The Bad Boy Rule (Hellcats Hockey #1)

by Maren Moore

She rolls her eyes, but I can see the corner of her lip curving even as s...

“Do you take anything at all seri...

Slowly, almost wolfishly, I walk over to where she’s sitting in the large, oversized leather chair, watching as her throat bobs and her lips part slightly, eyes widening with each step I take toward her. I stop when I’m right in front of her, peering down at her doe-like eyes. I bend, flattening my palms along the arms of the chair, and dip my head.

her words are breathy, and she’s not fooling me, not in the least, not the way she’s trying to fool herself. The sweet, innocent virgin until she probably dies is attracted to the guy that she can’t stand.

My lips twitch as I lean even closer, until I hear her breath hitch. Raising my finger, I bring it to her pale, creamy skin and ghost the rough pad of it along her collarbone, watching as her eyes squeeze shut like it’ll somehow make me disappear too.

“You want me to play like I’m your boyfriend, yet I can’t even get close to you without your cheeks blazing. How do you think you’re going to fool anyone when a simple touch makes you respond like this?”

I drag my finger languidly, the barest of touches, down the center of her chest and almost make it to the shallow space between her tits before she reaches up, her fingers curling around mine to stop me fr...

“See what I mean, Golden Girl? Can’t be your boyfriend if you act like a Catholic schoolgi...

Even with her pupils dilating, she tries to deny what’s painfully obvious to us both: her attractio...

“Sorry that your proximity makes me ph...

I chu...

“Who are you trying to convince… me ...

I can feel the rapid thrum of her heartbeat b...

Right now, I know that she’s safe, here with me. I don’t know how I’m going to pull it together or what the fuck I’m going to do, but all that matters is that she’s safe, right here, right now. That’s what I’m holding on to. Right now. Even if it fucking kills me in the process.

the way that he looks in the custom Saint Laurent tux, tattoos crawling up his throat and painting his skin in a way that nearly feels unholy. The dark ink peeks out from beneath his cuffs as he reaches for the key and cuts the engine, the fabric of his sleeves tightening around his biceps. My mouth isn’t dry because of him, right? No, it’s simply because of my nerves. I’ve never been a great liar, even to myself. Saint Devereaux is the forbidden fruit. The very thing that tempted Eve in the garden, and I wonder, would he be as deadly as I imagine? His dark, molten gaze connects with mine as he swings a leg off his bike and stands at full height, handing the keys to the valet attendant.

He has the kind of body that fills out a three-piece suit in a way that should be a sin. I’m still staring when he finally turns my way, his eyes finding mine and catching me in the act of shamelessly drinking him in. Shit. His lips tilt into a cocky smirk, and he lifts a brow as he shoves his hands into the pockets of his pants and saunters toward me.

His voice is a low, rough, decadent timbre that unleashes a foreign feeling in the pit of my stomach, and I push it down, along with the shiver that threatens to rack my spine. I swallow roughly.

I feel his eyes everywhere as they travel down the length of my body in an unhurried perusal. Each place his gaze touches feels hot, like my skin would burn if I brought my fingers to it.

I catch him with my fingers curling around his thick bicep, halting him.

“Wait.”

“I thought you said we’re going ...

Licking my lips, I blow out an exhale, dropping my hand away from him when I realize that ...

“I need you to take this seriously if we’re goin...

Slowly, he steps forward until he’s so close that the smell of his bodywash, fresh pin...

“And what makes you think that I’m not taking being your fake boyfriend s...

His lips curl around the edges, dark eyes heating until I swear they’re simmering in the depths before he dips his head down to my ear. A wave of goose bumps scatters along my skin when his warm breath caresses the shell of my ear, and I ...

“I’m completely dedicated to playing my part, but the que...

Driving his point home, he rubs the tip of his nose down the length of my neck, the ghost of a touch, and my heart feels like it might burst free from my rib c...

Her in that goddamn dress. Black satin molded to every inch of her curves that’s making my mouth fucking water. I almost swallowed my tongue the moment I saw her, heat ripping through me when my gaze found the long slit that traveled up her thigh and the red fuck-me heels on her feet that gave her a good extra five inches. She’s still tiny compared to me, head barely reaching my chest, but fuck, her legs go on for days in this dress. But I wasn’t going to admit that she almost knocked me on my ass tonight. Instead, I opted for “nice dress,” even though I had a litany of other things going through my head. Like how my dick was hardening behind these stupid pants at the thought of tossing those legs over my shoulders and making her dig those heels into my back until I bled while I devoured her. Not exactly the kind of thing you lead with instead of hello.

I feel her hand trembling in mine, her nerves ramping up, so I step closer, dipping my head to her ear.

“Exactly how much of an asshole do you want me to be? Just so we’re clear?”

Jade-green pools m...

“Oh, you know… just be your n...

“You know what they say… when you know, you know. And trust me, I knew. Right, baby?”

I murmur before dipping my head and pressing my lips to the space right below her ear. She shivers against me, and then she tightens her hand in mine, squeezing my fingers until they feel like they’re going to break off. A warning.

I step closer until I feel the front of her pressed against me, drinking in the surprised, sharp intake of breath as she peers up at me.

“Just playing my part. You want to convince them or not?”

“Of course I want to. You’re here, aren’t you? That doesn’t...

“To what? Kiss yo...

I bring my fingers to her neck, ghosting them along the spot where my lips were just minutes ago. She shivers beneath my touc...

“Don’t forget, Golden Girl, that you’re mine to kiss… touch… whatever I want. Eve...

I’m starting to panic until I feel his hand on the top of my thigh beneath the table. It’s warm and oddly… reassuring, even though I’m not sure if that’s what he meant it to be. I suck in a deep breath, quickly gathering myself. He squeezes my thigh, and I fight the urge to press my legs together.

I reach beneath the table and try to pull his hand from my leg, but his fingers tighten.

the way his fingers are currently trailing up the exposed skin of my thigh through the slit in my dress, dancing along my heated flesh until my nipples tighten. My heart is racing as I look over at him, expecting his gaze to be on my parents, the party, his food. Anywhere but… me. His eyes are on me. The dark flare of hunger burning in the depths takes me by surprise and sends my pulse skittering, making me breathless.

Lennon knows how to ride. She’s a natural,”

Saint says with a wink as he rises from his chair and offers me his hand. My cheeks are flaming, and I think I might swallow my tongue, but still, I slip my slightly clammy palm in his, and he helps me out of my chair.

I feel his arm slip around my waist, and I lean into him slightly as I offer my parents a smile.

Life would be so much more freeing if you stopped giving a shit what people thought, Golden Girl. It’s great not having to answer to anyone but yourself. You should try it.”

I’m bullshitting her just to get her worked up, my favorite extracurricular activity.

Lennon: Will you come to the charity gala, Saint? I will forever be in your debt oh great one.