Page 106 of Rules

"He's going to lose his mind," I whispered to my reflection, turning to check the view from behind. The outfit highlighted every curve he claimed to adore.

I threw on a simple dress over the lingerie just before his arrival. I grabbed a change of clothes for tomorrow. Checked my makeup one last time, tossed a quick overnight bag with a toothbrush and necessary makeup into the bag, and waited.

The doorbell rang precisely at six. Tobias stood on my porch looking unfairly handsome in jeans and a button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to reveal his forearms.

"There's my man," I said, rising to my tiptoes for a kiss.

His lips met mine, firm but gentle. "Hi, beautiful. You look lovely tonight, especially in my favorite boots."

"These old things? I'd forgotten you liked them." I smiled innocently. "What's the plan for dinner? I'm starving."

"I thought we'd have pizza at my place. Just relax for the evening." He offered his arm as we walked to his truck.

"Sounds perfect."

"Good, because I already picked up the pizza," he admitted with a grin. "You going somewhere?" He asked, taking the bag from me as I got in his truck.

"Yes. I have a date later with some guy with a weird nickname. But I figured you didn't want to hear about it."

"You're right, I don't." He handed me the bag and winked.

The drive to his house was filled with comfortable conversation. The first time he brought me to his house for a bar-b-que he'd been concerned about bringing me to the home he'd shared with Joan. But I said since I didn't know Joan, the house was just his. That seemed to resonate with him.

The pizza was delicious, we've found we have the same tastes in a lot of things. We talked about how rebuilding the shop was going. About the case against Michael's men, the upcoming trials. Tobias told me about some training he was planning for the deputies. When we were finished and Tobias stood to clean up the dishes, I excused myself.

Instead of heading to the bathroom as I'd implied, I slipped into his bedroom and quickly removed my dress. Heart racing, I checked my image in the mirror. Flipping at my waist I ran my hand through my hair. A quick lick of the lips and I was as ready as I was going to be. It was time, I felt it was my time to initiate the evening going how I wanted it to go. I walked back to the kitchen and leaned against the doorframe, not saying anything. I wait for him to notice me. Finally he called out.

"Ruth, should we have ice cream?" he called over his shoulder, still facing the sink.

"Depends on what you want to do with it," I replied softly.

He turned, and the expression that crossed his face was worth every single penny I'd spent on the lingerie. His mouth opened, eyes widened, then darkened with desire as they traveled slowly from my face down to my boots and back up again.

"Come here," he said, his voice deeper than usual as he set the towel down and leaned back against the counter.

I walked toward him, enjoying the way his eyes tracked every movement.

"Damn, that outfit was made for you." He gently turned me around in a slow circle. "Gorgeous. Simply gorgeous."

His arm circled my waist, pulling me against him. "Oh, the things I'm going to do to you, Roo."

My stomach flipped as he swept my hair aside and pressed his lips to the sensitive spot where my neck met my shoulder. He'd quickly learned all my weaknesses. How a simple brush of his lips along my neck caused me to melt against him. Breaking contact, he took my hand and led me down the hallway to his bedroom. Once inside, he sat on the edge of the bed and motioned for me to come closer.

"It's punishment time," he said, his tone serious but eyes gleaming.

I stuck out my bottom lip in an exaggerated pout.

"What's that face for?" He raised an eyebrow. "Were you hoping I'd forget?"

"Kind of. That's part of why I wore this outfit."

His laugh was deep and warm. "A valiant effort." He patted his lap. "Let's go."

With all the grace of an elephant on ice skates and a lot of help from him, I managed to lay across his legs, feeling both ridiculous and oddly excited as my bottom was positioned perfectly for his large hand.

"This isn't the most comfortable position," I pointed out.

"It's not supposed to be. But I have to say I think it's great." I could hear the smile in his voice. "I've been thinking about this. I thought it would be the perfect time to give you a lecture."

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