Page 90 of The Beast's Heart

“He might as well be.”

“And I don’t think you’re insane. At least not for this. This project, it’s important. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe that. I just… This is ending in little over two months, Beast. I don’t want to see you hurt.Any of you.”

My stomach churns. In the silence that falls between us, I can hear the sounds of the children drifting up from below. They’re laughing, probably celebrating some CraftWar accomplishment.

I comb a hand through my hair again. “I know.”

35

JONATHAN

Adam sits across from me completely absorbed in his CraftWar Crunch. He’s cool, calm, collected, as if nothing at all happened last night.

Meanwhile I feel like I’m going to vibrate out of my skin.

Every time I think about last night, I feel my cheeks heat and eventually Ben asks why I’m looking at Adam funny.

“I didn’t think Adam liked your cereal,” I say quickly.

“It grew on me,” he says.

“It’s the marshmallows, right?” Mal asks.

Adam’s expression turns contemplative, his mouth twisting thoughtfully (his mouth…). “I think it’s the crunch. Once you get over the sweetness, it’s not half bad.”

“You’re not supposed toget overthe sweetness. The sweetness is the point,” Mal says.

“Or you’re developing a taste for sweetness,” Ray says.

“Hmm, maybe.” Adam looks at me for the first time this morning. It’s only the smallest glance, but my stomach cartwheels.

As the children finish up their food and start rising to head up to school, he says, “Belle, do you have a minute?”

I nod, already anticipating the talk. I’ve been anticipating it since he practically leaped off me.

I stay seated while the others leave. Even Ray deserts me, slipping off into the passage on some mumbled errand.

“Before you say anything, I’d like to apologize.” I keep my attention fixed on my hands, pressed flat on the table. “I know what happened was out of line. It was the heat of the moment. It won’t happen again.”

“Won’t it?” He sounds amused. I look up to find him smiling at me, gaze soft. A shiver rushes down my spine. “That’s disappointing.”

It feels like the air’s gone thin. “You’d… you’d want it to?”

He hums softly. “Oh, I’d want it to.”

There’s the blush again. Even my ears feel hot.

“I wanted to find out how you’re feeling about it. I understand if you got swept up in the moment. We are isolated here. Don’t misunderstand me. It was enjoyable. Hell, it was the best kiss I’ve had in years. But it needn’t be more than that, Belle. You’re my employee. I’m, well, The Beast. Things are complicated.”

I swallow hard. “I probably shouldn’t want it. Not this badly. But I do.” I peer at him, trying to gauge his reaction. Is that too much?

His hands are also on the table, he’s mirroring my position, and now he slides them forward so that our fingertips brush. “I don’t know what this will be. We’re only here for a limited time.”

“I know. But I…” I watch our hands as our fingers twine. “I want it.” I want as much as I can, for as long as I can. Whatever he is offering, I’ll take.

When I look up, he’s smiling with the dimple on full display. “Good. That’s good.” He stands abruptly, nearly knocking over his chair. “I’ll uh, I’ll see you later then?”

I nearly laugh at his sudden awkwardness. It’s so uncharacteristic. “Later.”

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