Rules Of Our Own (Rule Breaker Series Book 3)

“MIA, right? Do you want to help get it started?” David, our instructor, is holding the far end of the empty blue-and-white-striped balloon for me to take. He’s just gone through thirty minutes of safety instruction, which boils down to: Stay away from the edge, and don’t touch the fire. “We’re going to start filling it with cold air first, then add the heat to lift it up. I need you to hold it above your head so it expands properly.”

David’s young, early thirties tops, and has a lean physique you’d see most swimmers have. But he has one of those smiles that says, “I know I’m hot,” which is a total turnoff. Well, unless it’s Alex. Why is it so hot on him?

I glance back at the guys. River and Alex stand next to each other fifteen feet away. Both of their arms are crossed over their chests, and they’re glaring at David. He’s lucky his attention is on me, or I’m pretty sure he’d be scared shitless. River takes a step forward. Or maybe not lucky.

I take the fabric from where David’s holding it, and our fingers brush. My shoulders relax when there’s no tingling warmth from the contact.

The balloon is thicker than I expected, some kind of nylon or polyester blend.

David smiles and says, “Okay, hold it up high until I tell you to let go.”

I lift the heavy fabric above my head, grateful for Alex’s extra-long hoodie that smells of sweet coconut and a hint of salt, which I’ve been ignoring. Loud fans turn on, and the balloon slowly starts to fill, so slowly that even with three other people helping, my arms begin to ache. Come on, buddy. Tell me I can drop it.

My muscles are just about to let go when River steps behind me. He’s so close I can feel his breath on the back of my neck, but he doesn’t close the distance. I stifle a shiver and ignore the heat pooling in my stomach.

“I’ve got it, Mia.” He takes the fabric from my hands, our fingers grazing. This time, the small touch is like fireworks skating up my arm. Even though not a single other part of us touches, every one of my nerve endings comes to life. His arms cage me between them, and I fight the urge to sink back into his embrace. I tilt my head to look at him and instantly meet his intense gaze. His hair has the perfect bed head look, which has me thinking about him in bed. Naked chest, hand dipping under his sheet, stroking. I swallow hard and face forward.

River shifts closer, his chest barely grazing my back, and his mouth drops to my ear. “Are you going to ask me today?”

Fuck. Heat floods my core, and I know for a fact my panties are wet. This time, I don’t fight it and let myself fall into him, basking in his warmth. God knows I want to, but I needed that liquid courage last night to take the next step. Something to take off the edge of the million worries that come along with them. If I ask River, what would happen to Alex? Would he move out of the room, would he stop talking to me? My chest twinges at the thought. Even though we’ll go back to not seeing each other when we leave, I don’t want to miss a single minute with them. Even if it means I combust from horniness.

David’s shouting something at us, but the buzzing in my head blocks out his words.

I take several deep breaths, and River’s cedar-and-leather scent mixes with Alex’s from his hoodie, which does absolutely nothing to calm my racing thoughts. River’s heartbeat pounds against my back, and his ragged breaths undermine the collected mask he presents to the world.

David shouts again, and his words pierce the fog. “Get ready to let go. We’re putting in hot air now.”

I squint against the rising sun as a rainbow of hot-air balloons ascend into the sky. Bursts of colors and patterns soar rapidly, filling up every inch of my view. In the sun’s light, they seem to have an inner glow, as if ignited by its warmth.

“Breathe, Mia.” River’s chest vibrates against me, and I inhale sharply. Tingling excitement dances under my skin, and I turn toward him with a beaming smile.

His gaze takes me in, and a slow smile takes over his face. I hold my breath for an entirely new reason. River almost never smiles, but when he does, he’s beautiful. All his hard edges are softened, giving him an almost playfulness. It makes me want to earn that smile every day. We stay there, breathing in each other’s air, before he gestures to our group climbing into the basket.

Alex wraps his arm around River’s waist. “Come on, Kitten. Let’s get you up in the air.”

If I wasn’t already staring at him, I would’ve missed the faint hint of a blush that tinges River’s neck. I tilt my head, watching them. There’s always been a heavy, palpable connection between the three of us, but maybe there’s more to explore.

Alex lets go of River and bends down, throwing me over his shoulder and pulling a high-pitched laugh from me. “Put me down.”

I beat him with my fist, but he just chuckles. “Kitten’s got claws.”

He sets me down a few feet from the basket and fixes my hoodie, which lifted from being tossed over.

I place both hands on my hips and say, “I’m not your Kitten.”

“What would you rather me call you, Sweetheart?” His grin brings out his dimples, and my insides turn to goo. River and Alex are polar opposites. One quiet and dominant and the other playful and open. Somehow, that just makes them both more attractive.

I swallow hard, liking the sound of that entirely too much. “Mia’s fine.”

“Mia,” River says from behind me in a dark, quiet tone, and my nerves come alive. Great…not even my name is safe. He gestures toward the basket, which is when I realize everyone’s staring at us, already inside.

“Shit. Sorry.” I ignore the flush across my cheeks, and my eyes dance everywhere other than the people in front of us.

Alex gets in first, extending his hand to help me to the basket door. I step over the one-foot ledge, and he immediately pulls my back into his chest, placing his chin on my head.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I ask.

His arms band around my stomach, holding me closer. “There’s not much room in here.”

The wicker-like woven plastic creaks as River, Alex, and I cram into the small space. The basket feels tight with our five bodies packed in like sardines. I run my hand along the edge. There are four thick ropes attaching the fabric overhead to metal O-rings connected to the basket. Each one has a red knot at its end for security.

I should pull away, say some kind of smart-ass comment and break free. But I don’t want to. Especially when River steps to our side, his arm grazing mine.

I ignore the tingles dancing along my arm and look around. There’s a small older lady who must be in her seventies who looks between me and the guys and winks at me.

Screw it. I rest my head on Alex’s shoulder, letting myself relax for the first time in months.

“Everyone ready?” David calls out. “Hold on tight.” He pulls on a lever hanging from the center of the balloon, and fire shoots up with a deafening roar. The basket shakes as we lift into the air, and I freeze suddenly, not at all sure about this.

Alex drops his mouth against the curve of my neck, drawing all my attention. “We’ve got you.”

We.

The world below us gets smaller and smaller as we ascend until cars look like toys and the fields all blur into one.

“Look up,” Alex murmurs against my skin.

I lift my gaze and gasp. Mountains flank both sides of us. They’re dotted with patches of green trees and open areas planted with row upon row of grapevines. The sky turns pink, then red, and my eyes widen as the sun crests over the ridge, bathing everything in a soft amber glow. “It’s beautiful.”

“Yes, it is,” River says, but he’s facing me.