Page 54 of Rule Breaker

“Not enough. And I speak only the truth. You are undoubtedly…wow, I can say a big word, but I don’t think I can spell it—” I paused and shook my head. “Uh, yeah, you’re handsomely hot. That doesn’t sound right. Handsome. Hot. Hot AF. You know what I mean.”

Maddox said nothing. He took the bottle from my hand, capped the top, and placed it under his bed. And fuck, when he bent over, that rip in his jeans opened right up. I spotted the curve of his ass cheek and…wait. Was he commando? The thought of sliding that denim down to reveal his bare ass had my dick chubbing up, hard and heavy in my jeans.

“Let’s go already,” he grumbled as he pulled on motorcycle boots.

I turned around too fast, stumbling, and nearly slamming into the door.

Way to act chill, Kay.

After I grabbed my coat, I wrenched the door open, and headed out into the hallway. I needed distance. A lot of it.

Maddox joined me in the hallway, locked his door, and headed for the stairs. He’d thrown on his leather jacket and I was trying not to drool at the sight. I took my time following him. I wanted to enjoy the view of his ass in those jeans while I could. While no one else noticed.

Maddox stuffed his cigarette pack in his back pocket and all I could think of was,damn, lucky cigs.

Suddenly, he glanced over his shoulder, his gaze pinning me in place.

“You coming?” he asked.

Oh, yeah. As soon as I got back to my dorm tonight.

“Yeah.” My voice cracked. “Yes. Coming. I’m coming with you. I mean, walking with you. Not coming, as in, you know?—”

Maddox shook his head and turned away. I could’ve sworn I heard the husky peal of laughter, but then I remembered who I was talking to. Still, I wanted to hear it. Not just that. I needed to.

I should’ve only had one edible instead of two. But it was too damn late.

CHAPTER 20

MADDOX

Was Kayden flirting with me? Was I reading that right? Or was he having a weird reaction to the pot he’d consumed?

When I turned around, his eyes were practically lasered to my ass. Any harder and they’d burn a hole through my jeans. And why was that so fucking hot? I’d never had anyone look at me like that before. And watching him fumble around me had my nerves hitting high again. I was dangerously close to being addicted to his attention. I didn’t like the fact that I’d been taken in by his charm to begin with, but now this?

Cute, I could ignore. But chemistry?

My body was telling me things I was not prepared to hear. And whatever this was between me and Kayden, it was totally out of my wheelhouse. I’d avoided any kind of relationship for years, and now this? I didn’t know what I should do, if anything.

And the worst part? I was teasing Kayden earlier, but the thought of him actually hooking up with someone at the party tonight sat like a weight on my chest. Which was all kinds of screwed up. He was my teammate. And sort of friend. Nothing else. It shouldn’t matter to me at all.

Fuck, I should’ve had another drink before we left the dorm.

We walked across the south lawn, then headed east. The frat house was two blocks away from campus. Even if Kayden hadn’t told me where it was, all I’d have to do was follow the trail of noisy students and the blaring sound of house music.

When we finally arrived at the three-story brick house, it was crawling with people. This was a mistake. I didn’t socialize. I barely spoke to anyone, unless it was to snarl at them. Three edibles weren’t enough to calm the anxiety that swirled in my gut.

As we headed up the steps, I spotted Ethan on the landing, chatting up Finn, Axel, and two other students.

“Hey guys!” Kayden shouted out.

“You made it!” Ethan smiled, his eyes glassy. “I thought I’d have to send Finn over to drag your asses out.”

“After that win this afternoon, nothing could keep me away,” Kayden replied. “Where’s Dane and Jace?”

“Inside.” Axel motioned to the door. “Go grab a drink.”

“You go,” I said to Kayden and pulled out my pack of cigs, leaning up against the wall.