Owning the Beast(2)
Drawing my eyes up to the rear view mirror, my gaze met Logan’s. Embarrassed at being caught staring, I went back to looking out the window. The sun had almost fully set by now and instead of vast green fields, there are now hundreds and hundreds of trees blocking everything else out.
“We’re almost there, sugar,” Logan said in a slow drawl, pulling my eyes back to him once again. “You sure you wanna do this? You look like you’re about to bolt from this car. You must be new. I’ve never seen you before.”
Returning his stare, I was unsure of what he meant. Has my future husband been married through the agency before?
“Has Mr. Stone been married before?” I asked, curiosity getting the best of me.
Logan released a bark of laughter along with a forceful no.
I guess that means he’s been using the call girls then. I’m not sure which was more unsettling, the thought of my husband using call girls or that his driver thinks the idea of him getting married was laughable. These thoughts weren’t doing much to help settle the pounding of my heart.
“Here we are. Welcome to Creston Falls.”
Logan slowly pulled the car up to a big black gate that looked to be about fifteen feet tall. Rolling down the window, he punched in a code and the gate opened with a creak. As we pulled up the long, rocky drive, I took in the majestic sight. The mansion resembled a castle out in the middle of nowhere. If this were to be my home, I have no idea how I am ever going to keep this place clean.
Stepping out of the car, I tried to settle my thoughts. Out of the corner of my eyes, something moving by one of the windows caught my attention. Stepping forward to get a better look, I saw a shadow of a man backing away from the window.
Turning to Logan, I asked, “Was that Mr. Stone?”
“He’s the only one home right now, so I reckon it was. Go on in, I’m sure he’s waiting for you. I’ll park the car in the garage over there,” he said, pointing to a large building to the left of the mansion. “When you’re done, have Mr. Stone call me or walk on over and I’ll take you back to the city if you like.”
Before I could ask him what he meant, Logan hopped back in the car and drove off, leaving me to my fate. Taking a deep breath, I took the final ten steps to the door and slowly opened it.
CHAPTER 2 Griffin
I hate the wait more than anything else. The anticipation of having someone unfamiliar see my face for the first time. I used whores because even though I shouldn’t care about what women thought of me, I still do. I paced back and forth in my bedroom, wearing grooves into the carpet, constantly looking out the windows to see if Logan is back with the latest one yet. It’d been months since I last called the agency, and I was on the edge. I hated this part of myself. This need for release I can’t seem to take care of myself. Sure, I could get by with jerking off for a few months, but it left me feeling so goddamn empty. Fucking a whore who probably didn’t give a shit about me was much better than f*cking my own sorry, scarred-up hand.
Looking down at my hands and seeing those mangled scars did nothing to ease my anxiety. I knew the looks this new whore would give me. Pity, disgust, revulsion… At least until she remembers what I am paying to have her here for the next few hours. Most of the time, they just focused on the dollar signs. I’m not an idiot. I know what I look like. A beast.
I paced the room once again to check the windows. It’s raining and slowly getting dark outside.
Running my hand down the right side of my face, I felt the familiar jagged lines. Pushing the onslaught of images away, I tried to block the memories from my mind and focus on the present. I had enough to worry about without adding onto my stress.
Light flooded the room and I looked down just in time to see Logan pulling up in front of the manor. I watched the car carefully to see if it’s the same blonde from the previous time. At least a familiar girl wouldn’t spend half the time I paid for pretending not to stare at me. Moving the curtain to the side, I tried to get a better look. The car door opened and a dark-haired woman stepped out.
My chest tightened and I was momentarily stunned by her beauty. As her head lifted up to look towards where I stood, I was shaken out of my daze. Stepping away from the window, I clutched a hand to my chest.
“Fucking hell.”
She was the most beautiful and innocent thing I had ever seen in my life. I barely caught a glimpse of her, and yet I felt breathless, overwhelmed. Beauty. So pure and perfect.
Who sent that woman to me? Was this some kind of a sick joke? The agency must be pissed at me for going so many months without placing an order. This had to be their idea of a good f*cking laugh. Send the scarred-up freak a new girl. Well, f*ck them. I’ll send this girl back ruined. I’ll show them the monster they’re laughing at.
Bursting through the double doors of my bedroom suite, I stomped down the hall and made my way down the stairs with a mighty roar. I was breathing hard, angry as hell by the time I had gotten to the main entrance. Jerking the front door open, so hard that it slammed against the wall, the dark-haired angel standing outside my front door let out a small sound of shock. I guess nobody let her in on the scarred monster joke.
“Get inside,” I bellowed, captivated by her perfection and livid that this was just a game. I intended to get my money’s worth and show the agency that Griffin Stone wasn’t a man they could f*ck with.