Free Rewriting the Rules by S. Moose

weird being around you.”
    My hands clench into fists and I close my eyes, being sure to keep my hands from wringing her neck. With a few deep, calming breaths I answer her. “It’s who I am. I’m a man who wants control and I don’t know how to live any other way.”
    “But . . .”
    “My turn,” I tell her. “What’s the shortest time it has taken you to orgasm?”
    “On my own? Within minutes,” she tells me.
    “No. With a man. Like Shawn.”
    “Oh. Well, at first it was great, and then I found myself faking it. I don’t know. The spark wasn’t there and honestly, it kind of sucked.”
    Looking at her, with her killer smile and beautiful eyes, she’s making me forget my pain. Hearing her response sends my cock at attention. Fuck.
    “The women I’ve been with have never complained and I give at least three orgasms,” I wink and she blushes again.
    After our walk, Charlotte heads home and Carter comes over with a twelve-pack of Stella Artois beer and steaks.
    “You look like shit,” he informs me.
    “Thanks sweetheart,” I sarcastically respond. Wiping my face, I groan and drink my beer. “You know she’s fucking with my head.”
    “How so?”
    “She knows exactly what to say to get my attention and fuck, she’s beautiful.” I pull up a picture I took of both of us after our hike and show Carter.
    He whistles and nods his head. “She’s gorgeous. My friend, I feel bad for you. What’s stopping you?”
    “Everything. How do I know she’ll stay? She broke our promise and spent years with Shawn. She won’t stand up to Will.”
    “So why don’t you?”
    “I respect him, man. When, and, if we get together, I want to sit down with him, man-to-man, and come clean. He deserves it.”
    “I get it. Charlotte’s his life so maybe you should keep it on a friendly level and then see where it goes.”
    I nod and put the steaks on plates for us. Sitting down, Carter looks at me and I know he’ll say something that’ll piss me off, but it’ll be right.
    “What?”
    “I don’t . . . just be careful okay? We’ve all been friends for a while and you and Will go way back. I get that you love her and you’ve been in love with her. Just think about what you’re going to do before you do it. Think with your head and not your dick, man.”
    I clench my fists and close my eyes. He’s right. As much as I hate to admit it sometimes, the things we want most in life come with patience.
     

Chapter 10
     
    Charlotte
     
    I’m grateful when I get home from work and finally park my car in the driveway. It’s been a long day and all I want is to relax by the pool with a drink in my hand and country music playing in the background. I like being at the spa. The girls are fun, the clients are great, and the atmosphere is peaceful. Minus a few customer service issues, it’s not a bad job and the pay is pretty good, but after today, all I want to do is destress.
    Will and I are spending more time together. Before or after work, depending on my schedule, we’ll have breakfast, lunch, or dinner together, and maybe get in a decent workout. I’m pushing my body and toning to maintain my curves and shape. I’m happy with how I look, but it’s always good to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
    My smile fades when I walk inside and I mentally kiss my relaxation idea goodbye when I see Troy and Will standing in the kitchen drinking beer and watching whatever game is on TV.
    Why does he have to be here?
    Since our hike a few days ago things are okay between us again. This whole work in progress to be friends again, and hopefully together like we should be, is getting annoying. I glare at Troy as I put down my bag. He gives me a smirk and holds my gaze. Of course Will is oblivious, and when he gets a phone call and steps outside, Troy corners me in the kitchen, not saying a word, but saying so much with how he’s looking at me. The way his eyes rake over my face and settle on my lips. The hunger in his eyes, as if