Beauty and the Beast Read Online Free

Thoughts of his enraged mood sent a chill down his spine. In those times, he had little to no control. When Nefertiti had been attacked, he’d been so close to rage he’d started praying again.
    “Bruce, it’s your Auntie Vic. We need to discuss Nefertiti.”
    “I didn’t do anything to her.” The clock on the nightstand indicated he still had an hour to try to regain control over his emotions.
    “I’m coming in, so cover yourself.”
    Protesting would do no good. Thus, he remained silent.
    The door creaked as she opened it. “What’s wrong with you? Turn on some light before I break my blame neck.” After Nefertiti left his room last night, he’d drawn the drapes so the sunlight wouldn’t invade his room the next morning.
    “Blame?” He turned on the lamp to its lowest setting. “That’s a new one.”
    “What happened with Nefertiti last night?” She sat on the edge of his bed. Dressed in a floral pattern summer top, matching shorts, and wood clogs that couldn’t be as comfortable as she claimed, Victoria looked a lot more innocent than Bruce knew her to be.
    “Cut straight to the chase, huh?”
    “Don’t play with me. What happened?”
    Mischievous brown eyes narrowed, he said, “I offered to let her share my bed.” The amused look on Victoria’s face was the last thing he expected.
    “I’m serious, Bruce. What happened?”
    A laugh rumbled in his belly for a few seconds before escaping. He could always count on his Auntie Vic to help swing his mood in the direction he wanted it to go. Nefertiti was the only other person with this ability.
    With her hands covering her mouth and her eyes open wide, she giggled. “Oh my, darling. You were serious. I’m so sorry.”
    “You’re murder on a guy’s ego.” He glanced at the clock. “I’m not trying to rush you, but I have a meeting in fifty minutes and still need to shower.”
    “Okay, darling, I’ll make this fast. It’s time for you to act on your feelings for Nefertiti.”
    “I don’t have any—”
    “I thought you were in a hurry. We can do this the easy way or the hard way. The choice is yours.”
    He didn’t answer; she raised a brow.
    “The easy way.” Uncomfortable with this conversation, the mood swing toward the light side was in quick retreat to the dark.
    “You two need each other. I don’t know what happened when she graduated, but whatever it was scared you half to death.”
    “I’m not afraid of anything!”
    “Yeah, right,” she said, her voice laden with sarcasm.
    “I just don’t want to get involved with Nefertiti. She’s your goddaughter, for Christ’s sake. What if things didn’t work out? That would put a rift in our relationship.”
    The incredulous smirk that marred her delicate, dark features told him this line of reasoning wouldn’t float with Victoria.
    Arms folded over her chest, she calmly said, “I thought you were in a hurry. Shall we waste time in denial or get this going?”
    The attractive, dainty, middle-aged woman who had raised him had the whole world fooled. Below that loving, genteel exterior lived a barracuda. One he admired.
    “Okay, you win. Yes, I would like to have more with Nefertiti, but I’m not relationship material. She would have given all of her heart just to have it broken.” That was another reason he’d stayed away. If anyone broke her heart, he knew he’d lose it. Only a miracle from God had prevented him from going after Dennis. Truth be told, he was still contemplating paying the coward a visit.
    “What about now?”
    “I’m still not relationship material.”
    “I’m worried about you, darling.” She rested her hand on his. “I’m worried about you both.”
    Head cocked to the side, brows furrowed, he said, “Worried about me?” He motioned around the opulent suite. “Come on, we live in the lap of luxury. I have a multimillion-dollar business that is thriving. People would kill to have my life.”
    “They don’t know your life. The only time you