Rules Of Our Own (Rule Breaker Series Book 3)
Rules Of Our Own: Chapter 15

BEFORE WE LEAVE, I wrap Piper in a fierce hug. “Congratulations, girl. I’m so happy for you.”

She squeezes me back just as hard. “Calling it a night?”

“Is that okay?” I ask, not wanting to insult her by heading out too early.

Piper scans my face, no doubt still flushed, before checking out the guys, and a slow smile curves her lips. “I fully support this. You know that, right?”

I roll my lips between my teeth and fight against the cheesy grin that threatens to escape. Piper’s been close friends with River and Alex since she lived with them her freshman year. Which just makes her easy acceptance that much more calming.

“You don’t think it’s crazy?”

“Honestly?” She raises a brow. “I think you deserve a wild weekend. Let someone take care of you for a bit.”

I channel the girl I was back in school. At some point, during my relationship with Jason, I’d let her go and let him mess with my head. “I want this.”

“I bet you do.” Piper winks and gives me a gentle shove in the direction of the door. “Go have fun. I want all the details tomorrow.”

“You’re going on your honeymoon tomorrow.” I’m glad for the excuse.

Her gaze darts to Lucas, who’s chatting with Jax, and her eyes soften. “As soon as I get back, we’ll do a FaceTime with Sidney.”

“Yup. Of course.” Which means I have two weeks to think of a way to get out of spilling everything to her.

I turn and spot Alex and River standing near the door, both watching me. Alex rolls his neck, his cocky smile missing, and he locks his hands behind him. He looks like he’s working hard not to come after me, and warmth fills my chest, knowing that this is purely my decision. Which is good, because I’m way out of my comfort zone.

I step forward, making my way toward them, and marvel as Alex’s mouth transforms into a grin the closer I get.

I’m so focused on him that River’s low voice has my head snapping his way. His brows are pulled together, and his gaze darts between Alex and me. “I understand if you want to go with just him. This doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing deal.”

Alex stiffens and makes a quiet sound of disapproval, but River’s attention never leaves me. He gnaws on his cheek, and a muscle ticks there. The look of insecurity has my chest caving.

“I want you. Both of you.”

He lets out a deep breath, then entwines our fingers, and the corners of his lips curve the way I like. “Perfect.”

River sits in the front passenger seat of the taxi, which is a good thing because I don’t think I can take a repeat of yesterday’s car ride. Being pressed between them while dancing already has my heart beating out of my chest and my thighs rubbing together. Anticipation mixed with fear—no, not fear…nervousness—has me shifting in my seat. The idea of walking into our villa and just standing there awkwardly, not knowing how to start, has me on edge.

This is a first for me, and I’ve done a lot.

A shiver runs down my back when Alex’s thumb skims my neck. He’s been playing with a strand of my hair since we sat down. I’m not sure he even knows he’s doing it.

The car’s quiet except for the low-playing radio during the fifteen-minute drive to the resort. In that time, I’ve managed to work myself up to the point my breath comes out in shallow pants, so focused on the swirl of thoughts pummeling me I don’t notice we’ve stopped and River’s opened my door.

He leans in so our heads are level. “Breathe, Mia. You are in control of what happens tonight.” He cups my neck, running his thumb along my cheekbone. “Repeat it back.”

I take a deep breath, well aware that he’s the one actually in control right now, but I like not having to think for a change. He wouldn’t push past anything I didn’t want to do. Even if that meant going to sleep alone. Lucky for both of us, I’m not going to let that happen.

“I’m in control.”

He nods and trails his fingers down my neck, over my shoulder, continuing his path until his fingers wrap around mine and guide me out. River has never talked much, but the way his dark eyes pierce mine leaves no room for interpretation.

Alex steps up to our side and smiles, soothing my nerves. “Let’s go, Kitten.”

He follows close behind us as River leads the way through the paths toward the villa. Unlike the first night, I don’t notice our surroundings. Instead, all my focus is on the warmth of Alex’s hand pressed against my lower back and the tingle rolling up my arm each time River grazes his thumb over my palm.

By the time we enter the villa, I’m a walking puddle.

Before I can worry about how this is going to go, River steps up behind me and places a soft kiss below my ear. “Relax, Love. We’ve got you.”

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