Page 38 of The Bad Boy Rule

We somehow make it through the first course unscathed. Although my parents ask way too many questions that we manage to answer without the whole charade blowing up in our faces. It’s surprisingly easy to lie to them. Something I’ve never done before.

Until recently.

I pretend to know the guy sitting next to me, and the truth is, the only things I know about him are ones that drive me insane.

Like the way his fingers are currently trailing up the exposed skin of my thigh through the slit in my dress, dancing along my heated flesh until my nipples tighten.

My heart is racing as I look over at him, expecting his gaze to be on my parents, the party, his food.

Anywhere but… me.

His eyes are onme. The dark flare of hunger burning in the depths takes me by surprise and sends my pulse skittering, making me breathless.

God, what thefuckis happening right now?

I would clench my thighs together to stifle the persistent throb forming between them, but I can’t because then he’ll know exactly what he’s doing to me.

I hardly touch the rest of my food because I’m too focused on not reacting to Saint’s fingers dancing across my thigh.

I have absolutely no idea how I’m going to survive the rest oftonight, much less the entirety of this arrangement. Ironically, it’s not because I’m going to murder him, although the jury is still out on that. No, it’s because the one thing I wasn’t expecting was for him to be attracted to me at all and for it to be mutual.

He’s the last guy I should ever go for. Brooding bad boy couldn’t be further from my type, yet… I can’t deny it.

Maybe this attraction has existed since I met him, but only now with the sudden proximity, I’m painfully aware of the fact.

Even if I hate him.

This is why Maisie made the one and only rule… Don’t fall for the bad boy.

Bad boys are for fun only.

“Lennon, your mother and I need to make our rounds and speak with a few of the backers before the auction starts. Are you two planning on staying?” Dad asks from across the table, his eyes shining with disapproval as they bounce between Saint and me. He wouldn’t say it out loud because he’s far too proper for that, but I can tell that he hates this. The fact that I’m “dating” Saint and that I’ve brought him here tonight.

“No, I actually think we’re going to head out. Saint has an early practice tomorrow, and I need to keep studying for my finance test.”

None of that is true, but I think we’ve tested our luck enough times tonight.

I lift the napkin from my lap and set it onto the plate of barely eaten food, then turn to Saint. “I’m okay with heading out if you are?”

His eyes twinkle. “Of course, baby. I parked my bike out front.”

“Bike?” Mom blanches.

“Oh… I drive a vintage Indian classic motorcycle. I restored it myself at the auto shop I work at,” Saint says, his grin proud. “But don’t worry, my girl has her very own helmet. Safety first.”

He pats me gently on the top of my head, like I’m a cute little toddler.

My stomach lurches. My God, I might actually be responsible for my parents keeling over in the middle of this damn fundraiser.

Wait, I didn’t even know he had a job. I wonder if that’s real or just part of the ruse?

Honestly, he’s so good at this I can’t tell the difference. I make a mental note to ask him about it later as I watch Mom’s eyes widening in near panic, and Dad, well… he looks like he’s going to drop the “everything’s fine” facade any second now if the crimson shade of his face is any indication.

I think we’ve dropped one too many things on them tonight, and their decorum is fading.

“It’s totally fine. He drives very slowly,” I say with a bright smile, my voice an octave higher.

“Yep.Veryslow, and Lennon knows how to ride. She’s a natural,” Saint says with a wink as he rises from his chair and offers me his hand. My cheeks are flaming, and I think I mightswallow my tongue, but still, I slip my slightly clammy palm in his, and he helps me out of my chair.

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