Page 37 of The Rule Breaker
Austin snorts. “You overthink shit too much. She was into you.”
“Wasn’t into her,” I reply with a shrug.
Logan scoffs. “That’s the lamest excuse I’ve ever heard. You need to get back out there, man. Shake off the cobwebs.”
Before I can respond, the door swings open.
Of course, my head snaps toward it, and just like that, every thought excepthervanishes.
Wild curls that look way too soft not to touch. Big brown eyes that look like they belong in an animated movie.
Isabella walks in, laughing at something her roommate says, cheeks flushed from the cold. Fuck, she looks good. Too good.
And then she sees me.
Her step falters for half a second, but then her lips curl into a slow, pretty as fuck smile.
Wanna kiss it.
Fuck, Ryan. For the last time. Just fucking frien—ah, fuck it.
There’s no point in denying it anymore. Nathan can’t hear my thoughts.
I want to kiss the hell out of her. Want to slide my hands around her waist, pull her flush against me, tuck one of those curls behind her ear, and kiss the ever-loving crap out of her.
What would she do if I did it? If I just?—
“What the fuck are you doing here?”
The words snap through the air, sharp enough to cut, and my head jerks toward the voice.
Cole.
His entire body is rigid, jaw locked, eyes locked on Isabella’s roommate. His fists are clenched, chest rising and falling a little too fast.
I blink.The fuck?
His whole body is humming with tension, hands clenched at his sides.
Her roommate doesn’t even flinch. Doesn’t react at all, actually. Just lifts a brow, plants a hand on her hip, and tilts her head. “Didn’t realize you owned this bar.”
Cole’s nostrils flare. “You know what I mean, Viper. What the fuck are you doing in Colton?”
She lets out a slow breath. “Getting a degree. Can you say the same?”
Cole’s fingers twitch. His whole body coiled as he grinds his teeth together. “Whyhere?”
She shrugs. “Because I want to. My decision has nothing to do with you.”
Cole’s glare darkens, his voice sharp enough to cut. “You don’t fucking belong here.” He steps in closer, shoulders squared. “Why don’t you run back to your boyfriend and get the fuck out of here?”
Her eyes narrow, lips pressing into a thin line. “Bite me.”
Cole’s jaw clenches, his gaze intense as his lips curl. “You’re not my type.”
“Tragic,” she mutters, rolling her eyes before grabbing Isabella’s arm. “Come on. I need a drink—and to get away from this asshole.”
“Feeling’s fucking mutual, Viper,” Cole throws back.
