Page 51 of Beautiful Distraction

Big mistake to challenge him like that.

Why can’t I ever keep my mouth shut when it matters?

I want to take my words back.

Only, how?

“You still haven’t answered that one thing I want to know,”Kellan says. His gaze is dark, hooded. I’ve no idea what the fuck he’sthinking, and not knowing drives me crazy.

“I didn’t realize you had asked a question,” I remark.

“I never said I had. I keep wondering about something.”

“Yeah? What’s that?”

His huge palms go around the sides of my face, holding myhead in place. His lips come close until his breath feels like soft butterfliesagainst my mouth. He’s towering over me, his proximity unnerving, but whatmakes me hold my breath in anticipation of his next move is the way he looks atme through those burning green eyes.

As if he wants to kiss me.

I want him to.

I want him to so bad, I feel myself leaning intohim—just for a second—but it’s enough to bring a wicked smile tohis lips.

“That’s what I thought,” Kellan says.

“You thought what?”

He’s going to say something stupid that’ll piss me off bigtime. I just know it. And yet, I still want him to answer the question Ishouldn’t have asked.

“That you want me.” His tone is confident and nonchalant,like there’s no way in hell he could have drawn the wrong conclusion.

Up until this moment, I could have denied it.

But the faux pas I’ve just made isn’t one I can take back.

Yes, I want him.

But we don’t always want what we need. What I need issomeone who’s reliable, someone with whom I can build a future if I fall inlove, someone who takes relationships seriously. Kellan’s the opposite ofcommitment and stability. He’s the opposite of everything I’ve ever known.

I could easily fall in love with him, but rather than myhappy ending, he’d be my downfall.

He’s a beautiful distraction from reality with the prospectof having one’s heart broken.

I raise my chin and stare him down with what I hope aredaggers of ice in my gaze.

He stays silent.

“All right,” I say. “Maybe I want you a little bit. You’renot exactly hard on the eye, and I’ve had a bit of a dry spot.” I pause,regarding him to catch his expression—a blink, a smirk, shock, anythingto give away that he might be affected by what I’m saying. “But just because Ifind you attractive doesn’t mean I’m going to jump into bed with you. That’sall.”

I pause again, waiting for his reply. The glint of amusementnever leaves his eyes as he just shrugs, seemingly uninterested to find out theanswer.

“Your point being?” Kellan prompts.

“I’m not interested,” I say coolly.

“See, that’s why we have a problem. I don’t believe you.” Ifrown and he adds, “You’re in denial. I know you feel about me the way I feelabout you.” His fingers settle beneath my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze.“I’m attracted to you, and yes, it’s all fun for me, but at least I’m beinghonest. What irks me is that you’re not. The way I see it, you’re single, I’msingle. We’re both not looking for commitment.” He shrugs again. “No harmdone.”

Whoa.

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