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Chapter Twenty Three
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Chapter Twenty Four
Mira was seated in a chair and trying not to shift around, even though she felt uncomfortable lying back at a forty five degree angle with a metal plate pressed against her face. The plate was cold as ice, yet the light Dr. Fitzpatrick used to see through her left eye then the right caused the white starbursts to flare as they had that morning.“Right now, Mira , I’m taking images of the optic nerves,” he explained, and then she heard a series of faint clicks. “You may feel a little woozy, but that’s perfectly normal.”To say she might feel a little woozy was the understatement of the century. Prior to helping her into the chair, which she imagined looked just like one a dentist would use, Dr. Fitzpatrick’s nurse shot a numbing agent into each eye, and the second it hit her bloodstream she felt downright drunk“Okay, Mira , you are going to feel some pressure,” he said. A moment later, she felt the prick of his surgical needle easing through her right eye.Nate held her right arm, whi
Last Updated : 2024-10-29BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Chapter Twenty Five
Sensing him enter the room behind her, she pulled her shirt up and over her head and let it fall to the floor as she turned. She stripped her bra off next and caught the sweet sound of him faintly groaning a long exhale.“Take off your shirt,” she whispered, as he advanced on her quickly.He slowed, taking a moment to peel the layer off before wrestling his belt open.The cool AC stung her bare breasts, and she felt her nipples grow hard as she undid her jeans and pulled them down, stepping out of them once she had kicked off her shoes.Just as she hooked her thumbs under the sides of her panties, he stopped her, holding her hands then using his own to graze the skin around her backside until he was gripping her ass.His mouth, the smooth slippery curve of his tongue, played around her right nipple before he sucked the mound of her breast, simultaneously massaging her ass, making her grow wet and tingly.“I need to forget,” she said, savoring the feel of his hands as they grazed up he
Last Updated : 2024-10-29BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Chapter Twenty Six
With Layla out of One World, Mira couldn’t seem to get a hold of Carter other than a few briefly worded text messages. She wasn’t so naive as to think that she would retain Carter’s loyalty after having fired hisgirlfriend, but she thought he would at least resign by giving her a direct explanation as to why he couldn’t continue in his role with her organization.It had been three days of this. Nate had been in and out, working hard to get Starlight back on track but with materials that Mira would approve of. In the meantime, other members of One World had come to the. Escala to strategize with her, namely Hector and Jenny, who were certainly committed but lacked experience.If she were being honest, losing Carter and Layla was coming at a very high price.Nevertheless, they planned to meet their attorney, Harold, at the Starlight site and present their negotiation that the construction company dig a new trench eight miles out from the Bellevue town community, so any future natural g
Last Updated : 2024-10-29BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Chapter Twenty Seven
It didn’t matter that she had dragged Carter out of the trailer. It didn’t matter that she had let him have it, utterly furious he could havebetrayed her like this after she’d begged him never to breathe a word ofwhat they’d found in Nate’s office, much less go to the press with it. And it didn’t matter that she’d scrambled to reach Nate in the trailer to try to explain. The fact of the matter was that she’d grossly violated his trust, and there would be no telling how this would impact his life.Mira sat in Nate ’s living room feeling beside herself. She kept replaying her words and his, kept reliving the anguish in his tone, and the terrible declaration he had made that he would be staying at a hotel for awhile to clear his head.He had arranged for his driver to take her back to the Escala, butnnow that she was here it felt so wrong.What the hell had Carter been thinking?Ruining Nate was no guarantee of shutting down the Starlight pipeline. It would only serve to tarnish, if not
Last Updated : 2024-10-29BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Chapter Twenty Eight
