Page 11 of Clinch'd

“C’mon,” I say with a flash of irritation. “You wouldn’t be giving me the time of day, otherwise.”

Perhaps I’m taking the wrong path but I’m sure I don’t want him to think of me as one of those women he can fuck and discard. Besides, there's a burning feeling in my chest at the thought. Still, I need to ratchet that shit down because this isn’t about happily ever after. This is pure survival.

This is Suit killing my sister or something equally horrible. Shit.

His brows arch over his narrowed eyes and I resist the urge to shiver because I’m afraid he will see the fear behind the mask. I can’t fuck this up.

“Minnie,” he says in a sexy growl. “What has that asshole been telling you?”

Shifting uncomfortably, I whisper, “To stay away from you because you only want one thing.”

Watching him closely now, I hope he takes the bait because otherwise I’ve played my hand and lost.

Once again, he looks me over consideringly before he rubs his lip, which draws my attention to his mouth. Molten heat surges through my limbs and absently, I fight the urge to shudder, noting a small white scar over his Cupid’s bow. It somehow fits with his devilish demeanor. It’s also, to my bewilderment, sexy as hell.

Dropping his hand, he says quietly, “It’s true you should stay away.”

“Why?” I ask just as softly, so drawn in by his words that I’m practically leaning into him. Fool.

Pulling back, I tilt my head to the side as he says, “Because I like to fuck to forget but I don’t wait around for the aftermath.”

“The aftermath?” I’m unable to stop the shiver this time because his crude words bring all sorts of images to my mind and every single one is naughty.

Once again, he smirks as he says, “Feelings, cuddling, whatever.”

With a frown, I look at my drink, strangely disappointed. What is he trying to forget?

“Oh. Well, I’m not...I don’t...that’s not my thing.”

His warm fingers send tingles across my skin when he draws my chin back and searches my gaze. It’s this I blame for acting like a stuttering fool.

His eyes glitter with what I suspect is amusement, before he frowns and says, “That’s too bad. And by the way, I would’ve fucked you regardless of your affiliation to that fucker.”

“Really?” I say, raising my brows, although a thrill rushes through me just the same.

“Yes,” he says leaning into me until his mouth is almost touching mine.

I chuff out a breath at his proximity and he says, “Baby, I’ve been thinking about that tight ass and those luscious tits since last weekend.”

“Oh,” I breathe, everything south of the border pulsing with delight.

“Yep, and for the record, you looked better in jeans. Not that I don’t enjoy the view, but the slutty look doesn’t look good on you.”

With that, he walks away, and I stare after him aghast. I’m simultaneously thrilled by his words and disgusted. What a dick but fuck, he’s thought about me? Wait, so what, he’s still a jerk. But oh boy, I can’t help the thrill.

I’m pulled from my musing when Beast sits down next to me with a frown for Petey who I forgot was sitting there. Petey smiles but it’s kinda creepy with his slick eyes before slinking away.

And then I’m graced with Beast’s fierce frown when he grumbles, “That didn’t go well. I knew this wouldn’t work.”

“It worked fine,” I say sullenly, taking a large gulp of my drink. “I turned him down.”

“Figures,” he snorts, “the dick will fuck anything to get under my skin.”

Okay, way harsh. Fucker.

“Why?”

“It’s a long story. Why would you turn him down? You’re supposed to be getting in there,” he growls.

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