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Chapter 40

Levon

My group of friends has joined us now, and we’re all sitting by the fire, forming a big circle. Dare pulls a beer out of a cooler that I guess Ryan and Katie brought. My cooler is in my car, so I tell Chris and Garrett that we’ll be back and lean into Dare.

“I have to go to the car. Come with me?” I ask.

He stands without hesitation, and we walk across the park to the lot where my car is parked. It’s slightly darker there, and there aren’t as many people around since most of the families with younger kids have left. I’m just hyped up enough to take full advantage of that.

I pull Dare around to the other side of the car where we’re hidden a little more. There’s just enough light for me to see his face. Pushing him against the car, I drop my hands to find his hips and press my body into his. His eyes go large, but he smiles and wraps his arms around my neck. I let go of one side of his waist and flip my hat backwards, then lean in and catch his lips with mine. He lets out a sound that goes right to my groin.

I’ve needed this since the moment I saw him arrive earlier, but the kiss still feels like it’s not enough.

I pull away to take a breath.

“You look so fucking sexy,” I tell him, rubbing my thumb gently back and forth over his lip ring. “I fucking love this so much.”

He sighs. “More kissing,” he whispers and leans forward.

I smile into his lips and lean against him again, our midsections lining up. He slowly grinds into me, using my belt loops to pull me against him, and I match him, rocking my hips with his. I slip my tongue into his mouth and deepen the kiss. It feels like we’re consuming each other, and my entire body is on fire.

We eventually break the kiss, and I rest my forehead against Dare’s. Our breaths mingle in the small space between us.

“Come home with me tonight,” I say, the statement loaded with intent.

Dare closes his eyes and inhales deeply. He pulls me in for a hug and rubs his hands up and down my back. I feel him nod against my neck.

“Okay,” he breathes out, and our lips meet again in another passionate kiss. He pulls away shortly after. “We have to stop and go back to the fire or I’m going to come in my pants.”

I laugh and kiss his jaw and then his neck. “We don’t want that,” I say, pulling him away from the car and giving him one more quick kiss. “Save it for me.”

I grab the cooler and lock the car again, then take his hand in my empty one and lead us back to the campfire where our friends are all waiting and giving us stupid looks.

“We weren’t sure you were coming back,” Lindsey says with a wink as we settle into our chairs. She’s holding hands with Julian, and I just love seeing how comfortable they look together. I didn’t think it was possible, but my heart warms up even more.

The night progresses, the fire burns, and the music eventually shuts off as the DJ packs up. Someone puts some music on from their phone, playing it so everyone can sort of hear over the fire and talking. The lake and its black, ink-like water stretch out beyond the landscape, and a chilly breeze picks up, blowing in off the water. Everyone drinks and talks and laughs, catching up, joking around, and genuinely enjoying one another’s company.

I’m talking to Caleb about nothing terribly important, and Dare’s off a ways talking with Lindsey and Julian. He’s turned his back to me, so I don’t know what they’re talking about, but Julian and Dare seem to be in a deep conversation. Lindsey is nodding and smiling at what they’re saying, clapping her hands every now and then. It’s cool to see everyone just hanging out and getting along.

As the fire starts to get smaller and people start to trickle out, our group breaks up, too. Chris and his wife leave first, followed by Garrett.

“I gotta swing by the bar for a little bit,” he tells us.

A few of Dare’s friends leave, and then Lindsey and Julian stand up.

“You heading out?” I ask her, standing up and stretching out my back.

“Yeah, we’re going to get going. Tonight was fun.” She gives me a hug, and I shake Julian’s hand. “Let’s get together soon. The four of us.”

I nod and look at Dare, who’s now standing next to me. “That sounds great. I’d love to talk more, man,” he says to Julian. They shake hands, and Lindsey hugs Dare.

“We’ll walk with you,” I say.

After a quick goodbye to Nolan, his fiancée, and Caleb, I wave to Katie and Ryan and watch as they give Dare hugs and high fives. Then Lindsey, Julian, Dare, and I walk to the lot where the cars are. The lot has thinned since Dare and I were here a few hours ago, and only maybe a dozen cars are left now. We say goodbye one more time and peel off in twos to go to our cars. I unlock my car and open the passenger side door for Dare.

Dare grins. “Thank you,” he says, starting to slide into the seat. I grab the leather harness on his leg through the main ring and tug, throwing him off balance a little.

“This,” I say, my voice coated in lust.