Page 52 of Beautiful Distraction

He just won’t stop assuming.

I blink several times as his words keep circling in my mind.“Who said I was single?”

“Your friend. Mandy.”

“I know her name,” I mumble, still staring at him. “Youasked her?”

“Didn’t need to,” Kellan says. “The moment she found out wesort of met in front of Club 69, she basically blurted out your entire résumé,in particular emphasizing the last three months of your life.”

He jiggles his brows at me meaningfully. I’m supposed tocatch his drift, which I do…unfortunately.

After I went to bed, they talked…a lot.

Mandy’s such a traitor! From now on, I’m going toconsciously unfriend her.

“What exactly did she say?” I ask warily.

Kellan laughs, the sound grating on my nerves, and I have noidea why.

It’s not like there’s anything annoying about it. In fact,it’s the most beautiful laugh I’ve ever heard. Too bad such a sexy voice andamazing outer packaging comes with the shittiest character I’ve ever met.

“I could tell you, but what’s in it for me?”

“Nothing.” I stare at him. “I could ask her, you know. She’smy best friend.”

“I don’t see her around. Do you?” He glances at me. “Haven’tyou been wondering why she’s gone AWOL?”

I narrow my eyes in suspicion. “I knew it,” I say slowly. “Shetold you something before she left.”

“My lips are sealed.” He zips up his lips, the gesture sofunny I let out a laugh.

“Her attempt’s in vain. I’m not going to sleep with you.”

“You sure?” he asks. “I like it when you squirm.”

He’s so full of himself.

Struggling to keep calm, I draw a deep breath and let it outslowly. “I don’t squirm.”

“Back there, on that horse, you did.”

“I’m not going to argue with you,” I say, shaking my head.

“Because you don’t have a case.”

I choke back a laugh. He’s challenging me. I can see it inthe way his mouth pulls up into a grin that’s so sexy I fear it’ll set me onfire. I can sure feel it between my legs.

What could I possibly respond with when he’s right and heknows it?

Ididsquirmagainst him, and to be honest, I’m pretty sure, given the chance, my traitorousbody would do it again.

In the silence of the room, I watch him apply a lotion thatreeks of the usual hospital scent. “So, you’re a physician or trained in themedical field?” I point at my ankle, eager to find out more about him.

“Nothing of the sort.” He wraps a bandage around my ankle.“I’m just good with horses. They’re not so different from women.”

“Ah.” I nod in mock agreement. “You’re really charming.Anyone ever tell you that?”

He laughs that raucous laughter of his. In spite of theinsult he’s just thrown at me, I find that I’m not insulted at all. I don’tknow why, but I wouldn’t have expected anything else from him.

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