Page 38 of Breaking Rules

I clear my throat. “You don’t need to thank me.”

She nods. Her eyes are empty, like she’s here physically, but mentally she’s somewhere else, lost in her thoughts. “Xander?”

I park in the driveway and lean toward her. “Yeah?”

She parts her lips, a deep sigh escaping them.Fuck me.Teasing her is fun, but when she reacts like this, I start doubting my brilliant idea. I go out of my goddamn mind when she’s around.

“I don’t think I should be here,” she says, her voice hoarse.

“Are you afraid of me, Bella?”

Her cheeks go pink at the sound of her name on my lips.

I tighten my hold on the steering wheel before I do something I’ll regret. This is not the time to put my cards on the table. I have to play them right. Otherwise, I’ll risk my place on the team, and all the hard work I’ve done to get where I am will have been for nothing. My attraction to her can’t overshadow my mission.

“Of course not,” she says, leaning back to put space between us.

I don’t move. The distance will be beneficial for me too. “Then why?” I ask, admiring the deep blue of her irises. “What do you want to do?”

“I…” She trails off, wringing her hands.

“You’re welcome to stay, or I can take you wherever you want to go.” I push my door open but stay seated, waiting for her answer. “So, what will it be?”

With a shake of her head, she unbuckles her seat belt. “I’m staying.”

I follow her to the front door, my attention wandering over her body. It’s hard to focus on anything else when this girl is near me. The blood in my veins turns into lava; I’m a volcano ready to explode. My skin is buzzing, and my hands itch to reach out to her. I’ve always been levelheaded—I pride myself on that trait—but Bella makes me stupid.

As I pass her to unlock the door, my arm brushes hers, and tingles spread over my skin.Okay, noted. I can’t control my thoughts or my body’s reaction to her.

Fuck.

I step aside and follow her in. The foyer is lit only by the moonlight that streams in from the windows, allowing me to watch Bella, who’s standing like she’s worried she’ll bump into something in the darkness.

I slip closer to her, my mouth an inch from her ear. “Do you want something to drink?”

“No, I’m good,” she whispers, her hair grazing my cheek as she backs up a fraction.

“Okay. But I do, so will you keep me company?” I take a step back and turn on the lights.

Her eyes instantly shut, her bottom lip protruding in an adorable little grimace. “You should’ve warned me,” she huffs, cracking one eye open.

“You’re too cute. I just couldn’t help myself.” I wink at her.

“You’re the second guy who’s told me that tonight,” she mutters.

Told her what? Was some asshole bothering her at the club?

“Let’s go to the kitchen.” She shuffles away from me. “I guess I could use a cup of coffee.”

I blink, frowning. “Coffee? It’s practically the middle of the night. Won’t it keep you up?”

“It helps me sleep better than any sleeping pill,” she replies. “Where’s Milo?”

As soon as the words leave her mouth, a shuffling sound comes from the living room. Milo appears then, yawning and looking disinterested.

“Hey, cutie.” Bella crouches and gives my dog a scratch between his ears, making his little tail wag.

“Milo is a guy. Don’t call himcutie.”

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