Rule Breakers Fall Hardest (The Boys, #6)

by Micalea Smeltzer

We’re getting Chipotle after this.”

“You’ve already thought about this.” “Baby, I’ve already got the order ready to submit.”

I don’t like that he wants Rosie. She’s mine.

“Why do you always do that?” she asks, her breath fogging the chilled air. “Do what?” “Put your forehead against mine.” She pressed warm palms to my cheeks. “I don’t know. I guess it makes me feel centered. All the worries and negative thoughts fade away.”

I’m going to tell this girl every day for the rest of our lives how much she means to me.

“Daire made this appointment for you.”

“Can we hurry up? I want dinner.” Honestly, same.

“Your fiancé made the appointment for you and sent over a picture for inspiration. Do you have anything else in mind? Fabrics? We’ll talk about the sketch too and make any tweaks you want.”

“Uh … her fiancé emailed over a sketch of a wedding dress. He said it was something you drew when you were younger and that he wanted you to have your custom dream wedding dress. It’s all paid for. Whatever you want, it’s yours.”

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. It might be the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me.

“I love you, Rosie, and I want you to have the dress of your dreams when you finally walk down the aisle to me.”

was always real. We just didn’t realize it yet.”

I only care about you being happy, not your mom.”

He’s my best friend again, the person I’m most excited to see, the person I want to spill my secrets to. He’s the love of my life.

“I know you weren’t gone that long, but I missed you.”

He and Rosie have become my two favorite things in the entire world.

With a quick look at Sammy, I lift the lid and set it on the floor. Inside is a baby-sized pair of skates. Fuck. I actually choke up.

Me: Your girlfriend is giving me a hard time. I see why you’re perfect for each other.

Mascen: Why are you with my girlfriend? Me: Calm down, jackass. I’m getting dinner with my wife.

Mascen: Dude. I heard you got married, but I didn’t quite believe it. Also heard you’ve got a pet? Me: A pet? Mascen: Your spawn. Me: Yep, and he’s just as cute as I am.

Mascen: Don’t stay there too long or Rory will start asking me when we’re having one. Mascen: Make sure to tip her well, or else.

“Shut up and fuck me.”

“Isn’t it clear by now that I’d do anything for you?”

“I guess Sammy will have a friend to play with.”

Playing house is seriously dangerous.

I have a feeling when she walks down the aisle in September, I’m going to cry.

“I love Rosie more than you can imagine.”

I always liked Chandler, but I’m afraid that even if Rosie forgives him for his bullish behavior, I never will. Anyone who hurts Rosie hurts me tenfold. Her pain is my pain, and it’s one of the worst things I’ve ever experienced.

“I used to like you. I even respected you. But you made my wife cry. You hurt her when she didn’t deserve it. So, no, I don’t like you, and I’m not sure I ever will again.”

“He can stand up in the crib, but he can’t say Dada? I’m offended.”

There’s no doubt in my mind that she loves Sammy as much as I do.

It’s safe to say that Sammy has already chosen Rosie as his favorite person. I can’t even be mad about it. She’s my favorite person too.

“Rosie, I⁠—” “Dada.” My heart stops, and I dart a look at Rosie. “Did he say⁠—” Her smile is so bright it hurts to look at. “He did.” Ignoring the man in front of us, I scoop my son into my arms. “Say it again,” I beg. I’m aware that begging a baby to say a word again is futile, but I can’t help it. Sammy smacks his open hand against my cheek. “Da.” Another smack. “Da.” Fuck. I’m going to cry.

“Dada,” he says again. My heart lurches, and my chest aches in the most perfect way. “That’s right. I’m Dada. And who’s this?” I point at Rosie. We’ve been working on getting him to say Ro-Ro. Sammy claps and lunges for her. “Mama.”

I freeze, and at the same time, the color drains from Rosie’s face. Her eyes are comically large when she asks, “Did he call me Mama?” I let out an uneasy breath, not sure how she’s going to feel about it. “He did.” “Mama,” he says again, opening and closing h...

Fuck. The sounds he makes while going down on me should be illegal. I’m pretty sure that if I recorded his moans and played them back, I could orgasm without ever touching myself.

“I want to hear the sounds you make when you come,” he says, his breath warm against my aching pussy. “I want to hear what I do to you.”

I trace the shape of his lips with my thumb. “I love you.” I loved him as a girl. Hated him as a teen. And now I get to love him again as a woman.

“I love you too, Rosie. More than a lifetime will ever allow me to show you.”

It’s wild that our time at college is coming to a close. I came to Aldridge absolutely despising Rosie, yet here I am, married to her and happier than I’ve ever been.

Finally, the doors open, and we get on. As we ride, Sammy giggles at his reflection in the shiny silver doors. “Hi.” He waves. Daire grins, looking more relaxed than I’ve seen him all day. “He’s so smart.”

“He’s mine,” he says when he reaches me. “He’s ours. Finally.” I take his face in my hands and kiss him with every ounce of relief I feel. “We did it.”

Beautiful doesn’t even begin to cover the way Rosie looks as she glides toward me down the aisle.

I’m so overcome with emotions that my vision blurs so badly I can’t even take in the dress she’s wearing. When she stops in front of me and comes into focus, I feel like I might fall over. I’m so undone for this woman.

“I broke my own rules for you, baby, and fell hard. I never want to come back up.”

Sammy’s the reason I have the love of my life.

This kiss is so different from the one we exchanged in the courthouse. That one was intense, but full of hate and a strange intensity neither of us understood. This one is pure passion and love melding together.

Rosie smiles up at me with hearts in her eyes, and goddamn, I hope she keeps smiling at me like that for the rest of her life.

“I get to spend the rest of my life you. This … today … it’s only the beginning of all the things we’re going to do together.”

Chuckling, I set Sammy down. He’s walking now and toddles right over to her. “Mama, pretty! Up!” He waves his arms dramatically. “Up, up, up.”