He grins. “It made it this far, what’s a few more minutes?” Then he takes the same piece of paper that I wrote the rules on and hands it to me.
I find a seat on his bed and start reading through them.
Rule Number One: Renley and Theo will not date anyone during the summer months while Theo is still in Cape Meril.
This stands and is heavily enforced. Don’t even think about looking in Rupert’s direction. You’re mine.
“Do you really think I’d cheat on you with Rupert?”
“I don’t know, he’s a fetching guy with the same vibe as Harry Styles. Dangerous combination.”
I grip his chin and kiss him on the side of the mouth. “It’s just you.”
He seems happy with that as he loops his arm around me, and I continue reading.
Rule Number Two: Theo is allotted unlimited visitation rights to Renley, including the walk in the morning.
Also heavily enforcing, but would like to add, unlimited sex in the pond as well.
“To clarify, do you want sex in the pond or around the pond?” I ask teasingly.
“Gossy, I’ll take it anywhere. Anytime I think about that body of water, I get hard.”
“Okay, I can agree to that.”
He kisses my neck and whispers, “Should we go there now?”
“Kind of want to see what it’s like in a private space first, you know, since we tend to do it publicly.”
“I know, we’re such trollops.”
Laughing, I keep reading.
Rule Number Three: Renley is allowed to cancel morning walks with Theo if she needs to work out her thoughts, because before Theo arrived, her morning walks were alwaysher thinking time, and he needs to understand that and give her space if she needs it.
Theo will continue to give Renley space on her walks, but would love to join her if she wants, even if the walks are in silence. He just likes spending time with her and holding her hand—even though they aren’t allowed to hold hands on walks, maybe that can change soon.
“It will. Just let me get through the opening of the store first.”
“I know.” He lightly kisses my lips.
Rule Number Four: Theo is allowed to flirt with Renley. Renley is allowed to ignore such flirtation. If Renley is not amused, that’s a him problem, not a her problem. Winking is allowed.
Pretty sure at this point, Renley enjoys Theo’s flirting just as much as she enjoys his penis. But if she chooses to ignore such flirting because she finds it to be foreplay, then he will continue to flirt and wink to get her all riled up and randy.
“I will not confirm or deny if I like the flirting. All I can say is don’t stop.”
He chuckles. “You got it, Gossy.”
Rule Number Five: Theo is not allowed to propose to Renley. They are on two different paths, and marriage is not an option for them.
Can’t say that I won’t propose, so going to have to scratch this. I like to know the option is there.
I glance at him. “You’re not proposing.”
“Not right now.” His arm wraps tighter around me. “Doesn’t mean if this goes well that I never will. I do have a deadline to win you over by the end of summer, and I’m pretty sure I’ve done a good job so far. Can’t take proposing off the table.”
I study the rule, my heart beating faster.
