Chapter 7: Rule Six

Rhodri drove with one hand on the wheel and the other flat on the gearshift, white at the knuckles.

He didn't speak for twenty minutes.

Neither did I.

The lake went by on my left, black and wide, and my cheek throbbed in time with my pulse.

At a red light on Lake Shore Drive he reached across without looking and turned the heat up.

"I'll have him arrested," he said.

"You'll do it right."

"Yes."

"Tomorrow."

"Tomorrow." His jaw worked. "Tonight I'm taking you to a doctor."

"No."

"Juliana-"

"Take me home."

The light turned green.

He didn't move.

"Which one?" he said.

"Yours."

The car went through the intersection too fast.

In the penthouse elevator neither of us touched the other.

I watched the numbers climb and counted the rules in my head.

One, no feelings.

Two, separate rooms.

Three, no touching in public.

Six, no sex.

I had kept every one of them for a year.

The doors opened on his hall.

He stepped out first and put on one lamp.

"Sit down," Rhodri said. "I'll get ice."

I took his wrist.

"Rule six," I said.

He turned around.

In the lamp his eyes were nearly gold, and very dark in the middle.

"You're hurt."

"I know exactly where I'm hurt."

I stepped into him until my chest touched his.

"I've been doing what people tell me for a week. I want one thing tonight that's mine."

"Juliana, if this is because-"

"It's because of you."

I put my mouth against his throat.

He shuddered all the way down.

"I'm not asking you to be careful," I said into his skin. "I'm telling you I'm done with the rules."

His hands came up, shaking, and framed my face with huge care, thumbs under the bruise.

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