Page 23 of Taming Grumpy Dr. Beast

Lily went back to studying the book, tapping on her bottom lip with her finger, bringing my attention once again to its fullness. They were so tempting and plump, it was hard not to stare.

“What are the condition of the pages inside?” Her absolute attention to the book was in my favor since my heated gaze had just been roaming her body.

“One page in the front is missing and several others have rips and tears.”

“What are the pages made of?” She glanced up at me. Our eyes connected and held.

They were like a magnet, drawing me in. Did she feel the same frisson of awareness when I removed her finger from my chest earlier? I was sure it was a one-time thing. I laid my hand on her arm to test my theory.

A soft gasp flew out of her mouth.

Yes. She felt it, too. Not that I would do anything about it. She wasn’t one of my students, but she wasastudent at the university I worked at. I’d seen other professors take that leap and suffer the consequences. I had no interest in joining their ranks, no matter how beautiful or desirable I found her.

I stepped away from her. “I’d think you could figure that out. Am I to do your job for you, too?” In an extreme need to shut down my attraction, I taunted her.

“Excuse me.” she seethed. Her eyes took on a flinty edge. Any desire running through her was effectively eliminated.

“I hired you to do a job. Not for me to tell you what you should be able to determine yourself.”

“Still the asshole I see,” she muttered.

“Is that so?” I crossed my arms over my chest and stared her down.

She spoke as though she knew me. How? There was no way I’d forget meeting her.

“Yes.” She blew out a breath that rattled her lips.

“I thought you seemed familiar,” I responded vaguely, waiting to see if she’d fill the gap in my memory surrounding how we knew each other.

“Really? That’s funny, because you never even saw my face!” she hissed. “If Dad hadn’t already signed this contract, and I didn’t need this internship, I’d be out of here. There’s not enough money in the world that would make working with you enjoyable.”

“We’re not lovers.” I inwardly cringed at my word choice. I should’ve said friends. “This is a business arrangement. It doesn’t have to be enjoyable.” Inside, I warily awaited her reaction.

Her cheeks flushed scarlet red, her lips pressed together. Verbally sparring with her was fun, and it was turning me on.

There was no doubt in my mind we were both attracted to each other, but I needed her to hate me. Neither of us could afford to act on the chemistry building between us. The only way to ensure that outcome was to foster this animosity she had toward me.

“Thank goodness for small favors. You’re impossible,” she fumed.

She still hadn’t revealed how we met. “Remind me again of our first meeting.”

“You must piss off so many people it’s hard to keep us all straight.” She turned on her heel, headed out of the room, not once glancing back at me. “I’ll examine the book later. When you’re not here. This house is enormous. I’m sure we can avoid each other easily enough.”

“Lily,” I growled, baring my teeth.

She stiffened at the command in my voice and stopped in the doorway.

“I expect you to do as I wish. This is my house, my rules. If you defy me, I’ll call the university and have you replaced.”

Lily glanced over her shoulder to throw me a scathing look. “Screw you, Beast. You should’ve been the one to get stuck between those metal stacks. Not me.” She stormed out of the room, completely unaware my gaze followed each sway of her hips, mesmerized by the fullness of her ass.

Suddenly her words hit me.

Fuck!

Lily was the woman from the archives!