Page 39 of About That Rule

He lifted a dark eyebrow. “Is this another suggestion of yours that I need to prove to you how I’m not soft? We can leave now if you want.”

Oh boy. Another round of blushing spread across her face just imagining Nate and his idea of not hard. If there was one thing completely unbearable in this marriage, it was not knowing how hard Nate could get. She had no idea what his dick felt like, and she was curious to find out. After the last time they kissed, it had been a slippery slope for her when he backed away and reminded her of the rules. It was what they needed now.

The reminder.

Of the rules.

Not of how she wanted to touch his dick.

She put on her brave face to override how badly she wanted to…well, ride him. “It was not a suggestion. In fact, we have rules in place that mandate no sex.”

“Ah, how could I forget?” His smile was still in place, but the spark in his eyes was gone.

She finished her beer. “Let’s blame it on the pretzel bites. Compared to the nachos, they missed the mark.”

Comedic responses always worked with him. They laughed and started pointing out all the silly signs hanging in the bar while they finished their food. She snapped selfies of them drinking beer and smiling. It was back to having fun.

The desire for him still hung in the air around her, though. And she had no idea how to get it to go away.

THEY ENDED UPhaving a third beer before trekking it back to his apartment. Spending time with Samantha was like a breath of fresh air. She wasn’t just funny, but smart and always came to him with a fresh perspective. Since they’d gotten married and were visiting each other more often, it was becoming clearer to him how important she was in his life. How needed she was. Nate would be a mess if he lost her.

He was an idiot for bringing up sex at the bar, but there was a part of him hoping she wouldn’t give a shit about the rules anymore.

So much for that.

“Not to be lame, but do you care if we just watch a movie or something?” Samantha tilted her head when she asked. She was in a t-shirt and cotton shorts, which was a laidback outfit, but to him, she was good enough to eat.

“Can I pick the movie?”

“You can if we can watch it in bed. I’m exhausted.”

They went into his bedroom, and it should’ve been like any other time she slept over, but the room was filled with so much sexual tension, it was hard for him to breathe normally. Fuck, he wanted her so badly. It was something he’d never desired before. It was like they were connected on a different level.

Samantha got on the left side of his king-sized bed and snuggled her back into the pillows. It struck him how perfect she looked in his bed. How much he wanted it to keep happening.

He shook the idea of long-term with her out of his head and climbed onto the other side of the bed. “The Godfather?”

“Typical.” She smirked. “You’re not allowed to get mad if I fall asleep.”

He got closer to her and put an arm over her shoulder. “No way. You can’t disrespect Don Corleone that way.”

Samantha ignored his threat. “Then maybe something a little less mobster and a little more chill. What about that movie you love with John Cusack and the jacuzzi?”

“Hot Tub Time Machine? I thought you hated that one?”

“Which is why I won’t care if I offend anyone in the movie when I fall asleep.”

He reached back to his side of the bed and grabbed the remote from the bedside table. Turning on the movie, he stared at her, unsure if he should move closer again.

Rolling to her side, she looked over her shoulder at him. “I will definitely be asleep in ten minutes.”

His hand circled around her waist and dragged her to him. For just one more laugh, he hovered over her and started tickling. Around her waist and ribcage were her spots, he’d known this since he was nine.

“Nate, stop it!” She laughed, screaming at the same time.

The war of tickling was on, and she was losing. Fuck, how much he loved her laughter. It was addictive to hear. “Can’t make me,” he sassed back.

Her brown eyes sparkled as her body shook from the tickles matched with her giggles. She looped her arms around his neck and yanked him closer to her. This move barely gave any space separating them. In an instant, the situation changed. It went from tickling in a joking manner to the chemistry crackling around them as he laid on top of her. The temptation was too much. The need was too overwhelming. The want was too desperate.