Contracted To The Beast novel Chapter 52

Chapter 52

I let my gaze drift over his outfit. Black slacks and a black linen shirt with the sleeves rolled up. His dark hair looked messy in that effortless way that somehow worked. He looked good. Too good.

“You did something different,” he said.

I glanced at him. “With what?”

His eyes shifted to my hair again, slower this time.

“That.”

I tucked a strand behind my ear, suddenly aware of it. “Yeah… bangs.”

“They suit you.”

Simple.

But the way he said it-Not teasing. Not careless.

I looked at him properly then. “You’re being unusually nice today.”

His mouth twitched. “Don’t get used to it.”

“I wasn’t planning to.”

Another pause.

His gaze lingered a second too long before he looked away.

“… It does look good,” he added, quieter this time.

And for some reason, that second one hit harder.

I looked away quickly, hoping he wouldn’t notice the warmth spreading across my cheeks. What was with Maddox lately? He had been.. different. Softer in small moments. I couldn’t quite place it, and that unsettled me more than anything.

We arrived at the airport a short while later.

The drive was quiet.

Not awkward.

Just… full.

I kept my eyes on the road, but I could feel it, his presence, heavy in the passenger seat.

Like he was thinking something he wasn’t saying.

“You’re overthinking,” he said suddenly.

My grip tightened slightly on the wheel. “About what?”

“Everything,” he replied.

I let out a soft breath. “You don’t get to say that when you’re the reason half of it exists.”

He didn’t answer immediately. When I finally glanced at him, he was already looking at me.

“You’re coming anyway,” he said.

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Chapter 32

It wasn’t a question.

Something about that settled and unsettled me at the same time.

Security opened the doors. I slipped on my Chanel sunglasses before stepping out. The last thing I needed was paparazzi or familiar faces spotting me. Maddox was the celebrity hockey captain-the Beast. Eyes were always on him, and now on us.

“Escort Dr. Page to the private lounge,” Maddox told the guards.

“Is there a problem?” I asked, turning to him.

“Everything is fine,” he said.

But he didn’t stop walking.

I frowned slightly. “Then why-”

“I’ll meet you inside.” Still not looking at me.

That pause again. Like he was choosing distance on purpose.

The two bulky bodyguards flanked me as we moved through the terminal. I felt every stare. People parted for us, then turned to whisper and snap quick photos. My heart beat faster. They probably wondered who I was to get this kind of treatment. I shrank a little behind my shades but kept my chin up and shoulders squared. I couldn’t let myself look intimidated. Not today.

“Good morning, ma’am,” the lounge staff greeted as we entered. “This way please.”

I sat down and asked for a menu. Tension had made me forget breakfast entirely. “Won’t you guys take a seat?” I asked the guards while browsing.

“We can’t, ma’am,” one replied in a gruff voice.

“You’ll have to. You’re making me feel uncomfortable,” I insisted before ordering a standard English breakfast and chamomile tea.

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but we can’t,” the other said with finality.

I sighed and gave up. Being guarded felt strange, like I was someone important when I knew I wasn’t. Not really. I was just Maddox’s fake girlfriend for now.

I munched on my food slowly, letting the warm flavors settle my nerves. The lounge was modern and minimalist, all clean lines and soft lighting. Through the large windows, planes took off and landed in the distance. Everything felt surreal. I was really doing this-flying to another country with Maddox for a weekend getaway. It sounded scandalous even in my own head. Paparazzi would be everywhere once we landed. The thought made my stomach flip again.

(I pushed my plate away, appetite gone halfway through.

My phone stayed face down on the table.

For some reason, I kept replaying the way he looked at me this morning.

Like he almost said something. Like he stopped himself. I exhaled slowly, leaning back into the chair.

This trip was a bad idea. And not for the reasons I thought.

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14:56 Thu, Jul9