Page 103 of The Dixon Rule

“What about you?” Shane asks curiously.

“What about me?”

“What gets you off?”

“Nope.” I set down my glass. “We are not talking about this.”

“Why not?”

“Because we’re in a fake relationship. We’re not friends who talk about their kinks.”

“I think we should reevaluate your fake-girlfriend duties.”

“My only duties are to make you appear somewhat palatable to your ex-girlfriend.”

“Oh, fuck off.” He polishes off the rest of his drink and leans forward to refill his glass.

“You’re hitting the pink stuff pretty hard,” I say, lifting a brow.

“I’m already drunk. What’s a bit more drunker?”

“Was that English?”

Shane’s not paying attention to me anymore. “Holy shit, did this chick really just tell the Connor that she can make him happier than Zoey? Swear to God, if she picks him, I’m gonna—shut up, Dixon! Shut up. Jeff’s about to pick.”

“I’m not talking. You’re the one who’s talking!”

I can honestly say that Drunk Shane might be my favorite Shane.

We cheer when Jeff picks Leni, breaking her bond with Donovan. Then it’s the moment of truth. Marissa, the brunette who’s shaken up the hacienda, stands and smooths out the bottom of her white minidress. The camera pans from Steven’s face to Connor’s. They’re the two guys she’s been talking to the most and the two guys in the most solid relationships.

“If Steven’s picked, you and I become friends with benefits,” Shane pipes up. “If it’s the Connor, I go home and jerk off.”

I snort. “Either way you go home and jerk off, sweetie.”

“I have no loyalties here,” Marissa tells the group. “I came in here knowing I was going to ruffle some feathers. Tonight, I have to stay true to my heart and choose the person I think I have the strongest connection with. So, the boy I want to walk the path to forever with is…” The music grows dramatic. “…Connor.”

Shane growls in outrage as Zoey’s heartbroken face fills the screen.

“I told you,” I say with a sigh.

The host of the show addresses the group in her crisp British accent.

“Zoey and Donovan, your bonds have been broken. You will join the other singles in the Sugar Shack. I’m sorry, but it was just a fling. The rest of you are still on the road to forever.”

Shane is agape, so upset about Zoey’s banishment that I can’t help but reach over to squeeze his arm. Of course, he chooses that moment to move his arm, and my hand ends up in his lap instead.

Grinning, he peers down at his crotch. “If you wanted to undo my pants, you could have just asked.”

I snatch my hand back. “I’m not undoing your pants.”

“Would it kill you to admit that you’re attracted to me?”

It might. Because I’m not attracted to men like Shane. The annoying kind. The cocky kind. I’ve dated athletes before, but I’m drawn to a specific personality type. Someone with a more level head. Someone more mature than me, if I’m being honest. Someone to keep me in line when my temper strikes. Shane only activates it. We’d be way too fiery together.

On one hand, that means the sex has the potential to be off-the-charts hot.

On the other hand, I’m not opening that door. Not because I’m against casual sex. Sometimes I prefer it depending on the man. But going there with Shane feels like a bad idea. He’s best friends with my best friend’s husband and he lives next door. If a sexual relationship explodes in our face—which seems quite likely judging by our clashing personalities—it’ll only make things awkward, and then I’ll have two people in Meadow Hill I need to avoid. It’s in my best interest to resist this temptation.

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