House Rules

by Rebecca Brooke

  “No, your parents are fucked up assholes. I’ll call him when we get back to the house and prove it to you.”

  She sighed and wiped her eyes with the backs of her hands. It hurt to see her like that. Tess usually portrayed such strength, it was easy to forget how badly her family had hurt her.

  “Okay. Let’s get the last few things and get out of here.”

  We collected everything and paid at the counter. Once we got home, I left Tess alone in the kitchen to start dinner and went upstairs to my office. I needed to hear what Dad had to say so I could explain and make him see reason. Although that wasn’t always something easily accomplished. He picked up on the third ring.

  “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

  “Me?” I snarled. “You’re the one who was rude as fuck to Tess.” I wanted to shout, but I didn’t want to take the chance that she’d hear the conversation.

  “And what the hell does that matter? She’s just another piece of pussy you’ll keep around for a few days before you throw her away.” I opened my mouth to protest, but Dad kept speaking. “I’ve had it with this bullshit. You want to fuck half the city that’s up to you, but I’m sick and tired of you introducing these women to your mother and getting her hopes up. Keep that shit at the club or in your house. Plus, you letting an easy piece of ass screw with my business is not what I expect of you. Get it together, Miller. We can’t have this shit if you’re going to run things.”

  And there it was. The thing I feared the most: Dad thinking I couldn’t handle both. I wasn’t afraid of many things, but losing the family business was one of them. I’d called to explain who Tess was and it all got shot to hell.

  I’d need to wait until things were running smoothly again. To a point where I could prove that having Tess in my life wouldn’t interfere with anything.

  “I’ll get it together.”

  I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from telling him to fuck off; that Tess wasn’t going anywhere.

  “You also better get your ass over here in the next day or two and make it up to your mother.”

  I flopped down onto the couch and leaned my head back, closing my eyes. “I will.”

  “Good. Your mother’s almost done with dinner. Don’t forget what I said.”

  He hung up the phone. I’d pull it all together, then introduce them to Tess again. Hopefully, then they’d accept her with open arms. Until then I had to continue to keep secrets.

  He had nothing to worry about, though. I more than understood what I needed to do. With everything my dad had said, I needed to know my idea wouldn’t push him over the edge. I dialed Ashton’s number.

  He answered on the second ring. “Don’t tell me you screwed up again.”

  “Not exactly.” I rubbed the muscles at the back of my neck. “We just ran into Mom and dad in the grocery store.”

  “Please tell me you finally told them about Tess.” It wasn’t hard to miss the exasperation in his tone.

  “Well, I introduced her to them, but Dad was rude as hell. Basically pulled Mom away from us as soon as he could.”

  “I’m guessing he thought she was just another piece of ass.”

  I sighed. “He said he’s sick and tired of me introducing women to Mom, getting her hopes up, only to let her down days later.

  “Why the hell didn’t you correct him?”

  “He already thinks I can’t handle the business. He’ll really be thrilled that I’m distracted by a woman.”

  “You’re a complete moron. That is exactly why he’ll understand.”

  We were quiet for a moment.

  “I was thinking of asking her to live with me. Then she wouldn’t have to worry about rent anymore and could stop working. Plus, she’d be in my bed every night when I go home from work.”

  “Good luck with that one.” The sarcasm rolled off his tongue.

  “What would I need luck for?”

  I could imagine him shaking his head, the corner of his eyes crinkled in laughter. “Word of advice, don’t start with the rent part, you’ll just piss her off. Make her feel like she’s been bought. Go with the part where you want her in your bed every night and she’s way more likely to agree. And tell Mom and Dad.”

  I hung up with my brother and thought about what he’d said. Before I told my parents, I needed to make sure living with me would be something Tess wanted. Up until now, she’d put her foot down every time I tried to give her something. I was shocked when she hadn’t fought me over the dress and the necklace.

  Whatever I decided could wait a few days. I had a feeling Tess wouldn’t be up to a conversation about living with me after what happened with Dad. It would give me time to plan what I was going to say to her. Maybe asking her to live with me wasn’t the only thing she needed to hear.

  CHAPTER 24

  Theresa

  Miller picked me up earlier than normal for the nights we went dancing at Orbit. I’d finally convinced him to drop the issue of the car by letting him replace my tires. But even though I had my car back, he was determined that he needed to pick me up. I didn’t need a bag because I’d started keeping some extra clothes and toiletries at his house.

  My best guess was that he had something planned in the back he needed to oversee before he was free to spend it with me. It was his job, his business. I understood it and was more than willing to be ready early. It was surprising to see how many cars were already parked out front for such an early hour. People didn’t really start showing up until at least ten, it was a few hours before that and there were already twice as many cars as usual.

  “What’s going on?” I asked stepping out of the car when Miller opened my door.

  He linked his arm with mine and walked me into the building. “We have a tournament tonight.”

  My stomach soured at the thought. Miller had done his best to keep me away from the club at those times. I knew Miller would never bet me, but the thought of walking in there, all eyes on me, knowing exactly how Miller and I met, was a bit much.

