Loving the Beast by Warren Skye

Author:Warren, Skye [Warren, Skye]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: fairy tale romance, beauty and the beast, alpha hero, professor student, tortured hero, sexy romance, New Adult, contemporary romance
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

ERIN STARED AT the empty doorway where Blake had just been. What was that about? He’d been quiet after lunch, sitting apart from them while they’d played chess. The Ice Queen had disappeared to “take a nap” after lunch, though Erin was beginning to understand that was the term used in this house for anything private.

Suddenly she heard footsteps. Was Blake back already? He’d said they would be quick.

But these didn’t sound like Blake’s footsteps.

That was confirmed when Blake’s mother appeared in the doorway. The Ice Queen. Shit. She wished desperately that she’d agreed to take a nap when Blake had offered. Then she wouldn’t be sitting here like a… like a sitting duck, actually.

Which made Blake’s mother the hunter. “There you are, sweetheart. Where are our men off to?”

“I think they went to Mr. Morris’s study.”

“Oh.” Mrs. Morris moved deeper into the room. “You know you can call him Jeb. And call me Bel.”

Erin knew their names were Jebediah and Belinda. Old names. Beautiful names. The people themselves were both old and beautiful—and intimidating too. She had no desire to be here, alone with Bel, with the Ice Queen, and maybe that was unfair of her.

Maybe the woman was good at heart, with hopes and dreams and fears of her own. Undoubtedly that was true. But she couldn’t shake the feeling that she had singled out Erin as her enemy. And whether or not Erin agreed with that assessment of their roles, Bel was a dangerous enemy to have.

For all that Blake’s father—Jeb—was a bit pompous, he at least seemed to like her.

“You know, Blake suggested that I go take a nap, and now that I think about it, I am tired. I think I’ll go—”

“Stay.” Bel smiled again, sending a shiver down her spine. “You’re only here for tonight, after all. So little time to get to know you.”

Erin forced herself to remain seated in her chair while Bel sat down on the antique-style sofa nearby. Very nearby. There were only inches between their knees, and it made Erin uncomfortable. Was she overreacting? Probably. But knowing that didn’t shake the tightness in her chest, the dread in her throat.

Maybe she could still fix this. If she used the same tactic Blake had used with his father. “I’d love to hear about your life,” she said, feigning enthusiasm. “I’m sure you have lots of stories as the wife of a senator.”

Bel laughed. “Oh, I do. Stories about Jeb… you wouldn’t believe some of them, I’ll bet.”

That sounded ominous. “You must have gotten to meet some important people.”

“I have, darling. But I’m much more interested in you.”

She swallowed. “Me? I’m afraid I haven’t done much that’s interesting.”

“Haven’t you? You already snagged Blake Morris, after all.”

Erin stared, unsure what to say. What to feel. Technically it was true. She’d snagged Blake, who was a catch. Smart, kind, and hot as hell despite what he thought about his scars. Of course any mother would think that her son was a prize. And yet, she couldn’t help think Bel was talking about Blake’s money more than anything else.

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