Page 25 of Falling for the Beast

“Eight years.” He leaned over to examine the picture.

That was longer than she’d expected. “How long do you plan on—”

“Belle,” he said, his voice practically a growl.

The fierce way he stared at her told her she’d pushed him too far. “Sorry.”

He closed his eyes, fighting to gain control. “It’s not a matter of how long,” he said after he opened his eyes again. “You still don’t understand. It’s not like I can retire.”

“Why not?” He was right. She didn’t understand. He didn’t have to go out at night, looking for people to heal. He could stop and live a semi-normal life.

“Because,” he said, his voice gruff. He took in a breath, and let it out. “It lives in me, this creature she cursed me to be. I can’t pretend it’s not there. This is the only way I’ve found to control it.”

Chapter 12

Thaddeus didn’t know what elseto say and trying to explain it wouldn’t work. She was going to have to see for herself. So, he opted for a change in subject. “What are your plans for the future? Are you still working on your degree?”

She shifted in her seat. “I’ve had to quit my online classes until I can work for a while and get enough money for tuition.”

“What are you getting a degree in?”

“English.”

He nodded. “Thus, the quest to become a writer.”

She looked at him, and he balked at the way her deep chocolate eyes affected him. “I know it’s silly. There’s no real money in writing. It’s a fantasy job.”

She was right. Most writers had to work other jobs to pay the bills. But there were a few who got to live their dreams. “If that’s what you love to do, you’ll do it.” He put his hand over hers. “And you will succeed.”

She squeezed his hand. “Thank you, Thaddeus.”

They continued to work on the puzzle until the sun began to set. He cocked his head to the side, listening. “The kids are starting to trick-or-treat. I’d better leave.”

She frowned. “Why? They don’t come inside.” She got a funny look on her face. “Besides, it’s Halloween. Who cares if someone sees you?”

He pointed to the scars on his face. “This doesn’t look like a Halloween costume.”

The doorbell rang and she stood. As she passed by him, she gave him a small smile. “It kind of does.” She pulled a bowl of candy out of the cupboard and went to the door to hand it out to the kids.

He moved his chair so he couldn’t be seen from the doorway. After handing out the treats, she sat back down to work on the puzzle. He continued to indulge himself, asking Aribelle questions in between the interruptions from the children. She had played softball as a kid, liked the Chicago Cubs, and devoured about four books a month. She had gotten her first library card when she was five years old. She had wanted her own, rather than using her father’s.

Her mother had left when she was seven years old. She said it didn’t matter, but he could tell she was holding back, not saying what she really felt. Her feelings ran deep, he was sure. Maybe she wasn’t ready to talk about them yet.

Her candy ran out and she shut off the outside light and sat back down. They’d gotten pretty far on the puzzle, but it probably would take another three or four work sessions to get it completed. She fiddled with a piece, not really looking at it. “Are you going out tonight?” she finally asked.

He knew what she meant. She wanted to know if tomorrow he would have another injury. He swallowed and looked her in the eyes. “Yes.”

A mixture of emotions played across her face, and she dropped her gaze. “Be safe.”

“It’s never safe.” He didn’t mean to frighten her, but she needed to know what his life was. She needed to know why it was best for them both if they broke off ties.

“I know,” she said, not looking back up at him.

She looked so sad, he started feeling guilty. “Want to watch a Halloween movie before I go?”

She smiled. “Sure.”

They sat on the couch and scrolled through the movies, settling on The Nightmare Before Christmas. Two minutes into the movie, he regretted sitting so close to her. Her scent enveloped him and he craved to pull her close and kiss her.

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