Contracted To The Beast novel Chapter 64

Chapter 64

Chapter 64

“Is everything okay?” I asked Beck. My fingers tightened around the phone.

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“Yes, everything is fine,” he answered. His voice sounded steady, but something in it made my stomach twist. “But we still need to see.”

“Okay,” I replied. I wasn’t convinced.

“Do you mind if we meet at The Lantern?” he asked.

The Lantern was a really exclusive restaurant that turned into a bar in downtown Vancouver. I paused to think about it or a moment. The place felt too fancy for a casual talk, but Beck had always liked quiet corners there.

“We can go somewhere else if you’re not comfortable with it,” he said quickly.

“It’s fine,” I exhaled deeply. “Time?”

“Will 6 p.m. be okay?” he asked.

“It’ll be fine,” I replied.

“Okay then. See you soon,” he said before he dropped the call.

I took a deep breath in and out again. What could have happened to warrant an urgent call like that? My mind raced through possibilities, none of them good.

“Is everything okay?” Natalie asked as she caught my worried expression.

“Everything’s fine, I think?” I replied.

“You think???” she said, aghast.

I sighed loudly. “He just said he wanted us to see this evening. That’s all.”

“Sounds a bit fishy to me,” she said truthfully. “If it wasn’t Beck, I would have said you shouldn’t go.”

“Really?” I asked, shocked.

“You should go though. Hear what he has to say,” she said.

“I will.”

A few minutes later, I walked to my car and started the ignition. I had on my Levi straight leg jeans, a black corset top, and slingback heels. Natalie had left about an hour ago. We had practically spent the whole day together.

It had been a while since we last had this much time to just talk and laze around. The easy laughter and shared snacks still lingered in my chest as I drove.

I pulled over in front of The Lantern, handed my keys to the valet, and walked in. The familiar scent of good food and expensive wine hit me as soon as I stepped inside.

“Hi, Nia,” Beck said, pulling me into a hug. His arms felt warm and familiar. “Come with me.”

He led me to the outdoor lounge beside the pool. There was barely anyone there. The water reflected soft lights from the strings above, and the evening breeze carried a faint chill.

He gestured for me to take a seat. “You look great.”

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Chapter 64

“Thank you,” I said with a polite smile. I sat down and tried to relax my shoulders.

“How are you doing?” I asked.

“I’m very fine,” he said as he beckoned to the waiter. “What would you like to drink?”

I skimmed through the menu before settling on a mocktail. I was driving back, so I couldn’t have any alcohol.

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I took a generous sip of my drink. The cool sweetness helped a little. “You sounded really urgent on the phone. Is everything okay?”

“I’m supposed to be asking you that question, Nia,” he said, turning to me. His gray eyes held mine.

“What do you mean?” I asked, turning toward him.

“You travelled out of the country with Maddox,” he locked eyes with me. “You travelled out of this continent entirely with my brother and you didn’t bother to tell me.”

I swallowed a lump in my throat as I stared at him. He looked hurt. It really hurt. His shoulders were tense, and his jaw worked like he was holding back more words.

“When I found out, I refused to believe it. Until I started seeing posts on Instagram.”

“I didn’t want to worry you,” I said. My voice came out low.

“But you did, Nia. You did,” he said. The hurt in his tone made my chest ache.

“I’m sorry,” I said, looking away from him. “I didn’t really have a choice. It was quite impromptu.”

“It’s alright,” he smiled. He squeezed my hand gently. “I’m not angry. Just a little sad.”

“I’m sorry,” I apologised again, feeling more guilty. My fingers stayed in his for a moment longer than they should have.

“You don’t have to apologise. Greece looks good on you though. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you tanned,” he replied.

I blushed slightly. “I hardly ever go to the beach.”

“Yeah, that’s true,” he said.

“I’m glad you’re alright. I was really worried about you. Hope he didn’t do anything to upset you during the trip?”

Memories of Maddox’s face between my thighs flashed before my eyes. Heat rushed to my cheeks. I pushed the thoughts away and faked a smile. “He didn’t. We stayed out of each other’s way all through the trip. Which was great.”

“I can imagine,” he said, looking around.

I took a moment to observe the surroundings. It was really serene. Bronze-painted chairs sat alongside matching tables. Fake vines hung from the ceiling, and a huge chandelier glowed softly overhead.

I wasn’t really a fan of swimming in public places, but this pool looked really nice. The underwater lights gave it a soft, inviting glow.

I really missed the private infinity pool in Mykonos. It was simply the second-best feature in the villa. First, of course, the Jacuzzi.

Beck and I chatted a bit before I began my journey home. The conversation felt easy on the surface, but the undercurrent of hurt from him stayed with me the whole drive.

Mom and Zara had already gone to bed by the time I got home.

Chapter 64

I showered quickly and changed into an oversized T-shirt before crawling into bed.

The house was quiet. Too quiet. I turned onto my side and reached for my phone.

11:43 p.m.

I locked the screen and tossed it onto the nightstand. Then I rolled onto my back. Then my other side.

The sheets twisted around my legs.

I groaned into my pillow.

Beck’s face drifted into my mind. The tight smile he’d worn at The Lantern.

The way his thumb had brushed over my knuckles before he let go of my hand.

“I wasn’t angry. Just a little sad.” I squeezed my eyes shut.

A little sad.

Beck had said it so casually, but the look in his eyes had told a different story. I threw the blanket off my legs.

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The room suddenly felt too warm. I padded down the hallway and peeked into Zara’s room. She slept on her stomach, one arm wrapped around the stuffed bunny I’d brought back from Greece.

I adjusted the blanket covering her shoulders.

She sighed softly in her sleep. My chest tightened. I brushed a curl away from her forehead before quietly closing the door

behind me.

Back in my room, I climbed into bed again. Sleep still refused to come. I stared at the ceiling.

Then, against my will, another memory surfaced.

Gray eyes.

Warm hands.

A rough voice in my ear.

Heat crawled up my neck. “Nope,” I muttered to myself.

I flipped onto my stomach and shoved my face into the pillow. The scent of my shampoo filled my lungs.

It didn’t help.

Because now all I could think about was Mykonos.

The infinity pool.

The Jacuzzi.

The white villa perched above the ocean.

And Maddox.

I could still remember the look on his face when security mentioned Chad. The muscle that had ticked in his jaw.

The way his hands had clenched. I remembered the softness in his expression when he handed me his card.

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