Page 62 of Breaking the Rules of Love

Normally I would never accept an offer to have drinks with a married woman. That only leads to trouble. But with Paul sitting right here and clearly being okay with it, there doesn’t seem to be any real problem. And I could sure use a drink after tonight.

“Yeah, okay.” I nod. “A drink would be nice.”

43

Jake

I’d almost forgotten justhow enormous the Thortons’ mansion is until we pull up in the driveway. It really is like arriving at Wayne Manor or an old French chateau.

The landscaping is perfect, the front steps seem to be some kind of marble, and there are candles lit in every one of the countless front-facing windows, so they must have staff to help run the place. But that makes sense. If I had the kind of money to own this place, I’d have help too.

There was a gate that let us in out front, as well as two security guards, but I can’t help but still do a safety check glance around the grounds as Paul and Rachel step out of the car. I guess it’s just habit now that I can’t shake.

I notice two matching fountains on either side of the driveway, framed in by perfectly manicured hedges.

“Took almost a full year to get those put in,” Paul says as we walk to the front door. “And that was paying extra to expedite the job.”

“Well, it looks fantastic,” I say, nodding with approval. “Everything looks great.”

“Are you two going to stand outside all night?” Rachel calls from the door. “Or are we going to have those drinks?”

Paul looks at me and smiles. “We can talk fountains and shrubbery later.”

“Right.” I grin back.

Paul and I take the steps up to the door where Rachel is kicking off her heels. She prances across the marble foyer, tosses her arms into the air, and lets out a very satisfied sound somewhere between a moan and a sigh.

“So good to be home!” She giggles as Paul shuts the door behind us. She spins like a ballerina and turns to face us. “Don’t you agree, honey?”

“I do.” Paul nods. “And what a wonderful job you did putting together this evening’s exhibit.”

“Thank you, sweetie,” Rachel replies. “But what aboutthisexhibit?”

She twists and starts gyrating her hips as she walks backwards toward a door leading to what looks like a living room. She moves with incredible sensuality, like she’s a private dancer that Paul’s hired out just for the two of us.

I glance over at Paul, expecting for him to be giving me a look likedon’t-touch-my-wifeoravert-your-eyesor something, but he’s not even looking at me. He’s just watching his wife as she continues to move.

“That’s a great display, baby,” Paul says with a smile, walking after her. I stay where I am, standing in the middle of the foyer, until he turns and looks back at me. “You coming?”

What in the world is going on right now?

I follow them into a living room that’s larger than the entire ground floor of my house with a wet-bar on my left. Paul steps behind it and starts going through bottles.

“You a whiskey man, Jake?”

“Uh, sure,” I reply, feeling slightly off-balance. Rachel is standing in front of a fireplace now with a remote in her hand. She thumbs it, and flames spring to life.

“Fancy,” I say. “I have to actually light mine by hand.”

Giggling, she turns around to face me. “It’s crazy you don’t have a woman, Jake. Isn’t it crazy, Paul?”

“It sure is, baby.” Paul smiles as he starts mixing something behind the bar.

Rachel takes out her phone and thumbs it, and some very chill, very sensual music starts to play. She starts dancing by the fire, swaying her hips, running her hands through her hair, the whole time her eyes fixed on me.

I have no idea what’s going on right now. Rachel hasn’t even had a drink, but you could almost mistake her for being drunk if you didn’t know better. And all that coming on to me she did in the car ride back from the museum? What are these two up to?

“Hey, Jake, I’ve got your drink ready,” Paul says.

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