Page 99 of Breaking the Rules
She hugs me. "You look good. Too bad you're stuck babysitting."
I nod. Bite my tongue so I won't blurt out all the shit in my brain. Right now, it's fucking obvious. I don't feel anything hugging Alice. I don't crave her presence. I don't even want to flirt with her.
Yeah, she's hot.
I could take her home.
Distract myself by fucking her.
Either I'll enjoy it.
Or I'll be more of a mess.
I still haven't untangled sex and booze.
I don't trust her to help me do it.
I don't crave the satisfaction.
Or even the release.
Better to go home. Think of Emma. Fuck myself.
I will.
Later.
I lead Alice to the table. Pull out her chair for her.
Emma offers her hand. "It's nice to see you again."
"Thanks." Alice shows off the ink on her wrist.
It's technically perfect—sharp lines, soft shading, bright colors, rich blacks—but it's lacking vision.
This could be anyone's design.
Sometimes, that's necessary. Sometimes, the client wants something boring or cliché. Part of the job is keeping my ego in check.
But when it's every fucking piece…
"I love it." Emma smiles knowingly. "There's something so comforting about the idea of seizing the day. Don't you think?"
Collin nodshell yeah.
I fight my chuckle. "I prefer seize the night, but yeah."
Alice blushes. Her light eyes spark with desire.
I try to return the gesture.
Fail.
She turns to Emma. "Hunter tells me you're his cousin."
I said she's like a sister, but close enough.
Emma laughs. "You could say that. We grew up together. He's basically my older brother. So when my brother went out of town, he asked Hunter to babysit me."
