Beautiful Distraction(52)

I bite into the slice of lime he holds up to my mouth and realize the sour tang kind of washes away the burning sensation. But it does nothing to get rid of the throbbing between my legs. The fact that he brushes his thumb over my lips, as though to wipe away some residue, only makes it worse.

He’s using any bullshit excuse to touch me, but for some reason, I don’t stop him, which makes me even angrier with myself.

“See, he’s compromising you already, and the evening hasn’t even started yet,” Josh says.

From the corner of my eye, I notice Josh’s hand is on Mandy’s naked arm the moment he finishes the sentence.

He’s going for it. And all she’s doing is leaning into him and laughing.

She’s so natural at this. Watching her, I know I’m nothing like that. I want to run. I want to hide. And yet, something keeps me glued to my seat, my breathing not quite functioning every time Kellan seems to lean too close to talk to me or touch me oh so innocently.

“It’s all in the Boyd blood,” Sharon says, throwing me a look of pity. “Compromising women is their family legacy.”

I stare at her, then at Josh. Both used the same word.

Compromise? As in one’s reputation?

I’ve no idea but don’t get a chance to ask.

“Hey, Sharon. Get your sweet ass over here or hang up the self help sign,” a guy from the bar yells to her. “Some of us are thirsty.”

“Hold your horses, Trent. I’m coming.” She rolls her eyes at me and stands, leaning toward me until I catch a whiff of her perfume. “A word of advice, sweetheart. Don’t let this one get into your panties until he’s earned them. God knows he has enough of a collection already, and you look like a nice girl. You don’t want your heart broken if you can’t break his in return.”

“Go away, Sharon. No one needs your advice tonight,” Kellan mutters.

Sharon laughs and disappears in the crowd.

What was that all about?

I want to ask him who Sharon is when Kellan grabs another beer bottle and pushes it toward me. “Ignore her.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” I shake my head, not sure whether I mean that it’s a bad idea to ignore Sharon’s advice or have another drink with him.

In fact, I think both of them rank pretty high on my things-not-to-do-in-Montana list.

“As you wish.” He downs his drink.

I scan his face as he tunes back into Josh and Mandy’s conversation. Is he mad that I declined him? He doesn’t look like it. But then, I know nothing about this man, except for the few tidbits of information, that he’s close to his family and collects panties—the dirty kind.

I like the family part. It makes him a nice guy. The panties part? Uh, not so much.

“You okay? You look a little flushed,” Kellan says, genuine concern etched in his features.

“I’m fine. I’m just—“

Jealous?

Maybe a little bit, which I’d never admit to him.

I wave my hand, like it’s nothing really.

Kellan regards me for a few moments. And then, to my surprise, he leans closer, though there’s nothing sexual about the way his fingers brush my hand.

“How’s your ankle? Still hurting?”

Staring at his hand on mine, I shake my head in response. “It’s all good. Thanks to you.”

“Good.” Kellan intertwines his fingers with mine and pulls me to my feet. “Come on.”

“Where are we going?” I ask, but don’t put up a fight.

He only answers after we’ve reached the door. “I haven’t shown you around yet.”





CHAPTER EIGHTEEN





Sightseeing after dusk is another bad idea that’s just made my bad-ideas-in-Montana list.

A balmy breeze whispers around us as Kellan leads me out of the bar and into the dark street. A group of teens squeeze past us, pushing me into him so hard I almost take a tumble. His hand reaches around my waist, steadying me until I’ve regained my equilibrium.

“Hey, guys, watch it,” he calls after the teens, his voice conveying more anger than is necessary.

“It’s okay.” I touch his arm.

Kellan shakes his head. I can feel the waves of anger wafting from him. Suddenly, he seems a million miles away.

“Hey.” I touch his arm again, this time to get his attention. “They’re just kids having a good time.”

His attention returns to me, and for a second I think I see something in his eyes.

A fierceness that isn’t lust.

A spark that isn’t want.

He’s protective.

My body’s still pressed up against him. His arm is still wrapped around my waist.

I use the proximity and rise on my toes to kiss the corner of his mouth, though only manage to reach up as far as his chin.