Intent on His claim (Beauty and the Beast #3)

Chapter 10

Victor was waiting for me after my last class of the day. I had a free period and Vic knew Warren was in another class.

Even though I knew all this, I couldn't help smiling when I saw him. "Hi."

"Hey. Let's go outside."

"And what about the sun?" I teased.

"You have sunglasses, don't you?" he scoffed.

I rolled my eyes and we went outside, choosing a table in the shade. As we settled down, I took a moment to really look at him. A thrill shot through me that I was finally around Victor again. I had missed him badly - not that I'd ever told anyone - and I was glad to have him back in my life. And looking at him right now, I realised my memories could never truly capture him. His flawless pale skin, beautiful umber hair and sapphire eyes... The boy was just a work of art.

"Stop, you're making me blush," he winked, leaning closer.

I glanced away, blushing, and covered it with a laugh.

"I mean, I get it," he went on. "You've never seen anything as pretty as me."

"You won't be looking so pretty for long if you keep annoying Warren."

"He'll have to get in line," he shrugged carelessly.

"What?" That was sharp - I'd just remembered Aric's comment the day before.

"Relax, will you? That was a joke," he laughed. "Since when are you so wound up? Aren't you supposed to be back to normal?"

"Since when am I normal?" I dropped my eyes and decided to go for it. "Tell me about it, Vic."

He rolled his eyes. "About what?"

"What Aric said yesterday. Is it true? Did you piss someone off?"

"I piss everyone off, it's kind of a specialty," he shrugged.

"Come on."

He frowned and suddenly burst out, "Aren't you carrying enough already?"

"What?"

"Just how much pressure is that cat piling on you?"

Why did my heart start racing? His eyes widened slightly and I knew he'd heard it. I tucked my hair back, dropping my eyes as he leaned closer again. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"I heard that little speech too. His mother was in the hospital - and he hasn't let go of you all day. How much of his own stress is he unloading on you?"

"It's not like that," I defended. "He just needs me right now."

"He's not protecting you like he should," he growled out.

I rolled my eyes. "Just let it go, okay?" I sighed. "This is between me and him."

"No, I cant just let it go when he's hurting you because he's failing to be a man about this situation," Victor gritted in annoyance.

My head snapped up and I stared angrily at him. "If you don't stop talking crap about my boyfriend this conversation is going to be over pretty fast."

His jaw clenched. "You keep *flipping defending him, no matter what he does to you!"

"Nearly losing his mother isn't something he 'did' to me!" I snapped back, shooting to my feet. "And I suddenly need to be literally anywhere else!" I spun round and stormed off back towards the school halls.

"Belle, wait!" His hand closed over my arm and he gently tugged, making me stop. "I don't want to fight, okay? I just... I don't like seeing you worried like this."