The No Player Rule: Rule, #4

By Ashley Erin

Dean Arkin's life is a mess.

Ever since his brother died and his girlfriend Morgan left, he's determined to fill the void with meaningless sex. Sleeping around is easy, and Dean has become an expert at leaving feelings at the door.

Until her.

Ripley Price.

She's smart, beautiful, and completely immune to Dean's charms; his reputation as a player preceding him.

Ripley Price has finally removed herself from her smothering parents. They mean well, but she's always fought for her independence and being at Parkland University is one more step in the right direction.

People have always tried to save Ripley, thinking she needs a hero when all she wants is an equal partner. Dean intrigues her, but his reputation as a player is a turnoff. Ripley isn't willing to sacrifice her newfound freedom, especially not for a guy who goes through women like she changes socks.

Ripley may want to keep her distance, but Dean never backs down from a challenge and he's out to win.

**This is a Rule Series Novella**

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ashley Erin
• Release date: Sep 20, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386620532

Book preview

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Epilogue

About the Author

Other Books by Ashey Erin

Leaning back against one of the many trees littering the lawn of Parkland University, I pull the brown-eyed bombshell toward me as she giggles and chews on her lower lip. She looks up at me through her false eyelashes, coy as I wrap one arm around her waist, tucking her hair behind her ear and cupping the back of her neck with my free hand.

Dean… Her moan causes a rush of blood to leave my brain and head south, and I smirk as she leans into me, her eyes hooded in arousal. Groaning as she palms my dick through my pants, I tighten my hold on her neck and start to pull her closer.

I’m about to kiss her when a sudden movement to my left catches my eye. I watch, stunned, as a guy runs up and snags a girl’s backpack. She doesn’t even move from where she types on her laptop, her head bobbing to the music flowing through her headphones.

What the hell?

Shoving the brunette away from me, I take off after the jerk who just stole that chick’s bag. My legs pumping faster to catch up to him.

Hey! Drop that bag! I chase him, not giving up even when he picks up his pace.

A guy talking on the phone steps into my path and I don’t even think about it as I shove him aside. Sorry! The apology is probably meaningless, but I feel bad when I hear his phone clatter to the concrete sidewalk.

The dude I’m chasing runs faster, but not fast enough. I pick up speed without any more obstacles and when I’m just out of arm’s reach, I lunge and tackle him to the ground. Pinning him down with one hand, I wrestle the bag out of his grasp and toss it out of his reach.

Don’t you know it’s wrong to steal? I quip. He struggles beneath me, cursing me out. I don’t recognize the guy. He could be some wayward traveller who decided to check campus out. I hope, for his sake, he’s not a student because his little grab and go will get him expelled. Parkland has strict policies around theft, assault, and the general well-being of the student population. He sags to the ground, growing limp when he sees campus security coming toward us.

I stick around long enough to explain what happened before slinging the backpack over my shoulder.

Sir, what are you doing with that backpack? The security officer holds her hand out with a pointed look.

I was returning it to its rightful owner. She’s sitting right over there, you can even watch me give it back to her. Pointing at the girl still working obliviously away on her laptop, I sigh when the officer doesn’t budge. Why would I tackle some guy for stealing it, hang around here waiting for you guys, just to steal it myself?

When she finally drops her hand and nods, I turn on my heel and saunter to where the girl sits, feeling like quite the hero. The smirk falls from my face when she continues to work away on her computer, even with me hovering over her. I still don’t understand how she could’ve possibly missed all of that, but even now she’s just typing away.

Moving around to stand right in front of her, I wait for her to look up from her laptop. She completely ignores me. My ego deflates a little. I’m not used to being ignored by the opposite sex.

Sighing, I crouch down and push her headphones off her ears, falling back on my ass when she jumps and screams.

Holy shit. What’s your deal? I stare at her, observing as she clutches a hand to her chest, breathing heavily.

My deal? She cocks her head, her accented voice soft and sweet. I don’t recognize her accent, it’s not quite English, but close. What do you mean?

As I gape at her, I look into her blue eyes and it finally dawns on me. She’s blind.

Backtracking, I set her backpack next to her. Sorry, I didn’t realize you couldn’t see me. Some guy took your backpack, I got it back. It’s on your right.

She reaches next to her, opening it and feeling around inside. As she searches, I take the opportunity to observe her. It feels weird, voyeuristic almost, but now that I’m looking at her I can’t seem to stop.

Her shoulder length hair looks silky, the strawberry blonde color shining in the sun. A light smattering of freckles stands out on her pale skin.

I may be blind, but I can feel you staring at me. She closes her laptop, zips it in her backpack, and stands up turning toward my voice. Thank you for returning my bag.

You’re welcome— I wait, hoping she will fill in the blank.

Ripley. She smiles, slinging her bag over her shoulder.

I’m Dean. I smile in return, only to feel it fall when a hand runs over my arm.

