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I’asped

Rayford chuckled "Beautiful, isn’t she?"

I stared in awe at the palatial estate at the end of a long gravel driveway Flanked by ancient weeping s and set against the glittering backdrop of Lake Pontchartrain, it looked like soht use on his weekends away froot ten bedrooms, twelve bathrooms, and over fifteen thousand square feet on a five-acre lot Jackson bought up the property on both sides and tore down the houses so he could have more privacy"

I looked at Rayford in surprise "Rivendell? The house is named after the elven realm in The Hobbit?"

Rayford’s brows clied "A book fan in general I’"

"Do you now," Rayford lance

He wore a secret smile I found a little odd

"My father used to always read to uess I fell in love with books way back then, and it’s been an ongoing affair ever since"

"You’ll be wantin’ to see the library, then," Rayford said "I se’ve got ave me pause The Beast loves books, too?

I decided he’d probably instructed his interior designer to buy a bunch of first editions so he could show off to his rich friends Odds were he had an expensive wine collection he knew nothing about, too A man who devoured food as joylessly as Jackson Boudreaux did wouldn’t have the soul to appreciate literature or fine wine, either

As we drove closer to the house, I grew otten o off without a hitch, I suspected I’d be blaive uests if he wasn’t entirely satisfied with the food

"You’re lookin’ a little spooked over there, Miss Bianca" Rayford s’s hair!" I answered brightly I’d rather chew offintimidated

Rayford chuckled "Good He’s lookin’ forward to seein’ you, too"

Wait What?

Before I could gather h to respond, Rayford said, "Ah! Speak of the devil!"

When I followed his gaze,in front of the s braced wide and his arulation black everything, wearing an expression like he was about to launch a nuclear war

The devil indeed, I thought, stifling a sigh I’d assu a tour of the house and kitchen from Rayford, but apparently the Beast had other ideas

He probably thought I’d try to steal so

As soon as we pulled to a stop, Jackson yankedin at me with narrowed eyes, his head cocked He snapped, "Why are you sitting in front?"

Right I shouldn’t be bucking protocol because I’m the help

Heat crawled up rant me the serenity not to take offto you, too, Mr Boudreaux," I said sweetly "I see you’re in your usual sunshine-and-rainbows htened

On h