Page 21 of Unwritten Rules

“Smart girl,” he whispered, lighting up another cigarette while leaning on his bike.

He held in the smoke for a moment before releasing it into the air while his face was tilted up to the sky. He turned his head slightly and offered the cigarette over to me.

Solidifying my status as a new smoker, I accepted. I copied his movements, looking to the sky and releasing the smoke. At least the swirling smoke was cool to look at.

I handed it back to him. “I hope you don’t have cooties.”

“What if I did?” He smirked, popping the cigarette back into his mouth.

“Then I’d have to make good on my offer and head butt you to death.”

“Kinky,” he laughed, smoke leaking out of his mouth.

“You’re insufferable.”And an asshole. Why does he have to look so hot but be such an ass?I slipped an arm out of his jacket but he stopped me, putting my arm back in.

“I’ll take it at the door.”

I cocked my head at him. “Uh, you’renotcoming in.”

Saying nothing, he gripped my arm and marched me to the front porch like I was a child being sent to my room. We stopped maybe two steps from the front door.At least he didn’t throw me at the door, I guess.

He was facing me and the air seemed to thicken as we stood there. We were quiet enough that I could hear my breathing and heartbeat. His gaze turned intense, boring into my soul as it held mine with an expression I haven’t seen him wear before. His eyes seemed to be challenging mine, his eyebrow slightly raised in a challenge of what I would do with him on the porch.

Taking a step closer, he closed the distance between us to just mere inches. His hand reached up slowly, and I swore I saw a millisecond of hesitation before his fingers gently grasped my chin. The grip was firm, yet gentle.

He was testing my boundaries.

My breath caught in my throat, my eyes widened as his eyes flicked down to my lips. Slowly, his thumb stroked my bottom lip, freezing me to the spot. The tension was almost unbearable as he leaned in, making his intentions crystal clear.

As his lips just started to brush mine, the door opened with a sudden whoosh of air, breaking me out of his trance.

Kelly stood in the doorway, arms crossed, one eyebrow halfway up her forehead in equal amusement and curiosity. She cleared her throat, shattering the silence of the early morning.

“Is our guest staying or leaving?”

I blinked the tension away and stepped back. My cheeks flushed hot, a mix of embarrassment and frustration.Please don’t tell me it’s sexual frustration. Brent straightened himself, the smirk returning to his lips as he released my chin, his thumb brushing my bottom up once more before dropping his hand. He flicked his gaze to Kelly and nodded to her before looking back to me.

“Leaving,” he said, his voice back to his typical nonchalant tone. Though, his eyes might have told a different story. His eyes looked me up and down, silently devouring me as I stood in his jacket. He didn’t ask for it back. Instead, he presented a full, cocky smile. “Try not to miss me too much, Blondie.”

My heart stopped as he turned on his heel, leaving in just his t-shirt.

I turned back to Kelly, my pulse still racing, a warm feeling brewing in my belly, and let my breath out slowly.

Her arms were still crossed and she wore a mischievous smile. “Guess I can’t call you a virgin anymore.”

“Oh my God!” I shoved her through the door and slammed it. I hoped that, to any god in the universe, Brent wouldnothear what came out of her mouth.

I stood behind the closed door, panting and holding my chest, wondering what the hell my night had turned into. Was I about to kiss Brent Vaughn?

Better yet, was he about to kissme?

“Did I just see you standing on the doorstep about to swap spit with Brent Vaughn or am I hallucinating? Aren’t you dating Garrett?” Kelly’s voice pulled me from my thoughts as she stood looking back and forth between me and the front door.

We both shared a look of total disbelief.

I held up my arms in the too big jacket and shook the sleeves around like an idiot. “I don’t know! Help!”

Kelly folded over in full laughter, her eyes looking like they welled with tears. “What now?” She had to steady herself from the laughter. “Do you just... wear it and hope he comes asking for it back?”

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