Against the Rules

by Isabel Lucero

  I shake my head, holding onto her waist. “You’re wrong about one thing.”

  Her brows furrow slightly. “What?”

  “Our home. This is our home.”

  Her confused face morphs into surprise and then elation. “Yeah? Are you sure?”

  “I’ve never been more sure about anything. We belong together.”

  “Have I said I love you yet?”

  “You could say it a hundred times a day and I’d still never get tired of hearing it.”

  “I love you.”

  “I love you. Now, let’s go shower and celebrate our reunion.”

  “Mm. Yes, sir.”

  55

  Stripped naked and under the hot stream of water, Elijah stands behind me and washes my back. I spin around and rub the soaped-up loofah over his chest. We’re quiet, lost in this sensual and tender moment.

  After a while, the tenderness turns into something more aggressive. We haven’t felt each other’s touch in months. And now we get to make up for it.

  Still wet, we move from the bathroom straight to his bed.

  Our bed.

  Naked, I’m splayed across the top of the mattress, and Elijah climbs over me, licking the water from my skin. Goose bumps travel across my heated flesh.

  He kisses and licks across my chest and stomach, and I feel his erect cock pressed against my leg. I need him. I need to feel everything. We’ve never had sex without a layer of protection between us, but over the past couple months, we’ve discussed this. We’re both clean and we haven’t slept with anyone else in a long time.

  Holding himself over me, he plants soft kisses on my lips. I hook my arms under his, placing my hands on his back as I plant my feet on the mattress and drop my knees to the side.

  Elijah’s cock prods at my entrance, and I move my body, wanting him to slip into me.

  “Once I’m inside your tight cunt, I’m going to lose all my sense and not be able to form cohesive sentences. So I’m gonna say something now, and then I’m going to fuck you senseless.”

  I shiver, loving his filthy mouth and the sinful promise he just made. “Okay.”

  “Thank you for coming home to me. Thank you for making me complete. I’ve never known a love like this, and I’m glad you’re back where you belong.”

  I reach up and gently let my knuckles trail down his cheek, feeling the prickly hairs on his face rub against my skin. “I’m glad, too. I never want to be without you again. I’ve never felt more loved, and nothing’s ever felt more right than when I’m in your arms.”

  He leans down and kisses me, a smile on his face, then he thrusts into me in one quick movement, stealing the breath from my lungs.

  “Oh! Oh, God.”

  Elijah grunts. “Fuck. I’ve missed this pussy. And I’m about to show you how much.”

  The sensation of his bare, thick cock thrusting in and out makes my toes curl. He fucks me hard, like he’s marking me from the inside.

  True to his word, I go senseless. I can’t think straight. I can’t form complete sentences. I can only manage to grunt and moan and call out his name. I whimper as he slows down, teasing me, then I gasp as he pushes back in, filling me up. I scratch my nails down his back as he holds my thighs apart, moving in and out.

  I’ve been craving his touch for so long, and he’s so goddamn good at what he does, it’s not long before I’m shuddering underneath him. I explode, my body splintering under his touch.

  “Oh shit! Yes. Yes. Yes.”

  Elijah growls, moving faster and faster. He’s spurred on by the aftershocks of my orgasm, and my pussy clenching around him. Not long after I do, he comes, his deep roar bouncing off the walls.

  “Fuck,” he grunts.

  At the same time, I say, “Oh yes! Come, baby.”

  His body shakes as he empties himself deep inside me. Which is okay, because I’m on birth control, but that’s not what I’m thinking about. I’m thinking about how good this feels. How perfect we are together.

  Several minutes later, after we’ve separated and caught our breath, he says, “Welcome home.”

  “You’ve always been good at the welcoming parties.”

  He chuckles. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

  “Believe it, baby. I’m here to stay.”

  “You gonna make breakfast in the morning?”

  “You’ve missed my sad attempts, haven’t you?”

  “You have no idea.”

  We turn to face each other. “I can’t believe it’s possible to love someone as much as I love you.”

