Rules Of Our Own (Rule Breaker Series Book 3)

ALEX: Lucky bastard.

Me: You can always join us.

Alex: Tempting.

Alex: I think it’s better if you guys do this alone.

Alex: You can practice tying me up later.

Fuck. Images of Alex, trussed up, completely under my control, flood my head, and I have to suppress my groan. I reach down and adjust my hardening cock.

Me: You’re going to pay for that.

Alex: Looking forward to it. *winky face.*From NôvelDrama.Org.

I tuck my phone into the back pocket of my wool pants. I’d dressed in all black for tonight’s activities. I inhale and exhale slowly, shaking off my thoughts. This is not the place to be turned on.

I push open the door to the PlayfulMotion clinic.

“Can I help you?” a woman asks from behind the front desk, her fingers never leaving the keyboard.

I straighten the buttons on my sleeve. “I’m here to pick up Doctor Mia Brooks.”

She looks up and smiles at me. “You must be River. Just right through those doors, Honey.”

I push through the doors and scan the clinic. It’s painted in bright colors and decorated with kids in mind.

I spot Mia in the back. She’s kneeling in front of a girl who can’t be more than five years old. The little girl’s grinning at Mia as she helps her with some kind of arm brace. I’m frozen in place watching her work. At how she’s lit from within as she speaks with the kid.

I can’t make out what she’s saying, but whatever it is has the little girl giggling.

“You gonna ask her out?” a boy asks from where he’s sitting on a giant beanbag chair that practically swallows him. He side-eyes me. “Scared or something?”

I look at him and note the way he seems to be judging me. “Something like that.”

“Why do you look so terrified? I’m the one who’s about to get his leg chopped off.”

I gape at him, unable to form words.

He bursts into laughter and holds up his leg. “Just kidding. Already did.”

“Ethan. Stop picking on him,” Mia says, laughter filling her voice.

“Come on, Doc. Couldn’t let him pick you up without at least testing him.”

Mia smiles. “Did he pass?”

“We’ll see.”

Tough crowd.

“Just let me grab my stuff.” She disappears into the back room, leaving me with Ethan.

He’s watching me with a raised brow.

“Would you feel better if I told you I love her?”

He smirks. “Who doesn’t?”

As Mia enters the room, my eyes are drawn to the way her deep purple dress flows effortlessly around her curves, stopping just above her knees. The soft fabric of her dress sways with each step she takes, and I catch myself holding my breath in admiration. She’s let her hair down, and the pale blonde strands tumble around her shoulders. My heart races as she approaches me.

The air seems to hum as I take in the sight of her, feeling like time has stopped for this moment.

We head out to my Range Rover I parked illegally in front of the clinic, and I hold the door out for her. When she climbs in, I lean in, kiss her cheek, and buckle her seat belt.

She rolls her eyes at me, but I can’t fucking help it. I’m addicted to doing things for her.

Mia’s smiling at me when I take the spot beside her. She’s practically vibrating with excitement, and I can’t stop myself from smirking back. “You’re happy tonight.”

Her smile grows impossibly bigger, and my chest squeezes tight. Fuck, she’s stunning.

She wrings her hands in front of her, and I reach out, steadying them. “Tell me.”

“Dr. Jones offered me an internship!” Mia’s voice pitches higher until the last vowel is practically a squeal.

Emotions slam into me. Pride, elation, excitement all come at once. No one deserves it more than this girl. “Congratulations, Love.”

“It’s not just an internship. It’s specifically under her. So I’ll be working in the pediatrics department. I can’t freaking believe it. Oh my God.”

She’s talking a mile a minute, and I have to give her all of my attention just to keep up. Her joy is contagious, and soon, my cheeks hurt from smiling. My girl’s happy, and that makes me happy. I cup her neck and rub my thumb over her cheek. “You’re amazing, Mia. I’m so proud of you.”

Tears form at the corner of her eyes, but the smile never leaves her face. “I can’t believe it’s happening.”

“I never doubted it.” I’m not lying—there was never any chance she wasn’t landing a new internship. She was made for this. She’s practically glowing right now, but nothing can top the way I feel knowing she’s not leaving. She has an internship in Boston. Boston.

