Page 131 of Defiant Beta

“You can claim it back.” He leans close, still chewing.

I lean back, glaring harder. “I’m not a baby bird to eat chewed food out of your mouth. Don’t be gross.”

He chews and swallows. “So, kiss me instead.”

I sniff. “No, thanks.”

He smirks at me. “Scared you’ll like it?”

I probably will.

Vincent observes me over the rim of his coffee mug while Levi has turned in his seat to face me. I feel his arm resting on the back of my stool, and I like it there. I hope he doesn’t move it. I’ve never been one to shy away from a dare, so I put my fork down, push my plate aside and grip the front of Xavier’s shirt, pulling him toward me.

It starts sweet, and it’s nice. His lips are firm, and he knows what he’s doing because there’s a flutter in my belly, and I’m not sure I want this kiss to end.

Then he cradles the back of my hair with one large hand as he slants his head, gently sucking my tongue into his mouth.

It’s so hot and sweet that I start giving serious thoughts to crawling up on this counter, dragging Xavier on it to, and letting him do things to me on it.

I break the kiss far sooner than I’d like and clear my throat. “It was okay, I guess.”

He stares at me.

“I think you broke his heart,” Levi says, lips twitching. “Or his brain.”

“That was nothing.” I pick at my eggs, not interested in eating. I want to go somewhere quiet and think about that perfect kiss. “You should hear what the students say about Ms. Huffman behind her back.”

Vincent arches his eyebrow.

“Her face is plastic,” I explain.

They all stare at me.

“Plastic?” Levi echoes.

I nod. “Her husband left her for a waitress, and she set herself on fire with a cigarette.”

More staring ensues. Though I don’t think Xavier ever really stopped.

Xavier narrows his eyes at me. “Okay? That’s it? You feltnothing?”

Smiling faintly, I shake my head. “Nope.”

Vincent distracts Xavier with a question about the investigation, and I finish my breakfast before telling them I need to brush my teeth.

I don’t have to brush my teeth. I did that before I came down to eat breakfast.

Instead, I walk upstairs to my room, close the door behind me, and throw myself onto my bed before screaming into my pillow.

Then I roll back over and grin like an idiot at the ceiling while hugging a pillow.

Five minutes later, my brain is still melting from that kiss.

Once I’ve regained my composure, I go downstairs to spend the rest of the day trying to figure out who the omega killer is hiding at Haven Academy.

It’s ten at night, and I should be sleeping, but there’s no sleep for me after Xavier’s kiss turned on my hormones, and I haven’t been able to shut them off again.

The house is dark as I make my way down the stairs. I head straight for the kitchen, leaving the lights off because the last thing I need is for anyone to see my flushed cheeks.

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