Page 123 of Rules Of Our Own

River: Leave it. If you’re going to fuck our girl without me I want to taste you on her.

My dick’s already half-hard. These two are going to be the death of me.

Mia lifts up on her toes and whispers against my mouth. “I love you.”

My eyes close, and my chest clenches as I let the words seep into my soul. “I love you more.”

* * *

I pull the sheet over Mia and River, covering her naked back. They’d collapsed into exhaustion a few minutes ago after our third round. He’s holding on to her with both hands, and her face is pressed hard into his chest like they can’t get close enough to each other.

My chest is so tight I can hardly fucking breathe watching them. I dreamed of this—of course I fucking dreamed of this—but I’d been terrified to hope. Being with them feels like I stole the answers to happiness, and I refuse to give them back.

I’ve never felt as free as when Mia said she loved me. It was like the entire world clicked into place except for one piece. River’s hair tumbles over his forehead, and I reach over to push it from his face. I’m deeply,irrevocablyin love with him. I think I’ve always been in love with him, and I’m not sure I can survive him not loving me back.

CHAPTER57

MIA

The last sevendays have been a blur. Alex and River have been busy with their hockey practices while I’m running around at the hospital, starting my new job. I miss them, but they more than make up for it at night.

It’s supposed to be my day off, and I groan when I receive the text from Gerard saying he’s in town and wants to meet.

I look at my reflection in the mirror and cringe. Rummaging through my closet, I finally settle on a sleek light gray dress with a square-neck collar and a simple black piping detail. My hair is hastily twisted into something resembling professional, like I’m trying to cram weeks of primping into seconds. With a steadying breath, I grab my bag and make my way to the lobby.

After a fifteen-minute Uber ride, I exit the elevator on Gerard’s office floor. The receptionist gives me a worried look, but Gerard’s already calling me in before I can ask what’s happening.

He’s at his desk, his gray hair pushed off his face, but his usual warm smile is missing. “You know Jason McKay.”

My head snaps to the spare chair on the side of the room, and I come face-to-face with my ex. Acid burns the back of my throat, and I hiss at him, “What are you doing here?”

Gerard cuts in. “Jason has brought to my attention your unprofessional behavior.” He holds out two pictures. One of Alex and I stepping into the back room at the gala, and the other reveals us leaving. Dread forms knots in my gut. The hem of my dress is askew, and my hair is scrunched up in the back from where it was pressed against the wall.

“I warned you this wouldn’t be acceptable. I’m sorry, Dr. Brooks, but Astrocorp will be pulling all funding to Prosthetics For Kids.”

My vision swirls, and I lock my knees to stay standing. “What? No, you can’t. I did everything you asked. We’ve got more funding; it’s gone national. We’re so close.”

Gerard looks sympathetic but unmoving. “I assure you, we can. Astrocorp cannot be associated with this level of scandal once it breaks out.”

Jason smirks at me and pops a piece of gum into his mouth.

My despair flashes to anger, and I step forward, placing both hands on Gerard’s desk. “How would anyone find out?”

Gerard huffs out an exasperated breath as if he’s speaking to a child. “If Jason spotted you, no doubt countless more did.”

I don’t bother explaining to him the only reason Jason saw us was he was probably stalking me at that party. Hell, I wouldn’t put it past him to hire a professional.

“That’s it? After everything?” My eyes burn with angry tears that I blink away.

Gerard lifts a brow and steeples his fingers, his expression clearly stating he’s done with me. “That’s it. You can go.”

I turn toward Jason, closing the distance between us, and jab my finger into his chest. “You are going to regret fucking with me, Jason. I’m done playing nice.”

He barks out a laugh. “Yeah, what are you going to do?”

I smile, knowing I’m going to come through on this promise. “I’m going to ruin you.”

His eyes flash wide, but I’m already turning away before he can say anything. I give him a little wave. “Enjoy the freedom you have left.”