Page 36 of Movers and Fakers

“Not necessary. The new ones will get to your house tomorrow.”

My eyes bulge. “How?”

Hayes smiles, and this time it’s a real one. His jaw loosens, and the hardness in his eyes dissipates. He throws an arm around my shoulder and draws me into his side.

“Not for you to worry about, Princess.” His lips brush the crown of my head, and my toes curl in my stained tennis shoes. “Now, do you need anything before the show begins? A drink? Food?”

I wrap one arm around his back and lean against him so that we don’t look awkward to anyone watching.

“I don’t think so,” I say, still taking everything that just happened in.

Hayes would have fought that guy just for getting a little too close to me. He bought me new shoes because a drink spilled on them. His lips touched me. Again.

“All right. I’ll have to change in a few minutes, but I’ll make sure no one bothers you again. Where do you want to stand?”

I look at the ring, where people are already starting to gather around. Far too many people, all of whom are sneaking glances our way.

“Any chance the fight is playing on a TV in a different room and I can watch from there?”

Hayes laughs.

“No, but I can make sure no one gets too close to you.”

“Okay,” I sigh. “Put me wherever you think is best.”

He guides me to a corner of the ring. The crowd parts and disperses for us, no one daring to stand in his path. He stops at the edge and turns so that he’s facing me.

“How about here?”

I shrug. “Works for me.”

My younger brother would be ecstatic to see something like this, though he might prefer being the one in the ring. I don’t mind watching fights, but I’m used to seeing them from the comfort of my family’s home, not an underground speakeasy full of nosy college students.

Hayes gestures for someone to come our way. I glance over my shoulder and see the bouncer from the door lumbering in our direction.

“This is my personal security, Mac,” Hayes explains as the giant stops behind me. “He’ll make sure no one gets too close.”

If people weren’t staring before, they sure are now.

Chapter eighteen

The Deal

Hayes Rosewood

Aurora looks down at the floor, her expression far from happy. I hate seeing her like this, and to leave her so down is unfathomable. I glance at Mac, who is facing away from us with his arms crossed. His presence will keep people from touching, but not looking.

Without a second thought, I grab her upper arms gently and pull her to my chest, wrapping my arms around her. She’s stiff as a metal pole, and it’s hard not to laugh at my own failure. I should have known better than to think I could comfort her like this.

“Sorry, this was a bad idea, I guess.” I go to step back but her hands fist my shirt, stopping me. Her forehead is pressed against my chest, so I can’t see her face.

“I’m going to pretend that no one can see me for a minute,” she mumbles, and I chuckle, wrapping my arms fully around her again. “I know it’s not logical. I don’t care.”

I press my lips to the top of her head—a new habit of mine—as my shoulders shake.

“Whatever makes you happy.” I run a hand up and down her back.

“I’d be happy if we were alone.”