Page 62 of Break My Rules

“And you’ll do what?” I ask, making my voice breathy, and my smile inviting. Any other guy, and I’d think he wouldn’t break the bro-code, but Annabelle said it was all about the conquest with Max. Proving his dominance. And what better way to prove your manly prowess than to go after your buddy’s girlfriend?

Sure enough, Max’s eyes roam over me hungrily. “Oh, I can think of a few things.” He winks, and I giggle.

“You’re so bad!” I say, acting all flustered.

“You’ve not seen the half of it, love.” Max moves closer. “The stories I could tell…”“Don’t tease a girl,” I pout. “You know, everyone said, Saint had the wildest reputation, but he’s so busy these days with Ashford stuff, all he does is work. It’s so boring. He promised me a fun vacation,” I pout. “But he’s going to be tied up touring some lab facility tomorrow. I’ll be left all alone at the house with no one to entertain me.”

“Now that’s just a crying shame.” Max moves closer, trapping me against the counter. He meets my eyes, playful and cocky. “A beautiful woman like you should be keptentertainedaround the clock.”

“Thank you! That’s what I’ve been telling him.” I roll my eyes, silently apologizing to Saint for the disloyalty. But I have to sell the ‘bored girlfriend’ act if I want my new plan to work. “I guess I’ll just have to lay out by the pool and get a tan.”

“I don’t see any tan lines,” Max teases, tracing his finger across my collarbone. Again, I fight the instinct to recoil; instead, giving him a seductive smirk.

“It’s Europe, darling. Everyone goes topless here. And bottomless, too, sometimes.”

Max’s eyes flash, hungry. “Why don’t you give me a call tomorrow then?” he suggests. “Once boring old Saint has gone to work. I can help apply your sunscreen, and keep you entertained…”

Got him.

“Sounds like fun,” I duck under his arm, and playfully dance out of reach. “Discreet, private fun?” I ask, like I’m worried word might get back to Saint.

“You know me, darling. My lips are sealed.” Max gives me a wink, and I laugh.

“I’m sure we can think of better things to do with them,” I smirk, then waltz away, returning to the party.

Saint is chatting to some people out on the terrace, and I go join him. “Alright?” he asks, sliding an arm around my waist.

“Great,” I reply. He’s relaxed, clearly at ease now that he thinks Max has an alibi for the attack, and is crossed off my list.

I don’t tell him otherwise. He’d only try to talk me out of what I have planned, but I’m not stopping now, not for anything.

Those lying lips of Max’s won’t be sealed for long, not if I have my way.

Chapter15

Tessa

“Idon’t have to go visit the facility, you know,” Saint straightens his tie, as I lay out by the pool at the Provence chateau, the morning after Max’s beach party. I’m curled on a lounger in sweatpants and sweaters, enjoying the autumn air—and delicious fresh bread and pastries from the bakery in the village nearby. Saint, on the other hand, is dressed smartly, with a thick folder in one hand and his phone in the other. “Robert only mentioned it might be useful to show my face. You know, give a pep talk. I’d much rather stay here, and relax with you,” he adds, giving me a smoldering grin that would usually make my pulse race.

But not today.

“Isn’t it already arranged?” I swallow hard. I still haven’t told him about my secret plan to see Max, but I’ve been counting down all morning, waiting for him to leave. “They probably rolled out the red carpet already,” I add lightly. “Laundered all the white lab coats especially for you. You don’t want to let them down.”

“I suppose.” Saint sighs. “Will you be alright here on your own?”

“You mean, with the pool, the sauna, the games room, and a fridge full of the finest French cheeses? Oh, I think I’ll manage,” I tease, and he laughs.

“Fair enough. I shouldn’t be more than a few hours, then I can show you my favorite little bistro.”

“Sounds great.”

Saint leans over gives me a slow, sweet kiss. “Call me if you need me,” he says, and saunters into the house.

I feel a pang of guilt, watching him go, and it only grows when I hear the front door slam. The sound of his car engine starts, and then recedes as he drives away, leaving me alone.

Finally.

I grab my phone, and send a text to Max.