  He smirks. “And I’m pretty sure I love you ten times more than that.”

  I smack his chest. “Whatever.”

  “We’re about to have the whole summer. I hope you’re ready for multiple dates, lots of trips, and meeting my family.”

  Pretending to be afraid, I widen my eyes and part my lips. “Oh no! Not family and trips!” I drop the act. “You met my sister and survived. I’m sure I’ll survive, too.”

  “Yeah, but I have three. Merrick will come back at some point. Oh, and you have to meet Royce and Cillian’s girlfriends.”

  “When is this going to happen?”

  “In two days.” He grins. “Sunday dinner. Now that you live here, there’s no getting out of it.”

  I smile at him. “I can’t wait.”

  Epilogue

  Two Months Later

  * * *

  “When does the flight get in?” I ask.

  Nova looks at her phone. “Should be here already. Just gotta wait for them to deplane. Gia never checks luggage because she doesn’t trust them not to lose it, so they won’t have to wait for that.”

  “Are you nervous?”

  She meets my gaze. “For our families to meet? Nah.” Nova shakes her head. After a few seconds she bites her lip. “Well, maybe. I don’t know why.”

  I chuckle and drape my arm around her shoulders. “It’ll be fine.”

  It’s July Fourth, and Gia and Greg are flying in and staying with us at our place since we have extra rooms to spare. Tonight, we’re heading to Royce’s house and having a bonfire as well as setting off some fireworks since he lives on lots of land away from neighbors. Merrick’s also in town, so this will be the first time Nova meets him. She won’t admit it, but I’m pretty sure she’s going to be a little starstruck. She’s been listening to his band a lot lately, so she’s definitely a fan.

  Nova spots Gia and Greg and rushes off. The two sisters squeal while colliding into each other. Gia shows Nova her hand and they both screech again, gaining attention from passersby. Nova was so happy to hear that Greg proposed to Gia last month.

  “Congrats, man,” I say, coming up to greet Greg with a handshake.

  He extends his hand to me. “Thanks, man. How are you two?”

  “Oh, we’re good. Couldn’t be better,” I say with a smile on my face, watching Nova.

  “Good, good. Gia’s been talking about this trip forever. Thanks for letting us stay with you.”

  “I don’t think Nova would’ve had it any other way,” I say with a chuckle.

  Greg laughs. “You’re probably right.”

  The two sisters link arms while Greg and I take hold of the luggage and make our way to the parking lot.

  These past two months have been the best of my life. Just as I imagined, Nova moving in with me was a smooth transition. We’re slowly making changes and making the house more our space rather than just mine.

  Nova’s improved on her breakfast making skills, but we’re still working on dinner. She’s continuing to introduce me to new things like chips in sandwiches, dipping fries in ice cream, and some other ones I want to block out.

  We’ve also been out on dates quite a bit. Dinner and movie dates, as well as group dates with my brothers and their girlfriends.

  I look forward to every day because I never know what it’s going to hold, but I know it’ll be with her, and that’s all I need.

  Barbara saw us out one da
y and made sure to stop and introduce herself. When she hugged me, she had tears in her eyes, and to be honest, I felt a little choked up myself. Barbara has always wanted the best for me and my brothers, and I’m grateful for our talks. She’s helped me more than she’ll ever know, and I’ll never be able to repay her.

  Nova got along instantly with Midge and London, and I was so happy to see those two embrace her so quickly. Apparently, they both knew about what was going on with me and Nova, because Royce and Cill couldn’t keep it to themselves. So they were excited to finally meet the woman that got me to want to settle down.

  After we drive back to our place and give Gia and Greg a tour of the house, we let them freshen up and change, and then we’re on the road to Royce’s.

  “Do you guys do this every year?” Gia asks me.

  “No. It actually started last year. I mean, we’d barbeque sometimes, but never this whole bonfire, firework stuff. My brothers have girlfriends, who are best friends, and they plan a party for just about every holiday.”

  Gia laughs. “Sounds like my kinda girls.”

