Page 18 of Rulebreaker

“We’re setting up the arch there–” Briar points.

“The buffet table is over there,” Willow points in the opposite direction.

“And the gift table will be next to the arch.” Jade grins.

“What can I do to help?” I ask.

“We’re going to finish making the punch and pop some appetizers in the oven,” Briar says. “So let’s go into the kitchen and dole out the duties. The guys are going to–” She cuts off as Atlas comes around the corner carrying a box and promptly bumps into Royal.

“Dude.” Royal grumbles something, Atlas mutters something back, and they disappear around the corner.

“What’s up with him?” Jade asks, wrinkling her nose.

I snort. “He banged my brains out the other day and apparently can’t muster up the manners to come say hello.”

There’s a moment of shocked silence and then squeals of delight.

“You and Atlas got horizontal?” Jade demands once we’re in the kitchen and out of earshot. “Woo-hoo, that’s my favorite thing ever!”

“On his jet?” Briar asks, eyes sparkling with delight.

“Oh yeah.” I grin, leaning against the center island in the kitchen as Briar starts putting mini quiches on a baking tray.

“And?” Willow asks, making a hurry up motion with her hands. “How was it?”

“I did say he banged my brains out, did I not?” I wiggle my eyebrows.

“Be still my heart.” Jade fans herself. “Was it smokin’? Is he as intense between the sheets as he is everywhere else?”

“You have no idea.” I grin. “Super intense. Like, probably the most intense I’ve ever had.”

“I knew it!” Briar laughs. “He’s been off-kilter ever since. Now I know why.”

“How did you leave things?” Jade asks.

I grimace. “Well, I thanked him for the ride and kind of…took off.”

This time the silence is less excitement, more confusion.

“Why would you do that?” Briar asks.

“Because…I had to go.” I turn and dump a two-liter bottle of ginger ale into the punch bowl.

“Lily.” Jade knows me better than Briar or Willow and she comes around the island, forcing me to look at her. “Don’t bullshit a bullshitter. Did you leave without saying goodbye?”

“No. I said goodbye. I just didn’t wait around for the inevitable awkwardness where he’s expected to ask to see me again or for my phone number or whatever. I didn’t want things to be weird…so I left before any of that could happen.” Which, of course, made things weird.

Briar groans and Jade shakes her head.

“At least we know Atlas is just lovestruck,” Briar says, “and not having a stroke or something.”

“Bite your tongue!” I laugh.

“You have to unlock that armor around your heart at some point,” Jade says gently. “No matter what you say, you can’t want to be alone forever.”

“Of course not. But this isn’t the time. I’m in the middle of a world tour. I’m in a different city every other day. You know how focused I have to be–and how exhausting it all is.” She’s done plenty of touring of her own. “The last thing I need issome closed-off, bossy alpha man adding stress to my life. No matter how good the sex is.”

“But Atlas is a spectacular human being beneath the gruff exterior,” Briar protests softly.