Page 121 of Taming Grumpy Dr. Beast

“I’m okay with that.” I stood next to Jaxon, not bothering to spare a glance at Nivens.

“What are you doing?” Jaxon whispered.

“Not letting you give up the Toussaint book. It means too much to you.”

“But your degree.”

I hated the pain I saw in his eyes. Pain I’d put there by not jumping into his arms like I should have in the bookstore.

“I don’t care.” And I didn’t. Learning had been my safety net, but I didn’t need to rely on it anymore. I had Jaxon to catch me if I fell.

He shook his head. I couldn't tell if it was in disbelief at what I said or if he was telling me that we didn’t have a chance.

“Please forgive me, Jaxon. I shouldn’t have let you leave without telling you I can’t live without you.” I laid my palm on his cheek, loving the feel of his rough beard against my palm. I wanted to savor this touch in case it was our last.

He stared at me, not uttering a single word. His eyes not betraying what he was thinking.

“What I should have said, is that your parents’ ridiculously skewed version of you is nowhere near the truth. You push people away because you don’t want to be hurt. And they have somehow made you believe you don’t deserve that magic, soulmate kind of love other people seem to find.”

He let out a shaky breath.

For good measure, I poked my pointer finger into his chest. “I’m here to tell you that when you finally let your guard down, you are far better than any other person I’ve ever met. You have a depth, a kindness, and compassion that doesn’t discriminate. You’d rather sacrifice your happiness for those you care about. You deserve love, and you deserve to have someone put you first in this world.” My voice thick with tears, I pleaded with him. “Please let that be me.”

Finally, he reached for me. His hand gripped my waist, that one move keeping me upright. His other hand still clutched the book. “You are worth more to me than this book. I’d give it away a hundred times if it meant you’d give us a second chance.”

“I love you, Jaxon. More than I ever thought possible.”

He groaned, resting his forehead on mine. “I love you, too.”

“I know you’d never leave me. That you’d always fight for us. I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry. I shouldn’t have—”

He shushed me and placed a tender kiss on my lips.

“Are you kidding me? What is happening right now?” Nivens hissed.

“Shut it, Nivens. You’re ruining a beautiful fucking moment you piece of shit.” Jess growled at him.

Nivens squawked his displeasure. “Both of you are ruined.” Nivens pointed at Jaxon. “I’ll fire you and there is no way she’s getting her degree now!”

“Really?” Jess responded with a smirk twisting her lips. Then she tapped at her phone until Nivens voice rang out. “Did you forget we have this?”

Jess on a rampage was a sight to behold and I couldn’t keep the grin from my face.

“Now, I think it’s time you agree that it’s in everyone’s best interest for Jax to keep his job, Lily gets to finish her degree as promised, and you let Mr. LeBeau leave his position here with dignity.”

Jaxon and I glanced at Jess who threw us a sassy wink.

“Fine,” Nivens grumbled under his breath.

“I’m sorry what was that?” Jess asked pointing her camera at him once again. “Please repeat it clearly and enunciate your words as you tell us what we need to hear.”

“Yes, of course we’d like to keep Dr. Beast on staff and are delighted for Lily LeBeau to complete her degree in book restoration at our esteemed university.” Nivens said through pursed lips. “And we are quite sorry Morris LeBeau decided not to renew his contract with us. We have enjoyed his work over the years.”

“Excellent.” Jess grinned and then waved at us before moving back to Alden’s side. “Carry on you two.”

This seemed the oddest place to reveal our devotion to each other, but I wasn’t going to let one more second pass before I pledged myself to Jaxon.

“I love you and promise to always be there for you,” I whispered.