Page 104 of Taming Grumpy Dr. Beast

“Jess, I’ll get her to understand.”

“I’ve got this, Jax. You’ve shielded me long enough. It’s time I face this head on.”

I turned her to me and forced her chin up to look me in the eye. “If this goes sideways and they try to force you to marry him, you come to me. Do you understand?”

“Yes, I—” A growl from the other side of the room interrupted Jess’s response. She glared at her bodyguard. “He’s not hurting me, Alden. Back the fuck off.”

I recognized the intent of Alden’s response and let go of Jess. My grip on her had been loose to begin with, but from Alden’s point of view, that could have been debatable.

“I would never hurt her,” I said slowly to him.

Alden’s narrowed eyes relaxed, and he gave me the slightest tip of his chin, acknowledging my response.

“Anyway,” Jess said, pulling my attention back to her. “I think having you there will soften the blow. But to give you the heads up, I’m already packed and ready to leave after we break the news to them. I’m too nervous that the jerk they want me to marry will be waiting to scoop me up once my parents know the truth. I don’t have the headspace to deal with his douchiness right now.”

I shook my head, angry that her parents thought of her as more of a commodity than a daughter. “How can I help?”

“Just being here. Listening to me. It all helps.”

I pressed my lips together, worried about Jess. We’d been there for each other when no one else had cared.

“Let’s get this show on the road.” She beamed at me, “Besides, your girl looks extra spicy tonight. I outdid myself.”

“Modest, much?”

She laughed and grabbed my arm. “Come on. It’s time for you to see Lily.”

“What about him?” I jerked my thumb at Alden, who had followed us to the door.

“Alden?” Jess answered coyly. “He’s my date.” Jess liked to stir shit up.

Alden dressed as he pleased, in black faded jeans, a black fitted t-shirt, and a black leather jacket, having little regard to the event. At least he matched Jess’s jet black strapless gown. Her parents were going to lose it. I assumed this was her ploy to distract our parents from making an announcement tonight.

“He looks thrilled about that.” I smirked while Alden glared at me.

“Enough about my hot date with Alden. Let’s go get your girl.”

She looped an arm through mine. When Alden stepped closer, she did the same to him. Even with his grunt that either indicated surprise or unhappiness, Jess smiled and held on tight. Our feet ate up the distance. I was eager to see Lily again, to hold her close, to smell that sweet rose scent that was like a drug to my senses.

At her door, I stepped away from Jess and knocked. I heard a rustling, on the other side. When the door popped open, Lily peered out.

I smiled. Not the smirks I typically used, or the polite strained smile. This one was genuine. The one I reserved only for her.

Her face creased in nervousness as she opened the door all the way. The makeup she chose for tonight naturally enhanced her beauty. The glittery eye shadow allowed the green in her eyes to shine, surrounded by impossibly long lashes.

My smile vanished.Holy hell!She looked magnificent. With each step, the dress sparkled, drawing my attention to one luscious body part after another. The dress framed her hips, accentuated her breasts, and when she turned around to close the door, it took everything in me not to drag her against me and take her right there in the hallway.

“I told you,” Jess said, in a satisfied voice.

“Do I look okay?” Lily asked, her voice breathless, and a little uncertain.

I wrapped my arms around her shoulders and leaned in to growl in her ear. “More than okay. If we didn’t need to make an appearance, you would not be leaving this room tonight.”

She shivered at the contact, her eyes heated as they met mine. I let one hand drop to encircle her waist while the other dipped to cup her ass. I froze.

This time, a more confident Lily grinned at me.

“Where’s your underwear?”