Against the Rules Read Online Free PDF Page A

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    Kelly blinked twice. He’d done something wrong to make Ian angry with him. Part of him was glad. He’d been unhappy for so long, it felt nice to drag someone else down to his level.
    Then there was the small whimpering part of him that wanted to roll over and show Ian his belly, to nuzzle close and rub their bodies together until Ian felt compelled to pull him in tight and murmur soft reassurances.
    He took a deep breath, curling his hands into fists. Sharp nails dug into his palms hard enough to leave bruises in the form of small half-moons. “You won’t have sex with a college kid, but you want a relationship?”
    “I’m not relationship material. Not long term. I want you to be safe,” Ian said. “If you got hurt...” His gaze sharpened slightly. His skin was too dark to reveal a blush, but Kelly felt sure his cheeks would be hot to the touch. “I’d prefer if you didn’t get hurt.”
    “You just met me.”
    “Awkward, isn’t it?” The professor leaned forward so close Kelly could feel the heat coming off his body. Every breath he took moved the air around him. Every word spoken in his husky voice sent a small shudder of want straight to Kelly’s core. “Now, I believe you were about to stomp your foot and demand I buy you a drink. Why don’t you try asking for what you really want instead?”
    “I don’t want to be alone.”

Chapter Five
    Ian had been prepared for Kelly to throw off a bratty retort. Instead, the words murmured from between full pink lips almost slayed him. It wasn’t just booze or sex that Kelly was looking for in the bars. It was a connection with another human being. Something to keep the ghosts away.
    Pale lashes fluttered, making Kelly’s discomfort clear. Whatever he’d intended to say, his words had gotten jumbled up inside and the truth had slipped free.
    That kind of honesty should be rewarded.
    “Do you like Mexican?” he asked. “There’s a great little place near my apartment.”
    “I can’t do that tonight.” Kelly shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “I’m the RA on duty starting at ten. I have to be back on campus by then.”
    Ian’s shoulders relaxed when he sorted through the mumbled words and realized he wasn’t being rejected. “I can promise to get you back in time for your shift,” he said slowly. Dinner was a given; now they were just negotiating terms. “Or, we can go back to your room and order takeout. Your choice.”
    “Takeout.”
    Ian nodded his approval before gesturing for Kelly to lead the way out of the lecture hall. He must have come straight from class because a heavy messenger bag hung off his left side. Every time he took a step, the bag slammed into his hip, but he just grunted and kept moving, his long legs stretching out in front of him as they exited the economics building and started making their way back to the dorm.
    Outside, the wind nipped at Ian’s ears and whistled through his wool coat. The stiff air lifted hard crackling snow off the ground and thrust it in their direction. By the time they got to the dorm, Kelly’s skin was tinged an unnatural shade of red. He had to be freezing in his thin green jacket, but maybe he was more used to the cold than a California transplant. Where was he from originally?
    This time there was no need to wait on the stoop. Kelly swiped them in quickly and hurried toward his room. His fingers were clumsy from the cold. He had to make two attempts before unlocking the door.
    “Would you like some tea?” he asked, stepping out of the way to allow Ian access to the room. “I have Earl Grey and a Chai mix my aunt gave me.”
    “Earl Grey.” Ian stepped inside and examined his surroundings carefully. The room was small but tidy, decorated in a comfortable mix of browns and greens. It was clearly single occupancy with one narrow bed pressed up against the near wall and a single desk shoved under the window. There was an open door near the back. “You have your own