Page 29 of Wicked Rockstar

That meant touching her. Not a good idea.

“Please, Killian.” She looked up at me with those damn huge eyes of hers. As if that wasn’t enough, her lower lip started to quiver. “I need you.”

Well, fucking hell.

And that was all it took—one tiny sign of distress—and my defenses already began to weaken.

Thiswas exactly why I shouldn’t get involved with her. All rational thought and self-preservation went right out the damn window whenever she was anywhere near me.

My mind raced, working to figure out a way to keep her from this party. I couldn’t tell her the truth—she wouldn’t understand.

Max cleared his throat and raised his eyebrows as he stared at me in the rearview mirror.

We were going to be late.

“Fine.” I grumbled.

“Oh my gosh.” Her eyes lit up and she clamped onto my arm with both hands. “Thank you.” Her giddiness and the sincerity in her words grated on me. “You won’t regret this.”

I already did.

I wasn’t the good guy she remembered. Hell, I hadn’t been that guy in a long time.

“Tris,” I plucked her hand off my arm, “say what you have to say, and then Max will take you home.”

“But, I … Killian—” she sputtered.

“You have less than twenty minutes until we arrive at our destination, Tris. That’s all the time you’ll get.”

“Killian, come on.” She pursed her pretty lips and narrowed her eyes.

I loved seeing the fire that seemed to be missing since I last saw her.

“Eighteen.” I counted down.

“Shit, okay.” She bunched up the hem of her shirt in her fist. “What can I do to convince you to help me win Peter and to make him fall for me.” She blurted out quickly.

“Tris,” I shook my head, “I am not getting into this with you right now.”

I’d really hoped she would lose interest in this stupid scheme of me being some kind of dumbass love coach.

“Please, please. Youhaveto help me.” She laced her fingers together as if praying. “I don’t have anyone else to ask, and I’ve tried waiting patiently for you to reach out to me.”

“Really? You’ve been patient?” I raised an eyebrow. “It’s Saturday, Tris. It’s only been three days.”

“Three days. Three weeks. Three months.” She threw up her hands. “The days all kind of run together after a while. Am I right?” she joked as if nervous, awarding me with a sweet grin.

I sighed.

“A lot can happen in three days, Killian.” The curve of her lips flattened and a flash of pain flared in her eyes before she slowly blinked.

“Why should I even consider helping you? What’s in it for me?” I ground out, not missing the tiny flinch she tried to cover up.

“I … I don’t know.” She raised her hopeful gaze to mine. “What do you want?”

“Nothing.” I wanted to grab her, push her up against the door, and claim her luscious pink lips with mine. “There’s nothing I want from you, except maybe your absence.” I forceda bored tone into my voice so she wouldn’t notice the lie falling from my lips.

This time, shedidshrink away from me.

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