Page 36 of Rules Of Our Own

“Make room for me.”

Alex groans, already half-asleep, and shifts them both closer to the other side. I strip down and climb in. It takes a bit to find a comfortable position. I lie on my back, Mia’s head in the crook of my shoulder, leg slung over mine, with Alex wrapped around her back. I pull the sheets over us, still too hot for the comforter.

Mia trails her fingers along my chest and places a soft kiss above my heart.

She buries her face and stiffens in a way that has my nerves on end. Alex looks up, noticing the change in her too. Her words are muffled against my chest. “Have you done this before? Shared a girl?”

Fuck. Alex’s head drops back on the pillow, regret immediately registering on his face.

I run my fingers under her jaw, encouraging her to meet my gaze, and answer honestly. “Yes. Does that bother you?”

Her brows pull together. “A little.”

Alex kisses her nape. “Trust me, Kitten. Nothing we’ve ever done has come anywhere close to what we just did.”

Her body softens, and I push a strand of her hair behind her ear.

The knowledge that this is the only night we’ll have together feels like a cruel twist of fate. A deep ache builds between my ribs. How can I possibly let her go? “Stay another night.”

“My flight’s already booked.” There’s a sadness in her voice, like this hurts her just as much as it does me, and I’m a sick fucking man because I’m happy about it.

“We’ll pay to switch your flight.” Alex raises onto his elbow and leans over her, kissing her deeply. He doesn’t break off until they’re both breathless.

She swallows hard, her eyes darting between his and mine. I can see all the worries crashing against each other.

“Just one more night.” I run my nose along hers and take a deep, shuddering breath. “Please, Mia. Just one more.”

“Okay… One more.” Her words come out almost pained, and Alex wraps his arm tighter around her middle.

I lie there, listening to their breathing grow heavy and settle with sleep while thoughts bombard me. What the hell am I thinking? How could this weekend ever be enough?

Of either of them.

CHAPTER18

ALEX

Mia stirs beside me,slowly climbing out of sleep. A warm smile curves her lips when her crisp green eyes meet mine.

She cups a hand over her mouth. “Morning.”

I raise a brow and pull it away. “Don’t hide from me, Kitten.”

She turns her chin into the pillow and groans. “Morning breath.”

I climb over her, caging her in with my arms, and drop my weight, sinking her into the mattress. She laughs and tries to squirm out from under me, but I catch both of her hands and suck on her bottom lip.

She freezes, then melts when I stroke my tongue inside her mouth. It’s a gentle, tender kiss. Nothing like the hurried need from last night. I’m savoring every sip of her.

She nips my bottom lip, and I pull back, matching her smile with my own.

“I can’t breathe.” she groans, and I roll onto my back, pulling her with me so that she is still tucked in my arm. “Better?”

“Mmhmm.” She scans the empty bed, then raises a brow at me.

“He went to get coffee.”

I don’t want to tell her that when River woke up this morning, he took one look at her, and the muscle in his jaw ticked as he stroked her hair behind her ear. He watched her for several minutes, not knowing I was watching him. He looked almost tortured, like somehow he had exactly what he wanted and everything he didn’t.

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