Page 107 of Rule Breaker

“I’ve had enough drama for one day,” I sighed. “Let’s go back to the dorm and study. I’ve got an essay coming up, and I’m nervous as fuck.”

Maddox looked up at me.

“I got a message from Daniel. He’s driving down here tonight. He’ll be at the game tomorrow.”

“That’s great!” I exclaimed. “We need all the support we can get.”

I went to hug him and then realized where we were standing. Putting my hands back in my pockets, I stared at him.

Maddox didn’t say anything. He stood there, head down.

“Are you okay? Aren’t you stoked he’ll be here to watch you play?”

“I am.” Maddox looked up at me. “But, also, surprised. That he’d do that. For me.”

“Well, heisyour foster family.”

“Was. But that doesn’t mean he has to come see me now.”

We started down the stairs and walked along the pathway.

“Obviously, you mean a lot to him.”

Maddox’s cheeks flushed as he nodded.

“I wasn’t exactly the easiest kid to deal with,” Maddox admitted. “But he’s been more like a dad to me than my own. And I…I don’t want to let him down, you know? There’s only a handful of people whose opinions I care about. And Daniel’s one of them.”

“I can’t wait to meet him.”

Maddox didn’t respond at first. Shit, did he not want me to meet Daniel?

“I told him,” Maddox finally replied. “About you. About us.”

He didn’t say anything else and he didn’t have to. I realized what it meant. And how much I meant to Maddox.

When we arrived at the dorm, we headed straight to his room. Once inside, we dropped our bags and tossed our jackets off. I sat in his chair, beckoning him to sit on my lap.

Maddox put his arms around my neck, sliding in nice and tight. Nothing between us. I cupped his face, running my thumb along his lips, across his cheekbone.

“So, you told Daniel we’re together. Does this mean youmorethan like me?” I asked, pulling him in close, teasing his mouth with a soft kiss.

A loud moan rumbled out of his chest. It had me pulling him in even tighter.

“Like isn’t the right word, Kay,” he confessed, taking my lips in a claiming kiss. “I’m sure you’ve already figured me out. My feelings are never in the middle. All or nothing. Even though I might not say it or show it, you’ve gotta know that you’re all of it. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Maddox didn’t need to say the words. I doubted he might ever say them. But looking up at his steely blues, I didn’t see lust. I saw the truth staring right back at me.

“Yes,” I whispered. “I’ve fallen so hard for you, Mad. It’s like the first time I stepped foot on the ice. My legs are wobbly, my knees are weak, and I’m scared I’m going to get hurt. But it’s still the most incredible thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Maddox gave me a smile I’d never seen before. One that literally took my breath away.

We didn’t just fuck that night. There was love there, too.

Maddox – later that night

Kayden was out cold beside me, intermittently snoring and talking in his sleep. I’d say he was adorable, but thinking the word, never mind saying it, had me shaking my head at myself.

Despite—or maybe because of—the most intense sex we’d ever had, I was too amped up to join him in dreamland. Overloaded with emotions I wasn’t prepared for. I thought after what I went through with my dad that I’d be able to face anything.

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