“What do you think the rules should be?” he asks.
I blink. “Why would I know your rules?”
“Because you’re smart, peaches. Because you’ve been testing us from the second we showed up, waiting to see how much of a leash we’ll give you.”
I press my lips together, biting the inside of my cheek. He’s not wrong. Carson grins.
So I cross my arms. “Well, for starters, I assume I don’t get to be alone with him.”
“Ding ding ding.” He taps his temple. “And here I thought you weren’t listening.”
I roll my eyes. “What else?”
“No touching.”
My stomach flips, but I keep my expression neutral. “His or mine?”
Carson’s smirk fades. “Both.”
I swallow. “That’s?—”
“Non-negotiable.” His voice is serious now, no teasing lilt to it, no softness. “I mean it, Willow.”
I do my best to keep my voice even. “He won’t hurt me.”
Carson doesn’t look convinced. “Maybe not. But it isn’t up for discussion.”
I stare at him.
He stares back.
Neither of us blink.
Then, finally, he sighs, running a hand through his hair. “No touching. No sneaking off. No running to him the second you’re out of our sight.” His eyes flicker with something unreadable. “And no lying.”
That one hits different.
I tighten my grip around my arms. “I don’t lie.”
“Maybe not to us.” His gaze drops to my mouth, then back up to my eyes. “But to yourself?”
Heat coils low in my gut.
Carson shakes his head, pushing off the counter, before reaching for my plate to add the next egg next to my half-eaten sandwich. Then he slides it back in front of me before grabbing his own and using his fork to cut off a piece and pop it into his mouth.
One breath and the conversation shifts.
CHAPTER 40
Willow
I’m sobusy thinking about Carson’s offer—whether or not I should take him up on it, whether or not I should want to see Finn again—that I completely forget about the other complication in my life.
Landon.
The second I step inside the rink, my breath catches in my chest.
Fuck.
