Protected by the Beast ✔

36

Riley's POV

*

There were about four cars waiting for us when we alighted the plane. The harsh breeze blew my hair and I cursed under my breath, berating myself for not taking a scarf while in the plane.

Just as I began rubbing my palms over my upper arms, I felt someone come behind me and grab my arm, pulling me against them self. I already knew who it was, it could only be Beast, or as he told me to call him, Luci. It couldn't be Dennis because he'd been keeping a distance from me for a while now and I also knew I shouldn't be so close to him like I used to so I wouldn't send the wrong signals, as Ingrid had told me. Also, Leo had been keeping to himself all through the flight so he definitely couldn't be the one.

The smell of his cologne confirmed my assumptions so I didn't bother looking up at him.

Color filled my cheeks as I remembered how frustrated he'd looked while telling me to call him Luci or Luciano earlier on.

I quickly discarded every thought about the disturbing dream I had earlier in the plane and focused on this moment. Beast's hand was warm and very masculine as he held mine. I could feel my heart beating louder and faster in my chest with every step we took. Dennis was walking before us and Leo was behind us with the men carrying our luggage. I didn't pack much from Italy because I didn't take anything with me when I was leaving NewYork in the first place.

My gaze shifted over to Dennis from the side view. He looked serious, too serious but then I had to remind myself that he was actually the head security of Beast's bodyguards and only took out time to hang out with me occasionally.

That didn't mean his schedule wasn't jampacked.

Getting into the car beside Beast, Tito drove us out of the airport while Leo took the car behind us. Unlike this morning when he was unhappy to drive in another car, this time around, he was even the one that suggested going in a separate car.

I looked out of the car and saw that we were the only ones in the vicinity but I didn't want to ask Beast about it.

"You're resuming school soon." He stated.

"Yes." I replied him.

"If there's anything you need, let me know. I'll be very busy these next few days and I might have some guests over. But you're safe in the mansion, okay?"

A frown made its way to my face. "I know I'm always safe around you."

He stared at me as if he wanted to say more but then didn't. A question was gnawing in my mind but I didn't know how to ask. I didn't want to sound overbearing by pestering him but I really needed to know the person he was trying to win her heart like he told me on the plane.

Maybe I should revel in this moment so he wouldn't draw back like he did when I confessed that I wanted to kiss him in his room several days ago.

Trying my luck, I gently scooted closer so he wouldn't notice my advances. Then my eyes began to droop and I slowly rested my head on his shoulder as if I was dozing off. I tried to relax so he wouldn't know how tense I was and it seemed to work.

Immediately I shut my eyes and softly moaned out a word as if sleep was beginning to consume me, I felt him move closer to me and slouch into the chair-- which was necessary because he was too damn tall and my head couldn't properly rest on his shoulder.

"Riley?" He called in a tone that sounded as if he was trying to hum his words.

"Mhmmm.." I murmured.

"Close your eyes if you're feeling sleepy. I'll wake you when we get home." He murmured.

Home... My lips curved into a smile at the word. Our home. Scarlett filled my cheeks and I bit the inside of my cheek to calm myself down. After some minutes, I blanked my mind, hoping I wouldn't be too late in my attempts at making him like me once again.