Page 119 of Beautiful Distraction

It’s the second time he’s saying that.

“How do you know?” I ask softly.

“I just know,” he whispers and lifts my hand to his mouth.Slowly, he kisses my fingers, each touch sending shivers through me.

“You’re one in a million, Ava, and it was important that youknow the real me, not the one you see in the media. I hope you understand that Ineeded you somewhere else. Somewhere outside of your comfort zone.” His eyes meetmine—green as the meadows. Emeralds catching the light cast by the moon overour heads. “I needed you to see my home. To fall in love with it.”

The moment is thick with meaning. I know letting someoneinto his private space is a huge deal for him. A rock star as famous as he ishas no privacy. I understand his problem, his dilemma. He has to fight for whatnormal people take for granted.

“Every day I thought I would forget you, but the nextmorning broke, and then the next, and I couldn’t get you out of my mind,” hewhispers. “So, here you are.”

“Here I am,” I reply.

“Are you mad?” He lifts his hand to stroke my cheek. Themovement is gentle, the calluses on his fingers grating my skin.

“No. Not at all.” My lips tug upward, but the smile issomewhat nostalgic. “I think you went a bit overboard, but all in all, it’snothing to be mad about.”

“I’m still amazed you found this place. It’s what peoplewould call destiny.”

“You believe in destiny?” I ask, amused.

“Yes.” He cocks his head, catching my amused expression.“What? I believe that we earn what we reap. I believe in good sex. I believe ininstant attraction. I also believe in love at first sight. And I believe thatlikes attract likes. I believe that we know when the right person comes along.That love doesn’t need to be sought and found. It’ll find you when it findsyou.”

“You had to squeeze the sex part in,” I say, laughing. “Youdo realize that has nothing to do with destiny, right?”

“Fair enough.” He helps me off the fence and kisses megently. “I want you to move here.”

That would require me to quit my job. Throw away all myfuture opportunities.

I feel faint as it hits me. The blood drains out of my body,and my knees turn weak until they feel like jelly.

“Please come back home with me,” Kellan whispers, his voiceslightly choked.

Back home.

Not house, but home.

Coming from him, the words sound so damn inviting, I flinch.He says it like he means it.

Dangerous.

That’s what he is. To any woman’s heart, not just mine.

I know I’m in love with him. That’s why his words are sodamn enticing.

I look at him and realize that, ever since seeing Kellanagain, I haven’t missed my old life. I haven’t missed my job or my tinyapartment. But after saying our goodbyes, I sure missed him.

Home isn’t a place; it’s a feeling; it’s the people who makeyou feel that you belong.

I know that I belong here, with him, by his side.

But does he want me the way I want him? Is there even roomfor someone like me in his life? Can I throw away my job, my life, everythingI’ve worked so hard for?

My mouth opens and closes. “You want me to quit my job?”

“I want you to move here. Live with me for a while. Enjoythe countryside, and see what happens.”

“But you don’t know me.”

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