Page 1 of Break My Rules

Chapter1

Tessa

Ican’t breathe.

I stay, frozen in place on my knees by the lakeshore. Saint is sprawled before me on the ground, finally naked, tense with lustful anticipation. Just a moment ago, I was caught up in the same thrilling rush, eager to strip him bare and drive him crazy, but now…

Now my heart is like lead in my chest as I stare at the small tattoo he has inked on his thigh. A crown with a serpent snaked around it. It’s small but distinctive, and I would know it anywhere.

It’s the same tattoo that my sister described. The only detail she could remember from a terrible assault that left her spiraling into the depths of depression—and made her take her own life. I’ve been looking for that tattoo—and that monster of a man—since the moment I arrived in Oxford. I thought I’d find it at the secret society party I infiltrated tonight, and I was right. Just not how I imagined.

Because here it is: inked on Anthony St. Clair.Saint. The man I’ve been falling for, the only one I trusted, the man who’s introduced me to the heights of wild, reckless pleasure.

The man who just held me tenderly as I sobbed, and told me that I needed to move on from my self-destructive quest for revenge.

It’s him.

No.

This isn’t happening. I can’t believe it.

“Tessa?” Saint lifts his head, his piercing blue eyes still dark with desire. He gives me a lazy, seductive smile; the same smile that’s melted me, a dozen times over. “I thought I told you to stop being such a damn tease.”

I gasp for air, reeling. How have I not seen it until now? But every encounter we’ve had has been spontaneous, so passionate, I never realized I hadn’t seen him fully naked before. The dim lights of the Midnight party… When I was blindfolded in the club… Even our first time having sex, he took me hard up against the wall—from behind.

And I loved every minute of it.

“I’m sorry…” I blurt, sick to my stomach. I don’t know what the hell to do right now, I only know that I have to get away from him. “I can’t…”

In an instant, the desire on Saint’s handsome face is replaced with concern. “Tessa?” He sits up, reaching for me. I flinch back.

“It’s just, I guess I’m still kind of emotional, from before.” I babble, trying to avoid his gaze. “I thought this was what I needed, but…”

“Shh, it’s OK,” Saint says, easily pulling his clothes back on. He smiles at me, so reassuring. “We can just sit here and talk for a while longer, or whatever you want.”

What I want is to rewind the last five minutes, so I never saw the tattoo.

Or go back, further, to before I even met him. So I wouldn’t have wound up falling for the one man who destroyed my sister’s life. When I think of how I laughed with him, confided in him…

Fucked him.

Oh God.

I lurch to my feet, unsteady. The woods that only moments ago seemed secluded and romantic, now are dangerously quiet. We’re all alone out here, with nobody around. I felt so safe with Saint, but now….

Now I can’t trust anything.

“Let’s get back to the party,” I say quickly. I don’t want to let him know I’ve figured it out. Not until I have some kind of plan.

“Are you sure?” Saint frowns, and it takes everything I have to force a smile.

“It’ll be good for me, some distraction. Fun,” I insist. “I don’t want to sit around crying anymore tonight.”

Not with the man who could have caused every single one of my tears.

“Alright then.” Saint gives me another affectionate smile. “Your wish is my command.”

He straightens up the rest of his clothes and takes my hand. Every instinct in my body wants to recoil in disgust, but I force myself to act normal. Somehow, I manage to walk with him, side-by-side, back through the woods and to the lights of the party like nothing is wrong. And with every step, my head is spinning.

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