Page 92 of Taming Grumpy Dr. Beast

Jaxon’s continued laughter confirmed my suspicion.

“We are officially having our first fight,” I declared. I picked up a pillow, threw it at him, and crossed my arms. “How dare you make fun of me? This is serious.”

“Lily, I was kidding. I agree with you that Han shot first, but your outrage is adorable. I couldn’t help but tease you.” He tapped my nose. “You’re cute when you’re trying to prove a point.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “I’m not cute or adorable. I’m pissed.”

“Babe, come here. I was only teasing you.”

I decided to torture him a little longer. If he could piss me off for a laugh, then I could let him think I was really mad at him. I turned away and inched to the side of the bed as though I was leaving.

“Are you kidding me, woman? Where are you going?”

I shrugged, glad my back was to him or he’d see my grin.

“Lily—” he drew out my name, clearly annoyed with me.

I stayed where I was, reminding myself I was only pretending to be mad, and to not kick my feet out in delight.

The bed shifted under his weight as he crept toward me. His hand brushed my hair from my neck, causing me to shiver. It further intensified when his breath skated across my sensitive skin, and he laid a soft kiss on my shoulder. “I was only teasing you.” He truly sounded upset.

Now I felt bad. Maybe I was taking it too far when I tried to give him a taste of his own medicine. I turned my head so my nose rested against his cheek and whispered, “I know. I was messing with you.”

“Oh, really? Then I think you need to be punished for making me think you were mad.” He growled, and in one swift motion, picked me up and tossed me onto the middle of the bed. I lay there dazed, not because he’d hurt me, but surprised by how quick he moved. This time, as he crawled toward me, he looked like an animal on the prowl. Heat glittered in his eyes.

“Oh, what kind of punishment?” My pulse picked up. Was he talking about a sexy type of punishment? Because I was so down for that.

“Maybe a little like this.” His hand smoothed over my stomach and inched under the silk two-piece pajama set I had on.

My moan turned into a squeal as his fingers bent and he tickled my side. “Jaxon! No, stop,” So much for sexy times. He was relentless and soon I gasped for breath and told him if he didn’t stop, I’d pee myself.

His heavy weight moved to lie down next to me. He propped his arm on the bed with his head leaning on his hand. We stared at each other for a minute while I caught my breath. This moment was everything. I wanted to tell him I cared about him, that my feelings were growing, but stayed silent, afraid I’d scare him off.

He gently brushed away the piece of hair that had fallen over my face as we’d tussled. “You are so unlike anyone I’ve ever met, Lily LeBeau.” His eyes stared into mine. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt so relaxed, so comfortable, with anyone else ever before.”

I cupped his cheek, loving the rough feeling of his beard against my palm. “I was just thinking the same thing.”

He leaned in to kiss me, his lips only a fraction of a breath away, when a pounding on the door caused us to jerk apart.

“Jaxon!” Angela yelled through the door. “We have a problem. Jessamine’s been trying to reach you.”

Jaxon’s body stilled. He’d spoken very little about his friend, the influencer, Jessamine Sulton. I knew they were close based on what I’d found on social media, but I wondered if they’d lost touch since Jaxon had hardly mentioned her to me.

“It’s about your parents.” Angela’s insistent voice sounded strained.

“What about them?” He growled, still stiff like a statue.

“They’re here.” Angela responded.

Jaxon’s eyes narrowed into slits so unlike the way they’d playfully looked at me only moments before. He leaped out of the bed and strode to his closet, leaving me alone without a word.

I lay there, stunned at his abrupt change in behavior. I thought I’d seen all of Jaxon’s sides, but this one, the cold, aloof stranger, was not one of them.

A terrible feeling of dread settled in the pit of my stomach.