Page 97 of Taming Grumpy Dr. Beast

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Lily

Ihated how closedoff Jaxon looked when he left his room. It was like he became another person, and he clearly didn’t have time for me to ask him the questions burning in my mind. Angela had walked me to my suite. Instead of leaving right away we both moved further into the bedroom.

The flames of the fireplace I sat in front of, danced before me, mesmerizing me. Angela sat in the chair next to me.

I hated feeling helpless. Annoyed at Jaxon and myself for not insisting I go along with him, I unfairly snapped at Angela. “You don’t need to stay with me.”

She gave me a look of concern I didn’t deserve. “I know.”

I rubbed my hand over my forehead. “I’m sorry. That was totally uncalled for.”

“It’s a tough night for everyone. I’ll be off in a moment. Davie’s already sleeping and knows not to leave our rooms if he wakes up.” She popped out a baby monitor from her pocket and waved it at me. In a house this big, I could see the need for it. “Are you okay?”

“I think so. Jaxon was so on edge tonight. I wish I could help.”

She sighed. “Things with Jaxon’s parents are complicated.”

“I gathered.” I wrapped my arms around myself feeling confused and out of my depths. What good was intelligence if it didn’t help those you cared for? I hadn’t been able to help Dad and now Jaxon wasn’t letting me help him, either.

“You have to understand that Jaxon's parents are horrible people. I’m sure he’s afraid he’ll take the anger he’s feeling toward them out on you. In his own way, he’s protecting you from himself.”

“Maybe.” What I really wanted was for Jaxon to open up to me.

Looking at the monitor one more time, Angela stood. “I should go. I don’t want to leave Davie alone for too long.”

I walked her to the door and gave her a hug. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

The room felt far too quiet after she left. I was still too hyped-up to sleep and debated calling Cece, but after glancing at the clock and seeing how late it was, I decided not to bother her.

I tried to read but couldn’t get into any of the romance novels I’d taken from the library. I’d already paced the room, laid in bed meditating, and took a shower. Nothing helped.

Jaxon had said I should go to my room, but what would it hurt for me to slip into the library? I knew being around the books would have a calming effect on me. I threw on a bra under my pajamas and belted my robe tight around me on the off chance I ran into Jaxson’s parents. I didn’t need my boobs flopping all over the place, making me feel even more uncomfortable than I already was.

Determined, I opened my door and almost barreled into the last person I expected to see. “Jessamine Sulton?”