Page 87 of Rewrite the Rules

Joel follows me. We lean over the glass rail taking in the panoramic view of the city. I grab his chin and guide his eyes. “You see that building way over there? The rickety-looking one that has all the windows on the top boarded up.”

“Yeah.”

“That was my home for four years. Quinn gave me my college campus tour when I visited during my senior year of high school. When she found out that I got an academic scholarship but I was thinking of declining admittance because I couldn’t afford room and board, she pretty much adopted me. She was going into her junior year and upperclassmen don’t ever room with freshmen but she offered me the last bed in her apartment—free of charge. Mani, Reese, and Noa were all already living with Quinn before I got there. They just opened the door, shuffled things around, and made room for me. No hesitation.”

“Ah, hence why you’re the baby of your friends.”

“My point is, don’t go feeling all bad for me about my parents. The universe gave me a substitute family that’s even better. You see—love is a choice. It isn’t always easy. My grandma was basically handed an infant when she was fifty. She chose to be my mom and dedicate her late life to raising me. When I lost her, my friends chose to be my family. We’re strengthened by the choices we make, not by the cards we’re dealt. Somehow, I find a much deeper satisfaction in that. So, all in all—a happy ending.”

“One more thing though—”

“Ugh, Joel,” I groan. “I’ve given you way more than one deep dark secret.”

“I just think you should send your parents a copy of your book when it’s ready. They should know who you are and what you’ve accomplished—without them.”

“I haven’t accomplished it yet.”

“But you will.”

I don’t want to reflect anymore. I’m okay with the way things are with my parents…because I don’t think too much about it. I vow that when I have children, it’ll be different. I’ll spend every single day telling them how much I want them. I see Noa and Wes with their son, Jonah—even in the midst of their divorce. That’s what I want. It’s dedication and joy. It’s what real parental love should be.

I need a diversion. The way Joel’s expression has been knitted in care and concern throughout this entire conversation—it’s too much. My heart could burst. He mentioned our babies would be mutts…come on…our babies? It’s not fair. I need a swift reminder of what we really are to each other before I get too carried away by my feelings.

“I’ll give you a choice. We can talk some more about my parents, or I can bend over this railing and show you how I’m not wearing any underwear.”

* * *

Joel

I actually debate it for a moment.

Call me insane, but the haunted look on Adler’s face when I first saw her on the balcony disturbed me. There was something in her eyes. Like it could carry her away from me and I didn’t like it. But the way she looks in her sexy black skintight dress is too much of a distraction. The blood from my brain rushes downwards and just like that, the decision is made.

I spin Adler around. “Lean forward and hold the ledge.”

My hand trails slowly up her thigh and when I reach my destination there is no cotton, no satin, no lace providing any barrier. My fingers crash into her already-wet entrance.

“Naughty. I thought you were teasing me. When did you decide to take your panties off?” I rasp against her ear as I start to stroke her walls and circle my finger around her clit. She shudders and jerks against my hand.

“Why…not…get to the…point?” she says through shallow breaths. Her arousal slicks between my fingers, hypnotizing me. The only thing hotter than Adler…is Adler wanting me. It’s like winning the lottery every day. “You just…ah…always want them off…anyways.”

“Fuck yes, I do.”

I smile into the back of her neck as I sink two fingers into her sopping heat. The rest of her body is an icicle. But in here, it’s fire. Adler shrieks and groans from the surprise intrusion. I halt and wrap my other hand around her mouth.

“Baby, no one can see you up here, but they sure as hell will hear you if you scream like that.”

“Sorry,” she huffs. I let her mouth go. She reaches under her legs to push my hand away.

“Hey, hey,” I whisper against her ear. “Don’t be embarrassed. We just have to be quiet out here. Want me to take you inside where you are welcome to scream my name at the top of your lungs?”

“No.” She shakes her head and her hair spills down her shoulders. “I want you to take me right here, like this. While I look at this view.”

I nearly choke on my spit.My little daredevil—full of surprises.She wants it from behind outside on the balcony? I am ninety-nine percent sure that no one can see us up here. I quickly scan our surroundings. But, also, I one hundred percent don’t care right now. Sometimes reckless is necessary. The bulge in my pants is making thisverynecessary.

I hike her dress up just enough to reveal her sex. I leave as much of her ass covered as possible because she feels like an ice block. I need to do this fast before the poor girl gets frostbite. I had the good sense to put a condom in my pocket when I left the bedroom, just in case Adler wanted to get rowdy on the couch.

She wiggles her hips in anticipation and I can’t unwrap the damn thing quickly enough. I discard the foil packet on the ground, unzip and tug my pants down just enough so my full erection springs free. I roll the rubber down and slump into her.Oh, the relief.She is so wet that I’m met with zero resistance. She clenches instantly, wrapping up my cock in the most familiar way that yet is always surprising. It shouldn’t feelthismind-numbingly good. Every single time. Should it?

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