Page 27 of Breaking Rules

“Not the first time,” she grits out. “Won’t be the last.”

“His reputation is everything to him. When something goes wrong or doesn’t fit his idea of perfection?—”

“I’ve known him for a decade, Xander. This isn’t new.”

“Your boyfriend doesn’t respect you.”

Her jaw goes tense, and her eyes narrow in what looks like anger, but only for a heartbeat before all emotion seeps out of her again. “It’s not like that.”

One brow cocked, I take a step closer. “Where is he, Bella?”

“In the living room.”

“And why is he there? Why didn’t he come find you? Didn’t he notice how upset you were?”

“He knows I need a moment to myself.” Every word is sharp, cutting.

“You and I both know that’s not why. He’s not here because he doesn’t care.” My shoe squeaks on the tile as I take a step closer. “He said it was your fault. He was going to leave the mess for you to clean up once you came back.”

She presses her lips so tight they lose all color; a deep wrinkle forms on her forehead. “Whatever,” she says on an exhale.

Whatever?My blood rages, and my skin itches. Why is she so fucking calm about this?

“You don’t deserve to be treated like that.” I put my hands on the countertop on either side of her, caging her in. Warmth spreads over my body, and I swallow, suddenly nervous. “You’re gorgeous, kind, smart. He’s an idiot.”

Bella bites her bottom lip, trying to suppress a smile. “Thank you.”

“You’re most definitely welcome.” With every second I stand here, my heart beats more wildly. What’s going on with me? “Will you meet me tomorrow for coffee?”

“Coffee?” she asks, head tilting.

“Yeah, at my place.” With a step back, I push my hands into my pockets. “I looked at your suggestions. They’re fucking incredible. I want to discuss next steps.”

“Really?” She turns off the water and whirls around to face me, her lips turned up and her eyes suddenly bright. “Since the only response I got was a thumbs-up emoji, I was sure you hated it.”

“Sorry.” I shrug and give her a sheepish grin. “How does eleven sound?”

“Perfect.”

For a moment, she just smiles at me, and all I can do is smile back. Her puffy, cherry-red lips and impeccable makeup make it hard to look away. Fuck, she’s beautiful.

I step back first. “I better go. We don’t want your boyfriend to burst in and wonder what the hell we’re doing.”

“That would be awkward.” She smirks, but as she lowers her gaze and takes in her stained dress, her expression falls. “I need to go upstairs and change.”

“Sorry about that.” I ease open the door and step into the guest room. “You looked stunning in that dress. You still do.”

We walk down the hallway together, and when we get to the stairway, Bella pads up slowly.

“See you tomorrow, Bella,” I call out from the landing.

She looks at me over her shoulder. She knows I’m not leaving yet, but the understanding in her expression tells me she gets what I’m saying.

“See you tomorrow.”

Feeling lightheaded, I turn on my heel and return to the living room. Everyone at the table looks at me.

“Sorry, I needed to use the bathroom. Is there any chance I could get a cup of coffee?”

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