Claim (Fury Brothers #5)

Thank God, it was empty.

“Argh.” I paced by the lockers. How dare Beau touch me? With hands he’d put on another woman last night.

I didn’t sleep with her.

It wasn’t any of my business, but knowing he hadn’t slept with the gorgeous, perfect Klara made my belly quiver.

I whirled again. I couldn’t let myself have feelings for him. I couldn’t afford it.

And I couldn’t afford to put Beau in the firing line. I swallowed. If Carr knew Beau was close to me, I’d be painting a target on Beau’s back.

I yanked my backpack out of my locker and opened it.

I saw the notes from Carr, and my stomach curdled.

They always stayed in my backpack. A bad taste filled my mouth. They were a reminder that I couldn’t get close to anyone, that I had to survive.

The door to the change room slammed open. I spun and my mouth dropped open.

Beau strode in, looking like some dark god of the underworld. Like a man on a mission.

“This is ladies only,” I snapped.

“It’s my gym.”

He kept coming. I backed up until my back hit the lockers.

He stopped just a few inches away, and pressed his hands to the locker over my head.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“I wanted to clear the air. I want you to fucking look at me.”

I gritted my teeth and met his gaze.

He frowned. “You afraid of me?”

Now, I frowned. “No.”

The lines on his forehead eased. “Good.” Then his fingers brushed my hair. “Bell—”

“I can’t do this.” I ducked under his arm. “Go back to your brunette.”

He turned. “The date sucked.”

I felt a spurt of pleasure. “I’m sorry to hear that.”Lies. All lies.

“It sucked because I was thinking of you,” he murmured.

Warmth spread through me, and I dragged in a shaky breath.

“I didn’t want to be with her. I was thinking of pretty, blue eyes.”

“Beau—”

“I know. You’re too young, and too damn good for me.”

Too good?The man was…everything I wasn’t. He was successful, settled, knew who he was.