Fair Game (The Rules #1)(94)

“Get your ass on the bed,” I tell her with a little growl, smacking her butt with the palm of my hand.

She jumps and squeals, then runs over to the bed.

And I have no choice but to follow, tugging off my shirt as I do so.

It’s going to be a good night.

“Don’t be nervous.” Shep catches my hand and pulls me close to him, dropping a kiss on my forehead. “They’re just people. They’re not going to bite your head off.”

Easy for him to say.

We’re in the parking lot of the Shellfish Company, one of the most expensive restaurants in town, of course. Every parking spot is filled but Shep didn’t even bother trying to find a space. He left his car with valet parking, which sounds decadent and expensive, especially since I’ve never done that sort of thing before. Hell, I don’t even own a car.

Clearly I’m nervous. I’m babbling in my own head.

He’s behaved like the perfect boyfriend the entire week. We’ve hardly spent any time apart. If I’m not in class or working and he’s not in class, we’re together. We talk a lot. Share stories. He’s a business major and plans on working for the family company once he graduates. Running the gambling house is like a practice run, he told me, which I found amusing.

When I told him I was a pyschology major it was his turn to be amused. He found that fitting—direct quote. I don’t know what to think about that.

With us spending so much time togther, I’ve stayed at his place every night this week, and that means we’ve been having lots—and lots—of sex.

Awesome, wonderful, make me forget all of my inhibitions and hang ups, sex. Like, the best sex of my life. It just keeps getting better and better every time we get naked. And he seems just as into me as I am into him. We feel…connected.

It’s sort of amazing.

“Are they already here?” I ask as we approach the front entrance of the restaurant. There are a lot of people waiting outside, most of them dressed up, and I’m so glad I wore a dress. A brand new one Kelli and I found when we went to Old Navy yesterday. It’s white eyelet, sleeveless, with a full skirt that hits just above the knee and makes me look like sweet girlfriend potential.

At least, that’s what Kelli told me when I tried it on for her at the store.

I’m thankful Shep didn’t act all perverted when he picked me up, which is his usual way when he first sees me. Not that I don’t mind usually, but that’s not the reaction I’m looking for. Tonight is all about demure. Not sultry and sexy.

“Probably not. My mother always runs late.” He sends me a look as we start to climb the stairs that leads to the front doors. The restaurant is close to the ocean and there’s a chill in the air that makes me wish I’d brought a sweater. “She made a reservation though, so we’re good.”

We enter the restaurant and Shep releases my hand to go speak to the hostess, letting her know we’ve arrived. I take my chance to admire him yet again. He dressed up tonight. Black pants and a white button-up shirt that sets off his tanned skin, the sleeves rolled up to show off his sexy forearms. Who knew forearms were so sexy?

His hair is actually tamed, like he might’ve brushed it and I’m tempted to run my fingers through it just to mess it up. I love it when his hair is messy. Which is a lot because every time I get my hands on him they’re buried in his hair, tugging and stroking and holding him close…

Yeah. I’ve got it so bad.

Here’s the thing though. I feel awful because I still haven’t told him I don’t have anywhere to live for the summer. I mean, does he really need to know? Not like it’s his problem. But Kelli’s furious at me. She doesn’t understand why I just can’t confess what’s going on and ask for his support and help. Because seriously, I need help. I’ve been looking for a roommate everywhere and have come up empty so far. Enid has committed to giving me forty hours a week at the store, so that’s good but I need somewhere to live.

And I have nowhere. Kelli’s offer to come home with her for the summer is starting to look like my only option. Though she might pull it if I don’t fess up to Shep and let him know what’s going on.

He’s been acting odd too. I can’t put my finger on it and finally chocked it up to him being nervous over this dinner with his parents. He’s never introduced a girl to his family before so this is a big deal in their eyes. It’s a big deal in my eyes too. So I forgive him for being a little sketchy and staring at me too long sometimes, like he wants to say something but he’s not quite sure how to approach it. Every time I ask him what’s up, he says never mind, or it’s nothing and I reluctantly let it slide.

Nerves, we all have them. It’s been a hell of a week. I’m ready for it to be over.

“My mother just texted me,” Shep says as he comes to stand by my side once more. The restaurant’s waiting area is packed with people and we’re pressed so close to each other I can feel his body heat radiating toward me. “They just pulled into the parking lot. And the hostess said our table would be ready in a few minutes.”

I blow out a harsh breath. “Okay. Good. Great.”

“Hey.” He takes my hand again, his fingers rubbing against mine in this soothing way that makes me want to purr like a cat. “They’re going to love you, I promise.”