Rule Number Five: A College Hockey Romance (Rule Breaker Series Book 1)(4)

I needed to take her home tonight, or it would fucking kill me.

Blood rushed to my already rock-hard cock when I ran my fingers just below her skirt and squeezed her exposed thighs. A low growl escaped the back of my throat when her entire body trembled in my grasp. Fuck, she didn’t know how close she had me to the edge. She leaned her head on my shoulder, tilting it to the side, making room for my mouth, and hummed when I licked up the narrow column of her neck.

“You smell so fucking good.” I groaned, burying my face in her shoulder.

She whimpered, and I flipped her to face me, needing to capture it with my mouth. We were so close her breath fanned over my lips, but she tucked her chin to stop the kiss.

The fuck? I dropped my forehead to hers, breathing in each of her breaths. Sidney’s hands ran up my abdomen, and I groaned deeply when she dug her nails into my chest. Her lips were pink where she bit into them, and I fucking craved to run my tongue along the marks. Her mouth formed a perfect pout, and I shifted close enough that it nearly brushed mine with each inhale.

Sidney made a low, pained sound before jerking her head back. She sucked in several breaths, and her eyes widened on me.

Ice filled my veins, replacing the heat that had been building. Did I read her wrong? Did I push her too far? “I’m sorry. Whatever I did, I’m fucking sorry.”

She let out a long sigh, then shook her head, a smirk forming on her full lips. “That’s rule number one: no kissing.”

She shifted back a few inches, and my hands tightened on her hips, not letting her go. My gaze flicked from her mouth to her eyes and back, trying to process anything but the desire to taste her. I dragged my teeth over my bottom lip, and she tracked the movement while her tongue wet hers. Sidney’s words finally broke through the haze of lust, and they hit harder than they should. “What?”

“Rule number one.” She leaned away, but her fingers still dug into me like she didn’t want to let me go. Good. I didn’t fucking want her to.

My gaze searched hers as if I would find the answer there. Sidney was already turning away, but I caught the disappointed look in her eyes. She gestured to her table with her thumb. “I need a drink.”

Me fucking too, Sidney.

She pulled from my grasp, and I immediately missed the feel of her. What the hell was happening? One minute, we were all over each other, and the next, I stood here stunned. She was already at the table before I snapped out of it.

“What do you mean rule?” I asked as soon as I reached her.

She finished her tall glass in a few sips. “Just what I said. I have rules for this type of thing.”

“What sort of thing?”

“One-night stands.”

“What if I want it to be longer?” Where the fuck did that come from?

“That’s rule number two: one night only.”

My brows pinched together, not sure what to make of it. I should’ve been happy she was down for one night. Hell, I should’ve been ecstatic. What guy didn’t want that? Apparently me, because her taking more off the table didn’t sit right.

Curious, I played along. “Okay, I can respect your game.”

Her glare was ruined when she hiccupped. “Rules, not a game.”

My hands rose in surrender. “Sorry. Rules.”

“That’s better. Look, we’re getting way off course here. You’re hot. I’m pretty sure you think I’m hot. Come home with me.” She hiccupped between her words and swayed on her feet.

I caught her, holding her closer than necessary, and tried not to preen when she wrapped her hands around my back. Her pupils were blown wide, and I swallowed hard when her tongue snuck out, wetting her bottom lip.

So fucking pissed at what was about to come out of my mouth, but I’d never been and would never be the type of guy who brought a drunk girl home. No matter how tempting she was. “It fucking kills me to say this. And it really fucking does, but you’ve had too much to drink tonight for this conversation.”

She frowned.

I slid my phone toward her. “How about you give me your number and we can do this again? Sober.”

She chuckled, shaking her head. “Nope, can’t do that.”

I raked my fingers through my hair. “Tell me this isn’t another rule.”

Sidney propped her chin on my chest and sucked in her bottom lip, looking sexy as fuck. I tipped my head back to the ceiling and took in a deep breath. Please, fucking god. This couldn’t be happening. I had never chased a girl in my fucking life, and this girl had me hooked. “What if I gave you mine?”

She scrunched her nose. Fucking adorable. “Rule number three: no exchanging phone numbers.”

“How the fuck does that work?” I had to stop myself from tightening my grip. I was getting dangerously close to being an asshole, but come the fuck on. These rules were killing me. “What happens if you’re into a guy?” If only my boys could see me now. I’d never live it down.

She gave me an apologetic smile, and I already knew what was coming. “Breaks rule number five.”

“Tell me,” I deadpanned.

“Being into a guy leads to dating, dating leads to relationships, and relationships lead to feelings. Rule number five: no falling in love.”

A muscle ticked in my jaw. “How many rules do you have?”