Page 131 of Breaking Rules

With him, I feel loved.

CHAPTER41

MY MAN

BELLA

December

I’ve just hungup with Meg as Xander parks his car near my aunt’s house.

My best friend was enraged when I told her what happened with Jake, but she was ecstatic about the part where Xander came to my rescue. She shrieked when I finally gave her permission to tell Marco about my relationship. With how chatty Meg is, I’m impressed she lasted this long.

“Are you okay?” Xander asks for what has to be the tenth time. It’s adorable how worried he is about me.

“I’m fine.” I give him a gentle kiss. “I want to enjoy this party and forget what happened with Jake while I can.”

“While you can?” He pushes his door open and signals for me to wait for him. When he opens my door, he says, “What do you mean?”

I hold up a finger. “Cindy saw us.” A second finger. “Meg will tell Marco.” A third. “You told your agent you broke Jake’s nose. Do you really think our relationship will stay hidden much longer?”

“When you put it that way…” He scratches the back of his neck. “Is that a bad thing?”

“I don’t think so.” I shake my head. “Your family knows we’re together. Aunt Millie, Ben, and Tom know too. The same goes for Meg.” I smile brightly at him. “I think I’m ready to go public with you.”

He gently lifts the cake out of the backseat. “Are you ready to officially be introduced as the girlfriend of Alexander Walker, the star quarterback of the Boston City Warriors?” He arches an eyebrow, breaking out a cocky grin.

I step closer and press a hand to his wildly beating heart as I wet my lips. “I’d love to know more about all the perks I’m signing up for beforehand.”

“The perks? How about this: I’ll fuck you nice and hard all night long, exactly the way you like it. I’ll always take care of you and keep you safe.” Xander ducks so we’re eye level, forcing the butterflies in my stomach to take flight. “And I’ll never stop loving you.”

“Bella!” The sound of my name makes me jump back.

Tom stands on the porch, his face etched with panic. “Get in here! Ben is on his way.”

“Sorry, Tom, it’s my fault.” Xander winks at me as we stroll toward the house. “I got distracted by this beauty.”

* * *

With a glassof wine in one hand and Xander’s arms wrapped around me from behind, I feel at ease. The warmth of his embrace makes me forget about everything else, transporting me to our bedroom, to the world we create when we’re together. Our own universe full of love, passion, and care.

“Don’t get me wrong, guys. I’m not judging what you do behind closed doors, but…” Tom sits beside me on the couch, a sly smile playing on his lips. “You could’ve hidden the bruises on your neck better.”

“Bruises on your neck?” Ben looms over Xander and me with a deep frown.

Ben is typically easygoing, but when it comes to the people he loves, he will never hesitate to speak his mind. Telling him Xander and I were dating was the most intense and rewarding experience. Though he voiced plenty of reservations, he also pledged his support. Then he threatened Xander’s life if he didn’t treat me well.

“Jake did that, not Xander,” I remark.

“Excuse me?” Ben drops to the coffee table in front of us. “You dumped him two months ago.”

“He found out about us and came over. Caught me walking Milo.”

“File a restraining order,” Ben seethes, his fists clenching. He shifts his gaze to Xander, glaring at him. “Do a better job next time.”

“I will. This time, I broke his nose.” Xander shrugs.

Ben’s jaw unhinges. “For real? Again?”

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