Page 95 of Unwritten Rules
He doesn’t need to tell me twice.
Chapter Twenty-Six
TATUM
Khai isn’t home when we stumble through the apartment door. Sinnett said his roommate went out for celebratory drinks with some of the guys from the team, leaving us with the spacious apartment for a couple of hours.
I texted my dad on the way over here and told him I was staying the night with Raya. His response came quick, telling me not to get into any trouble if we go out. The guilt lingers in the back of my mind. For not telling my father what I’m really doing, and for using Raya as a cover without asking.Again. With how little friends I have in Sydney, and zero reason to be going out at night, she is my only scapegoat when I need it. I should double check with her that it’s okay I use her as a cover, but I don’t think Dad would go out of his way to ask since he doesn’t interact with the cheer squad. In fact, I don’t think they would have a reason to talkat all, not when the cheer squad is managed by Liz, who works for the club itself and not necessarily the team. But still, I need to speak to Raya about it.
I wish I could tell Dad the truth about what I’m doing, andwhoI’m doing it with, so I no longer have to hide it from him, but I know the revelation wouldn’t go down well with him. He has his mind set on the stupid no dating rule.
When the front door closes behind Sinnett, locking in place, I don’t see much of the apartment before I’m flat on my back. The black doona cover is soft against my skin and smells of lavender. The colour scheme of Sinnett’s room is dark and cosy, making it difficult to leave every night I’ve been here, when all I want to do is stay wrapped in his embrace and hide away.
I drag my bottom lip between my teeth and push myself up onto my elbows. Sinnett stalks across the room to the built in wardrobe with sliding glass mirrors. I’ve caught myself in those mirrors far too many times with wild hair and swollen lips. I would shy away at first, not wanting to see what I looked like after being thoroughly ravished by Sinnett, but I quickly realised that I felt power in that position. Beautiful, even. And now I don’t look away when I catch my eye in the reflection, wanting to hold onto the moment for as long as I can.
Sinnett rifles through the dark clothes hanging in his wardrobe—not a single hoodie that isn’t black catches my eye—the plastic coat hangers smacking against each other. A moment later, he tugs free a black, red and white jersey. He steps toward the bed, holding it up for me to see.
“Is that an old jersey?” I question, taking note of the worn material and slight change in club sponsor logos.
“It’s last seasons jersey,” Sinnett tells me, a shit-eating grin turning up his mouth. “Try it on.”
My eyes round at his words, and I sit all the way up, tilting my head back to meet his gaze. “You want me towhat?”
“Put it on, strawberry.” Sinnett extends the jersey to me, eyes never leaving mine. “I wasn’t kidding when I said you’ll wear no other jersey but mine.”
I thought he meant just his number in general, not a jersey he wore from last season.
“I-I—seriously?” I swallow hard and accept the shirt, the material smooth in the palm of my hand.
“I’m dead serious. Now stand up.”
Doing as I’m told, I stand, my nose barely reaching his chest. Sinnett’s hands make quick work of discarding his leather jacket from my shoulders, followed by my polo shirt and pants. All I can do is stare at him, and he’s grinning like he’s just won the lottery.
Ocean eyes skim over the emerald-green lacy lingerie set I threw on when I was getting ready for work earlier. I had no intention of showing it to Sinnett because we hadn’t planned to sneak away after the game. In fact, all of my comfortable underwear was in the basket in the corner of the room, laughing at me when I realised I had forgotten to do my laundry.Again. But judging by how Sinnett’s pupils dilate and his breath hitches, I know I made the right choice wearing it.
“It’s a damn shame I’m going to cover you up,” he grunts breathlessly. “But it’ll be worth it.”
He gestures for me to lift my arms, and when I do, he shimmies the smooth material down my arms. The jersey isn’t overly large given how tight-fitted it is to his body, but it’s roomy and falls mid-thigh.
Sinnett steps back, his eyes skimming down the length of my body. The heated look in his irises sets my heart into overdrive and my palms grow clammy. The material smells like him and I’m picturing all the times he wore it, running the length of the field, getting lost under bodies during tackles, and sliding over the try line.
Oh, my God.
Did it suddenly get hot in here?
Tongue darting out to lick his bottom lip, Sinnett steps forward, large hands finding my hips like they’ve done so many times before. It’s like muscle memory.
“I have pictured you in my jersey many times when trying to fall asleep at night, but never did I think you would look this good wearing my number.”
My hands find his shoulders, needing to feel his warmth and the confidence he gives me every time we’re together. I smile, feeling sexy and desired under his intense gaze. Electricity thrums in my veins, and anticipation pounds in my core, eyes dropping to his full lips.
“I only have space in my heart for number seven.” Leaning on my toes, my lips brush against his, sending a shiver across his lean and toned body. “And it’s yours for the taking.”
That is all the encouragement needed for Sinnett to claim my mouth, taking everything I have to offer him. It’s not enough for me to lay my heart on a silver platter for him to take. I want him to feel when it beats for him. I want him to hear when it calls for him. I want him to know that as long as he’s willing to protect it with his life and not trample all over it, my heart is his for the keeping.
Our lips move feverishly together, sending my mind into a delirious state as I fight to keep from melting under his touch. My legs hit the edge of the mattress, and Sinnett’s body sinks with mine as we sprawl across the king-sized bed. Sinnett slides his hands over my stomach as his body hovers over mine. Every touch, every lick, every nibble fuels the fire raging in my core, making me more desperate to feel him.
“Sin,” I whimper against his lips, lungs begging for air.
