Page 67 of Rules Of Our Own

Moving her to Boston was already a huge overreach on my part, but I couldn’t stand the idea of leaving her there. Not when I knew I could do something about it.

Knowing I need to give her space to make her own decisions doesn’t mean I’m happy about it. My muscles ache from the force it took to keep myself together.

It took all my fucking willpower not to pin her to that bed and make her come so many times she doesn’t know which way is up or down.

Until she’s as addicted to me as I am to her.

CHAPTER32

MIA

“Lookslike you’re all settled in,” Alex says, standing just inside my apartment door. He’s close to me but not touching. Instead, his hands are buried in his pockets.

“You didn’t have to do this, you know?”

“Kitten, the proper response isthank you.Maybe throw in some adoration. A littlehow will I ever repay you?”

A laugh bursts from my chest, and he grins mischievously. The last twenty-four hours have been rough, but he’s all fun and playful with a large spoonful of sexy as fuck. I shouldn’t be able to laugh. Not after getting fired, being terrified I was about to be attacked, then leaving my life behind to come here.

But here I am, cheeks burning from the pinch of my grin. That’s Alex though. It’s like a freaking superpower.

“I’ll make sure to remember that the next time I move into some guy’s house.”

He groans and stalks toward me, his eyes hot on mine. “Not funny, Kitten.”

I dance away from his attempt to grab me and smile impossibly wider. “You’ve always been so easy to tease.”

“Maybe I’m done teasing. Maybe…”

A thrill shoots down my spine. “Maybe what?”

Alex looks at the ceiling, taking several deep breaths before letting out an exasperated sigh. “Fucking River.” He rubs the back of his neck, shaking his head like he can’t believe what he’s about to say. “Nothing. We’ll talk about it another day.”

I raise a brow. I’m too unsure of my own feelings to push, and maybe that’s exactly why he stopped.

“Okay then. Thank you.”

His grin shows off his dimple. “My pleasure to have you, Kitten.”

My skin heats, and there’s a tug in my stomach to move close. If his first talent is hockey, and his second is making me laugh, then his third is the ability to make a simple sentence dirty.

He rubs his hand on the top of my head like you would a child, effectively breaking the moment. He’s already walking out the door when he calls back. “Don’t be a stranger. I hear your neighbors are superhot.”

“You are so corny.”

“You love it.” He winks, and then he’s gone.

And I’m left standing in my new entry. I kick off my shoes before exploring. I’d been so focused on the guys I hadn’t processed how huge this place is.

It’s a similar layout to River’s, but the windows face the west instead of the east, and the vibe is completely different.

River’s place has a crisp, modern aesthetic with clean lines and neutral colors, while Alex’s place is the epitome of relaxed comfort. Warm-toned wood cabinetry runs along the walls with built-in shelves that are filled with books. In the center of the room, an enormous L-shaped sectional takes up almost the entire side, its luxurious cushions beckoning me to sit down. A giant flat-screen television, equipped with surround-sound speakers, hangs on the wall, and an Xbox controller lies carelessly on the floor. An involuntary smile creeps onto my face as I think of Alex and River still playing video games like they did in college.

The place has notes of sweet coconut with salty undertones, and I can’t stop myself from collapsing into the leather cushions to take a second to process everything.

I’m living in Alex Grayson’s apartment while he lives next door with River Davis.

A giggle bubbles up my throat at how ridiculous it all is.

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