His hands, gloved and unrelenting, clamped tighter around her throat. Mira slammed her fists down onto his forearms, praying she could break his hold, but the impact only incited him and he growled, shuffling sideways until he banged her head back against the glass window.Scrambling for a way out of this, Mira tried desperately to visualize the room. Were there any objects nearby she could use as a weapon? Soon her thinking became murky, as she struggled for air that wasno longer reaching her lungs. Refusing to give up and sensing where his feet were planted, where his legs held firm and met at the apex between his legs, she kneed him hard, driving her leg up and screaming.It was a good hit and he keeled over, releasing her, and she sprinted, rushing and tripping around the coffee table then the sofa chair as she made her frantic way to the bedroom.She could feel him on her heels, but just as she crossed the threshold and grabbed the edge of the open door to slam it shut, he caug
Last Updated : 2024-10-29BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Chapter Twenty Nine
Nate didn’t respond except to let out a carefully measured breath, drawing his warm hand up and down her back. She pictured him clenching his jaw, puzzled, his gaze turning soft as he slipped into deep thought.“It’s too great a coincidence that hours after Carter threatened us that he had gone to the press, you ended up getting attacked.”Mira gaped fearfully. The police had suggested as much, but it hadn’t felt as real as it did now, hearing Nate state the possibility.“Whoever they are,” he went on, “they won’t get away with this.Every inch of this building is covered with security cameras. It’s only a matter of time before we find out who they are. Trust me, they’re going to go to prison for a very long time.”She found herself leaning into him, melting into a more relaxed pose in response to his strong arm resting around her back, his warm hand hooked on her hip.“I wasn’t sure you’d ever speak to me again,” she said.“Hey,” he said in a reassuring tone. “I have a lot to figure
Last Updated : 2024-10-29BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Chapter Thirty
The next morning, Nate slipped out of bed without disturbing Mira , who was sleeping deeply. After making coffee and taking a quick shower, he dressed quietly in his walk-in closet before meeting a locksmithat his door at exactly 7:15 a.m.It only took twenty minutes for the technician to install another keycard lock. He gave Nate three copies and explained that he would still have to use his old one to get into the building downstairs, but that would only be in the event that the doormen weren’t standing post, which Nate knew wouldn’t be likely.After thanking the man and wiring the payment, Nate sent him on his way then peaked in on Mira . She looked like an angel under the covers, breathing softly. The gauze around her eyes was becoming a part of her, and Nate almost couldn’t remember what she’d looked like prior to the accident.Taking a moment to ride the swell of how intense his feelings were for her, Nate became all the more concerned that she had been attacked.His father’s t
Last Updated : 2024-10-29BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Chapter Thirty One
By the time Nate was pulling up in his parking spot beside the trailer at the Starlight pipeline, he felt thoroughly overwhelmed and ready to snap. It wouldn’t be the best way to approach his father, so he took a few deep breaths, letting the engine cool now that he’d drawn the key out and tucked it into the sun visor over his head.When he finally did get out of his Lexus, he walked over to the stack of pipes set yards back from the trench. Construction workers bid him good morning as he passed. He nodded in response, though his gaze was locked on the new materials. To the naked eye, they appeared to be the new, platinum-coated steel cylinders that Mira had advocated for. When he stopped by seven chemical barrels and waved the construction manager over, he could tell by the labeling on the side of each barrel that it was also the correct, eco-friendly material.As he questioned the manager, a friendly guy who aimed to please, and as he tried to follow the man’s explanation, Nate coul
Last Updated : 2024-10-29
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BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Epilogue
