Page 26 of Rule Breaker

I couldn’t argue with that.

We walked past several study rooms, and when we arrived at the last door to the right, Maddox opened it and ushered me in. There was one large desk, two chairs, and the unwelcome glare of florescent lighting.

Maddox dropped his backpack on the table and pulled out his laptop.

“You could’ve given me more warning, you know,” I added. “I was working out. I had to run from the gym, no shower, and I’m sweaty as hell.”

Maddox eyed me up and stepped closer. At least one of us smelled good. He leaned in and for a second, I thought he was going to touch me. My heart pounded so fast, I was dizzy. Maybe I’d run too much at the gym? And why was I blushing again?

When Maddox closed the door behind me, I realized I’d panicked for nothing.

Calm down Kay.This is a study session, not the start of a porn scene.

Not that I should be thinking about porn, or sex, or Maddox touching me. Or touching him. Or anything like that. I wasn’t into guys. That I knew of. But Maddox was definitely hot. And why I noticed was beyond me. Holy fuck, never mind a workout; I was sweating more now than I was at the gym. I really should’ve jerked off when I woke up this morning. Being backed up was fucking with my head.

“I’m used to hockey sweat.” Maddox smirked. “Now, sit. Let’s get to it.”

“So bossy.”

Not gonna lie, I was kind of into it.

“You don’t like it, you’re free to leave,” he quipped.

Nope. I’d take bossy Maddox over the silent one any day. I obediently sat down in the chair beside him and pulled out my tablet with sweaty hands. Hands that were shaking. Shit.

“Okay, so, the essay assignment requires us to provide real-world examples of scarcity in microeconomics, including demand, supply, and structural,” Maddox stated.

“So, a paragraph on each?” I asked.

“More like two or three. The entire essay has to be seven hundred words minimum.”

“I get the concepts,” I replied. “The problem is writing my thoughts down. It’s all ends up looking like a jumble.”

“Do you dictate?”

“Sometimes. But my learning advisor told me not to rely on it.”

Maddox shrugged. “Maybe they’re right. In theory. But it’s your class and your grade. Do what you need to in order to get the best mark you can.”

I nodded. He was right.

“Let’s work on our own essay for fifteen minutes, then we’ll switch and give our feedback,” Maddox offered.

“Okay. But you’re going to put your headphones on, right?”

“Why?”

“Because I’m going to dictate. And it’s weird to have you listen to me as I speak.”

Maddox rolled his eyes. “Hello? You don’t have a problem talking my ear off.”

“That’s different.”

Maddox grabbed his headphones and put them on. “Happy?”

I nodded, and he turned to his laptop, typing away. Fuck, he was fast.

And I was, well, I was too busy staring at him to focus on my essay. Until Maddox turned his head and mouthed ‘work.’