Page 51 of The Beast's Heart

“Trying to work out if you’re drunk or just an asshole.”

Oh, this one’s certainly an ass,my imaginary Lloyd says.Much as you like his ass.

“How about a concerned friend?” Geoff asks. “When are you going to start living again?”

“I’m not going to sleep with you.”

He shakes his head. “You really think that’s what this is?”

“Isn’t it?”

“You flatter yourself.” He pours himself another drink. “Why?”

“Why do I flatter myself?”

He glares down at the bar. “You know what I’m asking.”

It’s so seldom that I get to see Geoff without his devil-may-care facade. I stare a moment too long. He smirks and turns to me, mask back in place. “It would sure beat drowning your sorrows alone, wouldn’t it? Come on, Beast. You know I know what you like. Wouldn’t you rather be upstairs, writhing in pleasure than down here, drowning in pain?”

The trouble is, much as he is an asshole, he’s not wrong. It’s been far too long since I’ve been touched at all, let alone gotten off. That’s probably why I can’t get Belle out of my head.

“I’m too drunk for this conversation.” I’m about to take another sip of my drink, but Geoff takes my glass from my fingers.

“Maybe you’re the perfect level of drunk for this conversation.” He shifts closer, his knee brushing mine. He pitches his voice low. “I want you. I’ve always wanted you. We had fun together once. There’s no good reason we shouldn’t take advantage of this time together, is there?” He touches my arm and some primal part of me surges at the physical contact, even while the logical part of me is asking,‘Is that the only reason he took this job? Has this been his plan all along?’

He ducks his head close to mine. “I’ll do that thing you like. With my tongue. Long as you want. Just say the word.”

My cock stirs, despite my better judgment. “You’re really a prick, you know that?”

Geoff hovers his lips over mine. “Yeah. You like it though.”

22

JONATHAN

Isquint at my page. The sun’s well and truly gone now and the overhead light isn’t quite bright enough to read by. Which is a pity because it’s so cozy here, in the plush armchair by the window with a blanket draped around my shoulders. I close my book with a sigh. I was just getting to the good part. Not like I haven’t read all the Austens to death, but Persuasion will always be one of my favorites.You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope...

I yawn, stretch, check the time. It’s a little after nine. Maybe Ray’s still in the kitchen. I can make us a cuppa, find out if they’ve heard back from Davy. Possibly gossip—just a little—about how different Adam was today and how I saw him smile.

I’ve made it halfway up the passage when the unmistakable shriek of an upset Enrique splits the air. It’s coming from Alisha’s room. Before I reach her door, it blasts open.

Enrique darts out and races up the passage, screaming and tearing off his clothes.

“Shit.” I curse under my breath.

“Piss actually,” Alisha says, from her doorway. She has a bunched-up bedding in her hand and there’s a damp spot up her side.

“Shit,” I repeat again, with feeling.

That elicits a smile, albeit a pained one.

“Here, let me.” I take the stripped bedding and make a mental note to order some of those waterproof sheets and mattress protectors for her.

“You don’t have to—” Alisha tries to protest, but I have the sheet already.

Enrique’s disappeared into the bathroom and slammed the door behind him. I can hear him sobbing beyond the door.

“Please don’t be mad at him,” Alisha says.

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