Page 16 of The Very Naughty List

“You don’t need to do that,” I murmur, reaching up to tug her hand away. “I’m a lot tougher than I look.”

She laughs lightly before putting the ice right back on my jaw.

“You already look tough as nails to me. And I know I don’t have to do it, but just like you said earlier, your problems are my problems. So I’m going to anyway. And there’s nothing you can do to stop me,” she adds with a smirk.

I chuckle. “You’re so sassy.”

“You’re so bossy,” she shoots back.

Her smile sparks something inside me as she locks eyes with mine, stubbornly tending to the small injury on my face. Her wrist is so close to the bottom of my nose that I can smell the faint scent of her body wash clinging to her skin. It smells like wildflowers and honeysuckle, and it’s delicious enough that I want to lick it off.

Fuck, what in the hell was that all about?

I snap myself out of my thoughts as soon as I realize that I was just allowing my mind to wander down a dangerous path about my best friend’s little sister.

Shifting a little in my chair, I glance away. I have to let my gaze focus on something else for a second because I feel like I might combust if I keep staring into Hailey’s eyes. Or worse yet,if I let my eyes wander down over the full, enticing curves that I’ve felt pressed against me too many times tonight to ignore.

As my gaze wanders over the crowded room, I catch a glimpse of Dylan and his new fiancée standing on the far side of the bar. Brielle is saying something, and Dylan nods along with whatever it is. But I see his gaze dart in our direction twice when he thinks she’s not looking, and there’s a sour expression on his face. He looks entirely pissed off at the sight of Hailey hanging out at a table with me and my brothers, and I have to assume that the rumor mill has already fed him the story we concocted.

As far as he knows, all three of us are actively fighting over her affections, making her officially the most sought-after woman in Chestnut Hill.

And she’s the woman he let get away.

I hope he fucking regrets losing her. That he regrets giving up a woman as beautiful and intelligent as Hailey. I hope it haunts him until his last damn breath. Hailey has a genuine enthusiasm for life that’s infectious whenever I’m around her, and she’s one of the kindest people I know. Dylan really fucked up his chance with a woman he didn’t deserve anyway. And now he’s sitting over there at the bar with his ‘prize,’ a girl who isn’thalfthe woman Hailey is, stewing over how his ex looks like she’s enjoying herself with the attention of other men while he’s left with the scraps that he left the table for.

Good. I hope it keeps him up at night.

In fact…

Without hesitation, I reach over and pull Hailey up onto my lap.

She makes a little yelping noise, the sound so sweet and breathless that I have to immediately block it out of my mind—because I can’t afford to let myself think about whatothernoises I might be able to get her to make.

“Dylan is watching.”

I make sure to say it just loud enough that Lucas and my brothers can hear too, explaining my impulsive action before Lucas can deck me again. Hailey’s body goes still, but motionless or not, I can still feel the soft roundness of her ass pressed against my crotch. I clench my jaw, willing my cock not to react as I glance across the bar again.

If Dylan wasn’t staring over here before, he sure the hell is now. I can see his fuming face out of the corner of my eye, and a grin tugs at my lips. I’m going to make this good.

I slide my hand down Hailey’s back, resting my palm just below the curve of her lower back, almost on her ass. I can feel the way her body responds, tensing and relaxing beneath my touch, and I know that I should probably stop right here. This is enough of a possessive display to get the point across.

But for some reason, I really don’t want to.

So I let that hand slide down just an inch or two lower, catching her chin with the fingertips of my other hand. I turn her head toward mine, and when Hailey reaches up to rest her palm on my chest, right over the tattoo that covers my left pec—I can’t help myself.

I kiss her softly, pressing my lips to hers until I feel her melt against me.

When we separate, I bring my mouth to her ear, keeping my voice low.

“That piece of shit ex of yours should never be able to make you feel inferior,” I tell her. “And if I have anything to say about it, he never will. Never again.”

Hailey’s fingers flex lightly against my chest as she draws in a breath. Even without looking at her face, I can tell she’s smiling, and my chest goes a little tight.

7

HAILEY

By the timewe all leave the bar, it’s late, and I’m feeling positively wonderful. I’m no longer even a bit tipsy, thanks to Nick’s decision to order the entire menu. Instead, I’m pleasantly full, happy, and warm. I feel much better than I thought I would being back here in my hometown, which holds so many of my best and worst memories.

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