Page 71 of Nerdelicious
He nods, his hands clenching my waist once. I race up the steps to bed, not looking back, otherwise I might not want to leave.
I am in so much trouble.
Chapter Nineteen
He’sfamous for his long—sword.
–Cyrano de Bergerac
The next week passes in a flurry of work and heated moments: shifts at Bodean’s, chores for Granny, Beast’s wandering hands, more rejections from New York, Beast stealing scorching kisses at work, or in Granny’s hallway, or in the barn while everyone else is cleaning up after supper. We barely have any time alone. We can’t get any peace at Granny’s, not with her and Grace under the same roof, and if we go to Jude’s, although the party scene has calmed, there are still people coming and going all the time, even with school out of session.
We haven’t told anyone we’re together, other than Granny, but we haven’t kept it a secret either. Although there is a lingering worry about Grace’s potential reaction, which is enough for both of us to keep it relatively quiet and between ourselves.
I don’t mind. I kind of like it that Beast waits until no one is looking before he brushes back my hair when we’re target shooting out on the back lawn. Or during dinner, when I touch his leg or hold his hand under the table. It’s like a secret world between us and no one else knows the language.
By all appearances, Grace is none the wiser, but the others, not so much.
One night, Jude and I run into the house to grab the fixings for s’mores. We’ve finished Sunday supper and chores and decided to have an impromptu bonfire in the firepit out back.
We’re about to head outside, arms laden with chocolate bars, marshmallows, and graham crackers, when Jude stops.
“Fred.” His lips are quirked up, but his eyes are serious. “Beast is a big man. His heart is twice the size of us mere mortals’. Be careful with it.”
The corresponding organ in my chest twists. I swallow. “The last thing I ever want to do is hurt him.”
Jude watches me carefully and then nods once.
Back at the bonfire, we hand out goodies. Grace and Reese scoured the trees for enough sticks for everyone, and before long we all have marshmallows toasting over the flickering flames. The conversation turns to an upcoming trip.
“You won’t stay away long, right?” Grace asks Jude.
“It’s just a weekend trip, Gracie. Fitz and Annabel haven’t seen their parents in months, and I should probably meet them before Annabel’s daddy comes after me with his shotgun.”
“He wouldn’t do that,” Annabel says. “He has a .357.”
“Beast is staying to look after you and Mr. Bojangles.”
My eyes lock with Beast’s across the fire. There are more than mere physical flames heating the air between us. As if he can read my thoughts, one of his brows quirks up. I tear my gaze away.
“When are you leaving?” I ask.
“Next weekend,” Reese says. “Leaving Friday, won’t be back until Monday. We’ll miss Sunday supper.”
When the next Sunday supper arrives, it is quiet and subdued with only Granny, Grace, Beast, and me. And then Beast has to go home to feed Mr. Bojangles, Jude’s fluffy white cat, and take care of some work for Jude in his absence.
He has to rearrange his schedule to accommodate their needs, and he does it without question. And they just assume he has no other plans or needs of his own. I want to screech at them on his behalf, but I let it go.None of my business.Except, isn’t it? If for no other reason than that I want to spend time with Beast, and they’re impinging on it. No, no,let it go.
Later that night, I’m on the roof staring up at the stars, alone. Granny fell asleep on the couch downstairs watchingAmerican Horror Story. I got her sucked into it. She loved the season with the witches, thought it was a hoot, and has been binge-watching it since at every opportunity.
Grace is in her room, where she will likely stay for the rest of the night, and I’m thinking about Beast. In town. At his place. Alone.
Alone.
The word becomes a drum beat pulsing inside me. This might be our only chance to actually be alone until... until for-ev-errrr. Okay, slightly dramatic, but still. I can feel time slipping away, as inexorable as the tide. Within another month—sooner maybe—I’ll have enough savings to move back to NYC and find a place to live while continuing to search for work.
But there’s no way I can get to Beast’s place tonight. I can’t take Granny’s car. They would hear me leave. They can’t know I’m gone. Grace would freak and Granny would probably shoot me. It’s at least ten miles, which would take forever to walk.
But there is one other option.
