Page 7 of Rules

For a moment, I think I've gone too far. His jaw tightens, his eyes narrow, then he kisses me. There's nothing gentle about it. This is raw, hunger, possession. His free hand cradles the back of my head, pulling me closer as his tongue claims mine. When he finally breaks away, I'm gasping for air, light-headed from both the kiss and the surge of emotions it unleashes.

He releases my wrists only to wrap his arms around me, drawing me into another kiss that's equally fierce. Joey appears at our feet, pawing insistently at my leg.

"No Joey, go lay down," Tobias mumbles against my mouth.

Joey retreats again, and I marvel at his obedience. Why doesn't he ever listen to me like that? Tobias leans into me, his body a solid wall of heat. "Are you going to listen and be done for the night?"

"I only have one more month," I say, half hoping to provoke him again.

"Ruth." His voice drops lower, more commanding, almost a growl.

"What? The door was locked." I blink up at him, genuinely confused by his intensity.

"I don't like you being here this late on your own." His eyes blaze. “Do I need to paddle your ass for you to understand not to work so late?”

My eyes open wide as I blink at him. “Paddle my ass?”

"Yes, have you forgotten about the break-in?"

"Paddle my ass?”

“Ruth, pay attention this is important.”

I swallowed and blinked a long blink. “Ah, oh, you don’t think that was a one time thing?"

"We don't know. Sometimes they are and sometimes they aren't."

He leans in, his lips brushing the sensitive spot just below my ear. "What don't you understand?"

His breath against my skin sends a jolt straight to my core. My nipples tighten, straining against my bra. He exhales deliberately, and I nearly melt.

"Roo, what don't you understand?" Another warm breath.

My mind is spinning. His nickname makes my stomach flip. My body's never wanted someone so badly, but my brain won't stop questioning. Why now? Why tonight, after weeks of him barely being able to look at me? Why hasn't he asked me out properly if he feels this way? Shit, take me here in my office. Just do something to move us forward.

He licks the spot then blows out his breath.

"I—I–" Words fail me.

He brushes his palm deliberately across my chest, letting out a knowing chuckle when he feels my hardened nipples through my shirt. I'm putty in his hands, and he knows it. The bastard. All I want is to rip open that uniform and run my hands over his chest, feel his warm skin against mine, inside and out.

"You were saying?" The hint of smugness in his voice would be infuriating if I wasn't so desperate for his touch.

I've lost the ability to form coherent thoughts. It's been so long since anyone touched me like this, made me feel so wanted. I slide my hand behind his neck, pulling him into another kiss. He takes his time now, exploring my mouth with a thoroughness that leaves me even more breathless when he finally pulls away. I stand there, panting, arms still wrapped around him.

"My head is confused," I manage.

"Why," he brushes his nose against mine, gentle now where he was demanding before, "are you confused?"

"I don't know what this is. Is this leading to anything?"

As soon as the words leave my mouth, I see the change. His eyes widened, the passion draining from his face. He steps back, putting space between us that feels like miles.

"Wait, what are you doing?" My voice comes out embarrassingly needy.

"Why don't you get your stuff together and I'll walk you out?" His tone is professional again, as if the last five minutes never happened. He runs a hand through his hair, stepping back a couple more steps.

"Tobias, wait." But Joey's already there, standing on his hind legs, begging to be picked up. Tobias obliges, cradling him close, scratching behind his ears.

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