  “You’ll love them,” Nova says. “They’re great.”

  “I hear we’re going to have a celebrity amongst us.”

  I laugh. “Yeah. Don’t treat him like one, though. Pretend you don’t even know who he is. He’s gonna get a big ego.”

  Nova shakes her head. “I’m kind of nervous to meet him.”

  I look over at her and grin. “Are you a fangirl for my brother?”

  “Oh, stop!” she says, smacking my arm.

  Nova’s phone rings. “It’s Ayanna,” she says before answering it.

  “Hey. Not much, heading out to Elijah’s brother’s house.” She laughs. “Yeah. What are you guys doing? Okay, well, we’ll get together soon. Miss you, too. Bye.”

  “She still can’t believe we’re together,” she says with a laugh.

  “What did she say when you told her?” Gia asks.

  “She thought I was lying. I had already told her I was crushing on him.” I look over and give her a wink. “And she kept telling me it wouldn’t happen because Elijah was such a straight arrow.”

  I furrow my brow and Nova laughs. “I’m not that bad.”

  “Not since you met me.” She giggles. “Anyway, she was mad that I kept it a secret from her, but understood why. I figured my friend Lorenzo would be weirded out by it, but turns out, while I was in Florida, he got a new professor after Christmas break, and he’s crushing on her. So he gets it.”

  We laugh, driving up to Royce’s newly installed gate. I get out to push it open so we can drive through, then get out and close it again.

  There’s a few paparazzi waiting to get a shot of Merrick. This fame thing is out of control.

  Once we’re parked in the driveway, we get out and head toward the back where all the noise is coming from.

  Royce has chairs placed around the bonfire as well as a folding table stretched across his patio with a variety of food across it. Two extra-large coolers sit out, holding a mix of beer, bottled water, and soda.

  “Hey!” Royce greets as he walks out his back door.

  “Hey. This is Gia and Greg. Nova’s sister and future brother-in-law.”

  “Hey, guys. Welcome,” Royce says, shaking their hands. “Hey, Sunshine,” he calls out. London spins around. “This is Nova’s family.”

  London and Midge come over and introduce themselves, then Cillian saunters out with a beer in his hand.

  “Hey, I’m Cillian,” he says, coming straight over to shake their hands. “The best of the Kingston brothers.”

  Midge playfully hits him and rolls her eyes. Gia snorts and Nova grabs onto my arm. “I’m not so sure about that.”

  “Oh!” Cill says, his eyes widening. “Babe, you gonna vouch for me or what?”

  “After you didn’t let me bring the bacon? I don’t know. I may be on Nova’s side.”

  “Who brings bacon to a bonfire?”

  “You wrap it around the hotdog!”

  “Who wraps bacon around a hotdog?” he questions, looking disgusted as he glances around the group, hoping someone is on his side.

  “I’d try that,” Nova says.

  “Me too,” Gia adds. “We always try new things when we can.”

  “Well, we can’t, because Cill thought it was weird,” Midge says, making a face, and making everybody laugh in the process.

  Cillian wraps his arms around Midge. “Aww, baby. I’m sorry. Want me to go out and buy you a pound of bacon? Cause I will.”

  Midge rolls her eyes, a smile playing on her lips. “Whatever. You’ll make it up to me later.”

  “You guys want a drink?” Royce asks. “We have beer, water, soda, but I have liquor in the house. I can whip up a cocktail or something.”

  Greg says he’ll take a beer, and ends up talking to Cill near the cooler. London and Midge want a cocktail, so they go inside with Royce, leaving me, Nova, and Gia to congregate around the food table.

  “Well, lookie here.”

  I glance up and peer over Nova’s shoulder to find Merrick strutting out of the house, a small grin on his face.

  “Hey, man. You hiding from the cameras?”

  He shakes his head. “Can’t get away from them.”

  After we embrace, he turns and faces Nova, gracing her with his lopsided, boyish smile that can charm the pants off anyone.

  “You must be Nova.”

