Page 88 of Beautiful Defiance

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SEVEN

To say I am pissed is an understatement. I shove open the driver-side door, stomp over to Leigh, who did not listen when I told her to stay in the goddamn truck, and picking her up, I haul her over my shoulder.

“Seven, put me down.”

I stop. “Why, you going to barf?”

“I’m too heavy.”

Hearing how unhappy she is I’m here spoiling her fun, I set her back on her feet. “Don’t think you can bolt,” I tell her, bringing us back to that night I saved her from a drowning and carried her to her place. “I’ll catch you every time.”

“I hope so,” I hear her mutter under her breath.

“Come on, let’s get that mask off your face.” I extend my hand to her. She doesn’t take it. Leigh crosses her arms. They’re under her tits, pushing up on them, giving me an eyeful.

“You don’t like my makeup?”

“I like you natural.” I look her up and down. “Bare.”

“You made the drive to tell me that?”

“I made the drive to claim what’s mine. You are mine, Leigh. Now come on, let’s get out of the cold.”

Thank fuck she puts her hand in mine. It’s awkward as hell, and I look like a moron with my hand stuck out between us. We take the porch steps hand in hand. I let us inside my place.

“Bathroom is straight ahead, door to your right.”

Leigh lets go of my hand, finds the bathroom, and to the delight of my dick, she comes out minutes later, her face bare of makeup. I skim my finger down the side of her face.

Soft. Smooth. Mine.

I lean in, and tucking strands of her hair behind her cute ear, I press my mouth on the curve of her ear and ask for an explanation for why she was at that damn party.

I’m surprised when she gives it. Surprised when my heart kicks up extra beats. This girl and how big her heart is for a dude who nearly killed her.

“Leigh, your intention is good, but you have to let people grow and learn from their mistakes. Henry knew Ashley wasn’t with him for the right reason, and he stuck with her anyway.”

“What do you mean?”

Sighing, I take her hand. “Do you mind if we finish this convo in bed? It’s been a long day, and I’m ready to keel over.”

Honest-to-God truth, I am not trying to get in Leigh’s pants.

Between seeing that IG post of Leigh and Dare, overhearing my dad begging my mom to come home, and blaming yesterday’s loss on losing my lucky coin, I am pushing my limit of being able to stand upright.

Not to mention I paid attention to the speed limit on the drive from Cambridge to Dumas when I’d rather floor the gas pedal. No way in hell will I risk crashing and burning and miss my chance to tell Leigh how pissed off I am that she let another dude touch her fine-ass body.

She nods, and I lead her to the bedroom. Inside, we lay fully clothed on top of the covers. I clasp her hand in mine.

“How are your knuckles?”

“Nothing for you to worry over.” The swelling went down after I iced it.

“Look, Leigh—” I turn on my side, needing to see her. “Ashley’s grades weren’t top notch, and to get into DU, a person needs to have top-notch grades, be a superstar jock, or have a huge financial need. Ashley doesn’t fit any of those criteria.”

“How’d she get in?”

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