EpilogueHe broke away, but his eyes never left hers as he said, ‘Hello, Connie.I have missed your cooking.’‘Don’t you “Hello, Connie” me. Where you been, eh? Worrying Mira half to death…’‘Were you?’ he asked. ‘Worried? You didn’t fancy being a rich widow?’Maybe he already knew the answer because he didn’t wait for it but looked down and said, ‘Hello, Toby. Been to a party?’‘Mmm.’ He gave Connie the balloon he was holding and offered up his goodie bag. ‘I have got cake.’‘Any to spare? I’m starving…’‘Later. It’s bath time,’ Mira said. ‘Can you take care of Toby for me,Connie?’‘I can take care of both of them if you like,’ she offered. ‘He’s going toneed help with his arm in plaster. No? You don’t want Connie?’ And shewent inside chuckling to herself. ‘Just you make sure you wash behind hisears, Mira.’ Then, ‘I call Matty and tell her Mr Dan is home.’‘What do you want first? Drink? Food? Bath?’He circled her with his arm as they walked up the steps into the house.‘I’ve go
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Chapter Seventy Two
‘If I fell under Matty’s metaphorical bus, you’d have to sell the house to pay inheritance tax. This way makes more sense. ‘It makes sense if you haven’t got a heart, but since we’re talking about the unexpected, let’s really go for it.’ She looked at him, demanding a response. ‘What’s on your mind?’ ‘This. We get married. You live upstairs in your little apartment. Me and Lame Ducks Incorporated are spread out all over the rest of your house. That’s what you have in mind, right?’ ‘Right.’ ‘Okay. Now tell me this. What happens when you meet the girl of your dreams and fall in love?’ Fran had to ask the question, even though the very idea of him falling in love drove daggers through her. ‘That’s the one thing that isn’t going to happen, Mira.’ His conviction shook her momentarily, but she pressed on. ‘Dan, I know you spend most of your life in the wilderness, chipping lumps off rock looking for oil and minerals—’ ‘Really it’s a bit more technical than that,’ he objected
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Chapter Seventy One
“She did what?” Mira was utterly beside herself that Layla had gone off on her own and once again acted recklessly, endangering others to thwart the pipeline. Carter had her by the shoulder from where she sat at Nate ’s desk, but it did little to comfort her.“She is in the county jail,” Nate explained. “I could overlook one attack that didn’t hurt anyone, but this time she used a grenade, blew out the side of our trailer, and put my father in the hospital. He’s going to presscharges, needless to say.”“Is he all right?” she asked.“He hit his head fairly hard and fractured his shoulder, but neither are life threatening.”Mira could hear his voice waver as though he was entirely beside himself.“How are you?” she asked urgently.“A bruised rib, but I will live.”Mira sensed Carter get to his feet, as his hand slipped off her shoulder.“I have to see her,” he explained. “Let’s get Harold on this if we can. Get her bail set.”“You can try,” said Nate . “I doubt she will be offered a ba
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Chapter Seventy
While Mira sat in his exam room and endured similar tests as those he had conducted a few days prior, Nate stepped out to make a few calls, the reason for which he had been somewhat secretive about. As Dr. was finishing up, she asked, “What do you think the likelihood of Nate finding me donor eyes will be?” The doctor released a sigh then said, “I really couldn’t tell you. I have never endeavored anything so ambitious. All I can tell you is the likelihood of whether or not your body will accept or reject your new eyes, and the degree to which you might be able to see once they are in.” “So what’s the likelihood?” “I’ll have an idea once I examine the photos I’m taking. I should know in a day or so. Bear in mind, though, that we have three battles. The first is making sure the donor is, in fact, a match. I explained to you earlier that this aspect could be tricky to navigate. Then your body has to accept the eyes. And then after the nerves attach and heal, we’ll have to closely m
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Chapter Sixty Nine
Chapter 69.He broke away, but his eyes never left hers as he said, ‘Hello, Connie.I’ve missed your cooking.’‘Don’t you “Hello, Connie” me. Where you been, eh? Worrying Mirahalf to death…’‘Were you?’ he asked. ‘Worried? You didn’t fancy being a rich widow?’Maybe he already knew the answer because he didn’t wait for it but lookeddown and said, ‘Hello, Toby. Been to a party?’‘Mmm.’ He gave Connie the balloon he was holding and offered up hisgoodie bag. ‘I’ve got cake.’‘Any to spare? I’m starving…’‘Later. It’s bath time,’ Mira said. ‘Can you take care of Toby for me,Connie?’‘I can take care of both of them if you like,’ she offered. ‘He’s going toneed help with his arm in plaster. No? You don’t want Connie?’ And shewent inside chuckling to herself. ‘Just you make sure you wash behind hisears, Mira.’ Then, ‘I call Matty and tell her Mr Dan is home.’‘What do you want first? Drink? Food? Bath?’He circled her with his arm as they walked up the steps into the house.‘I’ve got
