Page 105 of Taming Grumpy Dr. Beast

“Jess said they would create lines, so I didn’t wear any.”

The breath rushed out of me, and I had to lay my forehead on the top of her head so I could get control of my cock. With Lily’s admission, it sprang to attention. “Are you trying to kill me?” I rasped.

She let out a soft laugh. “I could say the same about you. You look incredibly hot in that tux.”

I kissed the top of her head, and then trailed my lips down the curve of her cheek until I got to her lips. With my mouth hovering over hers, I jerked when Jess yelled out for us to stop. “Are you fucking kidding me, Jess?”

Even Lily wore a bewildered expression on her face.

“Kissing later, big guy. I’m not having you mess up her lipstick or have her look like she just had sex before our grand entrance.”

“Grand entrance?” Lily paled and clutched my arm.

“She’s exaggerating. Most of the guests have already arrived. We can slip in and mingle. Don’t freak her out, Jess.”

Lily’s shoulders slumped in relief. “Thank God. For a second, I thought this was going to be like the movies and we’d have to be announced and walk down the staircase while everyone watched.”

Jess’s laughter echoed in the halls as she bent over, gasping for breath. Alden held her steady so she wouldn’t fall. “That would be fantastic. My parents’ eyes would bug out of their heads if I showed up like that with Alden.”

Lily’s gaze narrowed as she looked back and forth between Jess and Alden before shifting it to me. I could see the question in her eyes about my friend’s relationship status with her bodyguard.

I shrugged. Next time I got Jess alone, she had some explaining to do.

“Let’s go, friends! I’m getting hungry and my pre-gaming buzz is wearing off.” Jess shooed us to the staircase heading downstairs.

Lily placed her hand on my arm. This is what I craved all day, why I felt so restless. I missed her touch. “You look stunning,” I whispered to her. “I’m going to have to stake my claim to you right away.”

“I won’t stop you,” Lily responded, her voice husky.

I groaned. “We need to make an appearance, at least. Then we can sneak off.”

Her answering nod stopped midway as we walked into the ballroom. A smile curved my lips as her head slowly turned left then right.

“Jaxon,” she whispered. “This room is stunning.”

It had been a long time since I’d looked at this room with fresh eyes. I now gazed around me taking in the elaborate fresco-painted ceilings portraying the sky, the large Venetian-style chandeliers and the series of fifteen-foot arched windows overlooking the courtyard beyond. In my mind, I could picture my grandparents that first year or two playing music and dancing around this room celebrating their love.

Lily and I walked around the room together. I introduced her to the people I knew and did my best to stay clear of my parents.

After mingling for awhile, I noticed Lily staring at one of the exits. “Are you already planning our big escape?” I teased.

She laughed. “I thought you were the one handling that.” Her grin faded, turning into a worried frown. “No, I’m debating if I should check on Patches. He’s in Ms. Ketill’s rooms for the night. What if he’s anxious?”

I placed a gentle kiss on her lips. “How about this? Let’s stay, dance, eat this outrageously expensive food, and then we can sneak away and get Patches on the way to my room.”

“I like that. He’s been so good lately, but I heard he was nervous during set up today.”

I led her to the dance floor, where only a handful of couples were swaying to the music. Lily slid her arms around my neck. “I’m not great at dancing,” she whispered as if telling me a secret.

“You’ll be fine. Follow my lead.” I hadn’t planned on doing more than swaying with her. I liked having her body pressed against me while we moved as one.

As I stared down into Lily’s face, one that had come to mean so much to me, my feelings for her were so clear. “Stay with me for the rest of the summer.”

She blinked at me.

“I don’t want this to just be a summer thing.” I rasped. Once the words left my mouth, I knew I couldn't let her go. My hand moved up to cup her face, while the other held tight to her waist. I stared into her eyes, wanting her to see how much I needed her.

A slow smile pulled at the corner of her lips. “Yes, I want that too.”