Page 26 of Wicked Dares
My mind empties. I struggle to think.
My name.
We’re not playing games anymore. This is real, and I have to give him my name.
“Piper,” I stutter, my hands finally drifting to my sides. “Piper Andrews.”
As soon as I give him my full name, a look I can’t quite read flashes in his eyes. If I were to guess, I’d say it was more than captivation. It reminds me of how someone would look when they finally got answers to questions they’ve been searching for.
The intensity of it sends more unease twisting through me.
“Nice to have a name to a face,” he answers, leaning closer.
With his eyes locked on mine, he takes a few more steps toward me. He was already too close. I shouldn’t mind considering all the ways I gave myself to him last night. Closeness should not be an issue between us, yet it feels suffocating.
Not because I don’t want him near me. Because I do.
He moves even closer.
Instinctively, I step backwards. The movement makes him smile and his eyes darken. My nerves are on fire and I fear what will become of me if he touches me.
I didn’t realize I was still moving until my back meets the wall. I don’t even know which wall. Did I move left or right, up or down the room?
A quick glance around him, and I note the coffee machine is across from us. Levi grins.
Levi.I have a name to a face now, too. The name suits him, but in my head, Mr. Wicked still suits him best.
He rests a hand on the space just above my head, blocking me in. It’s funny; last night when we were on the rooftop in the hot tub, naked, I never even thought that someone could come along and catch us. Now we’re fully clothed, and I’m worrying about someone coming in and seeing us like this.
The door is open. Anyone important could see us. Then they’d be wondering what the hell is going on.
Why is the new girl pressed up against the wall with Levi Vale?
I don’t think he cares. He certainly didn’t last night.
My breath wavers. He notices that too. I can tell by the slow flicker of satisfaction in his eyes as his gaze drops to my lips the way it did last night before he kissed me.
He moves in, as though he’s going to do exactly that, but he goes to my ear instead.
“Looks like we’re gonna be seeing a lot of each other,Butterfly.” The words should sound harmless. Instead, they land like a dangerous promise.
His warm breath fans over my cheek, spreading heat through my entire body. It drains the last of the air from my lungs. “Welcome to Vale Global.”
I turn, and my cheek meets his. He then shocks me by brushing his lips across my skin. It’s not a kiss, not exactly, but it feels like one.
He pushes away, then he turns and walks toward the door, leaving me there. Breathless.
I watch him go. He doesn’t look back, doesn’t need to. He knows the lasting effect he’s had on me.
I can’t move. I’m not sure if I should.
I hate to be negative when I fought so hard to get to this point, but it looks like I’ve fallen down another rabbit hole.
Chapter Six
PIPER
“Holy shit! No way.” Alexis’ hands fly to her cheeks and her jaw drops.
