Page 110 of Break the Rule
“It’s not a big deal,” Eden shrugs. It’s not the truth. It’s possibly the scariest thing Eden has ever done in his life. It’s a big fucking deal.
“Can I touch your hair?” Charlie asks, rubbing his forehead against Eden’s like a needy, overgrown cat. “Please.”
“No,” Eden snaps, pretty sure if Charlie does one more goddamn nice thing he’s going to run into oncoming traffic.
“Maybe later,” Charlie murmurs.
Why isn’t he put off by Eden? He should be.
“Don’t count on it,” Eden grumbles.
“That’s okay.” Charlie kisses his forehead, pulling back and dragging his eyes down Eden’s body. “At least I get to look at you.”
Squirming, Eden wishes he had something to cover up. He’s never worn a top like this before, and suddenly he wants to be in one of his usual oversized t-shirts.
“It’s Addy’s sweater,” he blurts.
“Looks good on you.” Charlie reaches for Eden’s hand, lifting it. “Come on, give us a spin.”
“Drop dead.”
“Please.”
“Absolutely fucking not.”
To Eden’s horror, Charlie shrugs, lifting Eden’s hand higher and keeping it in his own as he walks around Eden, whistling softly. “Fucking gorgeous.”
Heat pools low in Eden’s gut. Stupid Charlie and his stupid sexy voice.
“Can I suck your dick?”
“Everyone is inside,” Charlie says, taking another spin around Eden. He pauses behind him, fingering the bow. “I really like this.”
“You can suck my dick.”
“Everyone—”
“Is inside,” Eden finishes, pretty sure he'd rather walk into coming traffic rather than do this. He can’t believe he’s doing this. He’s not sure why he’s doing this. Actually, he does know and that makes it all so much fucking worse.
“We can fuck later,” Charlie says, “I want you to meet everyone.”
“Do we have to?” Eden grumbles, unsure why his feet are following Charlie when his brain wants to do anything but.
“You don’t have to.” Charlie stops, turning to face Eden. “I thought you wanted to come.”
I want to comefor you, Eden thinks. The only thing worse than feeling this way would be admitting it out loud.
“Who’s here?”
“Almost everyone, just waiting on one friend. He’s running late.”
A full house then. Eden’s worst nightmare.
“Did you change your mind?” Charlie asks, concern evident in his tone.
Yes.
“No,” Eden says in lieu of the truth, pretty sure relationships are the worst thing in the entire world. Stupid fucking feelings making him want to make Charlie happy, to be near him even in a house full of strangers. Caring about another person is horrible. Most days, Eden doesn’t even want to care about himself. All this is doing is opening him up to more chances for hurt and rejection. There’s no way all of Charlie’s friends and family are going to look at Eden and approve.
