Twenty

Moving Out But Not Moving On

Irene

It has been almost a week since I left Beast standing outside the clubhouse. I felt like the biggest bitch in history. Hearing him say he wants me almost had me giving in to the insanity that would be us. But I couldn’t do it.

What Gerald did to me has clearly fucked with my head. I know in my heart that Beast would never hurt me, but just the thought of being in a relationship with someone capable of violence the way he is, is enough to send me running as fast as my short legs can carry my ass.

My cell phone rings loudly in the motel room, drawing me from my thoughts. I’ve been staying here since I walked away from Beast. I couldn’t bear to be around him any longer and staying in the clubhouse would have ensured that we run into each other.

But that hasn’t stopped him. He shows up at Dusk to bring me coffee and every day has flowers sent. He is slowly chipping away at my resolve, and it scares the shit out of me. I have all these reasons not to be with him and they all make perfect sense, but I also know he is a good guy, and my heart is begging me to ignore my head and take a chance.

“Yes, Hadley,” I answer after checking the caller ID.

“Don’t ‘yes, Hadley’ me,” she says loudly over the music in the background. “Where the hell are you?”

“Where should I be?” I ask, confusion coating my words. I can’t remember making plans for tonight, even if it is a Friday.

“Don’t tell me you forgot?”

I remain silent knowing now that I clearly did forget something.

“Justice and Bishop are getting patched over from prospect to full members tonight. You promised you would work the bar.” She has moved outside by the sound of it.

“Shit. I am so sorry.” I rush around looking for my bra. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

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