Page 60 of Beautiful Defiance

“Not really. I crashed my first. It was a three-million-dollar lapse in judgement.”

His eyes widen. “What’d you wreck?”

“A Bugatti.” My voice goes up a notch.

“Holy fuck. What’d the owner do?”

“Brought charges of grand theft auto on me.”

“Double holy fuck. And totally cool.” He sticks his fist out. We fist bump.

Seven and Trace watch us from their spot next to Seven’s pickup truck. Trace says something out the side of his mouth to Hannah and the other cheerleaders. Ginger is on the other side of Seven, her pale skin and light blonde hair contrasting nicely with Seven’s dark looks. Pitch black hair. Bottomless pool of ink colored eyes. Dark scowl on his pretty face.

Seven catches us looking his way, and he puts his thumb and index finger together, apart, together, apart. Is he “squeezing” our heads? God, he can be so immature. I glower.

Malice tips his head at Seven. “You helping him out of his troubles? Is that the reason you’re sitting out in the cold and rain? You waiting for Seven?”

I glance away from Seven’s death glare. “I plead the fifth.”

“Hey, if it helps you sleep better at night, I won’t pester or judge. But watch from inside my car, okay?”

“Can’t.” I promised Seven never to be indebted to a Sterling.

“You’re giving up the chance to sit inside this fine piece of machinery?”

“Much to my annoyance, yes.”

“It’s Seven, isn’t it?”

“You know me too well.”

He laughs. “I’d like to get to know you better.”

“No can do.”

“Again, Seven?”

“Copy that.”

He laughs again. “You’re a hoot.”

I give him a slight nod of my head and a smile. “Why, thank you.”

He ducks his head. His wide shoulders shake. He slides his eyes back up to mine, and wow, the dimpled smile on his face . . . My cheeks heat. Malice should smile more.

“Can I say anything that will have you switching to Team Malice?”

“And here I thought you were a grumpy puss with absolutely zero humor.” Is that the reason Rue dislikes Malice?

He reaches for my hand and drops a kiss on my knuckles. “For you, I’d hang up my grumpy puss boots and give you the funnies.”

“Brooding is sexier.”

“You can have that too. Every part and piece of me. What do you say?” His eyes twinkle.

“He’s watching us, isn’t he?” I ask.

“With a laser-beam focus that can slice this ride in half.”

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