Page 98 of Taming Grumpy Dr. Beast

Her full lips gave me the briefest smile. “Hi, Lily. Can I come in?”

“Uh, sure.” What was she doing here? And how did she look absolutely smashing at midnight? I tightened the belt of my robe, feeling positively frumpy next to her.

Patches bounded over to sit at my feet his nose sniffing the air as he let out a little growl.

“Thanks.” Jessamine turned to a man I hadn’t noticed. “Alden, you’re staying out here.”

He grunted and moved forward to enter my room despite her protests.

The curvy, dark-haired beauty threw her hand against his broad chest and pushed. “No, out here. Nothing is going to happen to me in Lily’s room.”

“I’m not getting paid enough for this,” he grumbled.

The guy was as tall as Jaxon, but with a slightly beefier build. I’d have been afraid to be alone with him. He didn’t blend in with the image Jessamine showed the world online. I’d have thought she’d hire a security team rivaling the Secret Service if she needed a bodyguard.

“Yes, you are,” she replied sweetly, and picked up her oversized, powder blue purse sitting at her feet. Then she turned her amber eyes to me with an expectant look.

“Oh, right. Sorry. Come on in.” I waved her inside and grabbed at Patches’ collar, so he didn’t rush at her, not sure what to say or why she was here.

Jessamine, clearly not feeling the same level of uneasiness, flounced over to my bed. She set her purse down beside her and unzipped the top. “You’re not allergic to cats, are you?”

I frowned and let go of Patches’ leash. He walked closer to the bed and threw his paws up on side of it. “What? No.”

“Good.” Jessamine reached into her purse and pulled out a small striped cat clearly okay with the fact that Patches was only feet from them. “This is Reina, my sweet little baby Toygar. Isn’t she adorable?” She asked, holding the ball of fluff under her chin and letting her snuggle in tight. Rumbly kitty purrs soon followed.

Patches yipped and backed off eyeing the newcomer with suspicion.

“Oh, my, sheisadorable.” I stepped closer to the bed. “She looks like a tiger.”

“Right? I mean, her coloring and stripes are to die for!” Jessamine peppered kisses all over the cat’s head, then turned her attention to me. “I’m surprised you know who I am.”

Heat flooded my cheeks. “I’ve seen your social media accounts a few times. My best friend is obsessed with you, and Jaxon said you were friends.”

Jessamine offered me a gentle smile. “Yeah, we’ve been friends for ages.”

“He didn’t mention you were coming to visit, though.”

“That’s because the poor guy didn’t know.” She sighed. “His parents are awful.”

I bit my lip. “Should I be worried?”

“About his parents?”

I nodded. “You have a bodyguard.”

Jessamine’s laughter pealed around the room. Even her laugh was pretty. “Oh, no. Alden has nothing to do with Jax’s parents. With a person of my wealth and popularity, it’s a necessity these days.” Something didn’t ring true with her response, but we didn’t know each other well enough for me to push her for answers.

Jess’s lifestyle was so far removed from my day-to-day it was hard to think of having a bodyguard around twenty-four seven as normal.

She eyed me. “So, Jaxon has been quite the busy bee. I’ve hardly heard from him these last few weeks.”

I looked at her, holding her gaze. What she really meant was busy with me. “Do you feel like I’m taking your place?” I couldn’t imagine thattheJessamine Sulton would feel any jealousy over my relationship with Jaxon.

“Yes, and no,” she answered. “Listen, Jax and I are the best of friends. We banded together early on, knowing we were stronger together. He’s not usually someone that goes for relationships, but I can already tell he's serious about you. It’ll be hard to share him, but I feel better knowing that you’re good for him. He’s softer, more caring around you.”

“He’s not the type to drop his friends just because he’s seeing someone,” I responded.

“No, he’s not.” She gave me a funny look, like she wanted to say something, but instead looked away.