Page 48 of Ignite

“We’ve not really started yet. You can squat, right?”

He drags himself upright, wiping sweat from his forehead, arms and legs shaking.

The instructor struts over. He groans under his breath.

“Help. Me,” he mouths.

“You’re on your own,” I whisper back.

“What kind of fighting do you do?” she purrs, placing a hand on her hip and pushing her chest forward.

Conan clears his throat. “MMA.”

“Wow. That explains why you’re so…” She drags her eyes down his body. “Fit.”

My hands clench into fists at my sides. Heat flushes up my neck. I have no claim on him, but this? This burns.

Conan chuckles. “I thought I was, until I came here.”

She steps closer, laying her hand on his bicep. “We can work on your flexibility. You’ll be a pro in no time.”

I want to claw her eyes out.

Next thing I know, I step beside him and my hand is on his ass.

He licks his lips, smirking at me.

I freeze. Did I just claim him in front of a room full of women by full-on ass-grabbing my not-even-boyfriend?

Yes. Yes, I fucking did. Maybe I should try therapy instead of group fitness next time.

“He’s good. I’ve got him covered. Thanks.” I flash her a smile, fake as hell, and give his ass a little squeeze for good measure.

Pity. I quite liked her. Now I want to claw her eyes out.

“Oh.” Her face drops. She recovers quickly, plastering on her professional smile. “Okay. Warrior pose next,” she chirps and backs away.

Conan turns to me, amusement practically radiating off him. “I thought bossy Hallie was my favorite. But jealous Hallie, claiming me in front of a group of women? That takes the prize.”

I jump back like he’s just scalded me. He laughs softly.

“I was helping you,” I whisper.

“Yeah. Helping me not get laid? Gee. What a good friend you are.”

I pout. “Who said we were friends?”

“Oh, is that how you’re playing this?”

“Maybe.”

His jaw does that adorable twitch of his. “I suddenly don’t like that word anymore,” he mutters.

We return to the workout, but now his grunts and groans are even more distracting.

“Now it’s time for the cat stretch,” the instructor announces.

I sneak a glance as the girls in front of us get into position. All asses in the air. Is he watching them?

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