AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Just as I’m about to suggest that we take off, he says, “He’s trying to work his matchmaking magic and set me up with Jaclyn.”
The jealousy that flares to life within me is fast and furious. All-consuming. I quickly swallow it down before it can break loose and give me away.
Only then do I toss out what I hope sounds like a careless response. “Oh? And what did you tell him?”
I can almost feel the way his eyes sift through mine, attempting to pick through my innermost thoughts. “That I’m not interested.”
It’s only when my breath rushes past my lips that I realize it had become trapped in my lungs.
Before I can say anything, he tosses out a question.
“Truth or dare?”
My muscles still.
When I remain silent, his voice dips as he prods me into playing this game with him for the second time in a week. “Come on, Carina. What’s it going to be?”
I swipe the towel over my face and watch him from the corner of my eye. The last thing I need is for him to chip away at my carefully constructed façade. Even though I realize it’s a bad idea and has disaster written all over it, I can’t seem to help myself.
“Dare.”
A slow grin spreads across his face as if he’s pleased with the decision.
I toss the towel on the chair as my palms settle on my hips. I’m irritated with myself for being goaded into playing with him. “Go on,” I snap. “Get it over with. What’s my dare?”
Anticipation gathers in the atmosphere like impending storm clouds darkening the horizon.
“I dare you to kiss me.”
Surprise rushes through me as my brows rise across my forehead.
With a tilt of my head, I study him, attempting to figure out what the end game is. “Really?”
“Yup.” Even though he appears relaxed, his muscles are coiled tight as if he’s a snake waiting to strike. Only now do I realize that he’s shed his sweatshirt from earlier. His chiseled biceps are showcased in the tank. It’s enough to make my mouth water. “It’s not like we haven’t kissed before.”
That’s true. Quite a bit back in the day.
But it’s been four years since we locked lips.
“And we’ll kiss again.” The casualness of his tone belies the intensity brewing in his eyes.
I fold my arms across my chest as if the protective stance alone will keep me from falling down the rabbit hole that is Ford Hamilton. “You think so?”
The tip of his tongue swipes over his lower lip. The small, barely discernable movement has heat gathering in the pit of my belly.
All right, so maybe it gathers a little lower.
“Yeah, I just dared you to kiss me, and I know how you can’t resist one of those.”
He’s right, damn him.
My track record when it comes to dares is impeccable. I’m batting a thousand.
His gaze stays fastened to mine as I force my feet into movement, slowly narrowing the space between us. My heart picks up tempo until it pounds a steady staccato in my ears. When I’m standing beside him, he cranes his neck to hold my gaze. My hands shake as they settle tentatively on his shoulders. The heat of his skin singes my fingers as they reluctantly stroke over the broad expanse.
I’ve worked so hard to forget about our past and pretend it never existed. When I’m touching him, that’s no longer possible.
My hands tighten around muscle and bone as I straddle his thighs and gradually lower myself onto his lap until we’re facing one another. Our mouths are inches apart as our gazes stay locked. The minty freshness of his breath wafts across my lips. I have to stop myself from leaning closer and inhaling him like a hit. When his palms wrap around my waist as if to hold me in place, my arms twine around his neck, drawing him close enough for my mouth to ghost over his without ever quite touching.
