Tame the Beast (Ever After #1) (13 page)

The Dean’s Annual Holiday Dinner was proving to be as spectacular as the rumors. It was a night to honor the school’s best and brightest. However, most believed its sole purpose was to flaunt the gifted students under the rich noses of Beaumont University’s largest contributors. None of that fazed Clara. She was lost in another bite of the red velvet mousse cup that was served after the five-course meal.

Her guilt about eating such a beautiful piece of art was stripped away with one bite of the rich dark chocolate shell. A quiet moan slipped past her lips. Clara’s eyes darted around the large table, hoping no one had heard her unladylike response to the mouthwatering dessert.

Relief washed over her. The rest of the guests were lost in their own dishes. At least everyone except a pair of steel blue eyes at the far end of the table.

Damn it
, Clara’s thoughts cursed as she averted her attention from Adam. He looked breathtaking in his dark suit. He’d been the proper host all night alongside his mother, greeting every guest into his home with a charming smile and firm handshake. Heat filled every inch of Clara when his eyes had raked over her in the foyer. Now, she felt like she was trapped in an inferno. The storm in his stare intensified as if he wanted to devour every inch of her.

Her stomach flipped in anticipation, which caused her blush to deepen at the thought. She was thankful when Angela Beaumont rose to invite her guests to disperse throughout the first floor of the home. Most of the men snuck off to challenge each other to a game of pool, while the wives huddled around to catch up on each other’s lives.

Clara’s happy distraction was short lived as wave after wave of alumnus greeted her, asking about her future and praising her for receiving such a high scholarship. She hoped Deacon would come to her rescue, but he was deep in conversation on the other end of the room.

“Yes, it’s quite an honor for a young woman like yourself,” the man before her said. “Joseph Ashby received the Fullmont Honors Scholarship in my day. Good man. I believe he’s still the CEO at Benson General Hospital. The trouble we got into back in those days …”

Clara remained mostly silent as the man relived his years at Beaumont. She laughed when appropriate and nodded when it seemed fitting. She wasn’t trying to be rude, but small talk was never a gift of hers. After chatting with so many new faces, Clara couldn’t remember any names. So she smiled sweetly and sipped at her glass of punch, trying to get her wandering mind to focus.

Clara was lost in idle wonders of how many rooms made up the stunning estate when a familiar deep voice interrupted their one-sided conversation. “Your football team wouldn’t have stood a chance against the boys we have today.”

Clara’s attention snapped to her right as Adam joined them in the opening that divided the living room from the billiards room. It was clear she’d missed something important, but at the moment, she was too transfixed on how good Adam looked in a perfectly fitted suit.
Too good.
With the tie loosened, he was even more striking than he looked at dinner.

“Don’t believe a word James says,” Adam continued. “He’s notorious for embellishing his stories.”

The room filled with the man’s husky laugh before her turned his attention back to Clara. “Adam doesn’t know what he’s talking about. He was dropped as a child. Awful head injury.”

Clara’s gaze shifted between the two as they fell into an easy conversation regarding Adam’s plans for his future. They looked generations apart, and yet a familiarity hung in the air around them. Without a single pause, Adam reached for Clara’s empty glass and replaced it with a new one.

“Thank you,” she quietly replied before taking a sip. The moment the liquid touched her tongue, Clara almost choked. What should have been sweet punch had been mixed with the distinct taste of hard liquor.

A sly smile wrapped around Adam’s lips, but he continued talking to James as if nothing was out of place. He replied with a subtle wink that heated every inch of her much faster than any booze.

“There you are,” a woman called, interrupting the conversation and giving Clara a moment to recompose herself. The woman wrapped her beautifully manicured fingers around the arm of her husband. “Why don’t you let these kids enjoy their youth instead of listening to an old man relive his.”

James looked lovingly at his wife as he shook his head. “Yes, dear.” Turning back to Adam, he reached his hand out and said, “Now you let me know when you graduate. I might have a good investment coming your way.”

“Look forward to it,” Adam replied.

As the couple walked away, Clara searched for something casual to fill the sudden silence. “So how’d you know I needed a drink?”