  “I know you need to be here, but do I? I’m sure I could get a ride back to my apartment. I’ll study for the night and you can come to me when everything is done.”

  He shook his head and continued leading me forward to the door I knew led to the back rooms. I thought about backing away for a brief moment—the desire to get away from the place overwhelming—but Miller wasn’t giving up that easily. I knew he cared about me, but I couldn’t figure out why in the world he would do this.

  When we reached the door, I put the breaks on. “Miller, I really don’t want to go in there.”

  He turned to face me. “I know, but you need to.”

  He gestured around the space. “This is my life. I want you to be a part of it, but that means you need to be a part of all of it. And some of it isn’t pretty. It’s a downright fucking mess. But the woman I’m going to be with needs to be there through all of it. You need to walk through those doors like you own the fucking place. You do that, no one will question a damn thing.”

  My heart melted a little when he said he wants me to be a part of his life. I was falling. Damn it. Something I swore I would never do, but I was falling hard for the man standing in front of me. Was I ready to tell him that? I doubted it, but I needed to walk through those doors, exactly like he said, even if it made me feel uncomfortable as hell.

  “Okay.” I held my head high as Miller opened the door and we walked in.

  The room was already full with people, some I remembered from that disastrous night. I saw them watching me and did my best to ignore them.

  Easier said than done.

  Miller led me to a table near the center of the room. Now that I knew what table he was playing at, once he took his seat my plan was to hit the bar and drink enough to take the edge off. Make things easier to deal with.

  Imagine my surprise when Miller pulled out the chair, but didn’t take a seat. He looked at me and gestured toward the seat.

  “I don’t unders
tand,” I whispered to him.

  He leaned in. Lips brushing my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. “It’s simple. Tonight you’re playing. I have a feeling you know how to play. I saw the look on your face when the cards were turned last time.”

  “I do, but I can’t afford the buy in for a game like this.”

  “You don’t have to. The money on the table is for you to play with. I want you to enjoy the night and to show you there is nothing to fear in this room.”

  “I can’t—”

  His finger covered my lips. “You can and you will. Sit down. Play. I’ll be at a table a few over from here. I didn’t want to give you an unfair advantage with me playing here.”

  In a daze I took the seat. I was afraid to look at the money in front of me—the dollar amount would probably give me a stroke—but I had a feeling there was no arguing with him about this.

  I glanced around the men seated at the table. Not one of them had been sat at Ray’s table that fateful night. Two of them were there in the crowd, though.

  Be strong.

  The best way to show my strength to these men would be to take their money, something I was determined to do.

  “This is Tess,” Miller said, addressing the group. “If I hear about anyone hitting on her while she plays, I won’t bother with Dean or Charlie. Do I make myself clear?”

  A few of the guys’ eyes went wide and they nodded in unison.

  “Good.”

  He bent down and placed a soft kiss on my lips. “Have fun.”

  Still in shock, I watched him walk to his table and turned back to mine. The dealer looked at me, waiting. I had no idea what he was waiting for until he spoke up.

  “Miss Carner, the buy-in for this hand is five hundred dollars.”

  I almost freaking choked. Five hundred dollars. Miller must have been out of his mind to suggest it. I turned to face him and started to get up from my seat, when a waiter blocked my way. He placed a glass of white wine in front of me.

  “Mr. Hawes says this is your favorite, and to tell you relax and just play.”

  The waiter left and I saw Miller raise his glass to me. I returned the gesture and took a sip of the wine. The flavor settled on my taste buds, calming my nerves.

  Taking another sip, I swiveled back around in my seat to face the dealer and threw in the money before I lost my nerve. He dealt the cards. I held my breath and picked up the two cards in front of me. It wasn’t a great hand but I was determined to play it as best I could. Five hundred dollars was on the line.

  Unbelievably, I won that round, and the next two. For a moment, I thought maybe Miller had told them to let me win. It pissed me off to think that he would do that. It wasn’t until the fourth hand I knew that wasn’t the case. The other men at the table were cursing and throwing cards in the heat of the moment. Dean had to remind two of them to sit their asses down.

  By the end of the night I felt more relaxed in that room than I ever thought possible. I’d won at least half of the hands, a few with decent size pots, and the pile in front of me was definitely bigger than when I started. Playing instead of watching from the bar was exactly what I’d needed. I felt in control of the situation. The decisions were mine, no one else’s. It made me feel powerful, like I could do anything.

  Miller came over after the last hand to check on me.

  “You didn’t tell me your girl played like that,” Johnson accused, putting his winnings back into his pocket.

  Miller glanced down at the pile of money then back at me. A heat lingered in his eyes as they stayed focused on mine. “I had no idea.”

  He took my hand and began guiding me quickly toward the exit. “Good-night,” he called over his shoulder, making it clear that the night was over.

  “Miller you left all of your money on the table.” I tried to stop him but like earlier, he was on a mission and there was no stopping him. I couldn’t believe he left it there like it didn’t matter.

