Page 30 of Clinch'd

Yep, as soon as I pass the adoring masses, I spy Cooper chatting with a fan before he slides his arm around her shoulder and smiles for the camera. Annoyed by the slice of jealousy that clenches my stomach, I turn away and wander further, stopping at the booth where Cross stands, also with a suspiciously long line of women waiting for a chance to meet him.

He’s decidedly more friendly than Cooper who even when speaking with his fans had a guarded look behind his eyes. What exactly makes Cooper Jackson tick? Because I get the feeling it isn’t pounding people in the ring.

The day passes slowly and eventually I wander back to the booth, after finding a bar to drink away my woes. I’m pleasantly buzzed and with a slight smile, I pass Cooper’s booth. The lines are much shorter now, but I don’t look, because I don't want to ruin my alcohol induced high.

However, I’m concentrating so hard on not looking at him that I walk right into a brick freaking wall.

“Oof,” I say, stumbling back and rubbing my nose.

“Sorry there, darlin’. I tried to get out of your way.”

Glancing up, I find Cross staring at me with gorgeous, clear cerulean eyes that blaze against his tan skin. He smiles, and I blink, because he’s dazzling.

He has a sexy dimple in his chin and his biceps are as big as my head. What more could a girl ask for?

“You, okay?” he asks, and I nod dumbly, before summoning a smile.

All of which fades when Cooper comes up from my right and says silkily, “There you are, baby. I was beginning to think you ditched me.”

Seriously?

Turning to him with narrowed eyes, I assess his cool gaze before saying, “Is that right? I thought when you didn’t call it was done. You know, hit it, and quit it.”

His brows slam over his eyes as Cross chuckles and leans in to whisper in my ear, his eyes twinkling devilishly, “Call me when he’s done. I’ll show you what a real dick looks like.”

Raising my brows over my head, I turn and watch him walk away, bemused until Cooper grabs my chin and brings my head around. “You lost interest in torturing your cousin, baby?”

“Hm? No,” I say, pulling back to the conversation. “It would seem you're the one backing out of the deal.”

“I haven't backed out of anything,” he says, and I eye the tic in his jaw.

“Really? Well news flash, it goes a long way if we’re actually seen together,” I say dryly, but my heart is pounding heavily because he’s so fucking close, I can feel his chest heave with his indrawn breath.

Chuffing, he pulls me into his body and wraps me up, before tipping my head back and saying against my mouth, “Is that right?”

“Yep,” I whisper before he slips his tongue between my lips and takes my mouth in heated possession.

His mouth is so warm and wicked against mine and tingles immediately skate across my skin.

I’m practically crawling up his body when we break away for air and he asks icily, “Is that what you had in mind?”

Breaking away, I eye him warily before nodding because he’s pissed but I don't know why. He's the one that ran. I haven't gone anywhere.

He glances over my shoulder, his mouth pulling in a wicked smile, and I know without looking that it's Beast. I’m assuming he's playing along which is good but doesn't temper the burning feeling in my chest.

It's not exactly an easy notion to swallow—that you’re only desirable in direct relation to someone else’s hate. Ugh.

His smug smile fades when he turns back to me, and says, “What did Cross say to you?”

“In a nutshell? He has a bigger dick than you and he knows how to use it.”

He chuffs and shoots a murderous glare in Cross’ direction before grabbing my hand. “Let's go.”

“Where?”

“I have a fucking luncheon. You can sit there and be bored with me. After, I plan to fuck your brains out. Bigger dick, my ass.”

I raise my brows in amusement, since he can’t see me before flashing Beast a relieved look, but his fierce frown makes me pause.

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