“Because I watched you sip on the other one every time someone new started talking to you. Nervous habit?”

She fiddled with the long sleeve of her red dress, ignoring his question. “You were watching me?” she asked, unable to hide the pleasure that filled her words.

“Just making sure you didn’t need rescuing,” he replied. His hand swept down her back, its warmth seeping through the fabric of her dress. Her heart pounded, aware of his every movement as he guided her down the long hallway. “It’s easy to get cornered at these events. One friendly hello to the wrong person and you could spend hours talking about politics or the newest business trends. Or worse, the latest gossip about names you’ll never meet or even remember.”

His playful attitude was annoyingly addictive, and Clara’s heart thudded with each step they took down the main hall. She tried to be as graceful as possible. With the way Adam’s closeness was toying with her nerves, she was positive she would trip on the material of her long gown.

“So where are you taking me now?” she asked in her own playful tone.

“Upstairs,” he whispered suggestively. The simple reply was a sudden shock to her system. He must have noticed the terrified look on her face because he quickly laughed and said, “A bunch of us like to hide away for awhile before facing the party again. Not all of the scholar students enjoy being sober and yacked at all night. The other half is here because of their parents.”

“Oh.” She was surprised by the trace of disappointment in her voice. She wasn’t hoping Adam would make a move on her. In fact, she was constantly reminding herself what a bad choice that would be, but something about Adam made her want to be reckless, at least for a night.

Or perhaps two …

“Maybe if you’re lucky, I’ll give you the grand tour. Although we don’t let guests past the first floor,” Adam said with a devilish wink.

“Then why are we going upstairs?”

“To hide away of course.”

Clara’s eyes rolled with her laugh. “Always the rule breaker.”

The sound of Adam’s low chuckle sent wonderful chills down her spine. “Oh, you have no idea. But what I meant was aside from letting some friends retreat to my room for a few drinks, we don’t let guests wander the second and third floors.”

A mischievous smile pulled at Clara’s lips. She itched to see each nook and cranny of the gorgeous estate from the first day she’d arrived for lunch months ago. That was until she had stormed away as fast as her feet could carry her.

“So what’s on the second and third floors?” she asked.

“Mostly just bedrooms on the second. The home was built in the 1890s, so the third floor used to be servant quarters, but now the entire interior has been redone. A few times actually.”

Clara’s head spun from trying to wrap her mind around that kind of family history. “What’s up there now?”

Adam flashed a wicked smirk. “Well, there’s another office, living room, family theater, weight room, torture chamber …”

Catching the humor in his eyes, Clara narrowed hers. “Very funny.”

“I thought so. We actually moved it to the basement.” He lowered his head, his voice low and husky as he whispered, “Maybe I’ll show you later … find out what you’re really into.”

“What makes you think I’m into anything like that?”

“I’ve seen your book collection.”

Clara bit on the insides of her cheeks to keep from smiling. He didn’t need any more encouragement. His ego was already big enough. If it grew any larger, they would have to build a fourth floor just to accommodate it.

When she didn’t respond, he asked, “Impressed?”

“Maybe a little.” Her grin stretched, betraying her amusement. “But don’t let it go to your head. It’s not like you built the place.”

Adam’s laugh bounced down the hall as he led them up the closer of the two grand staircases that encompassed the room. Clara took each step carefully. The red lace hugged every inch of her down to her hips before flaring out to the floor. Combined with heels, it was a death trap. The last thing she wanted was to trip up the stairs with Adam following behind her.

Be elegant,
she reminded her feet as her hips swung with each step. She kept her shoulders back and chin high and thanked her lucky stars that she didn’t stumble.

She let out a relieved breath as the last step was behind her. She expected Adam to take his place at her side again, but he didn’t. Clara twirled around to see he was standing three paces behind her, still holding the rail at the top of the staircase.

“You okay?” she asked, worried.

“Yup,” came his speedy reply. He looked everywhere else but at her. “Just a little winded.”

Clara squinted back at him. Every flawless inch of him looked to be in perfect condition. She knew most of his down time was spent in the gym with Corin and Marcus. He had the broad chest to prove it. The hallway was dim but from where Clara stood, he didn’t look one bit winded. He did, however, look to be in pain.