  “Dean or Charlie will deal with it. They always do.”

  “Where are we going?” I tried to match his pace, taking two steps for each one of his, practically running to keep up.

  “To my office.”

  He didn’t stop, he didn’t slow. I’d have to wait until we got there to find out what was so important.

  He flung the door open and slammed it closed behind me. For one brief second, I thought he was pissed that I didn’t win enough. I should have known better. He backed me up against the door, his lips capturing mine.

  I was trapped, pinned between Miller and the door. But it wasn’t like there was anywhere else I wanted to be. His tongue darted in and out of my mouth in a rhythm that made my head spin and my knees weak. I wanted more and Miller didn’t disappoint.

  His hands slipped under my skirt, hiking it up over my hips.

  “Fuck, I need you.” The panties were torn from my body.

  It had been the perfect night, and this just made it better. His heat, his passion, his insatiable need—it was all for me. Feelings that I’d kept locked up tight poured through me along with the lust.

  Miller pulled my ass up over his shaft and slammed into me, filling me, taking me to new heights. Thrust after thrust, he took me against the door. My heels dug into his back, my nails scratched his shoulders, the noises coming from both of us loud enough to be heard in the hall.

  I could feel it happening again: the moment where Miller would show me unparalleled pleasure. It was so amazing that I couldn’t stop the words from pouring from my lips as my released crashed over me.

  “I love you.”

  His eyes snapped open and he thrust into me one last time, holding steady, his breathing shallow, his gaze burning me. I couldn’t believe I’d said it. Heat flooded my cheeks. I’d held it back for weeks and in the heat of one passion filled moment I ruined everything.

  I tried to push him back so I could get down and away.

  “Tess?”

  I couldn’t look at him; not bearing to see the pity or anger in his eyes. One hand stayed curled under me, while the other came up to guide my face to his. I had no choice but to look at him and what I saw in those chocolate depths stole my breath.

  “I love you, too.”

  Perfection.

  For the first time since I was a child, I believed those words when they left someone’s lips. Miller had shown me time and time again how much he truly loved me. I didn’t have to question it, just let it fill every corner of my heart.

  ***

  The rest of the week was gone in a flurry of baseball playoffs and football games. Miller and I had taken our confessions back to his place and spent the night showing each other exactly how much we loved each other.

  The bar was packed every moment. By the time I finished each night, it was all I could do to get home safely before I crashed out. Even though there was no sign of Ray, I got this strange feeling I was being watched. There was nothing I could pinpoint, and I didn’t see anyone actually following me. Call it a notion but it was enough to unsettle me. I knew Ray would never be that stupid after Miller’s warning.

  Exhaustion was weighing me down. From studying for my finals the two weeks prior to working and spending time with Miller, I barely had a moment to catch my breath. Summer classes might have been done, but fall classes had already begun and I needed to sleep. Only one year more, I told myself.

  I figured my tired mind was imagining all of the crazy stuff going on. At least until the next morning when I walked out of my apartment to head for class.

  My car was trashed.

  Broken windows, spray paint covering the lights, and the word whore written on the hood. I got closer, rounding the car to see the extent of the damage.

  I’m coming.

  I’m coming.

  The words were written twice, once down each side of my car, the fluorescent paint making it impossible to miss the words, or the meaning.

  Rage took over. I was done with the little bastard. Whatever Miller did to him
from now on, he had coming. And for the first time since we’d started dating, I picked up the phone and willingly asked for Miller to handle one of my problems.

  CHAPTER 25

  Miller

  The first call I made was to Ashton, asking for Brock to find Wasden alive, but only so I could put the fucker in an early grave myself. I was afraid of calling Dad since I still hadn’t told him about Tess and I didn’t want him to think I couldn’t handle things myself.

  That little shit was dead. As much as I wanted to buy Tess the new car, I understood what it felt like to be proud of something you bought with your own money. It’s how I felt about Rock Bottom and Orbit: they were my babies. For the prick to take that away from Tess was unthinkable. My hands shook. I shoved them in my pockets to keep my cool.

  All of this made me feel a shit ton better about the surprise I had for Tess. I had a feeling she wouldn’t let me buy her a car, but I’d found another way to make it easier for her to buy it on her own.

  Watching her bust her ass to make a few extra dollars in tips pushed me too far, and knowing that the only reason she did it was to pay off her school debt was enough to force my hand.

  I’d had to do some digging, which had taken a while, but I was able to figure out what bank held all of her student loans.

  Then I paid them off.

  Maybe she’d be pissed, but I was sick of her saving every scrap of money to put toward her school and rent. And eventually I thought she’d see what a good thing it was.

  Hopefully.

  Plus, it was time. I wanted Tess in my bed every night. I loved her and she loved me—something I honestly never thought was on the cards for me. I wanted her with me every second of every day. It was time for her to move in with me and let me take care of her.

  On the way over to her place, I made a plan. One she couldn’t say no to because I wouldn’t lay it out until after I fucked her senseless. She was a lot more pliable after sex. If I waited until then, she was more likely to agree.