Page 11 of The Very Naughty List

I don’t know if he can read any of my thoughts on my face, but after studying me for a moment, he gives a single, decisive nod.

“I’m in.”

My pulse instantly starts to gallop. I can barely believe this is happening. I feel slightly embarrassed to be accepting this kind of help from them. It feels more intimate than it probably should, and definitely more scandalous. Still, I can’t help but be a little excited too.

“Okay,” I whisper, barely loud enough to be heard over the ambient noise of the bar, even though they’re all standing close to me. “Let’s do it.”

This is crazy, right? Yeah, it’s definitely crazy.

But right now, I don’t care.

“All right then.” Sebastian’s smile widens, and he glances around at the still-crowded bar. “There are a lot of people in here, which means we have a captive audience.”

“For what?”

A little burst of adrenaline shoots through me, because I know he’s getting ready to do something wild. Sebastian’s always been just one step away from being a complete troublemaker, and I can tell that the years since I last saw him haven’t done anything to tame his wild side at all.

I like it though. I like how Sebastian brings a sense of unpredictable fun, and Reid coats everything with a sort of casual charm, and Nick can always be counted on to act as the responsible one. It makes it feel like between the three of them, this charade could actually work. They’re like the perfect balance for each other—a true trifecta of amazing men with bodies to match.

Fuck, there I go again.Calm down, girl.

“It’s my turn this time, shortcake,” Sebastian informs me. “I think we should take things up a notch right now. Get everyone’s attention and let the gossip mill start turning.”

‘Taking things up a notch’ by Sebastian’s terms means taking it up ten notches by everyone else’s standards. I sit straighter on my barstool, glued in place as I wait to see what he’s going to do. Nick sits down on the barstool next to me as if he’s waiting for the show to begin too, and Reid mutters something under his breath that sounds like, “This ought to be good.”

“I know my brothers are interested in you too, Hailey.” Sebastian raises his voice, speaking loudly enough for everyone in the entirety of The Old Oak to hear him. “But that doesn’t change how I feel about you. I’ve never known another woman like you, and I’m not gonna stop trying to win you over.”

The women at the end of the bar set down their drinks and turn to stare at us with their mouths agape. The rest of thepatrons in the bar turn to look too, and even the bartender, Craig, stops drying a whiskey glass and watches Sebastian.

“I’m going to prove that I’m the best man for you,” Sebastian continues. “This town lost the best thing it ever had when you moved away, and now that you’re back, I’m not gonna hide my feelings any longer. So, sure, my brothers can try their best to earn your heart. But I know that in the end, you’ll choose me.”

Yup, that’s done it. He has the attention of every single person in this bar.

Sebastian moves in a little closer, the messy locks of his dark brown hair falling over his forehead as he gazes at me with a look that makes my breath hitch.

Maybe he should be an actor instead of a mechanic, because he’s convincing as hell.

He tips my chin up with two fingers, and my heart stutters in my chest. His eyes bounce between mine, his scent enveloping me. He smells like cognac and amber, and I can feel his breath ghost over my lips as he speaks in a low voice meant only for me.

“If you don’t want me to kiss you, stop me right now.”

He hesitates for a moment, giving me enough time to decide.

But I don’t say no. I’m not sure my voice would even work right now, but it doesn’t matter, because I have absolutely no desire to say anything. Instead, almost unconsciously, I tilt my chin up a little more.

A slow grin spreads across Sebastian’s face.

“Good girl.”

Then he drops his head and presses his mouth to mine.

5

HAILEY

The moment our lips meet,I’m aware of the hoots and hollers that erupt all across the bar. Every raised voice around us reminds me that this is only pretend—this kiss is all for show, meant only for the benefit of our audience, which means we have to sell it.

It’s a bit awkward at first, our lips stiff and unmoving. I curl my fingers loosely, unsure what to do with my hands as I wonder what this looks like to everyone watching us.

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