Page 74 of Bitter Beats

What about all the stupid shit Derek’s pulled over the years? How about Levi’s stint in rehab and the crap that went down in Barcelona? But now, I’m the one about to cause ascene?

I’m the one who has to hold it together. Not make a spectacle. Rein my shit in.

The balcony door swings open, and the cold air cools my skin and temper. I breathe in deeply and try to get a hold of my anger. Check my damn emotions.

“Mav,” Mckenna says.

I glance at her and note she’s shivering, her arms crossed in front of her chest, her hands gripping her opposite elbows.

“Are you attracted to him?” I blurt out. It’s the last thing I want to say. Firstly, I shouldn’t acknowledge that the stupid thought crossed my mind. Secondly, I should offer her my jacket. Or we should head inside where it’s warm. I should make sure Mckenna’s okay.

Instead, I glare at her and wait for her answer, which better be “hell no.”

But I’m too angry. Upset and erratic and spinning out of control. Fucking spiraling. Where is the fury supposed to go if Ican’t shove my fist into Carrington’s face? How do I temper the adrenaline hopping through my limbs?

“Seriously, Maverick?” Allegra accuses.

“Please, Mav.” Mckenna shakes her head, her blue eyes arctic. Nearly pleading. “Don’t do this here. Don’t embarrass me.”

“Oh!” I laugh bitterly. My fingers clench the railing. “Embarrass you? No, sweetheart, you were doing that all on your own.”

Mckenna narrows her eyes. “He talked to us. What were we supposed to do—ignore him?”

“Really?” I pose the question thoughtfully. “You weren’t sniffing out a connection for your future career? Did Carrington forget to mention that he’s General Counsel, Mckenna? I can’t imagine him forgetting that detail since he loves a two-for-one deal. A hard fuck and an obedient assistant rolled into one.”

Her mouth drops open at my words.

Shit! I didn’t mean that toward her. I meant it as an insult to Carrington. And because it’s the fucking truth.

Allegra gasps. I feel her gaze on the back of my head. I don’t turn around because I’m too enamored with the emotions playing over Mckenna’s expression.

Two angry red blotches on her cheeks. Wide, shiny eyes. A slender neck. She’s gorgeous when she’s mad too.

“Jesus Christ, Mav,” Derek chides.

Mckenna shakes her head and starts to turn away. My ego deflates, and a morsel of regret drops into the pit of my stomach.

Mckenna turns, her expression stricken. I frown, noting her wild eyes. She glares at me like she doesn’t recognize me and then, her arm raises, her hand arcing toward me like a blow.

She catches me off guard yet I love the spunk she throws my way.

Grinning, I catch her wrist before she can slap me. Just like that, she flipped another switch. I’m hot, bothered, and wanting all over again.

I’m giving myself fucking whiplash.

“Screw you,” she hisses at me, seething.

I chuckle. “You’re under contract, babe,” I remind her, shaking her wrist. “Don’t hit me in public and blow our cover. You can hate me all you want, but you still have to kiss me.”

On those threatening words, I crowd her.

Her eyes flash, and her hand comes up. She grips my hip hard as if to stop me.

I thrust my hips forward and pin the gorgeous beauty against the balcony’s stone wall. Then, I kiss her hard. She bites down on my lip, nicking it enough to draw blood. I deepen our kiss, my hand coming up to frame her shoulder, my thumb pressing into her clavicle. I want to touch every inch of her body. Mark her with my mouth and claim her with my hands.

All that anger and hurt that had nowhere to go? I spill it into her mouth, let it roll over her tongue, and drip down her throat.

A flash goes off in my peripheral vision, but I don’t break my connection with Mckenna. I don’t care who is recording this moment right now. Let the world know that Mckenna Byrne is with me.

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