Page 12 of House Rules

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I can't help but chuckle, the situation suddenly hilarious. Maybe it's the embarrassment or maybe it's the shit-eating grin he keeps tossing my way, but the giggles escape, shaking my whole body. Knox laughs, too, throwing me a wink.

"Condoms and lube, eh, doc?" Knox jokes, and I want to melt into the floor.

"Listen here, doc, always come prepared right?" Shocking myself, I wink back, a sudden streak of self-confidence blooming inside me.

Knox's eyebrows rise, his mouth slightly parting. He's panting and I look away, grinning to myself. Score one for me.

What? I shouldn't even be trying to score.

"Hmm, good advice, doc. Were you a girl scout back in the day?"

I laugh, shaking my head as I stand; my purse back together albeit rather messy. I hold out my hand for my other bag but Knox slings it over his shoulder, his own bag still rests on the floor. What is he doing?

"Have you eaten yet?" He asks me, as he throws his bag over mine, the weight not affecting him one bit. His eyes burn into mine, the heat palpable between us.

I shuffle my feet and look away, unable to hold his heated glare. My poor skin is only slightly cooled from the last heated flush. "No," I say, while fiddling with my purse.

"Want to grab something with me? I was about to head out for dinner." Knox waits for my answer, his sexy build moving closer.

What do I do, what do I do? I'd love to join him for dinner but it's... it's not a good idea. Fuck.He's staring at me and I need to give him an answer. I shift my gaze back towards him. My breathing picks up. A trickle of sweat runs down my back.

I'm lost. What do I say? My body and heart are screaming at me to go, while my mind says no. My mother flashes in my head, her finger wagging in my face. The number one rule is the most important and Knox breaks it.

His therapist brain is scrambling to analyze me; his eyes saying it all. I know exactly how it looks because I do it myself. Trying to see into someone's mind; trying to fix them.

I sigh longingly and before I change my mind I blurt, "No, I don't think that's a good idea." I look away before I fully see it. The way his face fell, the light dimming in his eyes. I crushed his excitement and guilt poured through me.

"Why not, doc?"

"Please, call me Emma." I say, still unable to meet his eyes. The doc nickname annoys me; he slid by with it a few times already.

"Okay, Emma. What's the harm in grabbing a bite to eat? A friendlymeal?"

His emphasis on the word friendly is not lost on me. I know he means everything but; the electricity between us is too strong not to feel.

"Nothing. It's..." I trail off as a familiar male voice calls my name from behind Knox. He turns and that's when I see the owner of the voice near the lobby. Panic washes over me and I freeze.

Max. What in the hell is Max doing here?

~K~

Emma'sentire body is frozen, and it doesn't take a genius to see she's fearful of this guy. Whoever he is.

"Emma? Emma! I'm glad you're still here! I've been trying to reach you all day." This buffoon rushes over, pulling Emma into a hug, as he steps between us. I clench my fists, biting my tongue. I want to rip him off her.

Stepping back, I place Emma's bag on the ground and adjust mine. I watch Emma, trying to figure her out. If she says yes to this guy after saying no to me... stop it, she isn't yours. You don't even want her to be yours.

Emma moves away, breaking the embrace. "Max. What are you doing here?" She asks, her voice wavering.

"I want to take you to dinner. I've been asking you all day but you don't answer my texts or calls."

Oh, so it's not just me. Hmm, then why does she seem frightened?

Emma puts another foot of distance between them, glancing at me, her look asking for help.

"Actually, we have plans for dinner tonight." I announce, moving next to Emma. "We were about to head out."

Max turns to face me, and if looks could kill, I'd be dead on the floor. The snarl drips off his face. I cross my arms, moving slightly in front of Emma. A protective instinct from out of nowhere has me guarding her with my body.


Tags: Lyssa Cole Erotic