Page 24 of Beautiful Defiance

That so?

How about I help her forget catching the bus?

She sits on the couch. I grab a spot next to her. Turning into her is awkward. I propose a dangerous idea. A way of punishing her for saying something that strips away another layer of armor over my heart.

“Straddle you?”

“Yeah. Look, I’m not happy about it either, but one kink in my back and I could be out for the season. You don’t want everyone mad at you because you kinked my back, do you, Leigh?”

“Seriously?” She narrows her eyes. “God, Seven, you don’t ask for much, do you?”

I shrug. “Hey, I want us to be safe.”

“Straddling you is the very definition of unsafe.” She chews on her bottom lip.

“Scared?” I lean into her.

“No!”

“Then what’s the problem, Defiance?”

Tipping her chin at me, she climbs onto my lap and straddles my thighs.

“Happy?”

“Mmm, hell yeah.”

“Wipe the grin off your face, Seven.”

“I will if you tip my way. Remember, we don’t want to kink my back.”

She rolls her eyes but leans forward. “You know, I feel sorry for whichever girl makes the mistake of falling for you. You’re a pain in the ass.”

“Ditto for you.”

Another eyeroll from her. I zone in on the corner of her mouth. She’s not near enough. I cup the back of her head and bring her closer. She’s so close, I see her pupils dilating. Such clear amber eyes. And those full red lips.

“Leigh.” My voice is husky, low.

The package in my pants grows. Does she feel me? Fuck yeah, she does. Her eyes widen. Her lips part. Satisfaction courses through me. She’s as affected by me as I am by her. I grasp her hips and will her with my mind for her to grind on me. She’s wearing her white lace-trimmed undies.

“Are you wet, Leigh?”

“That’s none of your business.”

Before the school year is through, I plan on making it my business.

“Do it already, Seven. I have a bus to catch.”

I would, but I like this slow burn between us.

“You should’ve taken me for my word. We wouldn’t be in this precarious position.”

“Such a big word from the jock who’s failing two of his classes.”

“How—”

“I have my ways.”

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