Page 25 of Taming Grumpy Dr. Beast

An excited little squeak escaped my lips. I turned the view of my tablet screen to capture as much of the bedroom as I could.

“Holy crap. Is that just for you?” Cece’s eyes were as wide as mine must have been upon first glance.

“It is.” I had to pinch myself when I entered the room. Ms. Ketill was nice enough not to comment on my open mouth as I explored. “With the lack of welcome I received, I really thought I’d have to sleep in a tiny closet.”

Cece giggled.

This room had mesmerized me the moment I set foot inside. It was like Beast or, more likely, Ms. Ketill had plucked every little component I would have chosen for myself and created my dream room.

The massive four-poster bed placed against the largest wall had a beautiful mural of a tiny village with a magical forest surrounding it. A double-sided fireplace in the middle of the room gave a sense of privacy to the small seating area that lay on the other side. There was a beautiful antique dresser and vanity with graceful lines and etched in gold detail. And prominently displayed in the center of the coffered ceiling hung a stunning crystal chandelier.

I sat on the gold settee with cream trim that graced the end of my massive bed. The sparkle from the chandelier overhead captivated me. Reluctantly pulling my attention away, I turned the tablet to face me. “And the closet, Cece. I’m afraid to put my clothes inside. It’s so nice. And the room has this adorable window seat. I could sit there and read for hours.”

“Do you think Dr. Handsome would let you have guests?”

I rolled my eyes.

“We could tell him I’m your assistant.” She gave me a pleading look and folded her hands together as if in prayer.

“Uh, I wish. I’m lucky he let me stay. He’s such an arrogant jerk. Living here will be the only pleasant part of this experience.”

“That and looking into his smoldering eyes.” Cece batted her lashes at me.

“Stop, you idiot.” I laughed. “There is no smoldering happening here. How was your day?”

“Your boyfriend showed up trying to get info about where you went.”

I wrinkled my nose. “Why can’t he just pay attention to some other girl? I’m not interested.”

“You know that. I know that. But I don’t think Gavin haseverhad someone turn him down. Besides, you’ve got that sexy librarian look going for you.”

I snorted. “You can’t be serious. I’m the least sexiest person ever. My wide hips and thick thighs don’t exactly have the boys rushing after me.”

“Umm, need I remind you about Gavin?” She stared at me with raised eyebrows. “Besides, do you even give them a chance, Lily?”

I shrugged. “Gavin doesn’t count. He’s just an ass. Having a boyfriend isn’t at the top of my priorities.”

“Exactly. Now that you’ve gotten all those degrees, don’t you think you should consider life outside of academia?” she asked gently.

My breath came out in soft, uneven puffs, while I tried to ignore what she said. Learning, being in a classroom, was what I knew best. My job at the bookstore was fun. It didn’t feel like work.What if I couldn’t cut it in the real world?

“You’re smartandbeautiful. I hate that you don’t see it in yourself.” Her comment jarred me back to the present.

“My features are symmetrical, therefore, pleasing to the eye. That’s all there is to it.”

I instantly thought of Beast’s hand lingering on my hair. It was like the space between us had electrified. My only thought was to move closer to him. Did he feel it too? For a brief second, I thought he might. Then he reverted into his patronizing self, reminding me he’s just a jackass.

“Lily—hey where did you go?” Cece’s hand waved across the screen.

“Nowhere.” I shook my head, pushing all thoughts of that brief interaction with Dr. Beast aside. “I’m just tired after all the traveling and the anxiety over Beast being my new boss,” I lied.

“Aww, I get it. Call me tomorrow if you can.”

I nodded and waved goodbye.

I turned off the tablet, suddenly feeling incredibly alone in this overly large bedroom. Being alone wasn’t something that typically bothered me, but once I began taking care of Dad my alone time had receded. I’d gotten used to having someone else with me and now that I was solo, I wasn’t sure what to do. Besides, sit here and worry how Dad was doing my first night away.

With a sigh, I tapped my smartwatch to call and check in with Janice when a sharp knock sounded on my door. I laid the tablet down on the settee and hurried to answer, my feet sinking into the plush carpet with each step. I opened the door a crack.