My Rules (Kingston Lane, #2)

by T.L. Swan

She’s my neighbor, my friend’s ex-wife . . . my best friend, a member of my own group of friends, a quite close one, actually, and frankly, she’s impossible to avoid. Rebecca. Beautiful, smart, and funny. She’s the whole package.

“What the hell are you doing?” I whisper as I drag Blake toward the door. “What the hell are you doing?” he fires back. “I’m enjoying talking to a very nice man, and you’re being very rude.” “Him.” He huffs. “He’s as far from a nice man as I’ve ever met.” “You don’t even know him,” I scoff. “Come on, Rebecca.” He rolls his eyes as we arrive at the front doors. “Your douchedar cannot be that way off.”

“I don’t want to go for a run.” I sigh as I walk out onto his porch. “Then take a nap.” “It’s first thing in the morning.” I throw my hands up. “What am I supposed to do now?” “Forget about men.” “Why?” “Because we are no fucking good, that’s why.”

“We’ll eat dinner, and then we’re going to have a Breaking Bad marathon,” I continue. “Thank you, Blake.” Her eyes well with tears as she stares at me. “I’ve just had a bad day, you know?” “I know.” I smile. “It’s okay, baby.” I pull her into a hug. “I’ve got you.” She stays in my arms for a beat longer than usual, and damn it, I fucking hate that guy for how hard he broke her. If I ever see him on a dark street, he may not survive.

I lie on my side facing her. It’s late, and I have to work tomorrow. I know I should tiptoe out of here and quietly leave, lock up her house and let her sleep in peace. But how can I . . . when watching her sleep is like a dream come true? If only . . .

“How did . . .” I frown. “I don’t even remember getting home.” “Me neither. Jules said she found me asleep in our front garden when she got back from work.” “What time was that?” I frown as I try to retrace our steps. “I don’t know, midnight.” “What were we drinking?” “Taryn’s punch.” “Hell.” I drag my hand through my hair. “How’s Deluca?” “Not answering his phone.” “Go check on him. He’s probably dead.”

“Goodbye,” Juliet calls from the cab window. “Thanks for the best night of my life.” It’s taken us forty minutes to bundle her into the cab. I think she said goodbye to

“Your dick is sore because you dry humped a mannequin twenty minutes after you had it pierced, you fucking idiot,” Henley snaps.

My eyes rise back across the street to Roller Boob Barbie. If she says something to Rebecca, I swear I’m going to run her over with my car.

I’ll tell you what’s a fucking train wreck,” he spits. “A woman who has a friend who would literally do anything for her, and she treats him like shit.” He grabs his key and holds it to his door. “I do not treat you like shit, Blake.” “Want to bet?” “How?” “I’ve had the worst ten days feeling like absolute shit because you won’t speak to me, and I’ve missed you, and yet all you’re worried about are the feelings of your toxic ex.”

When it comes to women, I have my ducks in a row.” “I beg to differ. Your ducks are completely out of control.

Two hours later, I lie on my side propped up on my elbow as I watch Rebecca sleep. The movie is on in the background, but I won’t turn it off because then she may wake up and go upstairs to her bed instead of sleeping beside me.

She rolls over in her sleep and snuggles into my chest. Her head rests on my arm, her top leg leaning over mine. The warmth from her body begins to liquefy mine. Fuck . . . I put my lips to her forehead as I hold her. She’s warm and sensual and feels perfect in my arms. Like a luxury that I could never afford. With my lips resting against her skin, I close my eyes and pretend that she’s mine.

“Yes. If you asked for my number and I gave it to you, what would have happened?” “Then I would have called you that very day, and I would have asked you out on a date that night . . . because I couldn’t have waited one more hour to see you. I would have been nervous before I picked you up, and you would have worn my favorite red dress, and I would have worn your favorite pair of blue jeans.” My heart swells as I listen. “And we would have gone to our favorite restaurant, Little Italy. You would have ordered the beef ragù, and I would have ordered the fettuccine,” he says softly. I smile as I listen. “And we would have drunk a bottle of red wine and ordered dessert, and then by the end of the tiramisu . . . I would have known that you were the one.”

“I don’t need to wait for the tiramisu,” he whispers. My eyes search his as my heart free-falls from my chest. In slow motion, he leans over and kisses me, his lips barely brushing over mine, and huge butterflies swirl deep in my stomach. Oh . . . “Why not?” I whisper against his lips. “Because . . . I already know.”

The front door bangs, and Antony comes into view. “Hey,” he says as he walks to the coffee machine. “Carol told me you hooked up with Rebecca last night,” he says matter-of-factly. He pushes the button and glances over at me for confirmation. “So, how’d you do?”