Dean, baby, aren’t you coming back? Her voice is a low whine, and it immediately makes her less attractive. I hate whining.

Turning to—oh crap, I don’t remember her name. Umm—sorry… How about a rain check?

She pulls her hand away, crossing her arms and staring at me with a disgruntled look. Only if you can tell me my name.

I can’t help but glance at Ripley, who’s lips are twitching as she listens in. I can’t tell if it’s in amusement or disgust, but for the first time since Morgan and I ended things, I feel ashamed of my behavior.

Instead of attempting a guess at her name, I just stand there, silent and give her a small shrug of my shoulder. The brunette huffs and storms off. I watch her for a moment before turning back to Ripley who has been joined by another blonde. I’ve seen her friend at parties before, but I can’t remember her name either. I’m really on a roll today.

Are you ready? she asks Ripley, looking between us.

Ripley nods, before cocking her head again. Thanks again.

They walk away, arms linked, as her friend glances back at me talking. I know exactly what she’s saying and it’s not good.

I feel someone come stand beside me, but I don’t look away from Ripley until she and her friend disappear into one of the campus apartment buildings.

Finally, I turn to see Lucas standing there with a knowing smirk on his face.

Grimacing, I cross my arms. What?

Who was that?

Just some girl. Some jerk tried to steal her backpack, I was just returning it. Shrugging, I scroll through my phone trying to act nonchalant. There was something about Ripley that stands out from the other chicks around campus. I can’t quite put my finger on it, she just has a—quality.

He nods, his eyes on his phone as he rapidly types out a text. Andie wants to know if you’re joining us for game night, or if you’re ditching us for another conquest. Her words, not mine.

Rolling my eyes, I look back to the apartments and note which building Ripley entered before falling into step alongside Lucas. Game night with my friends sounds better than hanging out in my apartment, zoned out on the couch. Especially since brown-eyes stormed off and while I could probably convince her to come home with me, it just doesn’t hold the same appeal anymore.

Ever since Danny, my brother, died in the spring I’ve felt a little lost. Then Morgan got an amazing job opportunity up north in a remote area, so we ended things. It was all very amicable but made the void in my chest even bigger.

Life just doesn’t feel the same anymore. Everything is blah, and I have no interest in the things I used to enjoy. I try to force myself, but it’s exhausting putting on a front day in and day out. I know I need to talk to Dr. Yaluna. We can tweak my anti-depressants and I’m sure that would help, I just haven’t done it yet.

Yeah, tell her I’ll be there. I try to infuse some excitement into my voice and by the time Lucas leaves my side, I feel a little of that excitement actually flare up. Maybe this will be good for me, doing something with the people who know me best. Doing something that might actually fill the void in my chest.

Settling onto the couch in my shared apartment with Eden, I root around in my bag for my cell phone, finally finding it at the very bottom, tucked underneath my wallet. Thank goodness that guy, Dean, saw it being taken and was able to get it back.

Feeling the buttons, I hold the home button to ask Siri if I have any messages.

Six. All from my mother.

Sadly, this is the norm. My parents are wonderful, but they’re a little smothering. It’s my first semester at Parkland University. My first month away from my parents. When I left Wales to come to Canada for school, my parents moved to London. Their world has always revolved around me and the distance has been challenging for them. And me. I’ve never felt so alone, but it’s almost refreshing.

Eden took me under her wing my first day, for whatever reason she decided she wanted me to be her friend, and she’s the extent of my social circle. No one is hovering, trying to rescue me. Eden helps when asked but doesn’t try and do everything for me. She can be a little blunt at times, not thinking about the things she says, but at the same time I know her heart is bigger than she lets on.

So, do you want to tell me what Dean Arkin wanted? Or are you going to pretend it was nothing? Eden’s tone is intrigued, piquing my curiosity. The couch dips as she sits next to me, ready to get the dirt.

Someone took my bag, he returned it to me. Pausing, I cock my head as I think about her question. I didn’t know his last name, only his first. How do you know Dean?

Everyone knows who he is. She laughs. He’s a relentless flirt turned playboy. He was dating some chick for awhile, she’s gone now, and he’s been sleeping his way through campus. He’s one of the best-looking guys I’ve ever seen—and he knows it. Her fingers tap on a hard surface, practically in tune with her thoughts.

One thing I’ve learned is that people are loud when they’re thinking. They often shuffle or tap or hum. And you can usually feel a change in their air depending on the direction their thoughts are going. Eden is all concern, which is unnecessary, but sweet.

I don’t see how that’s any consequence to me. I shrug but can’t help but feel disappointed. I liked not knowing anything about Dean. Now the vision I was creating in my mind has been blown to bits.

I just wanted to make sure, I would hate to see your name added to his bedpost. Eden’s phone rings, saving me from more discussion on this topic. She answers, the sound of her feet and voice fading as she closes the door to her bedroom.