Page 135 of Breaking Rules

Around us, conversations die, and when I look up, Audrey and Ryan are standing in the middle of the room.

“We have news,” Audrey chirps.

Ryan winds his hand around her waist, holding her close.

“As you all know, Ryan finally got a promotion, and we’re moving back to Boston in March. Going back to our roots.”

Xander drapes his hand over my shoulder, smiling like the Cheshire cat. I chuckle, remembering how excited his parents were about finally having both their kids in the same city again.

Ryan smiles. “We wanted to have you all here tonight since, once we move, we won’t see most of you often. But there’s a second reason we invited you…Audrey is pregnant. We’re going to be parents.”

All around the room, people laugh and whoop and clap. Xander stands up and rushes over to his big sister, pulling her in for a hug and whispering in her ear. She breaks into a giddy smile and bounces on her toes.

He’ll be the best uncle, I have no doubt. The broodiness is nothing but a façade; he’s the sweetest guy I know.

* * *

After the party,we stroll along the sand. The beach is lit up by the moonlight, and the only sound is the lapping of waves on the shore. It’s peaceful and secluded.

“So your parents knew? How did they manage to keep it a secret?”

“I don’t have a clue. When we dropped Milo off yesterday, they didn’t say a word,” he mutters, chewing on his bottom lip. “Makes me want to get back at them for keeping the news from me.”

“Got anything particular in mind?” I snort, amused by his childish behavior. Drunk Xander is hilarious.

He stops abruptly and takes off his T-shirt, then his sweatpants. “When I have something big to announce, I’ll keep it a secret too.” He pouts. He’s adorable, like a little boy who didn’t get what he wanted for Christmas.

Then he scoops me up, throws me over his shoulder, and runs into the sea. I laugh, my mood light and cheerful. Once he’s waist deep, he drops me into the water fully clothed. When I surface, I rub my eyes and cough salty water.

“Dammit,” I sputter, still laughing. “You should’ve told me to wear a swimsuit.”

He traps me in his big arms as his lips leave a trail of hot kisses down my neck. “Sorry, baby. Where is the surprise if you knew we were going for a swim?” A low chuckle makes my throat vibrate as he guides my legs around his hips.

With one arm looped around his neck, I push my hair off my face and drink him in under the light of the moon. I can’t get enough of him. Every day, every hour, every minute…it’s never enough.

I want more of him.

I need more.

I don’t know who moves first, but soon our lips are locked in a passionate kiss.

Our bodies rock against each other, my center sliding along his hard length. He sneaks his fingers under my panties and caresses my clit. I float in an ocean of pure bliss, oblivious to our surroundings. The only raw emotion still here is desire.

I let him do things to me that I never thought would excite me. This man is everything I never dared to dream about. Now, he’s painting my world in thousands of different colors with nothing more than his fingers on my skin.

Clinging to his broad shoulders, I deepen our kiss and move my hips in time with his fingers. Breath hitching, I bite his bottom lip, sucking it into my mouth.

“Baby.” Groaning, he breaks our kiss.

Then, in one fluid move, he impales me. He moves slowly, his lips sliding along my jaw. His tongue brushes my earlobe, making me shudder. He’s touching my very soul and pulling at my heartstrings.

When he sucks on my neck, leaving a hickey, I moan louder, encouraging him to do more, to mark my whole body. I am his, body and soul, now and always. The heat, the desire we both feel, is overwhelming, freeing. His thrusts become rougher, deeper, and when he tugs on my hair and nips at my collarbone, my eyes roll back in my head.

“Bella.” My name on his tongue mixes with his guttural groans.

Then he’s throbbing inside me, triggering an orgasm so powerful it makes my toes curl.

“You’re driving me insane,” he says as we come back to the present.

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