Page 117 of Rules Of Our Own

He raises an eyebrow in question, and I have to adjust myself in my pants before this becomes indecent.

Jesus fucking Christ.

I run my tongue along my lower lip and bite it, wanting him to be just as insane as I am. “Only if you’re good.”

Both River and Mia suck in sharp inhales. River gives me a look that lets me know I’ll pay for that later.

Looking fucking forward to it.

He takes care not to pull at her hair as he unties the fabric from around her head and lets it drop.

She searches his face, a soft smile on her lips. “What are you two up to?”

He cups her jaw and runs his thumb along her cheekbone. “I told you. We’re taking care of you.”

She scrunches her nose but knows better than to argue. “Lead the way.”

Mia’s head darts from left to right as she looks at the dresses in the shop. The walls are lined with shelf after shelf of bespoke dresses, each one a different color than its neighbor. Each dress glints and shines with intricate beadwork.

I can see the second Mia registers that this is the type of store where nothing has a price tag, and I wrap my arms around her from behind and kiss just below her ear. “Let him do this for you.”

She huffs out a breath. “You’ve already done enough.”

I chuckle, smiling against her temple. “It’ll never be enough. Get used to it.”

She tilts her head, about to reply to me, but a woman wearing a burgundy straight-line dress walks up to us.

“You must be Mr. Davis and Mr. Grayson. And this is Ms. Brooks.”

“Doctor,” River and I cut in at the same time, causing Mia to laugh.

“I’m so sorry. Of course. Dr. Brooks,” the stylist stutters and tries to backtrack, looking uncomfortable as hell. A part of me wants to say something quippy to ease some of her embarrassment, but I fucking know River put down Doctor.

Mia breaks free from my arms and holds out her hand. “I’m Mia.”

“Stacey.” The stylist shakes it, visibly relaxing, and gives Mia a warm smile. “I hear you’ve got a special event coming up.”

The stylist’s genuine excitement gets her back in my good books, and I preen over Mia. “She landed a position at Boston General Hospital, and now she gets to go to a fancy black-tie dinner. Have you heard of the Center-Ice Challenge?”

Stacey’s mouth falls open in surprise. “Yes! Our whole team did it last weekend.”

“That was all Mia.” I tug Mia’s back to my chest and rest my chin on her shoulder.

“No shit?” The professional mask the girl wore drops, and she smiles wide.

“It’s not a big deal,” Mia says, earning a side-eye look from River.

“Are. You. Kidding. Me!” Stacey cuts in. “This is a huge deal! The little girl I’m helping has already contacted me, and she asked if I’d come help her pick out the pattern.Me.She’s so adorable—you should freaking hear her sing.”

We let Stacey get lost in going on about the kid she matched with, and I take the time to watch Mia.

A smile takes over her face. Her cheeks have a light dusting of pink, and her eyes sparkle as she listens to the excited stylist. My heart pounds in my chest, the rhythm offbeat as I look at just how perfect our girl is.

Stacey’s hand goes to her cheek. “Oh my God. I’m sorry, I got carried away there for a minute. I pre-picked a few dresses for you, so if you’ll follow me, I have a room set up.”

“Let’s go,” I say, and Mia takes a slow breath and lets it out as if this is a giant pain in the ass, and I love her for it.

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