Owning the Beast(3)

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 fucking laugh. Send the scarred-up freak a new girl. Well, fuck 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 fuck with.

Sidling past me on shaky legs, trying to stay as far away from me as possible, she made her way through the door and into the foyer. She stood there with big fearful blue eyes, looking at me as if I was about to spontaneously combust. She’s not that far off the mark.

I slammed the front door closed and prowled towards her. She backed up further into my home, and I stalked her, step for step. Lowering my head to gaze down at her, I could feel the menacing smile forming on my face.

“They didn’t warn you about the freak at Creston Falls, did they?”

Keeping quiet, she continued to back up, slowly and cautiously, as if trying not to make any sudden movements. I raked my gaze over the innocent yellow dress she’s wearing several times. I knew she’s a paid whore, but she pulled off the virginal look really well. Her dark hair, long and soft. If I weren’t so fuming mad, I would have smoothed my fingers through it. I wanted to nuzzle her and breathe her in. But all I could see now was her beauty mocking me, and it made my blood boil.

“What’s your name?” I growled out.

“Annabella,” she squeaked out, barely above a whisper.

“Well, Annabella, it looks like you’ve been sent here as a statement. But I intend to make one of my own tonight.”

My anger flowed like molten lava through me, but I couldn’t help but feel this incredible pull towards her. I felt like I should be protecting her from myself, like she’s mine to watch over and not simply just a paid whore.

She continued to back up and I met her step for step, and soon enough, the back of her legs hit the bottom of the staircase. I had successfully steered her to where I wanted her. Now it’s time to quit this game of cat and mouse and get down to why she was here. She stopped in her tracks when her feet could go no further and peered up at me with wide eyes.

“Turn around and go up those steps, Annabella. You’re about to get what you came here for.”

I could see her chin begin to tremble, but she took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. I could see she had made the decision to be tough and to do as I say. A small bit of pride wormed its way into my chest when I saw that there was still some fight left in her. Turning around, she strode up the steps with her head held high. I couldn’t help but wonder if she’d still be holding her head up high when I’m through with her.

I followed her closely up the stairs and grabbed her upper arm once we reached the top. A jolt passed through me when my hand touched her skin for the very first time. It was the strangest feeling. A scarred up hand touched that perfect skin of hers and all of a sudden, my soul was shaking with need. I ignored the prickle of her gaze on me. I knew she was staring at the grotesque scars on my face. Everyone stared. Why would she be any different?

Not pausing to give my mind time to think about it, I pulled her towards the wing my bedroom was located in by her arm. I always took the whores to a guest room as I didn’t like to mix them with my private life, but something about Annabella made me want to have her as a part of my life. I’ll have plenty of time to think about the repercussions of this decision after she leaves. But at this very moment, I need her in my bed.

The double doors were still wide open from when I burst through them earlier. Stalking across the room, practically dragging her along behind me, I pulled her in front of the four-poster bed and released her arm. Jerking her arm away from me, Annabella raised her chin in defiance. I am always ready for a good fight. I felt the urge to shout my injustice at the world for having someone so beautiful and perfect sent to me as a goddamn joke.