Changing Beauty (The Deadly Beauties Live On 2)

“You’re right,” Thad says, and my heart breaks a little. Until he adds, “Which is why we’re leaving. You can handle my shift tonight.”

She looks like she’s ready to kill him as he starts tugging me away from her. I feel a little smug. That’s right; I almost feel empowered enough to flip her off. Almost.

Thad keeps his hands on me, holding me close all the way out, so even if I had the lady balls to flip her off, there’s no way I’d be able to do it without forcing him to let me go. And that’s not happening.

“What was all that about?” I ask as the door shuts behind us, dulling the obnoxious music. A bitter taste rises to my throat, and before I can stop myself, I add, “Is she an ex?”

He flashes a grin, and I immediately wish I could take back those words.

“Is that jealousy?” he asks, giving

me that damn cocky grin I love and hate. I’m thankful that we’re away from the brighter lights as we walk toward the lake.

My lungs take in the fresh air with gratitude, happy to be free from the alcohol tinged atmosphere and sweaty bodies. I decide to ignore his question, considering he ignored mine. Obviously that makes me curious. I thought he was almost too honest, and now I’m curious as to why he’s stalling.

“Fine,” he says, a teasing lilt to his voice. “The answer is hell no. Amy and I have not and will not ever be a couple.” He shudders dramatically, and I fight back a smile. “She hates me almost as much as I hate her. And it’s not the sexy kind of hate either. She hates Alyssa, and I’ve got Alyssa’s back. Long story short, we don’t get along, and she doesn’t like a sweet girl like you hanging out with a not-so-sweet guy like me. It’s her thing—butting in, I mean. She inserts herself into everyone’s business with her self-righteous bullshit.”

He shrugs, acting as though it’s not a big deal. I really hate her now, and I don’t even know her. I’m normally not like this.

He pulls my hand to his lips, kissing it softly before winking at me. The moonlight is the only thing illuminating his face now, and it makes him look dangerous and sexy at the same time.

There’s something about him that draws me in, and I love it. I’m also a little scared of it. Thad’s not like anyone I’ve ever known.

“You ready to get back to my place?” he asks, his voice sounding sexier than I’ve heard it yet.

I should feel rushed, because he’s made it apparent what he wants, but I don’t. Still, I can’t help but tease him a little.

“What if I said I want to take things slower?” I ask, hiding my smile.

But to my surprise, he doesn’t miss a beat. “Then we’ll just go to my place and sleep. I’ll keep my hands in the safe zones.”

Yeah... I can’t stop smiling.

“Safe zones?” I muse.

He slides his arm back over my shoulders, tucking me against his side as he steers us down the quiet path.

“I’d say I’d keep my hands to myself, but that would be a lie. I have to touch you, but we don’t have to have sex.”

I smile while leaning against him. I swear I’ve never been with someone so honest. It’s refreshing.

In a moment of sheer abandon, I tell him, “I want you to stray from the safe zones.”

He groans while picking me up, and the next thing I know, my legs are wrapped around his waist, his hands are on my ass, and his stride quickens as he briskly walks us back.

“Thank fuck,” he whispers softly before kissing me.

Annnnd… I giggle. Yep. I’m a big goofy giggler. Shit.

He smiles against my lips, and I slide his hat off before moving it between us, so I can fist handfuls of his blonde hair and pull him to me to kiss him harder. His soft growl has chills spreading up me. I swear he sounds so feral and sexy when he makes noises like that.

“I think you love testing my control,” he says in a deep tone that has my core warming up.

I sure as hell love the fact that I test his control.

“Are you going to carry me all the way back?” I ask, giggling again when he speeds up even more.

“Yep.”