Page 55 of Beautiful Defiance

“I have someone I can contact, but promise you’ll be fine with whatever he asks of me? I owe him for saving my life.”

“How many lives do you have?”

“Must be a lot. I was almost run over in this crazy roundabout trying to save a dog.”

“What? Are you okay?” He runs his palms up and down my arms. Pats my sides and my thighs too.

I bite down on my bottom lip, unhinged by his concern.

“I’m fine. Should I get ahold of him? I stole his car, so he might not want anything to do with me.”

Maddox won’t be thrilled, but he’ll like hearing from me. It’ll give him the chance to even the score for him saving my life from that car of his I wrecked. He pulled me out of it right before a semi truck plowed into the driver side.

“Wait, the grand theft auto charge, you stole this dude’s car?”

“It wasn’t an average ‘car’ but a limited edition Bugatti.”

Seven’s eyes get big. “Those things go for close to three fucking million. Millions, Leigh.”

I scowl. “I know how much one costs. Maddox reminded me over and over of the price tag, okay?”

“Maddox. What’s the dude’s last name?”

“Um, Stassi.”

“Double fuck me. You stole Mad Maddox’s Bugatti?”

“I take it you’ve heard of him?”

“He made headlines for ordering the castration of the men who raped his little sister.”

“Alleged castration,” I say.

“Alleged my ass. The public ate up his vigilante act. Why involve ourselves with that dangerous fucker?”

“He’s good on his word and has connections.”

“He’ll do this for you why? Did you two do the dirty?”

“I never slept with him.”

“You let me sleep with you.”

“Are you for real?”

“Say what you mean, Leigh, and I will be as real as the scars on your body.”

“Fine. I’m a virgin. Satisfied?”

“More than you’ll ever know.”

What he says, how he says it. Like it’s the most special thing in the world. Like it means so much to him that I haven’t been with a guy.

“I . . . Seven.”

Undone, I press my mouth on his. Move my lips side to side. His lips are soft. His hold on my hips is firm. One peck. Two pecks. Closed mouth kisses.

“Leigh.” My name is murmured on my lips, and hot from the inside out, I nudge his mouth open with my tongue.

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