Page 122 of Hide and Keep

Why am I doing this? I don’t know the first thing about this shit. I spent a good portion of my life getting people to the ground, not keeping them off it.

She faces me fully again. “You’re shitting me.”

“No. You want in the air, I’ll put you there.”

Because she’s mine, too. Mine to protect. And guys leaving bruises on her and copping feels during stunts isn’t safe. Not forher and sure as hell not for me. I will end a motherfucker and there won’t be anything involuntary about it. No one, not even God himself, is going to hurt her on my watch.

Unless it’s me because fuck, does she deserve it sometimes.

“You don’t know how.”

“You can teach me.”

“No, I can’t. You’re… You’re…” She waves a hand at me, a blush infusing her cheeks. “Out of shape.”

I drop her bag and step toward her. “Try me.”

“What? Now?”

“Right the fuck now.”

“I…” She pauses. “I don’t have time. I have to get ready for tonight.”

“That’s hours away and you’re already ready.”

“I’m performance ready. Not gala ready.”

I wouldn’t know the difference because I’ve never attended a gala, but Ever looks pretty damn perfect to me, especially with those pink cheeks. She wasn’t even winded when she got off stage and she wasn’t flushed, so why the hell’s she blushing now?

“Try me,” I repeat.

Her blue eyes flick back and forth between mine.

“It’s too dangerous out here. We need some kind of mat under us for when you drop me.”

“I won’t drop you.”

“Yes, you will.”

I want to argue again but I don’t actually know that I won’t. I’ll try my damnedest not to.

“You know of a gym we could use?”

“Yeah. Mine.”

She’s got a gym?

“What else does this place have?” I ask as we enter the large gym with mirrored walls and flooring that has a slight bounce to it. I didn’t even know the manor had a gym, let alone where it was. In my defense, Ever hasn’t gone down to the basement.

“Have you seen the theater room yet?”

I spin back around. “You got a fucking movie theater in your house?”

Ever rolls her eyes. “It’s notthatbig. It only seats ten.”

“Only.” I scoff. “I see why you haven’t been in many movie theaters.”

“You remember that?”

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