Page 33 of Broken Rules

“Are you going to give her one of those deals like what’s his face over at Sunrise?”Travis asked.“The guy you were originally thinking about working with?”It was completely innocent, but it left me glaring at him until he cringed.“What did I say?It was just a question.”I watched as he looked at the others, hoping for backup.

“What’s up your ass?”Clay asked.

I didn’t like the concerned look he wore.“It’s a sore subject,” I explained to Travis.“Turns out I dodged a bullet, missing out on working with him.As for a deal… I’m not sure,” I admitted.The idea had blown through my mind, but I never stopped to give it much thought.Not seriously.

I couldn’t voice the truth.I couldn’t force myself to say it out loud.It wasn’t my call.Not completely.Dad had to give final approval on any sort of long-term deal.Considering Summer was only supposed to be the inclusivity hire, it didn’t seem likely he’d want to keep her on.Considering I hadn’t tried for a second to make the changes he wanted to the movie, I doubted he’d feel charitable when all was said and done.

But he would get over it because he would see I was right.The public would back me up on this.I’d never been so sure of anything in my life.

Travis went outside to check in with the nanny on a call while Clay went to the bar to order another round.Spencer took the opportunity to pull out his phone, and the way he smiled at the screen told me Rowan had texted him.It transformed his face.He looked peaceful.

It was a relief to have an excuse to check for any messages from Summer.I had been wanting to ever since I sat down, telling myself to get a grip.I wouldn’t act like a lovesick puppy.I was Lex-fucking-Landry, and I had never chased after a woman in my life.

Still, after she’d spent hours with her parents, it seemed reasonable to check in and make sure nobody was dead.I figured she’d see it once she got home.

Me:Hope you’re enjoying dinner.Talked you up all day.They seem nice.

All right, maybe the last part was an exaggeration.Her mother seemed all right—a little over-the-top and heavy on the patchouli for my taste.But even after everything Summer told me their bullshit ideas about art, she was surprisingly interested and enthusiastic, peppering me with questions between takes and listening intently to the answers.

Her husband, on the other hand?There had never been a person born who would tell him a damn thing.In other words, he was just like his daughter but without the qualities I enjoyed.

By the time Clay rejoined us, I received a response.Was I smiling the way Spencer had?There was no reason for it.We didn’t have what he and Rowan did.

Summer:Need to see you tonight.Important.Your house?

It was amazing how my head could buzz with questions at the same time my dick began to swell.There was nothing I wanted more than to see her tonight, and I had only spent last night with her.There was no such thing as enough, and I never slept as well as I did after we spent the night together.

“I swear, it’ll be a miracle if I can find a nanny who lasts more than a week,” Travis grumbled as he dropped into his seat.Noticing me, he asked, “What are you grinning about?”

I finished sending my reply to Summer.“I was thinking about how well I’m going to sleep tonight.”

* * *

She was waitingin her car when I arrived, parked at the bottom of my driveway.At my approach, she flipped on her headlights, following me up the winding drive until we reached my front courtyard.This had to be serious.Why else would she sit there like that, waiting like some starstruck fan hoping to meet their idol?

She climbed out of her car and slung her purse over her shoulder before marching straight toward me without saying a word.“What happened?”I asked as she approached.“Did something go wrong?”

There was only time for her to shake her head slightly before she launched herself at me, throwing her arms around my neck and burying her face against my shoulder.“Thank you.Thank you a hundred million times.”

The last thing I expectedwasthe one thing I needed.“What did I do?”I asked, wrapping my arms around her waist to hold her closer.Something about holding her, even like this, totally innocent, soothed me.It softened part of me I didn’t know was there until I met her.

“Are you kidding?”She laughed softly as I set her back down on her feet.Her eyes shone in the moonlight, sparkling, almost hypnotizing me.“You wowed them!Even Dad.I had to pinch myself.”

“What did they say?“ With an arm around her shoulders, I led the way into the house.She came along without saying a word, neither of us confirming she would be staying.I knew she would without asking.I had her again tonight, and she wasn’t going anywhere until I said so.

“Mom actually said she had no idea there was so much that went into making a movie.Can you fucking believe that?”She threw back her head and almost shouted with laughter once we were inside, walking to the living room.She was practically bouncing on the balls of her feet, overflowing with excitement and probably a lot of relief.“All these years, I’ve been making movies, and now they bother to pay attention to how complicated it is.”

I easily imagined her interpreting the situation in a very different way, which made her positive attitude that much nicer to hear.“What did your dad say?He’s a tough nut to crack.”That was the kindest way to put it.

“He’s impressed with how much you know about the project.”She flopped down on the sofa and kicked off her sandals, tucking her feet under her.“He didn’t expect somebody in your position to know the first thing about the details because, of course, you’re only supposed to care about the money.”

When she looked down at her lap, I didn’t bother stifling my laughter.Dropping down next to her, I asked, “Oh, you mean the exact thing you accused me of?”

“I guess I walked into that one.”She shifted her weight until she was on her knees, then threw one leg over me.She hiked her dress around her waist before settling in, then draped her arms around my neck.I liked the direction her mind was going in.“The only thing I’ve been able to concentrate on all night is how I was going to possibly repay you for doing me that huge favor today.”

Sometimes, it was like the woman read my mind.If there was anywhere I needed her, it was like this, wiggling in my lap with the heat from her pussy soaking through my slacks and her tits in my face, so firm and full, her nipples tightening against the soft fabric covering them.

If there was one thing I appreciated about her free-spirit attitude, it was her hatred for bras.

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