Page 49 of Beautiful Distraction

My ankle feels like it’s been run over by a truck.

“I’m fine, “ I say again. Pushing up on my arm, I try to stand—tono avail.

“Let me see.” Before I can protest, Kellan’s pulled off myboot and his fingers are on my bare skin, inspecting, prodding.

His touch is torture.

“It hurts,” I choke out.

“I hope it’s not broken,” he mutters.

I rise up on my elbows to get a better look and instantlywish I hadn’t. A large, purple bruise is forming where the bone is located, andmy foot looks like it’s about to swell.

Kellan presses his fingertips against it, and I whimper. Heholds my ankle in place, then presses some more, moving his fingers around.

“Not broken,” he declares eventually. “I think it’s just aminor sprain, but it could be worse. I’ll take you back to the house and get itbandaged up for you.”

“No, thank you,” I mutter. “I’ll be fine.”

“Ava, you’re not fine. You can’t walk. You need help.”

I do, but I’m still angry with him.

“I don’t want your help,” I hiss.“I don’t need help from someone who doesn’t like me but wants to use me for agood fuck.”

He lets out a breath. “What I said was out of line. I didn’tmean it.”

I scoff. “Yeah, right. What part? The one about wanting meor not liking me?”

Sighing, he sits down next to me. “About not liking you.Obviously, there are parts of you that I like.”

I stare at him in disgust.

Is he talking about my body?

He makes it sound like that’s a good thing.

“Forget it.” I make a move to get up, but he holds me down.

“I don’t know you, obviously. I can only judge from whatI’ve seen so far. You’re likeable in general. I do enjoy your company,otherwise I would have sent you away.”

He likes my company—the thought makes me smile just alittle bit. “You’re just saying that because you want to help me.”

Kellan shakes his head slowly. “No, I’m saying that I sortof care for you. That’s all. I find that difficult to deal with.”

His words strike me speechless.

Our gazes lock, and something passes between us. A momentlater, another jolt of pain shoots up my ankle, and I wince.

“That’s it. I’m not taking no for an answer,” Kellan says,our strange moment broken.

I nod and hold my breath as he lifts me up in his arms likeI weigh nothing and cradles my head against his shoulder as he carries me backto the barn.

The shooting pain becomes a dull, consistent throb, and Ibite my lip to hold back a swear word.

We reach the barn, and he saddles a horse, then helps me up,both of my legs dangling on one side. He places himself behind me, one handholding the rein, the other wrapped around my waist to keep me secured in placeas he guides the horse.

Even though it’s the last thing I want, I press my palmagainst his thigh to hold on for support. His muscles are hard and defined.Broad from riding and God knows what else. His chest feels like steel againstmy face.

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