Page 103 of Taming Grumpy Dr. Beast

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Jaxon

Iknocked back a glassof whiskey and shrugged into my black tuxedo jacket. By the time Lily and Jess returned from shopping she had to get ready and promised we would talk later.

“Now, Jaxon, no need to pout.” Jess laughed as she watched me struggle with my bow tie.

“Fuck you, Jess. I still don’t understand why I can’t see her.” I had to tell Lily about Jess and me.

“Anticipation, my friend. An-ti-ci-pa-tion.” From this close, I could see the mischievous gleam in her eyes as she dragged out the last word. Jess had always enjoyed torturing me.

I rubbed the back of my neck. Each minute of having to deal with my parents—in my own house no less—and not being able to see Lily had my shoulders in knots and my bad mood getting increasingly worse. “I need to talk to her.”

“You will. I’ll cover for you tonight while you two sneak away, bend her over a couch or have her against the wall with insane monkey sex. Then you can tell her what’s going on.”

I growled at her. “Monkey sex?”

“Yes! When you see her, that’s all you’ll be able to think about.” She gave me a knowing wink.

“Is this how you talk in front of Alden all the time?” I gestured to the large bodyguard taking up space in my room.

Jess smirked. “Oh, no. I talk far worse than that. Don’t I, Alden?”

The bodyguard grunted and shook his head.

“This is ridiculous. Let me.” Jess shoved my hands away. “Why can you still not do a bow tie? It’s not like this is the first time you’ve needed one.”

I ran my finger under my collar. “I barely wear them now. Since I kicked my asshole parents to the curb, I’m not expected to attend these events anymore.”

Jess’s quick fingers finished in no time. I kissed her forehead. “Thank you.”

She ran her skilled hands over the lapel of my coat and nodded, satisfied with my appearance. “Okay, game plan?”

“I thought we just went through it. You know, monkey sex and all.” I grinned at her.

In true Jess fashion, she rolled her eyes, unamused with me. “Yes, but we need to come clean tonight. I tried to do it earlier, but they kept talking about us getting married, and how it was too bad that instead of a long engagement with you, I should have just married the man that shall not be named instead.” She shuddered.

I wrapped my arm around her shoulder. “It’s okay. I haven’t been able to get my parents alone for a second either. We’ll do it together.”

“Right. Together.” A slight crease in her brow was her only tell that she was nervous.

“Unless you’ve changed your mind, Jess. You know we don’thaveto tell them the truth.”

“And let you miss out on being with Lily? You’d always have our fake engagement hanging over your head. I can’t let you do that. I love you too much to let you sacrifice your happiness. Plus, Lily is sweet. She’s good for you.”