Page 107 of Beautiful Distraction

The K can’t possibly stand for Kellan, can it?

It’s about time I visited my therapist and asked for amental health check because there’s no way…no way…that’s Kellan up there.

I mean, I’ve bitched about this band. Not only to Mandy, buttohim.

I must have it all wrong.

It’s probably the mask that’s having this effect on me. Someweird fantasy fetish to which no woman’s immune—not even me.

People are turning to stare at me…their eyes are countlessdaggers that pierce my back.

“Up you go, Ava,” Josh says, grinning, and pushes me forwardtoward one of the security guys, who takes it from there. With his hand clampedaround my upper arm, I have no choice but to climb the few stairs up.

The crowd shrieks, intermingled with a few boos here andthere.

“TAYLOR! TAYLOR!”

I barely register them though. All I hear is the pulsepounding in my ears. I’m so certain I’m going to die because no heart can pumpso fast and not explode from the sheer effort.

The vocalist’s hand wraps around mine, his fingers likebutterfly wings against my skin. I look down and then up into his eyes.Suddenly, the lights fall on us, illuminating his face, his beautiful greeneyes.

And in that moment, I know.

It’s him.

Good heaven.

Those are the same green eyes.

The same devilish grin.

The same broad shoulders I grabbed onto while he poundedinto me, taking me to pleasure heaven.

The same narrow hips, hard muscles, and delicious lips.

“Holy crap,” I whisper.

My mouth is dry, my heartbeat strangely elated. I don’t knowwhat to make of this, and yet I know.

It’s Kellan.

K. Taylor is Kellan Boyd—the guy I’ve been gettingdown and dirty with.

The guy I told I hated Mile High.

The mask makes it impossible to recognize him, and yet Iknow.

My legs threaten to buckle beneath me.

“Hello, City Girl.” He smiles at me. And then he turns tothe crowd, holding my hand, and I realize what he’s about to do. But it’s toolate to run. I’ve never felt so exposed in my life. Everyone seems to bescrutinizing me, and there’s a stain on my shirt.

The spotlights above us go off and on, and the backgroundbehind us changes to one showing city lights.

The guitarist strums the guitar, and the percussion joinsin.

I stare into Kellan’s eyes as he lifts the mic to hisgorgeous lips and begins to sing, the voice beautiful, raw and sexy, each versesending shivers down my spine as I just stand there, mesmerized—enthralledby the words and his beautiful voice.

You’re the reason Istay

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