Page 67 of Beautiful Distraction

Now.

I feel someone’s presence behind me and turn sharply.

It’s Mandy, and she’s smirking at me.

“Gee, get a room. Or use the restroom. Or whatever. I don’tcare.” Her voice penetrates the layer of lust rendering my brain useless.

My palms spreading across his chest, I push Kellan back. Hishands leave my body without protest.

“We were just dancing,” I mutter to her.

“Of course you were.” Mandy blinks her eyelashes at me. “AndI was talking to the president of China. Look, he’s sitting at the bar overthere.”

Stupidly, I follow her line of vision to the old man nursinga half-empty glass of what looks like scotch, his hooded eyes buried in hisdrink, his expression vacant.

She was being sarcastic, obviously. The fact that I didn’tcatch on immediately is a sign that Kellan’s touch just caused my IQ to drop atleast ten points.

“We were just dancing,” I repeat stupidly. Then I mutter,“Need to use the restroom,” and dash off before anyone can question mysanity…or morality.

Inside the bathroom, I stare at the reflection in themirror, ignoring the redhead coating her glossy lips in another layer ofsparkly pink. She eyes me curiously but doesn’t say a word as I keep staring atmy rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes.

Holy shit!

I almost made out with Kellan out there, in front ofeveryone.

I can’t believe I just let him touch me like that. I let himkiss me in public.

Who is this person? Because I sure as hell don’t recognizemyself.

I’m not an exhibitionist. I don’t even kiss in public so asnot to offend anyone who might feel offended by a public display of affection.

Only, that wasn’t exactly affection.

It was raw want.

And I enjoyed it way too much.

“Gum?” the redhead asks and pushes a packet of somethingfruity toward me.

I shake my head and toss a hesitant smile her way. “No,thanks.”

“I’m Trish,” she says in the same slow drawl like Kellan’s.

“Ava.”

“New in town?”Her perfect eyebrows rise in question, and her fingers lift to brush a strandof glossy hair out of her face.

“Just passing through.”

“You staying with Kellan?” His name coming out of her mouthis like whiplash against my skin.

Her brows shoot up again, which I sense is an expression shedoes often when she wants an answer. But there’s something in her gaze. Likeit’s more than just curiosity.

It’s surprise.

The door opens, and a bunch of giggling girls I’m not sureare even old enough to drink enter.

“Excuse me,” I say and head for a stall, barricading myselfinside before Trish can continue her conversation. I’m not usually rude, butI’ve had enough of Kellan for one evening.

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