Rule Breakers Fall Hardest (The Boys, #6)

by Micalea Smeltzer

“Do you want to hold him?” I ask her. “Me? I … no, that’s okay.” Her cheeks flush, and she takes half a step back. “This is your time.” “He’s yours too,” I remind her. “...

With him in her arms, it allows me a chance to get a better look at him. He’s so beautiful, so perfect, that he takes my breath away.

On instinct, I reach out and gently tuck her hair behind her ear. “You’re a natural.”

I take in the minivan, and as I squint at the driver, a laugh works its way out of me. Why is Daire…? Oh my God.

Daire Hendricks is driving a minivan.

Baby Sammy is lucky to have him.

Playing in front of an entire arena of hockey fans? Not a problem. Attempting to give this doll CPR while a dozen people watch me? I’m ready to run out the door and never come back.

It’s so cute to watch you squirm.”

“Because I was in love with you!” Rosie screams, throwing her arms out. Her knuckles hit the window, and she winces, then cradles her right hand in her left. “Everyone knew.” Her voice is softer, her arms wrapping protectively around her body again. “Everyone but you.”

“That night … I don’t know if she knew I was in the restroom, but I think she did. She was bragging about how … about how you guys were going to finally have sex and…” Rosie drops her head. “I knew she was your girlfriend. I knew it was inevitable, but it still hurt. And then you were supposed to take me home, and you just … left me.”

“I was so fucking angry,” I start, curling my fists like I did all those years ago, “when she told me you went home with Brady. I was jealous when I had no right to be. I liked you too, but I didn’t want to ruin our friendship.” I bark out a humorless laugh. “But after that night, it was ruined anyway.”

“You liked me too?” she blurts, her eyes wide as they meet mine. “You … I never had any idea that⁠—” I’m fucking helpless to stop myself. I grab her by the back of the neck and pull her into me.

Our mouths meet, and just like the times we’ve kissed before, it’s an explosion of sparks. A kiss has always just been a kiss to me. With Rosie? It’s an experience. One I want to savor.

I want so much more of her, and that’s fucking terrifying.

I’m certain I could kiss her for the rest of my life and never get tired of it.

“What are we doing?” “I don’t know,” I answer honestly, smoothing a hand down her neck and shoulder as I sit back. “I don’t know.”

“I can’t believe we’ve hated each other for years because your ex-girlfriend is a big, fat liar.” I nearly choke on my Coke. “I guess you’re right,” I

“You wound me, Mrs. Hendricks.”

“I can’t believe I’m admitting this,” the pink somehow gets brighter in color, “but in middle school, I wrote that all over my notebooks.”

She rolls her eyes. “Mrs. Hendricks,” she says softly. “Glad to know you always wanted me.” She tosses a fry at me. “Shut up.”

“What did she say?” he demands, not letting it go. “It really doesn’t matter.” I shake him loose, then turn and continue my trek to the dining hall. He follows, matching my stride. “It does to me.” “Why?” I demand. I just want to get my hot chocolate and find an empty corner where I can let the tears fall. “You’re my wife.”

“Tell me why the hell not.” “She’s my mom. She didn’t mean to hurt me.” He holds my stare. “It doesn’t matter whether she meant to. She did hurt you.”

“There’s nothing stupid about your feelings, and I’m sorry I hurt you too.” “Back at you.”

“We really made a mess of things, didn’t we?” Chuckling, he brings his hand back up to my cheek. His thumb moves in slow, careful circles. “I think we’re starting to get it together.”

Cree can’t be too mad when it’s fucking obvious that Jude’s obsessed with Millie. The guy worships the ground she walks on.

“He’s got it bad,” Jude says to Cree. “What?” I look between the four guys, my brain clearly lagging after a single beer. “You’re falling for your wife,” Cree chortles. “Oh, this is brilliant. You gave me such a fucking hard time over Ophelia, and now the universe is getting back at you.”

“I … no. I mean I like her—as a friend. We’re patching things up.” “Dude.” Teddy points a tortilla chip at me. “As someone who fell for my fake girlfriend, I feel like I’m more than qualified to speak on this subject. You’ve got the hots for your wife.” Do I?

Rosie’s beautiful—she’s always been—but getting feelings involved could make this arrangement messy. Right? It doesn’t matter that when I kiss her, it’s l...

I’ve tried my hardest not to think about those kisses, because I’ll drive myself insane if I do. When I made the rule about not falling for each other, there wasn’t even a glimmer of a possibility in my mind that I...

Fuck, I think Teddy...

“To the death of Daire’s bachelorhood.”

“You’re really good at that.” I bite the inside of my cheek to hide my amusement. “I’m good at lots of things.”

“Would it be so bad? You and me? For real?”

“I’ve admitted to having a crush on you for years, and you’re asking me that? It’s … it’s what I always wanted,”

“But Daire … feelings would complicate things. We’re doin...

I lean into her, hesitating with my mouth millimeters from hers. “Tell me not to kiss you, Rosie.” “I…” Her breath fans across my lips, warm and sweet. “I can’t do that.”

“God, Rosie,” I groan, skimming my thumb over her bottom lip. She’s flushed beneath me, eyes heavy. I brush my nose over the skin of her neck, smiling to myself when she shivers. “I want to make you come. Will you let me do that?”

… I don’t … I’ve never…” My heart lurches at her reaction. “What are you trying to say?”

“A guy has never made me come, okay?”

“Never?” She presses her tongue against the inside of her cheek. “Nope. Not with his fingers. Or his mouth. Or his cock.”

A primal need to rise to the challenge roars to life inside me, insisting that I can.

“Don’t get me wrong,” she goes on, “I’ve had orgasms, but only with my vibrator. I guess I’m broken.” She ...

“You’re not broken,” I whisper, my lips close enough to brush hers. “Are you willing to let me try?” Her lips part. “Try…?” “To give you an orgasm.” “Daire,” she scoffs. “I … this sounds like a bad idea.”

“I disagree. I think it’s a very good idea. A great one even. Downright excellent.”

“And … when nothing happens, you’ll be okay? You won’t be mad?” “First off, I would never be mad at you for something like th...

“How can you be so sure?” she argues, and I’d swear there are tears in her eyes. “Because,” I smile, slowly plucking the blankets away from h...

“Oh, come on, Rosie,” I goad with a smile, “show me that pretty pussy.”

“Then what’s scaring you?” Her stomach shakes with a laugh. “You. Me. Us.” “I understand.” I think I do, at least. “I’m terrified.” Of feeling something real. Of fucking all this up.

“Why don’t we see where all this goes?” I hold her gaze, wanting her to know I’m serious about this. “We’re already married. We might as well see what happens, don’t you think?” She stares back, a million thoughts swirling behind her eyes, and swallows audibly. “I … okay.”

“Okay,” I echo. “Good. Can I please make you come now?” She clutches my wrist. “You can’t⁠—” I press a finger to her lips. “I will.”