Page 35 of Mercy & Malice

I pull into the fairgrounds and park in front of the entrance with no time to spare as a second message appears.

Sin keeps us its servant.

When we share the burden, we all benefit

from the reward. Each person has to

reach climax before you leave.

Don’t step out of the vehicle.

Don’t drive anywhere until

both have achieved an orgasm.

“These freaking perverts are really testing my last nerve,” she pouts.

“Oh come on, Brooke. This will be the easiest dare of all,” I tease.

“This is not funny at all.” She slaps my bicep before folding her arms across her chest. “I told you why we aren’t a good idea. If we keep messing around, it’ll go too far, and we’ll just end up getting hurt. What’s the point?”

“Yes, because Daddy says you can’t date and has a death grip on the key to your chastity belt.” I want to hit the controlling bastard. “It’s not like I asked for your hand in marriage.” I wanted to take her to junior prom, but we weren’t allowed to attend together as a couple. Everything has to be in a group setting. She can never just be mine.

“No, you just want to use me and rub one out for funsies.” The hurt in her tone pisses me off. Because that says she actually might believe the bullshit she’s saying.

If she only knew. “That’s a load of shit. If I wanted a quick fuck, I would.”

“Why haven’t you? I know Micah Montclair has plenty of girls who would gladly volunteer, you wouldn’t even have to beg for it. They’d be easier and you wouldn’t even have to listen to all their nagging or ask their father’s permission. Give one of them a call. I’m sure there’s somebody close who is available to fulfill your needs and accomplish the goal of this stupid freaking dare.” She refuses to look at me and stares out the window.

The thought of touching anyone but her is revolting. “I’d rather not outsource.”

“Sure. Okay.” Her sarcasm is on overload. She swipes at her cheek, her sniffle soft, but I hear it.

Fuck, I’ve never been able to handle seeing her cry, especially when I know it’s my fault. Unlatching my seat belt, I lean over the console, attempting to get her to face me. “Look at me, Brooke.”

Shoving my hands away, she presses against the door, trying to get as far away from me as she can. “Don’t, Micah. Don’t bullshit me just to screw me for a stupid dare. We can get off without each other’s help. Besides, it’s easier if we don’t cross that line. Can’t miss what you’ve never had, right?”

Son of a bitch. I thought my brother was whipped. I’m so wrapped around her goddamn finger, and I feel it getting tighter. “Yes, you can. You can crave and ache for someone who is right in front of you but so far out of fucking reach.”

“Stop,” she whispers. “We can’t. We’re no good for each other.”

That’s one of the most painful things I’ve ever heard her say. It’s one thing being kept apart by her controlling father and idiotic rules, but for her to believe we’d be anything but perfection together stings. “I don’t want anyone else.”

“You just want what you can’t have.”

“Now who’s the one spewing bullshit?” I ask before I dig my hole deeper. “Yes, I want someone I can’t have, but that’s not why I won’t even entertain the thought of someone else.”

“Why won’t you?” she questions.

Yep. Fucking gone for this girl who I’m about to admit the truth to.

Reaching over, I place my finger under her chin and turn her face to me until her eyes meet mine. “They’re not you.”

She stays frozen for a second before she pulls away from me. And it fucking hurts. She’ll never let me in.

Brooke utters, “If we take that step, there’s no going back. I don’t want to lose my friend because we’re horny and have an excuse to have sex.”

“Brooke, I’ve never just been your friend, and you fucking know it. I’m not asking you to fuck me in my car. We can handle this challenge however you want. But I need you to understand, there’s already no going back for me regardless of what happens tonight.”