I pull her toward me and capture her mouth in a deep kiss until my lungs scream for air. Move in with me. The words hover at the edges of my teeth, but I bite them back, not wanting to ruin this moment. I’d give absolutely anything to keep her this happy.

Her cheeks are flushed, and her chest rises and falls with her breaths when we break apart. “So, where are we going?”

My mind is momentarily blank before memories of what I have planned for tonight come crashing back. “I have a Shibari exam I need a partner for.”

Her eyes flash wide. “You mean like, tying people up?”

“Yeah, Love, like tying you up.”

I pull around an old brick building that blends in with the surroundings so well you’d never know what happens inside. The only giveaway is the dark tint on all the windows, preventing anyone from looking in.

I park the SUV and glance over at Mia. Her teeth are gnawing on her bottom lip, and I gently run my thumb over it, freeing it from the abuse.

“We don’t have to go in.”

Her movements are jerky, almost skittish. “I’m okay. I want to go.”

I lean in closer and wrap my hand above her knee where the hem of her dress has ridden up. “If at any point you aren’t comfortable, we’ll leave. You can tell me.”

She nods, but she’s looking away.

I want to push her against her boundaries, but I’d never purposefully cross them. “Love, look at me.”

Her gaze snaps to mine, and my chest hums. She’s such a good listener.

Entwining my fingers to stop myself from dragging her into my lap, I say, “We’re going to have safe words for this.”

Her mouth drops open. “Do we need them?”

“Yes.” I don’t leave room for debate. “Green for go, yellow for slow down, and red for stop. Repeat it back.”

Her brows pull together, and for a second, I think she’s going to balk at this. Which would be really fucking unfortunate because we aren’t going any further until we get this laid out. “Mia,” I warn.

There’s a small gleam in her eyes like she knows I’m going crazy. “Green for go, yellow for slow down, and red for stop.”

I run my thumb along her jaw and wrap my fingers around the back of her neck. “Promise me you’ll use your safe words if you’re uncomfortable.”

“I promise.”

I kiss her deeply, tucking a strand of loose hair behind her ear, and whisper, “You’re such a good girl.”

I ring the doorbell at the back entrance. Mia’s hand is hot in mine, and I give it a reassuring squeeze just before Violet opens the door.

“Mr. Davis. It’s good to see you,” she says and holds out her hand. She’s in her mid to late fifties, and it only manages to make her even more regal. Her black hair is twisted up into a sleek updo, her lips are painted a deep red, and her extra-high heels put her only a few inches shorter than me.

“It hasn’t been that long.” I take her hand in a soft shake without letting Mia go. She’s already looking at the older woman with narrowed eyes and clenched teeth. I stroke my thumb along her forearm.

“It’s been a few weeks,” Madame says and turns to lead the way into the building.

The second the older woman’s back is turned, Mia stiffens and tries to pull her hand away. I tug her to my side and whisper in her ear, “It’s fucking adorable that you’re jealous, but you have no reason to be. She’s the teacher. Nothing more.”

The tension drains from her, and she buries her face in my chest, mumbling, “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

I kiss her temple. “Nothing. I like it.”

We walk down the dark hall. It’s painted in a nearly black maroon color. Mia’s eyes go round as she takes it all in. “Is this a sex club?”

I chuckle. “No, just classes.”

She’s silent, eyes wide as she lets me lead her forward. We enter the training room, and she gasps. I try to see it the way she does.

There are hooks attached to the ceiling with thick ropes hanging down, all deep red against the black walls. The lights are dimmed, only bright enough for us to see. She’s blinking against the dark, teeth gnawing on her bottom lip, trying to take it all in.

“I’m Violet, and you must be Dr. Brooks.” She holds out her hand, and Mia reluctantly lets go of mine and shakes it.

Mia’s head tilts to the side. “How do you know my name?”

“When Mr. Davis called to tell me after years of training here he was bringing his first partner to class, I admit I pummeled him with questions.” Violet smiles gently.

Mia smiles at that and looks at me from the corner of her eye. “First person.”

“Only person.”