Free Beautyandthewolf by CarrieKelly

Twisted Desires
    Beauty and the Wolf
    Carrie Kelly
    Copyright 2012 by Carrie Kelly
    Published by Smashwords
    Cover Art:
    © Can Stock Photo Inc. /outsiderzone
     
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    All rights reserved.
     
    All characters in this story are made up by the author. They aren’t based on any real people.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    I press the button on the elevator with my red nails and think for the hundredth time that day that I really should try to wear matching lipstick now and then. Maybe that would catch his attention. The ledger held against my chest like a shield, I practically hold my breath on the ride down to archives. I probably should have used the stairs- my librarian’s butt could use the extra workout- and it would take more time. More time to think about the man I was going to see. More time to prepare myself for disappointment.
    When I get to his office I stare at the name on the door for a moment. Caleb Ulven. Strange, but he says it’s Norwegian. I looked it up once. It means ‘the wolf’ which fits him, I guess. My own name, Callie, means ‘most beautiful,’ but I’m not sure it fits me at all.
    It’s not that I’m unattractive with dark brown hair and big brown eyes. I’m a bit pale, my cheeks always looked flushed in the cold, and my nose is straight and narrow. Full lips and a slight stubborn chin top it off. Sure, I could stand to use a few pounds. I’m no where near as thin as I was in college, my hips and breasts both expanded as I hit my thirties two years ago. Even moving around the library all day isn’t enough to keep me slim- but it’s not like I’m trying to impress anyone. Or at least anyone who would notice me.
    Overhead, the florist lights flicker, and I knock twice on his office door. He always keeps it closed- just like he always arrives first and leaves last. We all know why, but it shouldn’t be a big deal in this day and age. It’s just a scar.
    “Mr. Ulven, I have the ledgers for you to fill out,” I call.
    For a moment, he doesn’t answer. Then, his clear deep voice rings out. “Callie, come in.”
    Creaking the door open, I stare at his piles of papers and boxes, the dim light of the lamp is the only thing brightening the room. Caleb’s hidden behind his piles of work. The only thing I can see is the top of his dark head, the black hair messy.
    “Where should I put it?” I ask, although I know exactly where he wants it. It’s just an excuse to stay in the room longer, to be by his side for a moment a day. God, I’m like a schoolgirl with a crush. Pathetic!
    He grumbles and stands up, towering over me with his wide shoulders and muscular chest, noticeable even under his long sleeved shirt and sweater. His hair hangs past his ears, a mass of black that always ends up looking windblown, and his cheeks are rough with dark stubble.
    “You shaved,” I say and smile at the new beardless version of Caleb.
    He rubs his face, his fingers trailing over the scar on the left side, the side he keeps in the shadows. I pretend not to notice. “It gets too hot in the summer. I’ll take that. Thanks, Callie.”
    As he grabs the ledger from me, I let my fingers trail off his- the touch of our skin almost electric. He looks at me with his bright golden eyes like he’s shocked that I touched him at all.
    “If you’re leaving we can walk out together,” I offer although I know he’s going to turn me down. He always turns me down.
    “No, I have more work to do. Good night,” he says with a kind of finality that makes my heart bruise.
    “Night,” I whisper and walk out