Page 152 of Breaking the Rules

---

Chapter Twenty-Three

Emma

Starlight falls over the concrete. It mixes with the soft yellow glow of the streetlights. Then the neon signs of the shops across the street.

It's a beautiful night. Crisp. Clear. Cool.

I pull my arms over my chest. Rub my palms against my triceps. We're getting into fall now. It's still warm all day—it's warm all day, all year—but the nights demand sweaters.

Or maybe tall, broad men with safe arms and long embraces.

The stoplight turns green. The walk sign flashes.

My wedges click against the concrete as I follow Hunter into the street.

With the two inches of lift, I'm eye to eye with him.

Or more like eye to back of head. With him in front of me.

God, he walks fast.

I hustle to catch up with him. Exhale slowly to hide my straining breath.

It's not just moving quickly.

It's him.

He makes me fluttery.

Nervous.

Happy.

Even when I want to slap him for his bullshit, I want to stick around.

The back of my hand brushes his.

It's nothing. Barely a touch. But it still sends warmth straight to my stomach.

"You cold?" He steps onto the sidewalk.

I swallow hard. "A little." Not so much with him this close. Those flutters take over. Make it impossible to notice the goose bumps spreading over my arms.

He's just…

He's annoying and bossy and over-protective.

He likes action shows with inexplicable plots, can't chop vegetables to save his life, and steals my chocolate at an alarming rate.

But I still want him around.

I like him.

More even.

I don't love him yet—I've never even considered loving someone—but this is more than like.

There must be something in between.

---