Page 18 of Riding the Sugar High

“Well, I’ve watched movies. Read books. I’m pretty sure every good fake dating story has rules.”

Can an eye roll be loud? Because his sure is.

“I think the whole point of thoserulesis for the character of the story to break them.”

I guess he’s right. “Okay. No rules.”

He dips his chin with a curt nod.

“Okay, one rule.”

“I don’t follow rules, Primrose,” he says, frustration bleeding out of his voice. “I barely take suggestions.”

“You can’t do what you did out there,” I say, pointing at the back of the house.

“What, save your ass?”

“No, just...touch me.” I trace my finger over the rim of the mug. “And, and...kiss me.”

“I didn’t kiss you out there.”

“You kissed my neck.”

“Okay.” He rests his elbows on the table. “So I can kiss your lips, but not your neck?”

“N-no,” I say, and the memory of his beard scratching the skin of my face makes my stomach tumble. “I don’t want you to kiss me. At all.”

“Could have fooled me.”

I open my mouth to quip back, though it’s not exactly easy to argue with him. I wanted that kiss. Sure, it took me by surprise, but as soon as his mouth landed on mine, I wanted it to stay there. Which really, is all the more reason to set this rule. We don’t want things to get confusing, and I don’t need to be disappointed by yet another man.

“Fine. No kissing.” He snaps his fingers. “Oh, and one more rule.”

“Yes?”

“No falling in love,” he says in a corny voice. When I give him a dry look, he shrugs. “What? Isn’t that basically mandatory in the script?”

Whatever. Let him make fun of me. I havemuchbigger problems in my life.

“Forget about Mayfield for a while and get comfortable, Primrose, because you’re not going anywhere. The police said so.”

Howis this my life?

Closing my eyes, I breathe out.

“See you tomorrow.” He sets his cup in the sink, then throws me another glance before stepping to the door. “Don’t run away, okay? I like the chase.”

you’re a walking red flag

Logan

A faint knockingsound wakes me, and only after I open my eyes do I realize the knocking isn’t faint at all, only far. Specifically the front door.

I stand, rubbing my eyes to get rid of the sleepiness. The piglets are still bundled in the blankets I put out for them, and the male one opens an eye as I walk out of the bedroom.

Who could it be at this hour? Kyle and Simon have a key for emergencies they regularly use for non-emergencies, so it can’t be them. Besides, they won’t get to the farm for another half hour.

Could it be Derek?

---