Page 177 of Breaking the Rules

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"You look hot as fuck," Dean says. "Pretty sure your mission is working. Assuming your target is turning twenty-eight today."

I try to copy his coy shrug, but I don't pull it off.

Okay. New subject.

Anything but Hunter.

Even if he is staring.

Even if his attention sets me on fire.

Even if I desperately want him to tear my clothes off.

I turn back to Dean. "You have to be careful with Chloe. Ryan will kill you if you scare her off."

"Ryan's been waiting for a reason to kill me since I was born."

"Oh?"

He nods. "It's some fucked-up Greek tragedy shit."

"Haven't heard that one."

"Then Disney shit. LikeThe Lion King."

"LikeHamlet?"

"Yeah. Kill me. Take my place."

"Yeah, Ryan really wants to be the court jester."

He presses his hand to his heart. "Oh, Em, you don't mean that." Dean's gaze shifts to something behind me.

I don't have to look to know.

My Hunter sense is tingling. He's moving closer. And, fuck, am I really making comic book references in my head?

I'm already in too deep.

"Damn, Em, without your brother here, we can get into some real shit." Dean flashes me an effortless smile. He nods hello to Hunter. "What are you thinking?"

Hunter surveys the scene carefully. "What kind of shit do you normally get into, Em?"

"The usual. Drugs, sex, mayhem." I try to make my shrug casual, but it's really not happening. My body is magnetically drawn to his. "I better start. Get a drink."

Dean motionsafter youthen turns to Hunter. "You want something."

Hunter shakes his head. "Not right now."

Dean shrugssuit yourself.

It's funny.

Hunter used to drink a lot.

Now, on his birthday, he's refusing booze.

I tell myself it doesn't matter.

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