Free Rumor Has It: A Bad Boy Romantic Comedy by Lila Moore Page B

you’re not going to get paid?”
    “That’s what I’m going to find out. Just stay here at the hotel. Stick with Connor. I’ll be back soon.”
    “Okay.”
    Theo leaned in as if to kiss me, then thought better of it. He touched my shoulder and turned and left. I preferred a kiss to a friendly shoulder squeeze, but apparently that was the best I could hope for at the moment.
    I sighed and turned back to the room. They were still arguing over the details of the new PR campaign. Louis lingered in the corner chewing on his thumbnail. He watched me suspiciously. Pretending to be in love with him was going to be a nightmare. I deserved an Oscar for keeping up this charade for so long. It was going to be a long day.

8
     
     
     
     
     
    I punched the bag as hard as I could. Pain shot through my knuckles and wrist. “Shit!” I hissed. I shook my hand, trying to force the pain away.
    “You’re doing it wrong,” Connor said drily.
    “Well, you could have told me that before I started punching.”
    “Like this.”
    He took a defensive position, made his hand flat then quickly punched using his flat palm as the point of contact instead of a fist.
    “Krav Maga- it’s what the Israeli Special Forces use. They’re some of the best trained in the world- not as good as ours, but they’re good. Watch me.”
    I mimicked the position of his legs and put out my hand palm out.
    “You want to aim for your assailant’s chin or lower face. Strike upwards. You’ll snap their head back and you won’t hurt your hand.”
    I replayed the events of last night. This time, I imagined myself standing outside the limo. The driver approached. I struck upwards, the same way Connor showed me. I hit the driver’s chin. I imagined his teeth clanking together as he bit down on his tongue. Blood ran from him mouth as he collapsed to the ground from my punch. I smiled at the thought. I’d saved myself. I didn’t need a man to save me. It was a nice thought. Unfortunately, that’s not what happened.
    “You’re doing it wrong.” I turned to find Theo standing in the entrance to the gym, watching. He slowly walked over to us. “There’s not enough force in your arm, and you’re leaving your body open to attack. You’re making yourself more vulnerable.”
    “I’ve never done this before,” I protested. “You can’t expect me to master Krav Maga in one session.”
    “No, but you’re going to try,” Connor said. “Let’s run a few scenarios. I want you to come at me. I’ll throw you to the ground, then we’ll reverse roles. I’ll be the attacker and you try to stop me.”
    I lifted my fist and started to run at Connor when Theo stopped us.
    “I’ll take over,” he said. “Connor, why don’t you head back up to the hotel room? Louis’s security team is here and they have no clue what they’re doing. They could use your help.”
    “Roger, that.”
    Connor left me alone in the gym with Theo. His eyes drifted over my body. I was wearing a pair of yoga shorts and a hot pink sports bra. He made a funny face.
    “What?” I asked.
    “I’m sure Connor was thrilled when he saw your gym clothes.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    “You knew you’d be throwing each other around, learning self-defense, and you showed up half-naked.”
    “Are you jealous?” I asked playfully.
    “Of course not.”
    “That’s why you told him to leave. You couldn’t stand the idea of me and Connor getting hot and sweaty as we roll around together on the gym mat.”
    “No. As usual you’re totally wrong.”
    I laughed. “Admit it: you’re jealous.”
    “There’s nothing to admit.”
    “You’re a stubborn asshole, you know that?”
    “Yes, thank you,” he said with a smile. “Now let’s get started.”
    Theo took off his jacket and tossed it aside. He wore a tight black shirt that hugged his biceps nicely. I gave his muscles and appreciative look.
    “Attack me,” he said.
    “How?”
    “Come at me.”
    I ran at him and