  She smiles as she looks up at him and gives him her hand to shake. “It’s nice to finally meet you. I love your band’s music.”

  “Oh yeah? Well, thank you.” He turns to Gia. “I’m assuming this is your sister, because you guys look alike.”

  Gia giggles. “You’d be correct.”

  “Where’s the rest of the band?” I ask.

  He shoves his hands in his back pockets. “They went to San Francisco. Jay has a place out there.”

  “You didn’t want to go?”

  “And miss this? Not meet the woman who got you to settle down? You kidding me?”

  Nova grins at me and I shake my head. “Well, I’m glad you chose to hang with us.”

  “I also promised Cill he could give me some ink. He’s been jealous that I’ve been getting tattoos all over the world and he’s yet to do any of them.”

  I tilt my head up. “Ah. Yeah, he’s still trying to convince Royce to get his first tattoo.”

  “So, Elijah said something about another tour or another album,” Nova says.

  Merrick nods, running his hand through his hair. “Yes to both. We’re finishing up the second album now. Once that releases, we’ll be on tour promoting it.”

  “How long are you gonna be here for?” I ask.

  “Not long. A couple days. I’m gonna meet up with a couple friends tomorrow then be on my way to New York.”

  “Yo, rock star. Just because you’re rich and famous doesn’t mean you can’t help,” Royce calls out with a smile on his face. “Can you grab one of those coolers and take it near the bonfire.?”

  “I got it.”

  “And you,” he says, pointing a pair of tongs at me. “Can you help me bring these to the table?”

  After we lay all the food out, and uncover the side dishes, everybody lines up and makes a plate then heads to the chairs to eat around the fire while music plays in the background.

  I look around at everybody’s faces—everyone’s talking, laughing, smiling, and having a good time. The merging of our families makes me feel good. There’s no awkwardness, and nobody feels left out. Greg’s a quiet guy, but even he’s cracking up over the crazy shit my brothers say.

  I hear Gia tell Nova she’s happy for her and that she’s glad she has such a good support group here.

  Everything is perfect.

  They say that rules are meant to be broken, and while I never fully agreed with that, I know Nova’s worth breaking the rules for. I’d do it a thousand times over if I had to and wouldn’t regret it a single time.

  She�
��s the love of my life.

  I watch her laugh loudly, cracking up with all the girls. When the song changes to something with a Latin vibe in it, she gently tugs the girls out of their seats and starts dancing. Her and her sister try teaching London and Midge to salsa dance. I recognize the steps, because she’s done them with me in the kitchen.

  Merrick squats next to me, watching them dance.

  “She’s great, bro.”

  I don’t take my eyes off her. “She’s gonna be my wife.”

  Merrick slaps my shoulder. “You lucky ass.”

  He’s right. I’m so fucking lucky.

  * * *

  The End

  Preview of On the Rocks

  Kingston Brothers Number One

  Royce

  “You break up with your boyfriend for me yet?” I ask London as she wiggles into the barstool across from me.

  She purses her pink lips and tilts her head. “Sorry to disappoint,” she answers, placing her wallet down in front of her. “You know what I want.”

  I smirk at her. “You know what I want, too.”

  She rolls her eyes, but a smile plays on her lips. Her head turns toward the stage where the band is setting up.

  “New band?”

  “Yep,” I answer, pulling the Johnnie Walker bottle out and then pouring it over ice. “They’re pretty good.”

  “Gonna be hard to fill the last band’s shoes,” she says, raising her brows at me.

  I chuckle. “Yeah, I’d say so. But we can’t keep doing karaoke every Saturday night. It’s been months of that shit, and the last thing I want to hear is a bunch of drunk asses getting up there and screaming the wrong lyrics into the mic.” I slide her glass over to her. “Black Label. On the rocks.”

  “Thanks, Royce.”

  I give her a nod and quick smile before moving down a few seats and serving another customer.

  It’s only six-thirty, so it’s not too busy yet. The place usually starts filling up around nine, and it doesn’t slow down until about one.