Contracted To The Beast novel Chapter 54

Chapter 54

Chapter 54

85 VOUERY

A soft knock on the bedroom door pulled me from sleep. My body felt heavy and warm, wrapped in the plush bedding like it belonged there.

“Come in. The door isn’t locked,” I called, staying curled under the covers. The room felt too comfortable. I had almost forgotten we were still thousands of feet in the air. The en suite bathroom held a deep Jacuzzi tub, and the whole space carried the same dark, luxurious tones as Maddox’s home. It felt like an extension of his world-expensive, controlled, and far from mine.

Maddox stepped inside, hands sliding into his pockets. “You’ve been in bed for at least nine hours.”

“It’s so cozy,” I mumbled, stretching my arms overhead with a dramatic groan. My muscles protested, still heavy from the long flight.

“We’ll be landing in thirty minutes,” he said, already turning back toward the door. “Come out of your cocoon now.”/

I groaned again as he left. Part of me wanted to stay buried under the sheets forever. I grabbed my phone and checked the time. Midnight back in Canada. Outside the window, bright sunlight poured in. Mykonos sat eight hours ahead. The time difference alone made my head spin.

I gathered my things into my bag, smoothed the bedding out of habit, and stepped out. I took the seat beside Maddox and clicked my seat belt into place. My fingers brushed his arm accidentally. That small contact sent a spark up my skin I tried to ignore.

We touched down at Mykonos International Airport without any turbulence. This had been the smoothest flight of my life. A black bulletproof Escalade waited for us on the tarmac. The short five-minute drive wound along the coast until we pulled up to the most stunning five-star resort I had ever seen.

I stepped out of the car and walked a few steps forward, mouth falling open. The resort sat perched on a cliffside on a private peninsula in Ornos Bay. Turquoise water stretched out below, sparkling under the sun. Whitewashed buildings with blue accents dotted the hillside. The air smelled of salt, wild herbs, and expensive sunscreen.

“Come, baby,” Maddox said, his hand settling at my waist.

Not light. Not careful. Firm. Like he was used to touching me.

I stiffened before I could stop myself.

I stared at him, stunned. His hand felt warm and firm against the thin fabric of my dress.

“You have to play along,” he whispered harshly in my ear, even as his brilliant smile stayed perfectly in place for anyone watching.

A bald man with a name tag reading “Manager Rob” approached us, beaming. “Oh, welcome! Mr. Kane and Dr. Page. We’re so honored to have you at Santa Marina.”

“We’re delighted to be here,” Maddox replied smoothly, shaking the man’s hand. “Aren’t we, babe?”

“Yeah, we are,” I said, forcing a smile and gripping Maddox’s bicep a little tighter. My heart raced under the act. “This place is really gorgeous.”

“Wait until you see the interior,” Manager Rob said, puffing out his chest with pride. “Come with me.”

We followed him inside, Maddox’s hand settling at my waist like it belonged there.

I adjusted easily, my fingers curling around his arm, leaning into him just enough.

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Chapter 54

Like I’d done it before.

Like it was natural.

A camera shutter clicked somewhere behind us.

Then another.

I didn’t turn, but I felt it-the attention, the weight of eyes tracking every step.

Maddox’s grip tightened slightly, grounding. Or warning.

I tilted my head toward him, letting a small smile play on my lips as if he’d said something worth hearing.

He didn’t.

But his thumb brushed once against my side, slow and deliberate.

Stay in character.

We kept walking.

65 vouche

Paparazzi. Of course they would be here. Maddox was the Beast-hockey captain, celebrity. Every step we took together fed the story Mr. Hale wanted.

“We took the liberty of upgrading your room from the twin-room Villa Crystal to our exquisite Villa Diamond,” Manager Rob announced cheerfully.

I stiffened. Maddox’s hand tightened slightly on my waist.

“Villa Diamond sits at our most elevated point with a majestic view of the Aegean Sea and all the neighboring islands. It also has a private rooftop swimming pool, en suite bathroom, and an outdoor shower.”

He opened the door with a flourish. The interior took my breath away. Vintage whitewashed architecture mixed with modern touches. Bohemian details everywhere, lots of warm wood, neutral tones, and soft textiles that invited you to sink in and stay.

We stepped into the living room. Mocha-brown couches faced a bleached wooden center table. A locally made stone mural covered one wall. A mini bar gleamed in the corner, and an open kitchen connected to a small dining area.

Hotel staff carried our luggage upstairs. I followed them, climbing the stairs to the bedroom. My jaw dropped.

The luxurious king-size bed was covered in lush flower petals and red balloons. Towels had been folded into two swans kissing. Lit candles flickered on every surface. A basket on the bedside table held chocolates, snacks, and… other things.

I pushed the bathroom door open and stopped.

The tub was already filled, water still rippling slightly beneath a layer of rose petals. A deep red bath bomb bled slowly into the water, staining it wine-dark.

My gaze shifted.

Two glasses. A bottle of wine. Unopened.

And then-I froze.

Three foil packets of condoms sat neatly beside them.

Placed. Intentional.

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Chapter 54

“They really thought this through,” he said, glancing between the wine… and me.

That look lingered a second too long.

My stomach tightened.

“Not now, Maddox,” I said quickly, already unpacking my suitcase.

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