Page 101 of By His Rule

“Kieran killed it this evening,” the server who greeted Kian personally when we first arrived says while delivering our drink refills.

“Yeah,” Kian says, a proud smile appearing on his messy face.

I laugh; I can’t help it. He looks like a little kid who went at the chocolate sauce too hard.

Instantly, I reach for my cell, needing to capture the unbelievable moment on camera. But then I remember. The asshole stole it.

Shaking his head, he pulls a couple of napkins free and wipes his mouth.

“They’re going to have an epic season, I can just feel it.”

“We can only hope. Kieran is desperate to make the playoffs.”

After a little more football talk, the server finally leaves us alone again.

“You need to stop looking at me like that,” he says, reaching for another wing.

“Like what?”

“Like you’d rather eat me than the wings.”

My chin drops in the hope of looking shocked at his words.

“Seriously?” I hiss.

He smirks and shakes his head.

“I’d make it worth your while; it’s not only a chicken wing I know my way around, you know.”

“Once again, not interested, thank you.”

“Are you going to try to tell me you have a better offer on the table?”

I think about the messages I was exchanging with Ryder last night. All it would have taken was for me to invite him to my place, and he’d have been there and between my thighs in a heartbeat.

At the thought, an image appears in my head—only the face between my legs doesn’t belong to my old friend.

Dangerous territory, Lorelei. Very fucking dangerous.

“Yeah, actually, I do,” I state firmly.

“Your ex isn’t a better offer,” he counters.

“Couldn’t agree more. He was good, though,” I muse, loving the way it makes Kian’s jaw tick with annoyance.

“Lorelei,” he warns.

I shrug before focusing my attention back on the wings.

“Are you going to listen to me today and drive away the second I step out of the car?” I ask as we sit outside my building.

The sunny fall evening has given way to a torrential downpour that I’m happily avoiding for a few more seconds by arguing with Kian.

“Absolutely not. I would be a very bad boss if I didn’t see you to your door.”

“It’s raining,” I point out.

“Is it? I hadn’t noticed,” he deadpans.

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