She wouldn’t take anyone back who treated her like shit, but that didn’t matter much.
When a black car pulled up alongside her and a door opened, she let out a gasp, pulling her earbuds from her ears.
She recognized Beast straightaway. He stared at her a few minutes.
“You know it’s not safe for a woman to walk the streets alone,” he said.
Glancing up and down the street, she frowned. Yeah, she got that it wasn’t all that safe, but no one was around. “It’s fine.” She clicked her story off, hoping he didn’t hear anything that was being said. It had gotten to the really sexy part, which she hated to admit she loved. She was a sucker for a sex scene. Romance was great, but the books that had the fire, the dirty sex, she loved them.
She was a freak, just like her peers called her. “Is everything okay?” she asked.
“Do you even consider the possibility of being attacked?”
Again, she looked down the street and shook her head. “I don’t really think it could happen.” She held her arms open, showing her very manly attire. “I don’t think attackers would be bothered by what I’m wearing.”
“Are you being stupid on purpose?” he asked.
“That’s the first time anyone’s ever called me stupid.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a can of mace. “I hear this is effective, and once I spray this, I’m quite heavy. I intend to slam my foot down, and then run.” She shrugged. “I figured that’s all I need.”
“I don’t like your lack of respect for your own personal safety.”
“Who’s going to attack me?” she asked.
He stepped toward her, and she couldn’t help but take a step away. He was so tall, and he seemed to completely take over everything he touched. His presence made her heart pound as she hit a wall. When did that appear?
“You see, when it comes to men there are some that don’t care if a woman says no. They will take what they want, regardless of what you want.” One of his hands pressed against the wall, and the other touched her neck. The tips of his fingers stroked over her pulse as his thumb pushed her chin up so she had nowhere else to look or to go. She held herself completely still, staring into his dangerous blue eyes.
In that moment, she knew the rumors she’d heard about the Carsons had to be true. There was something deadly in his gaze, the way he commanded attention, and she had no choice but to listen, to stare back and wait for him to decide what he wanted to do with her.
“You see how easy it is for me to take what I want. I could fuck you right now against this wall, press a hand against your mouth to stop you from screaming.” He placed a hand against her mouth, and she was confused.
She didn’t feel afraid of him. Now she really believed herself to be a freak.
“Or, I could choke you, taking what I want, and killing you in the process.” His fingers wrapped around her throat, but didn’t tighten or squeeze. The touch felt more possessive than dangerous.
You’re a freak. This man is dangerous, and you’re just standing there, staring.
Freak.
“You need to take more care of yourself.” He stepped away, and she hated that she missed his heat, his warmth. It was the first time she’d been close to someone, and she’d enjoyed it, even if it was one of the single strangest experiences in her life. “Get in.” He moved toward his car door, holding it open and waiting.
“I can walk. Honestly. I don’t live too far from here.”
She wanted to get in the car, and that scared her. This man was different. She didn’t like the feelings he inspired inside her, and the sooner she got herself back under control, the happier she would be.
“Get in the car, Hope. That’s not a request.”
A thrill ran down her spine at how he’d remembered her name. He didn’t strike her as the kind that would remember trivial matters like a name.
Seeing no reason to argue, she slid into the back seat of the car. He had another driver, and heat flooded her cheeks at what he’d seen.
Beast climbed into the back seat beside her, and the car seemed too small to her. She didn’t say anything though, staying on her side as she looked out of the window, but then glancing over at him, she saw he stared at her.
She forced a smile to her lips, wondering what he thought as he looked at her.
“You’ve not been around the house this week,” he said. “Why?”
“Erm, I’ve been tutoring him at school on breaks and after it.”
“Next week, and every week after that, I want an update. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It will piss him off that I have control, but again, I don’t care so long as I know he’s doing what is right.”