Page 36 of Unwritten Rules (The Sunburnt Hearts #1)
Sinnett pulls the car into the car park overlooking Balmoral Beach.
With it approaching 9 PM, there is not a soul in sight—just the crashing waves of the ocean and the whistle of the wind whipping against the car.
The piano notes in “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith wash over me like a comforting hug.
I smile as I lean back in the seat, enjoying the quiet company from the man next to me and the vast stretch of ocean ahead.
“Why did you study to become a physiotherapist?”
Sinnett’s question catches me slightly off guard, my mind lost in the waves.
I shift my body to face his, only to find he’s already watching me.
His arm rests on the steering wheel, and slender fingers covered in silver rings tap in time to the beat of the song.
The warmth in his eyes smooths over me, wrapping around my body.
Genuine curiosity gleams in his eyes, and I can’t help but smile.
“I want to be able to help people,” I answer simply.
“I’m not cut out to be a nurse. The thought of seeing the inside of a person freaks me out to the point I’d probably pass out.
So physiotherapy was my next best option.
” I shrug. “Besides, I get to work with all kinds of people in various stages of recovery. There’s never a dull moment. ”
Sinnett hums, nodding slowly. “Is there a specific reason why you want to help people?”
My lips roll as I consider his question.
Pulse thumping at the base of my throat, I exhale a sharp breath and turn my eyes to the rolling waves.
“My mum, she… I didn’t want to feel helpless, you know?
Being in a situation where you feel as though you could do everything in your power and it still wouldn’t be enough to fix the problem is a feeling I can’t stand.
” Gaze flicking back to Sinnett, I murmur, “By being in a position where I can help someone, whether it be with mobility, rehab or helping to ease muscle tension, I would no longer feel helpless.”
Tears sting my ears, remembering back to the week after graduation when Mum was delivered her diagnosis.
Seeing the colour drain from her face, all the while keeping a kind smile in place, was gut-wrenching.
I hated that there was nothing I could do to help her.
All I could do was sit back and wait for the cancer to take her, no matter how many days, weeks or years that took.
And every second of it was the most painful thing I’ve lived through.
I never want to feel that helpless again.
Sinnett reaches across the console, scooping my hand in his. The gentle squeeze has me blinking back the tears forming in the corner of my eyes. I don’t think it’ll ever get easy talking about Mum.
“Well, for what it’s worth, you’re incredible at what you do,” he tells me, voice soft. “I mean, all the proof is in my quad after following your plan for nearly a week. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Warmth spreads across my cheeks and down my throat, seeping into our intertwined hands on my thigh. “You mean that?”
“I mean every word of it.” The confidence in his voice has my heart rate spiking. Sinnett leans forward, capturing my gaze. “You’re amazing, Tate. Don’t allow yourself to think otherwise.”
I drag my bottom lip between my teeth and nod, because that’s all I can manage. I’m afraid that if I speak, the words will fall out in a mush of gratitude.
Sinnett leans down to press a chaste kiss to my hand before releasing it. I miss his warmth already.
“I should get you home.”
I arch a brow at him. “You keen to get rid of me?”
“What? No.” He runs a hand through his hair and sighs. “I don’t want you to leave.”
“Then I won’t,” I say with a shrug. “The night doesn’t have to end here.”
While the comment was meant to be innocent, the hidden meaning isn’t lost on me. Warmth spreads down my throat at the same time the air between us grows thick. Out the corner of my eye, I notice Sinnett watching me, jaw clenched.
What is he thinking?
Was I too forward with my suggestion and now he’s having regrets about last night?
Panic squeezes my chest and throat.
“I-I didn’t mean it like that,” I utter, backpedalling. “I was trying to say?—”
“You don’t want the night to end here?” Sinnett rasps.
I shake my head, unable to find my voice.
He swallows hard. “Neither do I.”
My eyes round at the corners. “You don’t?”
Electricity crackles between us—the same as the night we spent together three weeks ago. I had thought it was because we were about to have a one-night stand and tensions were high, but it hasn’t dissipated since seeing Sinnett again. If anything, it’s only gotten stronger the past two weeks.
Sinnett shakes his head. “I don’t.”
“Then what are we gonna do?” I whisper, throat thick. “Any suggestions?”
He drags his bottom lip between his teeth. Ocean eyes stare back at me from the darkness, holding me hostage. My heart rate spikes at the thought of what could happen next. Was he serious about wanting me last night?
“Whatever you’re thinking, stop,” Sinnett says, voice hoarse. “We don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with.”
I know what he’s saying. If I don’t want to take the next step with him, and cross boundaries we can’t take back, the call is mine to make. But I have no desire to back down now, not when my body is alight with tiny fires and my core has liquified like melted gold.
“I don’t want to stop,” I whisper, blinking slowly. “Do you?”
Sinnett runs a hand through his messy strands. “Christ, no , I don’t want to stop, Tate.”
I lean across the centre console, fuelled by adrenaline and the need to be close to this man, to feel him against me. My lips brush against his as I murmur, “Then don’t stop.”
“ Fuck ,” he groans, the sound vibrating deep in my bones. “What am I going to do with you?”
I grin. “I think you already know the answer.”
“Yeah,” Sinnett rasps, his hand coming up to rest on my cheek. “I do.”