Page 4 of Filthy Rich Santas

That just makes it worse.

I swallow and look away, my stomach dropping, but of course Beckett can’t just leave it at that.

He tips my face back up, staring intently into my eyes. “Are you okay?”

“Yes,” I whisper, getting a little lost in the intensity of his gaze before I catch myself and remember why I came. I shake it off and make myself grin up at him, tilting my head to the side. “Why do you think I came to a place like this? I’m free and single now! And I want to get back out there and have some fun.”

Beckett’s expression hardens so fast it’s like someone dropped a steel shutter in front of his face, and suddenly the little bit of space that had opened up between us isgone.

“I’m sorry that piece of shit dumped you, but trust me, none of the men here are good enough for you,” he growls.

There’s something hard and almost possessive in his words, and, for just a second, the wordsyou areflicker through my mind, making my heart skip a beat.

We stare at each other without blinking, so close I can feel his breath on my lips.

I can barely catch my breath, my body reacting to him in ways that are completely out of my control. He’s so close, I feel like I’m wrapped in sex pheromones, his cedar and leather scent almost overwhelming me. He’s an inked up muscle-bound god that any woman would get wet for, but it’s more than that. It’s his sheer presence, dominating not because it’s a kink, but because that’s who heis.

“You’re right,” I breathe out without meaning to. The guy hitting on me at the bar wasn’t good enough, none of them are, becausethisis what I came looking for.

I want Beckett to crush me against the wall and kiss me.

I want him to see me for who I truly am. As more than Caleb’s little sister. As more than I’ve ever let myself be.

I want him to see, and thentake.

But of course he doesn’t. He just blinks, shuttering the burning intensity I thought I saw in his eyes for a moment, then backs away from me, finally putting a little space between us.

Then, with another panty-melting glower, like he’s trying to torture me with what I can’t have, he crosses his massive arms over his chest and stares down at me. “Of course I’m right.”

I sigh, feeling an unsettling mix of foolish and grateful. I love the way he’s so protective of me. I don’t even really mind how overbearing he, Ryder, and Tristan can occasionally be, since it’s not like they normally interfere in my life, tonight notwithstanding.

But wishing for Beckett to notice me as a woman? Tokissme?

I need to face facts. It’s never going to happen.

None of my brother’s best friends have ever seen me as anything but Caleb’s nerdy, chubby little sister. The four-inch heels I’m wearing tonight and the leather halter top that made me feel so sexy and daring when I chose it aren’t going to change that. Nothing will.

Beckett suddenly cups my cheek, the rough, callused feel of his fingers on my skin making goosebumps break out. “Are you sure you’re okay, little menace? If you really want a tour of the club…”

His frown deepens, and I swear I can see the battle happening in his head as his voice fades away. It’s a war between the thought of getting stuck hovering and growling around me all night like some kind of guard dog, just to let me have my fun, and the idea of having to explain all this to Caleb at some point.

I lean into his palm, letting myself enjoy this one single thing before I call it a night.

Then I straighten up and nod, smoothing my hands over the flowing pants I actually felt kind of sexy in when I left the house earlier, overly abundant curves or not.

“No, it’s fine,” I tell him. “I should go anyway. I have to work tomorrow.”

It’s clear that I’ll just have to work out some other way to explore my interest in kink. One that doesn’t include pining over men I’ll never have.

“Are you parked in our lot?” he asks, his relentless protectiveness making me grin.

His eyes drop down to me—not my lips. Of course not. He’s probably looking at the annoying little dimple in my cheek that just emphasizes how verynotthin and svelte I am.

I pat his chest, only letting my fingers linger on that sinful black silk for a moment.

Then I make myself pull my hand off him again, automatically reaching for my phone before remembering that I had to check it before entering. Club rules.

“I took a cab. I’ll just call another one as soon as I retrieve my phone and my coat.”

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