I shouldn't have been nervous.
After all, I was the one who suggested the contract… the arrangement… the situationship we were spiraling into. But somehow, sitting across from Edward on my couch while he lounged there like the sexiest mistake I'd ever repeat, my pulse refused to behave.
He tilted his head, studying me the way predators study prey they already know they'll catch.
"Alright, Leah," he said, lips curved. "Let's hear these rules of yours."
Rules.
Yes.
Because if I didn't set boundaries, I was going to turn into a shameless puddle every time he looked at me.
I cleared my throat. "Okay. Rule one: This is strictly physical."
He raised a brow. "You said that, yes."
"I'm repeating it for emphasis."
His smirk deepened. "Cute."
I glared at him. "Rule two: No getting attached."
"Define attached."
"You know… thinking too much, calling too much, catching feelings basically anything that could lead to an emotional meltdown."
"And who exactly would be melting down?" he asked.
I looked away. "Not me."
He chuckled under his breath like he didn't believe that for a second.
"Rule three," I continued, "we only meet when both of us want to. No obligations, no demands."
He nodded slowly. "Reasonable."
"And rule four no jealousy."
That was when his expression shifted.
Just slightly.
Barely noticeable.
But I saw it.
"You planning on sleeping with someone else?" he asked casually… too casually.
"What? No. But just in case you"
"I'm not," he cut in. "If I'm with you, I'm with you."
My eyes widened. "Edward, this isn't a relationship."
"I know." His tone was calm. Sure. Dangerous. "Doesn't change my answer."
A strange heat crawled up my neck.
I ignored it.
"Rule five," I said, trying to stay composed. "We don't ask about each other's pasts. We don't dig. We don't pry. We just…" I swallowed. "Enjoy."
He leaned forward, elbows on his knees.
"Can I add one?"
I blinked. "Add a rule?"
"Yes."
"…fine. What's your rule?"
He reached out and touched my chin just lightly just enough to make every nerve in my body sit up and scream.
"No lies," he murmured. "If we're doing this, I want honesty. Even if it ruins something."
My heart thumped painfully. "Why would it ruin anything?"
His thumb brushed my lower lip. "Because we both know this won't stay simple."
I froze.
My breath caught.
And for a moment, I forgot how to blink.
He pulled back, slow and deliberate.
I cleared my throat again, pretending my entire soul hadn't just leaked out through my skin.
"Okay," I said quietly. "No lies."
"So…" he drew out the word as he sat back, "…we have rules. Six of them."
"Yes."
He crossed his arms. "And we're already thinking about breaking at least four."
I snapped my head up. "We are not."
He gave me a lazy, devastating grin. "Leah. You looked like you were going to kiss me just now."
"I did not!"
"You did."
"You're imagining things."
"Then why is your breathing uneven?"
Because I'm a human being and you look like sin incarnate, that's why.
Instead of admitting that, I stood abruptly. "We're done setting rules. That's it. End of discussion."
But Edward rose too and in two steps he was in front of me.
"Last chance," he murmured. "You sure you want rules?"
My heart didn't beat.
It stumbled.
"Yes," I whispered.
"You want distance."
"Yes."
"You want this to stay casual."
"Yes."
"You want no emotions."
I forced out, "Yes."
He nodded once… then leaned close enough that his breath touched my cheek.
"Then you're already breaking the rules," he whispered. "Because your hands are shaking."
I glanced down.
Damn it.
They were.
He chuckled softly and stepped away, giving me space before I combusted.
"Relax, Leah," he said, picking up his jacket. "I'll follow the rules if you will."
I folded my arms. "I'm capable of self-control."
He paused at the door and looked back, heat in his eyes, mischief in his smile.
"We'll see."
And with that, he left.
I exhaled slowly, sinking onto the couch.
Rules.
Yes.
Great idea.
Perfect idea.
Except for one problem:
I already wanted him more than the rules could ever contain.