The Rule Breaker - Crystal Kaswell Page 0,22

home."

"I could say the same thing about your parents."

"That's not fair," I say.

"I know. That's why I didn't say it." His eyes flit to me. "Your mom looked really fucking sad."

"She's leaving for a woman half her age."

"Half? Really?" he asks.

"Close enough."

He raises a brow.

"I don't have to justify myself to you. I remember what you were like when your parents separated. You were an obnoxious shit."

"When have I ever been an obnoxious shit?"

"You were running away from it. Getting in fights. Drinking all the time. Leaving Daisy alone with it."

His lips curl into a frown. "Yeah."

"Sorry. That wasn't fair—"

"No. You're right. I did. I wasn't there for my sister and I should have been."

Is that why he's here now? Some way to erase his past sins? That's sweet, but I don't want it to be true.

I want him here for me.

Because he likes me.

Because he wants to be around me.

His eyes meet mine. "I forgot what I was going to say. You're distracting me."

"How am I distracting you?"

He gives me a long, slow once-over. Raises a brow. "Are you really asking that question?"

"What? My outfit?"

He nods obviously.

"What about it?"

"What about your skin-tight jeans? And your low-cut tank top? What about the lace-up combat boots that scream fuck me in only these?"

"The boots do not say that."

"Uh-huh." He eyes my boots more carefully. "What are those, hiking boots?"

"They're Timberland, yeah."

"Only with a chunky heel. You're gonna hike in that?"

"I might," I say.

"Yeah, hike into someone's bed." He shakes his head get real. "I'm not complaining. I'm just saying, you dress to impress."

"And you don't?"

He shrugs I guess. "It's different for guys."

"Sure. But your jeans are snug on your hips."

"Are they?"

"And they're slung just low enough," I say.

He shrugs like he doesn't notice.

"You know they make your ass look fantastic."

"My ass always looks fantastic," he says.

"Because you spend ten hours a week at the gym."

"It's not for looks."

This time, I shoot him the get real look.

"It's an outlet. For my energy."

"You have energy?"

He play swats me. "See. Rude."

"You're the one listening to Nirvana all the time."

"What's that have to do with shit?"

"No energy there." I imitate Kurt Cobain's mumble.

Ollie cracks a smile. "That's fucking adorable."

"Spot-on, you mean."

"Sure." He chuckles.

I finish the chorus. Move to the verse. Get the first line. Forget the second. Go right back to the chorus.

His smile widens. "The makeup too."

"What about it?"

"What about it?" He makes a show of pouting. Blowing me a kiss. "That's I love to suck dick red."

"Excuse me?"

"I'm just saying."

"You are just saying?"

He nods yeah. "Been with a lot of women. The ones with that shade of red always…" He shrugs what can I say. "I don't want it to be true. It just is."

"Allison wears this color," I say.

"Well, maybe it's just a love of performing oral."

"Oh my god."

"I can see it with her. She's reserved most of the time. Always in control. When she lets her hair down, I bet she's fucking wild. But still in control. Just pinning—"

"That's my mom!"

His laugh gets big and hearty. Big enough it wipes the tension from his expression. "You brought it up."

"You brought it up."

He shakes his head uh-uh. Motions to my lips.

"This is not for your benefit."

"I'm the only person you've seen today."

"We're in public." I motion to a young couple walking past us. They glance in our direction. Keep their distance.

"You're scaring them."

"You're scaring them." I push him. "You know I cut my hair so less guys would get that impression."

"The impression you love to suck dick?"

"Excuse you!"

"It's what you said," he says.

"The platinum. It made them think… I guess they watch too much porn."

He nods yeah, I see that. "So this." He reaches out. Brushes a stray hair behind my ear. "Is all because a bunch of assholes thought you'd happily drop to your knees?"

"Kind of."

He smiles, amused. "I like it." His fingers trail my cheek. My chin. "Brings out your eyes. Your jaw. Your neck." He pulls his hand back. "It's sexy."

I swallow hard.

"And it suits you." His eyes bore into mine. "Guess I should find one of those assholes. Thank him."

"Oh my god." I push him again. Harder this time.

He grabs my arm. His fingers curl around my wrist. He looks down at me. For a second, he pauses. Just stares at me.

For a second, I pause. Just stare back at him.

He's so handsome. And so close. And so kissable.

I never thought that about Oliver. But he is.

Sexy and difficult and kissable as fuck.

I suck a breath through my