Beautiful Beings by Kailin Gow Read Free Book Online Page B

discussions about the school system in general with the director.”
    “You also have an aversion to blue uniforms,” I reminded him.
    He harrumphed.  “Might as well scratch out our names and simply call us by a number.  They want us to be automatons, clones of one another.  Conform, follow, listen… don’t dare have a thought of your own, or heaven forbid, an opinion.”
    I playfully leaned into him, pushing his huge bulk off the graveled path.  “Aren’t you exaggerating a bit?  I mean, St. James isn’t that bad.”
    “Guess not, but there certainly is room for improvement. Too bad Braxton doesn’t have any influence on his uncle. If anything, he has to adhere to the rules and regulation more than anyone… set an example, you know.”
    “I did notice how Brax walks the line.”
    Asher sniffed the fragrant autumn air, his eyes taking in our surroundings. “So it’s Brax, huh?  That guy certainly doesn’t waste time.”
    “He’s a good friend.”
    “Yeah, he does have that great capacity to be friendly. I guess he’s just not the type of friend I’d hang out with.”
    “Really?  Why?”
    “Actually, it’s the company he keeps, namely Shayne and Moore.”
    “The twins?”
    “Yeah, don’t you find something odd about them, I mean aside from the obvious.”
    “Oh, that they’re both drop-dead gorgeous, with flawless skin, perfect teeth, unbelievably captivating eyes and hair that would be the envy of just about everyone?”
    “Let’s not forget that they’re also disgustingly charming and ridiculously rich.”
     I was reluctant to point out just how charmed I’d been by Moore, and my friendship with Shayne had already blossomed into something I’d never expected, something I had never experienced before.
    “Tell you the truth, aside from their enviable perfection, I don’t really see what’s wrong with them.  It’s not their fault they were born looking so great. Their parents must have done something right to have raised such charming children, and they probably worked hard to give their kids all the creature comforts.”
    “If that’s what you want to call a twenty two million dollar bay side mansion in Belvedere.”
    “Eeks, really?”
    He nodded slowly and deliberately.
    “Still, we shouldn’t judge them on that.”
    “I’m not so much judging as sensing.”
    He had to be hallucinating. I had sensed absolutely nothing but divine attraction and passionate desire for Moore. Neither he nor his sister exuded anything remotely demonic or evil.
    As the path snaked its way around the pond, it forked and Asher took the path leading back to the nearby street.
    “I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you a little better.” He stopped to face me. 
    The gentle breeze that had caressed us all afternoon gusted, sending a few loose strands of my hair into my face.
    “I’ve never seen you with your hair down,” Asher said as he tucked the strand behind my ear. His eyes, filled with questions, locked onto mine while his lips parted.
    I was suddenly filled with the sense of love and desire I’d felt so many times during those dark, dream-filled nights. Could he be the one I’d cried for so many times?  He came closer and my lips parted, anticipating his touch.
    He reached out to brush his hand over mine. “See you Monday,” he whispered into my ear before backing away. A flash of pain and regret crossed his eyes before he turned to walk away.

 
    Chapter 7
     
     
    “ D o I really have to go to this thing?” I whined as Mom pinned my hair up.
    “This thing is Mr. Kingsley’s way of welcoming your father to the faculty and your father would be crushed if you didn’t attend.”
    “You know how I am about these fancy parties filled with snooty people and the strange and paralyzing etiquette.”
    “Learning a bit of etiquette never harmed anyone.  Get in the game and play nice.  It’s just for one night.iv h  She patted the last strand into place. “There. Aren’t you