“Uh-huh.” I kiss him again and again and . . . “Bec.” He steps back from me. “Unless you are going to call into work sick today, you need to stop. Right now.” “Fine.” I giggle and step back. “Goodbye, Dr. Grayson.”

“Behave yourself, Dr. Grayson.” “Make me.” “I’m going now.” I smirk. “Goodbye, Miss Dalton.” He hangs on the line, and I smile harder. “This time tomorrow, we will be on our way to Cancún,” I tell him. “That’s if you survive tonight.”

“Blake Grayson,” I snap. “Did you read it yet?” Antony whispers. “I’m trying to now, but everybody keeps interrupting me,” I whisper. “Seriously, it’s so fucking hot I can’t stand it.” “Yeah . . . I’m getting the gist.” I wipe the perspiration from my brow.

He kisses me softly, his lips lingering over mine. “I’ve been looking forward to seeing you all day.” “How come?” I play dumb. “Because then I get to eat pasta,” he lies. “Oh, you’re here for the carbs?” He gives me the best come-fuck-me look of all time. “I’m here for the meat.”

but in this moment, I am yours.” His hands still, and I close my eyes. Why did I say that? “You’ve always been mine,” he breathes into my ear. “From the first moment I met you, I knew we would end up here.” He kisses down my neck to my shoulder.

“Because you were always promised to me.” Our kiss deepens. “You only married him so that you could find me.” He takes my face in his two hands as we kiss, and my eyes flutter closed. “I’ve been waiting for you,” he murmurs against my lips.

I get a lump in my throat as I cling to him like my life depends on it. I don’t know what that was . . . but I’m officially ruined.

Implausible, even utterly ridiculous. And yet I lie here completely confused, because for the first time in my life, I’m sure. Not just sure, I’m sold. I’m positive. This is a done deal . . . and as terrifying as this is, there’s not a single doubt in my mind. Rebecca’s the one.

I stare up at my beautiful man. “You’re spoiling me,” I whisper. He takes my face in his hands. “Get used to it.”

“You fucking coward.” He sneers. “What?” I explode. “The only person who is in danger of getting their heart broken around here is me.” “You?” I cry. “How the hell are you in danger of anything?” “See, here’s where you and I are different. You’re scared of falling in love with me.” “And you’re not scared of that?” I cry. “I’m already in love with you!” he yells so loud that the paint nearly peels off the walls. “And the fact that you don’t know that is a fucking red flag.”

“That wasn’t exactly the most romantic declaration of love.” I frown up at him. He winces. “Let’s forget I said that, okay?” His lips drop to my neck. “No.” I smile as his teeth graze my skin. “I’m going to bring that up forever.” His eyes twinkle with a certain something. “Forever has a nice ring to it.”

“I love you,” he whispers. Oh . . . My eyes well with tears, and I put my hand up to his face. “I love you,” I murmur as I turn to kiss him.

Our kiss is tender and intimate. A celebration of us. So much love is in this room, and I never knew it could be like this. My life mistakes all flash before me, and now I know the reason for everything. We belong together. Everything I’ve been through was so that I could be here, doing this with him. For the first time in my life, I feel complete.

There isn’t a doubt in my mind that Blake is the love of my life, and if I’m being honest, I can let you in on something that I never thought I would feel: I’m glad my marriage crumbled. Because it brought me to him. And even when I was happy with John, it was never like this. The love we have is like a fairy tale.

“I was happy. I was content. You’re still thinking about your ex-husband.” His eyes fill with tears. “I went through all the trouble to get a yellow diamond from Cancún. I’ve been working extra hours to help pay for it,” he whispers. “I wanted you to wear your dream ring.” He angrily wipes his eyes. “But it turns out, it was never your dream. It was only mine.”

“Blake,” I whisper. “You let his love taint mine,” he murmurs. I screw up my face in tears. “And I’ll never forgive you for it.” He turns and walks to the door.

I stare at the scenery through tears. You let his love taint mine . . . and I’ll never forgive you. I’ll never forgive myself.

Funny thing is that it’s not even bad memories of my marriage anymore. This is the house that cost me Blake. The love of my life.

“Give the woman a baby, Grayson,” Henley mutters. “I want to be married before I have a baby,” I announce. Blake chews on a toothpick, his eyes not rising for even a second. “You’re as subtle as a Mack truck, Rebecca.” Everyone chuckles. It’s become a joke between us now. I want to get married, and Blake won’t hear a word of it.