Page 5 of Rulebreaker

I want to giggle again but catch myself.

Stop it, Lily.

“Something funny?” he asks, frowning.

“Well, yes.” I motion with my hand. “Allof this is funny.”

His frown deepens. “You think my jet is funny?”

Sweet Jesus, this guy needs to lighten up.

“It’s not ha-ha funny, it’s just so over-the-top… you have abidetin the bathroom.”

He arches one dark brow. “I’ve grown fond of them. Once you use one, they’re a bit addicting.”

I laugh. “Fair enough. Can’t say I’m partial to them, but I could probably be converted under the right circumstances.”

“What circumstances are those?” he asks, his voice dropping an octave.

So hedoeshave a dirty streak.

And I like it.

I smile. “A girl can’t tell all her secrets on the first date, can she?”

“I…” Now he looks confused. “Are we… is this…”

“Oh, relax, would you?” I sink into the nearest chair and study the myriad buttons on the side. The flight attendant showed them to us, but I don’t remember which one does what.

“This one makes the seat recline,” he suggests lightly, his voice slightly less baritone now. He moves a couple of the levers and it’s a little like the controls in my Mercedes–sleek and efficient.

“Thanks.” I glance up at him mischievously. “These are nice and firm.” I wiggle my butt on the chair cushion.

His brows rise a fraction of an inch. “You’ll be comfortable if you’d like to take a nap.”

Now he’s being cautious, which is less fun.

“Imightnap.” I sink into the plush leather with a grin. “Or maybe I’ll think of another way to occupy myself for three long hours.”

I can see the indecision in his eyes–the heat, tempered by good manners and caution.

That’s a nice change too.

He knows what I’m insinuating, but he isn’t jumping all over me or making lewd suggestions like most men in my orbit do. In fact, he sits across from me, keeping his dark, steady gaze firmly above my chest.

He’s nice.

I don’t know where that thought comes from, but I didn’t get to my level of stardom without relying on my instincts, and all of mine scream that I’m not only safe with him but I’m also safe from my own habit of making…questionabledecisions. There was never any concern for my safety, of course. I wouldn’t be here–or at the Sapphire Room–if I wasn’t positive about that.

Jade Cantrell and I go way back, to a time before either of us had much success, and we climbed that ladder together. I surpassed her at one point, when one of my random songs became a crossover hit and I moved from the realm of country star into pop stardom. She’s catching up to me now, and I’m her biggest fan, but we’re also genuine friends.

Jade wouldn’t bring me into the fold of her new relationship and their extended family if I wasn’t a thousand percent safe along with Atlas.

Now whether or not I go the route of seducing him–that’s something else entirely.

I know it’ll be good.

I can already see the primal beast that lurks beneath the professional façade.