Page 41 of Unbroken Rules (Rules 3)

One step closer to finding him, my head says.

One step closer to losing her, my heart counters.

Woah, that was some sentimental shit, Haze.

I brush off the guilt eating me alive and put my coffee down on the kitchen island. I tug her body closer, and lean in for a kiss she denies. She feeds me a line about brushing her teeth first. She knows I don’t give a fuck about that, but that’s just Winter being Winter. She overthinks silly things, but that’s my baby. God knows I wouldn’t change a thing about her.

“I’m sorry, you desperately need me to kiss you? Well, if you insist.” I reel her back in, pressing my lips to hers. She doesn’t fight back, immediately surrendering to my touch. As crazy as this girl can drive me with her decoration obsession, I’ve never felt more at home than with her. Living with Winter is everything I hoped it would be—minus the East side holding my couch hostage and eating the entire contents of my fridge.

Our new life mainly consists of burning a lot of food, showering together to “save the planet,” and making sure there’s no hot water left for the guys by the time we’re done f… Finding diverse ways to show our love.

“What time are your classes starting?” I hook my arm around her waist from behind while she flips over the pancakes that surprisingly seem edible.

“Twelve thirty. I’ll be back at around six tonight.” She wiggles out of my hold to get plates out of the cabinet on her right.

“Let me guess, I’m babysitting the guys?” I peek at Kendrick and Will inhaling breakfast at the kitchen table—and by breakfast I mean the leftover pizza from last night.

“Promise I’ll pay you for your services when I come back,” she hints, and I read between the lines, kissing her again when she hands me my breakfast. I didn’t even ask her to cook for me, but she did it anyway, which officially makes me the luckiest bastard on earth.

“What did I do to deserve you?” I say and notice she didn

’t get a plate for herself. “Aren’t you eating with me?”

“I already ate,” she explains, her eyes jumping to the time on the stove. “Crap. I really have to shower.”

“Want company?” Can’t blame a guy for trying.

“Not today. You know how long our showers take.” She traps her bottom lip between her teeth, reminiscing. Damn, she’s not helping me let her go alone. I follow her as she rushes down the hall. She begins closing the door, but I stick my foot in the threshold.

“We’ll make it quick.” My dick jerks just thinking about it. She considers my offer for a second but quickly shakes her head, coming back to her senses.

“Out.” She gives my chest a small push.

“That’s not what you were saying last night.”

“For the love of God, we’re eating,” Kendrick whines.

“Hey, you’re the one who wanted to live with us,” Winter fires back and pecks my mouth. “Love you.” She closes the door, and I walk back to the kitchen island to eat.

A loud ringtone sounds. It’s not my phone. It’s Will’s. The life drains from his face when he picks it up.

“Who’s that?” Kendrick is quick to ask.

Will sits silent for a little while, obviously not knowing what to do with that call.

Or himself.

“I said who’s that?” Kendrick insists.

“It’s not her. Chill,” Will spits defensively. “I have to take it.” He gets up, sprints down the hall, and locks himself in his room. Kendrick gives out a quiet sigh and finishes eating. A few minutes later, he walks to the sink to wash his plate and turns to me.

“Hey, so… I need you to get Winter out of the apartment tonight.”

I frown. “Why?”

“None of your business.”

I take my attention off him, finishing my pancakes.