Page 25 of Beautiful Distraction

“Don’t pretend like you didn’t do it after our brief meetingat Club 69.” He laughs at my horrified expression. “Come on, Ava. Stop thedouble standards.”

My face catches fire. I can’t deny his statement. I’m toobad of a liar, and he’s too full of himself to believe me.

Without waiting for a reply, Kellan turns and leaves,calling over his shoulder from the door, “If you need someone to help with yourbags, you’ll find me upstairs. In my bedroom.”

The invitation’s there. Unspoken but obvious.

“Thanks, but no thanks,” I mutter, and then I head outsideto grab my bags, my body hot against the chilly wind. At least, the rain hasstopped.

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CHAPTER SIX

Don’t ever let yourguard down with a guy like him, unless you don’t mind him dirty-talking his wayinto your panties.

I toss my pen on the bed, pondering if I should mention thejerk in my diary.

Because that’s exactly what he’s been so far, and he’sproved it on numerous occasions.

As I heaved my suitcase up the stairs, Kellan just stoodthere, watching me from the door with a smug grin. Even though he kept quietfor a change, I knew he was checking me out, his eyes as dark and hooded as thenight we first met. I walked past holding my head high, making sure not totouch him, even though I could feel him with every inch of my body.

My skin is still prickling from his gaze.

God, I can’t get his name out of my head: Kellan, Kellan,Kellan—

He’s in every thought. He’s officially occupied my entirebrain space, and I don’t even know him.

A knock sounds at my door. I sit up straight and push thediary under my pillow just before the door opens and Mandy’s head pops in.

“Can I come in?” she asks.

“Yeah.” I tuck my legs under me as I watch her close thedoor and then settle on my bed.

The quizzical look from before is still etched on her face.“You okay?”

“I’m tired,” I say, fighting the urge to ask where Kellan’sgone. This is the right time to talk about him, but for some reason, I can’tbring myself to. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe in the light of day he won’t look sodamn hot and this stupid attraction will be gone.

“We should get some rest. It’s been a long day. Kellan’sinvited us to stay the night,” Mandy says, wriggling her brows meaningfully.

I doubt ‘invited’ is the right word. He probably felt hecouldn’t possibly throw us out, in case we wouldn’t make it through the nightand he’d have to live with his conscience forever. Or maybe his big ego can’ttake rejection and he’s still harboring the strange notion that Iwillbed him if he’s being obnoxiousabout it hard enough. But instead of sharing my thoughts with her, I just nod.“Where are you sleeping?” I ask, ready to change the subject.

Mandy motions for me to follow her and leads us down thehall to a closed door. “The bathroom’s in here,” she says, as though she’s thehost and I’m her visitor. “I’m next door.” She points to the adjacent door andopens it. Inside, I can see that her suitcase is already waiting to beunpacked.

He must have shown her to her room and helped her with theluggage.

The thought stings even though there’s no surprise there.She’s hot; she’s confident and a hell of a lot of fun. The word ‘rejection’doesn’t feature in Mandy’s dictionary, and I doubt Kellan’s going to be theexception to the rule. He’ll see that he’s been going for the wrong friend inno time.

Which makes my blatant physical attraction to him all themore annoying.

“He’s making us dinner,” Mandy says casually as she unzipsher bag.

“Swell,” I mutter. “Can he also make us wine?” Preferably awhole keg so I can drink myself to sleep and don’t have to think about him anymore.

“I don’t think grapes grow in Montana. The weather’s notideal.”

I shoot Mandy a sideways glance.

“Oh,” she says. “You weren’t serious.” She nudges me withher elbow. “Come on, the hot guy’s obviously into you. What’s up with the angryface?”

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