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

by Sarah Adams

“I wish you the best of luck.”

“You get a donut because you’re the most understanding human I’ve ever met.”

realize if I was strong enough to get through all of that, I can face the world’s hottest man and tell him I’m crazy about him without throwing up on his feet. I hope.

I’m momentarily stunned because I thought Boat Cooper, Car Mechanic Cooper, and Park Day Cooper were all attractive, but Bossman Cooper is so sexy I think my legs are going to give out.

As he gets closer, I can now smell his cologne. Oh lordy,

“I’m good. Well, no, actually, I’m terrible. I mean…I FEEL terrible. Physically. Not emotionally. Although, I don’t feel so great emotionally either.”

“I asked you to sleep with me last night.”

his smile turns amused. “I remember.” “And you turned me down.”

“Because you were drunk.”

“Only because I was drunk?”

“Cooper…I…am sort of, kind of having feelings for you, and I want to know if maybe you’re having them for me too.” I abruptly pick up the donut box again and extend it to him. “Donut?”

Her hands are shaking too. I can see the box vibrating and her cheeks turning that familiar rosy red.

“I rubbed your feet last night,” I say matter-of-factly.

“I’m trying to say I have feelings for you too. I kinda thought it was obvious when I tenderly rubbed your feet while we watched a romantic show and drank wine together until late in the night.”

I reach out and wrap my arms around her, pulling her in tightly to my chest. I hold her close and want to squeeze her because sometimes this woman is just so innocent and unaware of how desirable she is that I can’t take it. She’s going to give me diabetes she’s so sweet. Every cell in my body aches for her.

I don’t do that for lots of women—or any women, for that matter. I did it because I like you. A lot.”

So, if we both really like each other, why are we hugging like we’re parting after summer camp instead of making out on your desk right now?”

Her glasses are sitting an inch to the right, so I shift them back on her nose.

I NEED

“Can I ask why not? Because the making-out option sounds like a win to me.”

Her hips lean into mine, and her soft eyes drop to my mouth. One of her eyebrows lifts the tiniest bit, and a dreamy smile tugs at the corners of her lips. Her thoughts are practically projected above her head. She’s imagining it—playing out every detail of what kissing me right now would be like—and I want more than anything to bring that fantasy to life.

“I knew it!

I’ve seen Lucy embarrassed, comfortable, nervous, and flirtatious, but this is new, and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that it’s sexy as hell.

I tighten my grip on her waist, feeling heat rise up from my toes and surge through my veins.

“Moment is over. Sorry, but you missed the boat, buddy. No Lucy for you.”

“let’s say, hypothetically, you didn’t miss your boat…what are your travel plans for the future?”

“Cooper. Please. I can’t handle your sexy games. I want to be cool and suave like you, but my kneecaps are melting underneath me, and I don’t know how to act around you. Do I pin you against the wall and force you to kiss me”—Yes, always that option—“or do I grab my box of donuts and leave? I haven’t watched enough heated teen Netflix movies to know what to do in this situation!”

This woman, her sweetness, her odd quirks…they’ve turned me into some kind of vanilla pudding you’re embarrassed to pull out at lunch.

“Lucy, I want so much more with you…but I can’t give you anything besides friendship right now.”

I know she’s not trying to seduce me, but consider me fully seduced. With every hot exhalation against my skin, I feel my resolve slipping.

“Lucy, are you smelling me?”

now I can add mischievous to my list of favorite expressions

“You’re going to be trouble, aren’t you?”

Still, I want to kiss her. I want to take her bottom lip in my mouth and taste it.

“COOPER! Please tell me his first name is not—” “Brent.” It’s only after I’ve said it out loud that I realize who he is.

Lucy’s shoulders sag in defeat, and my heart tugs for her.

Cooper’s kiss is devouring as if he’s been dying for me.

I’m not sure what is happening between us right now, but I’m willing to do it all day.

Even in all the time I dated Grim Tim, we never kissed like that.

Cooper steps closer and puts his big, fantastic, possessive hand on my hip, holding me close to his side. It wraps around my entire hip bone as he grips me. “How do you know my girlfriend, Dr. Peterson?”

Dead

Somehow, he speaks my silent language and understands me.

Brent does not look happy that Cooper and I do not have to use words to communicate. Would it be too gloaty if I did a little nana-nana-boo-boo dance and stuck my tongue out at him?

“Maybe she could call you later and get you up to speed? I’d like to walk her out, if you don’t mind.” The strength and finality in his voice tickles my spine.

Careful, Cooper. Your paternal instincts are showing, and it’s super attractive.

“You shouldn’t need a man to give you confidence because you are an incredible woman all on your own, but for some reason, you do. We’re working on building your self-esteem back up, but in the meantime, I offered myself up as tribute to help you flaunt a little in front of your ex.”

“I have to stay over here.” “Why?” “So I don’t pick up where we left off in my office.” Every nerve ending in my body tingles. “Right. That would be terrible. Very bad. I hate kissing.”

“It’s going to be the hardest thing I’ve done in my life to resist you, but I will, because I want to get this right. When Drew gets home, I want to be able to look him in the eyes.”

“Okay, tomorrow night, we get a break from our off-limits rule—but only when Brent is present. All other times, no touching. Deal?”

He shakes his head slowly at me. “Trouble.” He’s right. For the first time in too many years, I finally feel like a little bit of trouble—in the best way possible.

Good for you!

Did I just call her beautiful? Was that weird? I’ve never been the guy to call women by little pet names like that, but it just kind of slipped out. What’s happening to me?

“Drew. I thought you were someone else.” Your sister.