Page 71 of Broken Rules
“Don’t exist.”
He smirks and licks his lips before staring at the floor. “I’m not a good man, Evie. I've been selfish since I was a kid, even more so when you came to Vivid.”
“You weren’t always an asshole.”
“No. I was good at hiding who I was to keep you here.” He looks at the paper bird, his chest rising faster. “You’re still here because of me.”
“What are you talking about?”
Looking at me with his glossy gaze, he sighs. “Gin was ready to quit that night you went looking for her, she wanted to take you away, and I begged her to stay, made a deal with Red that if he allowed Gin to be an unofficial manager, then I’d take over when I was ready, to ensure you both stayed.”
“You…we were gonna leave?”
“I’m sorry.”
I push him back when he moves closer. “No. You don’t get to be sorry for using me. Why would you do that? Why would you push me away when I needed you, then turn around and keep me close only to bully me?”
“Because I wasn’t good for you! Okay…I’m not good for anyone.” His voice wavers as he glances at the desk. “Red’s a shit father, and the day Gin came along, my life became easier since something in him shifted. I was tired of being alone, and you were an easy target. You’re here because of me, and I can’t leave until you do.”
Shaking my head, I try to keep my breathing under control while processing everything he just said. “If you believe my leaving is your way out, expect to be here forever because I’d rather stay just so you’d be miserable.”
His chest rises faster, jaw clenching before he steps aside, letting me go. I leave to the dressing room, throwing the paper dove in the corner of my station on the verge of breaking down, my head spinning, unsure where to go or what to do. There is so much I regret, and Jared is at the top of my list. Losing my virginity to a boy I thought cared about me, kept seeing him repeatedly until that night—why push me away only to make me stay?
“Gin was leaving.” I squeeze my eyes tight, then look at the dove. Something I thought was good turned out to be manipulation, and he’s still only looking out for himself.
I stride out of the building, driving to the one slice of joy Jared hasn’t taken from me. Entering Lennox’s home, I slam the door without thinking, my hands shaking as I stroll toward the couch. He rushes down the stairs, his concerned expression easing once he spots me.
“Hey—”
One look at my lost expression, and he has his arms around me, crashing my lips to his. Lennox lifts me by my ass to straddle his waist, using the back of the couch to lean against. Jinx meows as we almost land on her, kissing him with each shuddering breath I take in between, and he draws back to look at me, his brows furrowing while swiping his thumb under my eyes, catching the tears before they fall. He doesn’t question what’s wrong—instead, he takes hold of my neck and brings his lips back to mine, carrying me toward the stairs.
There’s no hesitation, no resistance, just pure hunger coursing through our veins as he gets me inside his room and kicks the door shut behind him, leaning against it, knowing I don’t want the power. Perfecting the assignment at hand.
Make me lose control.
Our kiss breaks, and he rests his forehead on mine. “Yes, Evie. Let it all go.”
There’s so much more behind his words for me to trust him, trust my judgment, do what makesmehappy, and not let anyone push me over.
“I want to.” He looks at me, sweeping away more tears. “Show me how.”
His brows raise as he stares into my eyes. “Anytime, any day. It’s your call, Peaches.”
TWENTY-THREE
SHOUT IT TO THE ROOFTOPS
“Take me to your bed,” she whispers, and I moan against her mouth, my dick already swelling as I walk to place her on the mattress, stripping her until she’s down to her bra and thong.
I’ve seen Evie naked more times than I’ve touched her, yet every time, it’s like the first, and I want to explore every inch as I flip her to lay on her stomach, starting with her round ass. “Do you like it when I call you Peaches?” I ask, caressing the left cheek and taking a bite.
“No—” Evie gasps, breathing hard as I kiss her spine, stopping at the nape of her neck.
She rolls her hips, making me thrust forward as her ass bucks along my dick. “Hm, I think you do,” I whisper into her ear, trailing my palm down her back, making her arch the closer I get to the base. “Deep down, you love the teasing just as much as I love you.”
“You want me, Lex. There’s a big difference.”
I straighten up, grip her hair, and draw her to my chest, her lips parting as her head rests on my shoulder. “When will you get how bad you’ve got me, Evie?” My tongue glides along her jaw, and she takes a shaky breath. “I am yours as you are mine. My wife, till death do us part.”
