Writing the Rules: A Fake Dating Standalone Mariah Dietz (best novels to read .txt) 📖

the weight of the blankets as we laugh about memories we’re comparing, both realizing how many holes lie in our own experiences.

“You should go to sleep,” I tell him. “Big game tomorrow.”

The reminder has his arms pulling me closer against his chest. “We need to write a new set of rules.”

“Do we? I kind of like our rules.”

His hand traces over my hip, tender and gentle like I’m fragile. “We need to write in some naked days.”

I just had the best orgasm of my life. My muscles still feel satisfied and fatigued, and the mere thought of sleeping with him again has my sex clenching and desire pooling between my legs. “Mandatory naked days,” I tell him.

He kisses the underside of my jaw, his fingers pressing more firmly against my flesh. “We have a lot of years to make up for.”

I grin, sharing a similar thought. My eyelids feel heavy though my body still aches for his touch. “We can start in the morning,” I whisper.

He holds me tighter, running his nose against my temple where he breathes me in, and his body settles, his warmth soothing me with a level of comfort and security that lulls me into a quick sleep.

I wake to chills, my body curled and the bed empty.

“Sorry,” Pax whispers. “I was trying to let you sleep.” He’s dressed in a pair of sweats, a red Brighton sweatshirt on, and his hair still wet.

“Where are you going?”

“I have to meet with the coaches before the team comes.”

“Again?”

He tilts his head with a subtle shrug. “Paulson complained to the coaches about me.”

I blink through my grogginess. “What does that mean?”

He shakes his head. “Nothing. I’m not worried about it. He’s just bitter that I’m favoring Lincoln and trying to use that as evidence that it’s personal against Derek when really, Lincoln’s just a better receiver.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

The ghost of a smile crosses his features. “Because Lincoln already hates Paulson, he doesn’t need more reasons to hate him, and because it’s not a big deal. Coach Harris knows Lincoln’s better.”

“Why do you have to talk about it again?”

“Team rules.”

“Speaking of rules, you’re already breaking the rules,” I tell him. “It’s supposed to be mandatory naked time.”

His smile hits me like the sun, warm and bright. “It took my full strength not to wake you up and cash in on naked time. You were tired.” He ties his shoes and stands. “You can come by the house tonight, stay over. I’ll throw in a working furnace to sweeten the deal.”

I laugh, cuddling into the blankets. “It’s freezing in here.”

He nods, the whisper of a frown on his face. “The shower’s warm, and I sent you an email this morning with a list of places that are nearby where you guys can hang out until the game.”

“Oh!” I say, eyeing the bag with the shirts I’d purchased yesterday. “Since it’s supposed to be freezing tonight during your game, I bought you a shirt.”

Pax arcs his eyebrows. “You did?”

I nod. “It’s in that bag.”

He reaches for it, pulling both shirts out. Without waiting a beat, he pulls off his sweatshirt, revealing his flawless body. My heart quickens, regret for not having woken up earlier nesting itself in my chest. He pulls on the new shirt. It’s solid black and follows each contour of muscle. “This is great. Thank you.” Pax walks to the edge of the bed and leans close. He places his hand against my cheek, his thumb lightly skimming along my cheek as his eyes connect with mine. “I’ll see you on the field?”

I grin. “I’ll be the girl with your number painted on my face.”

His gaze darkens. “I like that more than I probably should,” he admits. Then he kisses me, his mouth warm and sure.

He straightens, and slings his bag over a shoulder, regret resting on his lowered brow as he looks at me. “You’re in bed naked, and I have to go meet with fucking Paulson.”

“Next time, wake me up.”

He grins. “Get some more sleep. You’re going to need your energy tonight.” He winks at me, then heads for the door, leaving my heart spinning around in my chest like a top.

I shiver as I wrap my hands around the mug of coffee our waiter delivers to us inside of the small restaurant that Rae and I walked to. I haven’t managed to get warm since I got out of the shower, like my body is still protesting the loss of Pax.

“You’re being quiet,” Rae says, looking at me. “And you’re smiling. A lot.”

I bring my coffee to my lips, debating how to have this conversation and if I should talk to Pax before I do. But Rae narrows her blue eyes like she can hear my thoughts.

“I might kind of like your brother…” I tell her.

Raegan’s expression is a combination of humor and shock. “You don’t say?”

I shake my head. “You aren’t surprised?”

She shrugs as she reaches for her coffee. “A little.”

“How are you not freaking out? I’m already freaking out and now I’m freaking out on your behalf. Are you mad? Do you feel like I lied? Are you worried about anything? Talk to me.”

Rae’s smile is genial and patient. “I kind of thought things between you were becoming something more back on my birthday, but I didn’t want to mention anything and somehow influence your feelings. Trust me, it’s been a struggle to hold my tongue. I’ve been dying to ask you a million questions and tell you how freaking cute you guys are. Lincoln is so over hearing about you guys.”

My cheeks warm. “I’m sorry I didn’t talk to you about everything sooner.”

She shakes her head. “This was between you and Pax, I know that, and I don’t hold it against you. I’m always here for you, but I completely understand needing to be alone with your feelings sometimes.” She takes a drink.

“I know this is weird, and I’m breaking girl code.”

Rae shakes her head again. “No. I want you