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Chapter Sixty Eight
Angry with herself, she turned off the television, got to her feet. Dan might not be rescued for months. Was she planning on spending every hour in front of the television in case there was the slightest snippet of news? It was the last thing he would want. Catherine would let her know the minute anyone heard anything and in the meantime there were a hundred things that needed doing. She still hadn’t settled on the final layout for the slender catalogue that was going to be mailed out to all their customers, as well put as an insert in one of the Sunday supplements. It was going to cost a fortune. It had to be right. She caught sight of herself in the hall mirror. What a wreck. She needed to take a shower, wash her hair, change. Get her mind back on the job. On her family… But when she opened a drawer, searching for underwear that would stretch around her expanding belly, she found herself staring at the tiny silk box that contained the wedding ring Dan had put on her finger and she
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Chapter Sixty seven
Chapter 67.She returned a few moments later with a cardboard box that she placedon the floor and when she opened it the small silky brown and white headof a spaniel puppy appeared. Then a body wriggled free of the blanket andhe looked up at her and whined to be lifted out.She was lost for words. Dan might have left Catherine to pick outChristmas gifts, but this could only have come direct from him. Proof thathe was thinking of her… She caught herself. Thinking of Toby.‘I made the woman at the kennels promise she’d take him back if youdidn’t want him. Men have these great ideas…’‘When? When did Dan ask you to do this?’‘Oh, months ago. In fact, I think he called from the airport… It wassupposed to have been Toby’s Christmas present, but since he was soparticular it had to wait until the right spaniel produced the right pup.’ Sheshrugged apologetically. ‘You know Dan. He’s never satisfied with less thanperfection.’‘No?’ Her heart lurched uncomfortably. ‘No,’ she agreed.‘
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Chapter Sixty six
Chapter 66.Mira felt as if she was grieving all over again.She’d pulled into the garage and finally given way to the dammed-uptears she hadn’t been able to shed for Natein a mind-clearing storm ofguilt and loss. And when it was over she finally understood it all. That theirmarriage of convenience had been entirely for his expedience, not hers.Not cheap. But then this wasn’t about money. It was about control. Tobywas all the family he had. His heir. The boy who carried the family name.Marriage was the simplest and most effective way of stopping her frombecoming involved with someone else, giving him some other man’s name.Which answered any question she had about what was in the letterNatehad written to him. He had been a less than perfect partner, a lessthan perfect anything, except father. Relaxed to the point of being comatoseon most things, he had been uncharacteristically firm in his insistence thatDan be added to Toby’s name.Too late she saw that all that stuff abou
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Chapter Sixty Five
Chapter 65.The other was that he had simply decided that, despite his fine words,his promises, he expected payment in full for his investment in an unwantedhigh-maintenance wife. Why else would he be planning to move into herhome when, as she had just discovered, there was no need?How could he ask her to forgive him, when he wouldn’t be able toforgive himself?Instead he picked up her jacket, handed it to her in silence.‘Bathroom?’ she enquired, so quietly that he could barely hear her.‘Through here.’ He opened the door to his bedroom and the untouchedbed, just yards away, seemed to mock him. ‘You’ll find everything you’llneed.’Soap, hot water to wash him from her body.She ducked through the opening, leaving him to straighten himself out.Consider a future that was suddenly bleaker than he could have imaginedeven a week ago. An hour ago. Then he’d had some hope.He began to fasten his shirt, discovered that several of the buttons weretorn from it, and dug a fresh one out
