Page 58 of Beautiful Distraction

“It’s over. Definitely. I’ve moved past him. To be honest,I’m not even sure what I saw in that guy. It’s definitely a good thing we’reover.”

Kellan’s hand moves up to my face and I hold my breath,excited at the prospect that he’ll kiss me again. But he doesn’t. “I don’t knowwho he is, but he’s damn stupid for letting a beautiful woman like you go. It’shis loss.”

And then he withdraws his hand and gets up, his focusturning to the window. “It’s about to start raining again. I have to get thehorses in.”

“I’m sorry I can’t help you with the farm work. Is theresomething else I can help you with?” I ask.

He runs his fingers through his hair and then shakes hishead. His expression is casual, his eyes two dark pools of emotions I cannotread.

He’s unperturbed.

Whatever our kiss did to me, I’m not sure it had the sameeffect on him. Or maybe he’s so good at hiding it because he does it so often.

The thought stings, but I didn’t expect anything else fromhim. He’s made it pretty clear that he doesn’t date. He only ever fucks.

At least he’s honest—unlike my ex.

“You need to rest now. You’ll be okay to walk in a fewhours,” Kellan remarks. “I’ll be back this evening.”

He glances at me one more time before heading out. For amoment, I stare at the empty space he just occupied, wondering how I couldpossibly learn to read a guy who’s a closed book.

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CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Kellan’s right. The pain in my ankle lessens over the courseof a few hours.

After our kiss, it seems that he can’t get away from me fastenough. Or maybe he really is busy.

From the open window in the kitchen, I watch him takeBrenna, saddle and mount her, then kick her into a trot. His eyes meet mine. Igive him a short wave before he disappears with Sniper by his side. I stareinto the open space for a long time, alone with my thoughts, confused.

One moment, he tells me he doesn’t like me, the next he’sexpressing his readiness to beat up my ex.

He’s a man shrouded in mystery and contradiction.

Eventually, I sigh and hobble to my feet, giving up tryingto make sense of him.

I’ve no idea what to do with myself in this strange house asI head through the hall to familiarize myself with all the rooms.

The space is huge. All the rooms are tastefully furnished ina rustic style, but carry a male touch. The ensuite bathrooms are clean butempty. Devoid of life. Like Kellan hasn’t had any visitors in a long time.

I inspect the contents of the fridge and decide to make usham sandwiches and salad for dinner, then head to my room to take a short nap.

It’s early afternoon when the sound of chopping wood andhammering carries over through the open window. The dog barks a few times, andKellan laughs—the sound causing a strange jolt in my chest.

Even though I shouldn’t even be thinking about making aneffort, I apply a bit of lipstick and straighten my clothes before I head backinto the kitchen.

Kellan seems surprised when he sees me standing in thedoorway, juggling two plates and two glasses of lemonade.

“You didn’t have to.”

I shrug. “I wanted to. You’re kind enough for letting usstay.”

He mumbles a “thanks” and we eat on the front porch insilence.

“The mechanic is going to pick up your car later today,” hesays.

I swallow the last bite of my sandwich before I reply. “Ithought the landline wasn’t working.”

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