Alarmed, she closed the distance between them and asked, “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Adam clenched his jaw. When Clara took a step closer, he held his hand up in protest. “I’m fine.”

Ignoring his motion, she argued, “You don’t look fine.”

Out of instinct, she ran her hand down his arm. It was a gesture meant to comfort him, but Adam seemed annoyed by her effort. With two long strides, he pushed them both away from the open banister and further down the dark hall. Clara stumbled, her bare shoulders meeting the rough texture of the wall.

Adam held her at arm’s length and hissed, “Damn it, woman. You’re impossible.”

“What’d I do?”

“You’re too damn stubborn,” he said through a strained breath.

Clara stared back, wide-eyed. “What’d I do?”

Adam released a long breath. Slightly relaxed, he took a small step closer. Clara tried to decipher the look in his stormy blue eyes, but they were overcast with an emotion she couldn’t place. When she didn’t pull away, Adam took another step. And another. His rough fingers gently ran down her cheek.

“This,” he began as he pressed his body to hers, “is why I need a moment before I walk into that damn room.”

A small gasp escaped her lips. Despite the layers between, Clara could feel the full length of his desire. Her hand shot up to her mouth to suppress her laughter.

“Oh, you think this is funny?” His tone was mixed with irritation and amusement.

She couldn’t help it. The idea that she had somehow aroused him excited her. She felt a sense of …
power
. It made her want more. More of him.

“Control yourself,” she whispered, but she wasn’t sure which one of them she was talking to.

“I don’t think I can around you. I tried to be good, but never have I been more turned on than I was watching you move in this dress.”

The deep rasp of his voice sent chills through Clara’s, his words setting her skin on fire. Rose had insisted the dress was perfect for the party. Clara felt elegant in its red lace, like a perfectly cut ruby, but she never thought it would have such an effect on him. She would have to thank Rose later.

At the moment, she could only focus on Adam’s hand as it trailed up her waist. His movements were agonizingly slow. She knew she shouldn’t want him, but she did.

As if answering her silent plea, Adam covered her mouth with his. She responded instantly, throwing her arms around his neck. His hands moved everywhere, tangled in her loose curls, drawing lines around her exposed collarbone.

It was too much, and yet, not enough.

When his touch brushed across her breast, her body inched forward, pressing them closer together. She wanted to feel everything his touch promised.

“Clara,” he moaned as he kissed down the line of her jaw. When his scorching lips found a very sensitive spot on her neck, it took everything to stay quiet. “I think you should wear something like this more often.”

She was robbed of all words, drunk on the sweet smell of his cologne. The thought of someone finding them like this both terrified and thrilled her, but the moment he burned a trail of kisses down her exposed collarbone, all thoughts vanished.

There were too many layers. She wanted to feel his skin on hers. Needed to. When his fingers lingered on the zipper of the dress, she silently screamed,
Yes!

Just as she was ready to lose herself in the fantasy, the sudden jolt of a door pulled them both back down to earth. Someone stumbled out from the upstairs party.

“Damn it, Luke,” Adam cursed.

Luke’s voice boomed as he staggered over to them. “Adam! My man. We thought someone down there swallowed you up. Oh …” A broad smile filled his face as he noticed Clara. She was still trying to readjust her mess of curls. “Maybe someone did.”

“Go back to the room, Luke,” Adam warned. “You’re drunk.”

“But your mom always lets me hang around after the dinner.” His pout deepened. “It’s my reward for helping ma in the kitchen.”

“Yeah, when you’re not smashed out of your mind.”

“Ma?” Clara asked as she tried to cool her scorched cheeks.

“Mrs. Thompson,” Adam replied. “You met when we had lunch.”

“She loved you,” Luke slurred. He slung his arm over Adam’s shoulder and flashed another grin at Clara. “She also thinks you should give this guy a chance.”

“Thanks,” Adam replied as he gave his drunken friend a pat on the back. “Now, let’s go sober up. My mother will kill you if you throw up in her crystal vase again.”