And for a while, it worked.
But then it started feeling like a fucking leash.
Because at some point, those rules had stopped being convenient and had started to sting. At some point, I started wanting things I wasn’t supposed to want. I wanted to hear her laugh without pulling away from it. I wanted to keep her in bed after, instead of watching her slip away before the sun came up.
I wanted to touch her outside of the bedroom—without a reason, without an excuse, just because I fucking wanted to. But I couldn’t. Because every time I got close, every time she softened, every time I thought I should try…she reminded me of the rules.
And I had no choice but to follow them now, because when I tried breaking them before? She shoved me out of her life without a second of regret. No second chances. No hesitation. Just done.
If I pushed too hard again, she’d do it all over.
I told myself I could live with that. That I could play by the rules. That I wouldn’t fuck up my only chance at having her, even if it wasn’t in the way I wanted. But then she smiled at me.
Not the teasing, cocky smirk she threw around so easily, but the real one—the one she didn’t even realize she was giving, the one that softened her entire face and made her eyes light up like she wasn’t always bracing for the next hit. It was the rare one I’d get glimpses of in the morning light before she snuck away. The look of her curve lips and light eyes was like a punch to the gut. It knocked the wind out of me. And I knew I was lying to myself.
I was completely, hopelessly fucked. Her one night only bullshit? I’d let her think I’d follow her rule, but I was already planning on a million ways to ensure I’d remain in her life. I squeezed her hand, winked at her, and hoped like hell this time, she wouldn’t kick me out of her life again.
The speeches wrapped up, laughter echoing through the reception hall, silverware clinking against glasses. Fiona was glowing, grinning at her husband like she knew exactly what she was doing—like she wasn’t scared, wasn’t second-guessing, wasn’t looking for an out. I caught Michelle watching them, her fingers absently twisting her champagne flute, her brows pinched in thought.
“Penny for your thoughts?” I murmured, nudging her knee with mine.
She startled slightly, like she’d forgotten I was there, before rolling her eyes. “You’re cheap.”
I smirked. “Fine. A dollar.”
She huffed out a quiet laugh, shaking her head before tipping her glass to her lips. “It’s just weird seeing people so… sure.”
“Sure?”
She hesitated, then waved a hand toward Fiona and Gideon. “They just know they belong together. No hesitation. No second-guessing.”
“Some people are like that,” I said, watching her closely with my chest tightening. I fucking knew. I was damn sure I wanted her in my life.
“Not me.” She let out a breathy laugh, shaking her head as some tendrils of hair fell across her face. “I don’t think I’ve ever been sure of anything in my life except that I’m a hot mess.”
I wanted to argue. I wanted to tell her that she was the most determined, focused, stubborn person I’d ever met. That she knew exactly what she wanted when it came to her career, her future. But when it came to letting people in?
That was a different story. And I wasn’t sure how to fix it. So instead, I smirked. “Well, I’m sure about one thing.”
She eyed me warily. “That sounds… dangerous. Not sure I like that confident look on your face, Madsen. In fact, I don’t trust it at all.”
I leaned in, my lips brushing just against the shell of her ear. “I’m pretty damn sure I’ll get you to orgasm three more times tonight without using my cock once.”
“Brooks.” She sat up straighter, eyes wide as her lips parted. “People can hear you.”
“Nah.” I waved a hand in the air, gesturing to the empty chairs near us. “Are you blushing, baby? My strong, stubborn woman is blushing from the promise of three orgasms? How precious.”
She glared at me, but not with real anger. She was so damn cute, I reached over and tucked her under my arm. “You might be the badass to everyone, but I know the truth.”
“Shut up.” She pinched my side, making me yelp, and her grin returned. “Ah, the great Brooks Madsen squeals like a child when you tickle him. You might be the badass to the baseball world, but I know the truth.”
“Is it weird I find it hot when you use my words against me?” I kissed the top of her head and released her, despite the fact I wanted to haul her even closer to me. “It’s a strange power move and I’m into it.”
She snorted before running a hand over her collarbone, a sign she was feeling some kind of way. I traced the movement with my gaze until she met my eyes, her dark blue ones filled with hesitation. “Why are you so easy to?—”
“Alright, everyone, now it’s time for a very special moment. Let’s give a big round of applause for the bride and her father as they share their dance.”
Damn. Michelle schooled her features after the DJ interrupted whatever she was going to say. Why was I so easy to…flirt with? Be charmed by? Loved by? Trusted? Any of those options would’ve been great to hear but she clammed up real tight and leaned back into her chair—the action causing distance between our thighs.
