Page 30 of Rules

“No.”

“Please, Brook.” I shoot my, what Anette calls, panty-dropping smile her way. “The library is stuffy, making it hard to concentrate, and I need to get this shit done.”

She stares at me for a while, her lips pressed in a tight line, expression cool. Unreadable. I hold her gaze, letting her take her fill as I take mine.

There is something about Brook Taylor that draws my attention, and no matter how long or how hard I stare at her, there is always something more to see, something more to discover about the girl who holds all her secrets close to her. Something about her calls to me, and I couldn’t look away even if I wanted to. And when I feel anxious and restless, all the obligations and expectations making it impossible to breathe, being in her presence makes it all take a backseat.

“Fine,” she finally says, breaking the silence. “But you better keep to your side of the room and stay quiet. I have to finish this.”

Chapter Eleven

BROOK

What the hell has gotten into me? I should have said no. Firm and unapologetic. I have to finish this piece and I don’t need any distractions. And Max is the biggest distraction of them all. Especially after everything that happened Saturday night.

His wounded gray eyes still haunt me. I can see them clearly in my mind. Wide, hurt and filled with sorrow.

Nibbling at my lip, I peek over the edge of the canvas.

True to his word, Max has stayed on his side of the room, leaving enough distance between us. He’s sitting on the floor with a drawing board propped on his bent knees, his back leaning against the wall. When I agreed to let him stay, I thought it’d be enough, keeping distance between the two of us. Thought I’d be able to ignore him and do my own thing, but apparently not.

His presence is so strong. Overwhelming, really. It’s like he sucked all the air from this room and filled it with tension. Thick and intense.

Deafening silence clouds the space, worse than any noise could ever be, all the unsaid things between us making it almost unbearable to be in his company. But bringing it all up won’t do us any good, so there is no sense in saying anything.

Max needs somebody to anchor him, guide him so he doesn’t drive himself crazy while studying, and for some weird, fucked-up reason, he thinks I’m the only person who can do that. No matter how mixed up and confusing my feelings are for the guy, I can’t say no to him. Not when it comes to this.

“You’re drilling a hole in my forehead,” he murmurs, not lifting his gaze from whatever he’s been working on. “Thinking of fun ways to kill me off?”

“Don’t flatter yourself.” I roll my eyes. “I just got lost in my thoughts for a bit, that’s all.”

Returning my gaze to the canvas, I face the silvery orbs staring back at me.

I was so immersed in my work that I didn’t even hear him when he first approached. The only thing I can be grateful for is that my station is turned so nobody can see what I’m working on. Purposely so. Because if he saw it… A shudder runs through my whole body. And people wonder why I’m reluctant to show my work to the world.

It’s so personal. So… telling. It could reveal my deepest, darkest secrets and desires, and I’m not ready for that. I’ll never be ready for that.

“Lost in thoughts of me?” His light chuckle makes my head snap.

I narrow my eyes, looking at him through tiny slits. “If you don’t shut up, I’ll find something heavier than a tube of paint to throw at you.”

Max looks around like he’s actually contemplating my response. “Nah, I think I’m good.” Leaning back against the wall, he tilts his chin my way. “Whatcha working on?”

Nothing now that you’re here.But I can’t say that out loud. “None of your business.”

He chuckles again, the sound echoing in the empty room. My skin prickles because it feels like his voice is touching my skin, and my breath hitches in my lungs.

Why is it suddenly so hard to breathe?

“I could have guessed that.”

What the hell does that mean?

“Guessed what?” I ask, narrowing my eyes at him.

“That you’re one ofthoseartists.”

“And what kind of artists arethoseartists?”

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