Page 20 of Rules Of Our Own

“I’ll stop you right there.” I gesture my head toward Mia. “We’re keeping it a surprise.”

Andre’s eyes widen, and he smiles at her. “Lucky you.”

“No hints?” Mia smirks at him.

“This will be worth the wait,” Andre replies with no idea how right he is.

I open the door for her with a little bow. “After you.”

She huffs out a laugh. “You’re lucky I’m still half-asleep so I can’t come up with anything to tease you with.”

She gets in, and I grab the roof of the car, ducking down and leaning in close. “I can fucking assure you, you tease me just fine.”

I walk around the car, ignoring her gasp, and get in on the other side. The seats are large and lined with a supple camel leather. She looks at me with round eyes. “I’m not a tease.”

I raise a brow. “You’re a little bit of a tease. It’s cute.”

River lowers himself into the back, pushing Mia toward the middle.

She scooches over but looks at him incredulously. “Aren’t you going to get into the front?”

“No.” There’s that gravelly voice again. Goose bumps spread up Mia’s neck when River’s side presses against hers. We’re definitely too big to all fit back here, and her entire left side presses against mine. She’s still, mouth open, frozen. He reaches over her, pulls her seat belt, and clicks it in.

“Safety first.” His mouth is so close to hers even I swallow.

Fuck.This is either going to be the best trip of my entire life, or my balls are going to fall off with how turned on I am.

Mia holds her coffee with both hands, tucking her elbows in while taking a hesitant sip. Once she determines it’s not scalding, she tips it up. My gaze lingers on the way her throat moves with each swallow.

River huffs, and my eyes meet his. He just shakes his head, the tiniest hint of a smile curving his lips.

Playboy all-star NHL player or simp who gets turned on by his soon-to-be girl drinking a coffee?

Mia keeps her gaze straight ahead through the window, no doubt trying to look unaffected sitting between us. But by the way the heat from her thigh is burning into mine, I call total and utter bullshit.

Normally, I’d be respectful and never press this hard hitting on a girl. Actually, I normally give zero shits and just let them chase me. But Mia gets into her own head. She’s amazing, caring, and selfless. She’s a good fucking person, which is more than most people can say. But those qualities make her her own worst enemy.

I know why she left us, and it had nothing to do with not wanting us. After River punched me, she pulled away. Coming between us is just something she’d never do. She’d rather be miserable than ruin River’s and my friendship. Unfortunately, she didn’t calculate that we’d be fucking miserable too.

I’ll admit, River and I were out for ourselves back then. There wasn’t even a hint of what we want now. She left because we tried to make her choose. That is never happening again. She deserves everything she wants without having to choose, and I’m going to show her just how good it can be.

River wraps his hand around her knee, and his thumb and fingers span from one inside edge to the other. The car stops, but she’s not paying attention. All of her focus is on where he touches her, and she sucks in a breath when he tightens his grip.

I lean in close, taking advantage of her distraction, and whisper in her ear. “He’s distracting isn’t he, Kitten.”

Goosebumps explode down her neck, and her gaze snaps to mine, mouth slightly open. I could kiss her right here. Dig my hands into her hair and capture that perfect little mouth of hers. River would hold her in place for me as I worked down her body. From the way she’s looking at me, I’m pretty sure she’s thinking the same damn thing. I smirk and get out of the car, and her disappointed sound follows me out. Driving her crazy’s half the fun.

River gets out and helps her with an extended hand. She’s glaring at me the entire time, but then her eyes widen, and she sucks in a little gasp as she takes in the sight behind me.

There’s a crowd of people standing in a large open field, all looking at the same thing. A large tarp-like fabric is laid out on the ground in a rainbow of colors, attached with strings to at least ten different large wicker baskets.

“We’re going hot-air ballooning?” She looks between River and me with an almost innocent excitement.

I tug her into my side, unable to resist touching her. She doesn’t pull away, instead leaning a little closer. “Surprise, Kitten.”

CHAPTER11

MIA

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