Page 56 of Beautiful Distraction

“Good. I won’t make a secret out of the fact that I alwaysget the woman I want. You won’t be the exception, Ava.”

His monumental ego is back.

I open my mouth, then close it at the way his mouth seems todraw closer to me.

My breath is caged in my chest, waiting, expecting, fearingthatone moment when his lips will crashdown on mine.

The world around us seems to stand still while my headbecomes a big void of nothingness, my senses straining to tune into him. He’sso close. I can smell him. I can see the way the light reflects in his irises,splitting it into different shades of green—all beautiful, all breathtaking.

“You’re different,” he whispers.

“How so?”

“I don’t know. Just different.”

“Is that a good or a bad thing?”

“I don’t know, either. Is not wanting me a bad thing?”

“You tell me.” I cock my head, a smile tugging at my lips.“After all, you’re the one with the long list of conquests.”

“None of them matter,” Kellan says. “None of them get myattention like you do.” He glances at me. “There’s something about you thatdrives me crazy.”

“I believe it’s called rejection.” His eyebrows rise, so Ifeel the need to clarify. “I rejected you, and now you think you have toconquer me.”

He shakes his head. “No, it’s more than that. I want you. Iwant you like I’ve never wanted anyone before. I just can’t explain it…I can’texplain you.”

My breath hitches, stolen by his words. When did things takethis turn? One moment he’s flirting with me, the next he’s saying somethinglike this. I’m not sure that I like the change.

“What are you saying?” I whisper, my voice shaking.

“I’m saying…” He hesitates. “I want to know more about you.I want to know what makes you tick. And—” he pauses again, his eyes gluedto my lips “—I want to kiss you. To know if your lips are as soft as theyseem.”

All air swishes out of my lungs, as though it’s just beenknocked out of me. He’s waiting for my permission, I realize. “Is that a goodidea?”

“Only one way to find out.”

His hand moves to the back of my nape, pulling me softly tohim, and then his mouth meets mine in a slow, delicious kiss. Even though hislips barely brush mine, the electric jolt running through me is all-consuming.My nerve endings are on fire. My whole body is.

He holds me like no other. His kiss is balm for my soul.

The tip of his tongue slips between my lips, and I moanagainst his mouth, the sound lost between us. He tastes manly and minty, hishot breath burning me from the inside. The picture of those lips on my nipplesappears before my eyes—those lips traveling down my abdomen, kissing me.My fingers are trembling as they brush the front of his shirt, the open palm ofmy hand settling on his lower ribcage. His warmth is seeping through the thinmaterial, searing me.

I want to push my hand underneath his clothes to feel skinagainst skin. To taste him the way I want him to taste me. But I don’t do anyof those things.

Because this one kiss is already my undoing.

His lips are doing unthinkable things to me, creatingfeelings I have never had before. They remind me of a summer breeze, soft andwarm; of a winter tale that mesmerizes and entrances; of the wings of athousand butterflies, light and soundless, as they flutter around.

I wish I could stop this one moment, capture it, because Iknow it won’t last.

Because a guy like him doesn’t stay in a woman’s life. Hebreezes through and leaves only havoc behind.

I press my lips against him, over and over again, lettinghis tongue meet mine in a slow dance. And then I can feel his hand traveling upmy inner thigh.

A delicious jolt travels through my clitoris and moisturepools between my legs, readying me for what he has to offer. Only, I’m not sureif I’m ready.

I squeeze my legs shut, but the friction only manages tointensify the want inside me.

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