The Off Limits Rule (It Happened in Nashville, #1)

by Sarah Adams

I’m panicking! I’m panicking so hard. Red-flashing-lights, alarms-sounding, someone-give-this-woman-a-sedative panicking!

I’m a normal-looking guy and not covered in warts or anything else that would be considered gross.

He leans back onto his elbows and—WILL SOMEONE PLEASE GET THIS MAN A SHIRT?! “I told you, I like seeing you blush.”

I lie back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling, wondering what it would take to get her to stay here with me tonight where I can keep her all to myself. It’s selfish,

Is it too much to ask that she not kiss, date, or flirt with other men until that time? Yes.

If I can’t be the one to take her out, I want to spend time with her up until the moment she leaves the house.

She looks so downcast now, and my soppy-lovesick heart aches at the sight. Suddenly,

I will do anything for her.

Absolutely anything to make...

The smallest touches from Lucy feel monumental, like I’m touching a woman for the first time again.

I freeze, dinosaur fabric clutched in my hand, and stare at Levi. Because when looking at his big round blue eyes that perfectly match his mother’s, I turn into ooey-gooey mush. I want this. I want a life like this. No, not a life like it—this one, specifically.

My body feels oddly tingly as I make contact with the soft fabric and remove it from the hanger, holding it up. Holy crap, this is hot. It’s a short cocktail dress in a deep red that makes my heart race.

Lucy is real—what you see is what you get.

After shutting the door, I hear the sound of a zipper and resist groaning at the mental picture forming in my head.

I fist my hands at my sides just to keep from reaching out for her.

Shoot.

It’s not risqué on its own, but wrapped tightly around Lucy, it’s downright intoxicating.

She says hips like they’re a bad thing, like men just HATE when women have tantalizing curves to run their hands over.

My pulse hammers out the words you-idiot-you’ll-never-be-the-same as my hand glides up the small dip in her lower back.

she’s still a woman who wants to feel attractive and desired. She wants to feel those things but is afraid to show it. If I could, I’d make Lucy feel both of those things without her ever having to voice it.

I want to dip my head down and kiss a line up the side of her exposed neck. I want to breathe in her sweet, warm scent and let it fill my lungs for the rest of the night.

I remind myself that I’m retreating for tonight only. Not forever. Just for now. Drew will come around, and when he does, I’m coming after Lucy.

lean down to kiss her cheek. IT WAS A FRIENDLY KISS, DREW, SHEESH.

I want to kiss her right on her full mouth, but I refrain and let go of her instead. “You look gorgeous, Lucy. Enjoy your date tonight.”

I step inside the fancy restaurant feeling like the PG-13 version of Cinderella—if her boobs were pushed up to her throat and her dress was threatening to burst at

the seams.

UGH. And there’s the problem. Cooper…he’s infiltrated my mind.

Weaseled his Baywatch body and dazzling smile into my subconscious and bench-pressed the standard I used to measure men against.

It’s a little touchy-feely for a first date, but I don’t hate it. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t nice to feel wanted.

Too bad my mind rushes back to feeling Cooper’s rough hand glide up my spine, causing goosebumps to erupt down my arms. I shiver a little, and Ethan notices. “Are you cold?

Normal is exhausting.

Since Cooper was not the one to ask me out on a date tonight, he’s got to go.

I note, with both pride and confusion, that his smile fades when he looks at her.

You look too hot for him.

Besides, you don’t have much room to talk.

I can see your boobs from all the way over here, but you don’t see me judging.

Blehhh, this is so boring. If I wanted to talk about kids, I could have joined a mom’s stroller club.

I jerk my phone off the table before Ethan can see the shirtless picture Cooper apparently assigned as his caller ID in my phone. When did he do that? And how did I miss it happening?

“Talk down about yourself being a mom. I can’t take it anymore. You’re beautiful, Lucy, and you’ve got a great body that doesn’t need constant prefacing that you think it’s flawed. And you know what else?” He’s really fired up. “Being a mom doesn’t make you less appealing. It makes you the whole package.”

I push him farther down the hall, and his eyebrows lift. Shoot, he looks so sexy tonight in this black button-down and slate-gray dress pants. He doesn’t look businessy. He just looks impeccable.

I need to get out of here. I’m about to push him into one of those bathroom stalls and become really good friends with him.

“Fine, I’ll try.” “No, you won’t.” “You’re right.

Better put your phone in your purse if you don’t want to blush all night. Your inbox is about to see some real action.”

Cooper calls out to me one more time. “Luce.” I pause, and my skin flushes at hearing my nickname on his lips. “Be confident tonight and have fun. You’re an amazing woman, and he’s lucky to be out with you.” If that’s true, then why aren’t you out with me?

Cooper came in like a shot of tequila, all smooth, crisp, and enticing, and wrecked my system. I couldn’t focus the rest of the night.

Cooper was right when he said my message inbox would get some action. Except, instead of making me blush, I mainly had to try very hard not to laugh.

the doorbell rings.

I still feel like a child, unsure of whether I should get the door or not. It’s late. I’m not expecting anyone, and sadly, I didn’t order any food. There’s a 50/50 chance a murderer is on the other side of that door, waiting to make me the next Dateline story.

My phone suddenly rings and makes me jump out of my skin. I frown at the caller ID flashing Cooper’s abs at me and wonder if I actually drifted off to sleep.

“I’m at your door.