Page 55 of Rewrite the Rules

“Technically,Ididn’t write a book.”

“Are you going to answer the question you know I’m asking or keep ducking behind technicalities?”

“Definitely the technicality thing.”

Adler abandons me on the couch to rummage through her fridge but returns just as quickly. She sits, omitting the space between us. Her thigh presses firmly against mine.

“I can offer you a questionable banana, tap water from the sink, baking soda, or cold gummy bears.” Her cheeks flush a rosy pink. “I wish I was exaggerating.”

I smile because she does. It’s becoming a habit. Her lips stretch wide, making her bubbly cheeks bunch and I can’t help but feel happy.

“You keep gummy bears in the fridge?”

“You don’t?”

“I’m an adult, so I don’t eat gummy bears. But if I did, I wouldn’t keep them in the fridge. That’s like putting gum in the fridge.”

“I do that too.”

“You’re nuts.”

“Yournuts.” Adler’s eyes land on my lap before she looks up at me expectantly.

I burst in laughter. “No. No way! That’s your big move?”

“Well one of us has to do something. If I keep waiting for you to kiss me, I’ll be old and—”

I use my lips to end her rambling. Our tongues toy around, askingly.How’s this? What now?I weave my hands through her damp hair, holding her steady. She gasps when my tongue trails her jaw line. Then, her neck. My fist closes in her hair and she tilts her head back in response. I press my lips against the hollow of her throat and she whimpers. We haven’t even started but she seems overwhelmed already. She holds her breath like it can control her nervous squirming. I pull away.

“What’re you doing?” she asks.

“Last chance. To stop.”

She rolls her eyes. “All right, this is getting really old. Are you looking for an excuse?”

“Us having sex isn’t going to cause an epiphany for me. Do you understand that? No matter how much I like you, nothing’s changed. Are you sure you’re okay with keeping this just—”

“Joel, stop.” Adler rakes over her bottom lip with her top teeth and quickly releases it. “I already told you how I feel and what I want. So, what do you still need from me?”

My fingers trace her bare thigh. I consider responses and land on honesty. “I need to know this isn’t going to end with you hurt…or hating me.”

“It won’t.”

“You sure?”

“Yes, but since you’re insisting on killing the mood, maybe we should iron a few things out first.”

“Okay. Such as?”

“I realize this isn’t a real relationship, but you don’t plan on sleeping with other women while we’re hooking up, do you? Just for health and safety and whatnot.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” I turn inward on the couch and face Adler head on. I rub the tip of my thumb across her soft cheek and smooth lips. “What about you?”

“Well, it’s complicated…because of that brothel I run. But I’ll see what I can do.” I pretend not to be amused by Adler’s sarcastic humor. She’s like a toddler. I laugh and it just encourages her. “Should we keep things to ourselves?”

“Why? You’re not my dirty little secret. We’re adults, doing adult things.”

“Does that mean you’ll write home about me?” Adler flutters her eyelashes and disorients me with her deep-blue gems.

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