Page 24 of Rule Breakers Fall Hardest

6

ROSIE

That bastard.

As the Porsche speeds out of the parking lot, all I can do is hope his sorry ass gets pulled over.

Staring down at the credit card he practically threw at me, I shake my head. Irritated doesn’t begin to describe how I feel.

And what the hell was that kiss?

I’ve never been kissed like that before—with equal parts passion and desperation. It’s like he wanted to sink inside me.

The worst part is that I would’ve let him.

Shame on me.

I cross the lot and climb into my SUV. For several minutes, I sit there, engine running, and soak in the warm air blowing from the vents. Today’s harsh wind has caused a chill to settle in the air. Or maybe it’s Daire’s frigid behavior that’s getting to me.

With my forehead pressed to the steering wheel, I swallow past the lump in my throat. I certainly didn’t expect the traditional wedding night, nor would I let him touch me like that—even if I really,reallyliked the way he kissed me—but I can’t say I envisioned him abandoning me in the courthouse parking lot either. I should’ve known better. If there’s one thing Daire has been consistent about for the last few years, it’s embarrassing me.

Meandering aimlessly down the streets of the small town outside our sprawling campus, I finally sayfuck it, and drive the few hours into Nashville. I don’tneedto spend his money, but if he’s offering, then why not put it to good use?

Asshole.

I don’t even care if I’m behaving exactly like the kind of person he thinks I am. If he can’t treat me with respect, then he doesn’t deserve it either.

When I get downtown, I check into the Four Seasons. I didn’t bring a bag with me, but I have no qualms about using Daire’s card to pay for a change of clothes, pajamas, and toiletries.

Once I’ve got my keycard, I head back out and make my way to the mall. In the first store I come across, I change out of my dress and into a new pair of jeans and a light-weight sweater. From there, I continue to add to the bill. New boots at another store, a cute dress from a third, and a purse I’ve been eyeing for the last year but didn’t want to pull the trigger on.

I don’t care if our marriage isn’t real. It’s rude as hell that I’ve gone out of my way to help him, and in return, he’s discarded me like a dirty tissue.

When I come across a furniture store, excitement flares inside me. We have a new home to decorate, after all. We need couches and tables and… well,everything. When I finish there, I charge a nauseatingly large sum, putting that “no limit” to the test. Sure enough, the purchase goes through.

If he gets text notifications for his card, he’ll probably go into cardiac arrest.

“Thanks so much.” I smile at the saleswoman, masking a pain so sharp I feel as if I’ve spent all afternoon wandering the mall with a knife buried in my chest.

Even so, I hold my head high, scoop up my bags, and continue on my merry way.

Retail therapy usually does the trick when my life goes to shit, but it’s not making me feel better this time.

It doesn’t stop me from purchasing another luxury purse, though, or a watch I certainly don’t need.

The ring on my left hand feels like a weight threatening to drown me.

What have I done?

I never should’ve allowed myself to be suckered into a scheme like this. It was stupid. Downright foolish of me. There’s a small part of me that remembers what it was like before, when he was my friend, and like an idiot, I let that small voice sway my decision. I just wanted to help. To make it all better for him.

It’s late by the time I return to the hotel. Luckily for me, Daire’s paying for the penthouse suite.

The bathtub is practically the size of a small swimming pool. I run hot water and add the bubbles and salt provided as exhaustion weighs heavily on me. I’m not even physically tired, just mentally strung out from the last few weeks. I better get used to it, I guess, because this whole thing is only beginning.

Slipping out of my clothes, I sink into the steaming water. An embarrassing sigh leaves me.

Alone.

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