Page 32 of Rewrite the Rules

Shit.She got me again. Adler’s clutching her chest because she’s laughing so hard.

“I…can’t…believe…you…fell for…that,” she forces between chuckles. “I’m impressed, though. Most guys answer doggy-style. I’ve done the surveys. Want to know a secret?”

Well, this conversation just got very HR inappropriate—but, also far more interesting. “Sure do.” My lips curl as I play along with her dangerous little game.

“Most women prefer doggy-style too,” she says flatly, as if we’re talking about the weather.

“Really? I would’ve never guessed. And what’s your preference?”

* * *

Adler

Hmmm, how to answer?

I could tell him that as a virgin, I don’t have a preference. While I’ve participated in the occasional over-the-jeans dry-humping action and attempted head a time or two with Alan, I certainly don’t have the experience to pick afavoriteposition. But this is my boss, and my very recently redeemed crush, so for the moment I’m going to sidestep embarrassing blatant honesty.

“I don’t really have one.” I pray he lets it go. I continue down the sidewalk to get us moving again. I make a quick right turn at the corner of the final block that leads to my building’s main entrance. Joel falls in stride right next to me. His long legs outpace me so I have to hustle to keep up.

“Well, here we are.” I nod my chin backwards toward the see-through entrance doors to my apartment building.

“Don’t get shy on me now. You’re the one who went there.” Apparently no one up there is working tonight because Joel’s most definitely not letting this go.

Fine.Have it your way.

I stare through his frames into his honey-brown irises. My eyes creep all over his angled features, down past his Adam’s apple to where his workout shirt hugs his hard chest and abs.I bite my lip…

Debating…

“I’m on the fence. Want to come upstairs and help me decide?” The words pour out of my mouth as I float away from my body and brace for what is the most tantalizingly daring conversation of my life. He has no idea the magnitude of what I’m offering.

“Is that another joke?” Joel asks, but all traces of humor are wiped from his neatly stubbled face. His eyes dance between mine, urgently. They beg for an answer but I get the feeling he wants a different one than I’m ready to give.

Shit! Too far?

“I um…yes? It can be if you want?”

“Adler, I’m sorry—”

“Seriously? Again, you’re turning me down? I thought you just said you lied before—oh, screw it.” I don’t want to hear the end of his sentence. His rejection is like a burn—it hurts now, and it’ll ache miserably later. I don’t need any more material to reflect on when I relive this conversation in my mind a hundred times over tomorrow.

I look up at the night sky. There are so many city lights I can’t see a single star, but that’s not my intention anyways. I’m trying to keep the precarious tears where they belong. That does it. I am no longer going to have private conversations with Joel. All I do is unhinge my jaw and shove my whole foot right up in there.

“Goodnight, Joel.” I turn toward the door of my building keeping my eyes fixed on the faded, mismatching brick in different shades of red.Just get to the door, then through the door.

“Adler, come on. It’s not like that.” He trails behind me, easily catching me with his long stride. I spin around. My hair fans out before curling around my neck.

“Please don’t patroni—”

He grabs my wrists and yanks me into the hard wall of his chest while pressing his large hand firmly against the small of my back, locking me against him. His cool, smooth lips brush against my ear. “It’snotlike that.” His low grumble of a whisper sends a bristly chill down my neck. “I don’t want you to feel upset again.”

“Then what do you want?”

“What Iwantis to take my shirt back right here, right now, and show you how I really feel about you. I’d erase all that self-doubt bouncing around in your head by worshipping your body all night.”

My mouth falls open and makes an audible pop when I quickly force my lips back together. Did I daydream so hard that it literally came into fruition? I’m going to start dreaming about a gazillion dollarstomorrow. My wishes for this evening are spent.

“Um...”

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