Page 51 of Rules

“Ma—”

My lips crash over hers as her whole body shakes, her pussy gripping tightly as wave after wave of pleasure washes over her, making her body shudder in my arms.

Gripping her hips tightly, I chase my own release, pushing deeper, thrusting harder until her quivering body pulls me over the edge along with her.

Her name is a shout falling off my lips, buried in the hollow of her skin.

* * *

BROOK

What the hell have I done?I look to the side at the body stretched next to me. Max is sleeping, his hand draped over my middle, his chest moving as he softly breathes, totally unaware of my internal freak-out.

Why do I keep doing things like this? Just why?

This was a huge mistake, but there was no stopping it. Not when the nightmare was still vivid in my mind. Not when the thought of the past was haunting me and I knew there was only one way I could make it all go away. Only one way that would make me forget.

You said you were done with this shit, a little voice reminds me, but I push it away. I know what I’m doing is wrong. Fucked up on so many levels, and if anybody caught on, they’d have a field day trying to figure it out, but what’s done is done. It’s not like I can go back in time and change it.

Would you change it? Would you really?

I swallow hard, ignoring the conscience that’s eating at me. This is the last time. It won’t happen again. Itcan’thappen again.

Is it really?

Oh, fuck off already!

Frustrated, I slowly slide his hand off my stomach as not to disturb him. I wait a while, practically not breathing just to make sure I don’t wake Max before I finally breathe out in relief and slide off the bed.

I grab the first shirt I find, pulling it over me to hide my nakedness, and when I’m done, I lift my gaze to him.

The soft morning light that comes through the window illuminates his frame. Max is lying on his stomach with one hand tucked underneath the pillow. A blanket is covering his lower half barely enough to be considered decent, leaving his muscular back completely exposed.

My fingers itch to touch him, trace that smooth skin. I could still feel his hands on my body, his lips brushing against mine in a fervent kiss.

Lia…

The way he said my best friend’s name that first time rings in my mind. There is no reason for it, not really. It’s not like Max called me by her name this time around. But it’s not like my brain cares about that; it just kindly reminds me of the fact. Max still wants her. Still loves her, yet he slept with me.

Did he think of her tonight too?

My heart squeezes in my chest. Just the thought of it makes bile rise in my throat.

Pressing the palm of my hand against my chest, I rub it, but the ache doesn’t go away. If anything, my chest squeezes, making it impossible to breathe.

I have to get out of here. I can’t be here when he wakes up. I can’t be here if I want to be able to breathe normally again.

Chapter Seventeen

MAX

I grunt loudly, pushing up the bar in my hands. It’s Monday morning, and like every day, we have to be here for the pre-class workout, but today I came in extra early. It was either that or keep turning in my bed, and I’d go nuts if I stayed closed inside one more second. I did that all day yesterday, and I was done.

Done with tossing and turning.

Done with questioning myself.

Justdone.

---