Page 35 of Beautiful Distraction

“Maybe I did.” He winks.

I narrow my eyes as I try to read his expression. His faceis relaxed; his lips are twitching. “I don’t believe you’d do that,” I sayafter a pause.

“You’re right.” His smile slowly disappears. “Except…” Hetrails off and leans back, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Except when?” I prompt.

“Except when I’m welcome, Ava. With you, it’s only a matterof time.”

My breath catches in my throat. Our eyes connect, andsomething happens between us. It’s like a current, and I know in that onemoment that if I let go, there’s no coming back. The waters in there, betweenus, are deep and dark and stormy, much like the sky in Montana. They leave noroom for hesitation. No uncertainty. I know in that instant that he’s waitingfor me to invite him to my room.

I wish I’d just do it.

The thought is both intimate and frightening.

“How far away is the next town?” My voice trembles as Iforce my gaze down.

“Why?” he asks. “Are you getting bored of me already?”

“No, I was just wondering.”

“Don’t get your hopes up. The next big town with shoppingfacilities is almost two hours away. I told her she wouldn’t make it far, butshe wouldn’t listen. Said something about shopping and hiking being her thingand all.” His eyes flicker with amusement, a sign that he saw right throughMandy’s lie.

I’m not surprised. Who in their right mind mentions shoppingand hiking in the same line?

“How did she leave?” I ask because I don’t believe for asecond that Mandy’s gone hiking.

“She borrowed my truck.” Kellan cocks his head,misinterpreting my gloomy expression. “What? You think I have your friend tiedup in my basement?”

“Well, do you?” I raise my brows.

“I’m into tying up, but not your friend…she isn’t exactly mytype.” His words are deep and dark, full of unspoken promises. His gaze brushesmy lips and lingers there. “I prefer the curvy kind I can tie to my bedpost.”

“Did you just suggest I might be curvyandbedpost material? That’s so—”

Sexy?

Wrong on so many levels?

I shake my head and laugh…until I remember he has agirlfriend.

Before I can stop myself, I blurt out, “Yeah, you like theblond kind, too, don’t you?”

It was meant as a joke, but the words that come out carrythe slightest hint of bitterness and jealously.

That’s so not what I was going for.

Kellan regards me, amused. “Not so much the blond but thequirky kind. The kind that hits my car.”

I can’t figure him out for the life of me. I know Ishouldn’t ask, but my curiosity gets the better of me.

Mandy mentioned the Boyd brothers own the famous Club 69venues, and Kellan definitely owns the arrogance of Mr. Universe, which isoften a sign that he’s successful. That and the fact that he drives such anexpensive car. Yesterday at dinner, he kept evading my questions. To be honest,I’ve no idea what the big deal is. It’s not like being a nightclub owner issomething worth hiding, although I guess everyone needs a break from reality.

“What exactly are you doing, Kellan?” I ask. “Jobwise, Imean.”

“I like to entertain my guests.”

“As in clubs?”

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