Page 97 of Rules

She looks at me through the closed window with arms wrapped around her. I tilt my head to the side, telling her to get in, but the only reaction I get is a slight tilt of her chin in the air. I curse, lowering the window between us.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“Is she okay?” Brook looks at the backseat, completely ignoring my question.

“She passed out. She’ll have a wicked hangover tomorrow, but that’s it.”

You hope so, but what if you’re wrong?

Gritting my teeth, I ignore the little voice that’s been taunting me since I saw my sister dancing drunkenly on the bar.

Brook nods, still refusing to look at me. “That’s good. I’m glad she’s okay. Or, as okay as she can be.”

Silence falls between us. I watch her shift her weight from one leg to the other, the movement making the hem of her skirt rise up and reveal a few extra inches of her skin. That sexy, smooth skin I couldn’t get enough of. Just thinking of it, thinking of my hands caressing her body, makes my mouth water.

“I should get…”

“Get in the car, Brook,” I interrupt her through clenched teeth, done with playing games.

That does it; she looks at me with fury burning in those emerald eyes. “You don’t get to tell me what to do, Sanders.”

Sighing, I tilt my head back. I’m pissed at Jeanette for losing it tonight. At Brook for not stopping her.For hiding from me.At myself for lashing out at her. My head is throbbing, and I’ve just had enough of this day. Enough of this week.

Unclasping my seatbelt, I open the door and get out.

“You’ll either get in this car, right now, or I’ll throw you inside. Your choice,” I say softly as I stand toe to toe with her. If she were somebody else, she’d probably stumble back, but she holds her ground, not moving an inch.

That’s my girl.

“Do you really think you can bully me into doing things your way?” She pokes me in the middle of the chest with her finger. “I’ve had enough of your asshat attitude for one night.”

“Oh really?” I challenge.

In the distance, the party is still raging on. It’s the only thing that’s breaking the peacefulness of the night. It’s hard to believe nobody ever called the cops on us. Then again, this is the house of the person most likely to become the future mayor of Greyford.

Then the noise grows even louder, and after a second, I realize it’s close to midnight. How is it possible that this night has turned so disastrous before we even got to midnight?

Brook tilts her head back so she can look at me better. Her lips part, but no words come out. Her eyes grow wide as she realizes it’s almost midnight.

I can feel my heart slow down, beating in tune with every roared countdown.

She sucks in her lip, nibbling at the red flesh before she slowly lets it go. Her lips glisten in the moonlight, and I can’t seem to look away.

I kissed her only a few days ago, but it feels like forever.That’s because she ignored you. For days, she ignored you, not answering any of your calls or texts.Not like it matters. Even if she ignored me a thousand times, I’d want her. My body always craves more. More of her kisses. More of her touches. More ofher.

My hands clench by my sides. Once. Twice.

Blood rushing through my body rings in my ears, but even that doesn’t dull her voice.

“M-Max?”

A question or a plea? I’m not sure I have it in me to wait and find out.

“Fuck, Brook…”

With that, I give up all pretense of control. My hands grip her cheeks as I pull her in for a kiss.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

---