Page 97 of Beautiful Distraction

“Two adults balancing on a bit of old wood? Hmm.”

I very much doubt the sanity of the idea, but I follow himdown the path to the lake. Kellan holds the boat for me as I climbinside—actually, make thatcrawlinside, because there’s no way I can keep my balance while standing in thisthing—and sit down.

It’s actually much larger than I thought.

He grabs the paddles and expertly maneuvers the boat acrossthe lake in long strokes, stopping in the middle of the water. From here, wecan see both the barn and the woods.

I close my eyes and lose myself into the moment. Thesilence. The warm rays of sun on my face. His presence.

“You like it,” Kellan remarks.

I nod and smile.

When I open my eyes, his gaze is on me. Slowly, he leansforward and presses a kiss on my lips.

My fingers intertwine at the back of his neck as I lie downon the blanket, the hard wood of the boat pushing into my back. But I’ve neverbeen more comfortable.

I’ve never felt safer.

Kellan’s lips are probing mine, his emotions slipping intome.

I feel the change when his tongue parts my lips to explorethe cave of my mouth. His touch is gentle but determined. It’s clear what hewants, and I’m more than willing to give it to him.

Slowly, I pull my shirt up and unhook my bra. His handsslide up over my breasts, his fingers lingering over my beaded nipples. Hiseyes drink me in. I can see the hunger in his eyes. I can see his self-restraint,his need to make this special.

But today, it’s not about stilling that carnal need in us.He’s so much more to me. He’s the one thorn in my rose garden. He’s the onemistake that has ruined me for everyone else.

I want to kiss him like I’ve never kissed anyone elsebefore.

I want to let him claim my body like it’s his to possess.

Come tomorrow, I’ll be his sweet memory, and he’ll be my onescar that will never heal.

“Kellan.” I unbutton his jeans and help him do the same tomine.

“Ava.” His tone matches mine, heavy and meaningful.

Our clothes are on the floor of the boat within seconds. Hisskin is bare against mine. The breeze makes my burning skin shiver.

He levers himself between my legs, his shaft hard, ready forme. His fingertips brush down my abdomen, between my wet folds, and his breathcatches, the air trapped in his heaving chest.

His desire for me is my ruin.

“I need you inside me. Now,” I whisper, my gaze locked withhis, my eyes silently speaking all the words I cannot say.

“Are you sure? I don’t want to—”

“Hurt me? You won’t.” Smiling, I push up to press a gentlekiss on his mouth in the hope that it’ll scatter his worries.

I need this.

I need us.

Raw.

Our bodies and souls bare.

His mouth descends upon mine. His kiss takes my heart, sucksit inside his until his breathing becomes mine. I feel him rubbing his hardnessin the dampness between my legs a moment before his erection fills me, hismovements controlled. Gentle.

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