Page 63 of Wicked Dares
We head into a dining room, where we’re greeted by a string quartet and a long table with a delicious-looking spread of food.
White peonies in center pieces decorate the table, and three enormous chandeliers hang in a line down the middle of the ceiling.
Crystal glasses sparkle beneath the lighting, and everything feels magnificent down to the smallest detail. Again, I’m in awe.
Levi and I sit together near Arthur and Ellie Mae, who sit at the head of the table.
Levi leans in and whispers in my ear, “You okay?” His voice brushes against my skin as much as his breath does.
“Yes.” I turn to face him, and my cheek brushes against him. I imagine that the accidental closeness makes us look exactly as we’re supposed to appear. My thoughts are confirmed when I catch Arthur watching us out the corner of my eye.
More food is brought out by uniformed waiters, and soon, everyone is eating and talking.
There are about twenty people around the table.
Arthur starts with a discussion about the wine for the auction that engages everyone, then little groups of conversations break off.
Since we’re so close to Arthur and Ellie Mae, they continue talking to us.
So far, everything Levi preempted has come up.
How we met.
How long we’ve been together.
What our plans are for the rest of the year, and other couple-y questions.
The narrative we produced was a mixture of half-truths.
We still met at the club, except in this version, it was a little over a year ago. We celebrated our anniversary a few weeks ago, and we’re planning to go to Antigua in the fall.
I work my ass off, becoming the perfect actress, but in truth, Levi and I both sound so believable I almost fall for it. Our story certainly sounds nice, like it could be real.
“Well, now,” Arthur says, settling back in his chair. His eyes move between us, assessing. “You’ve told us how you met. What I’d like to know is what made you stay.”
The question almost sounds rude, but it’s not. Arthur looks like he genuinely wants to know.
Ellie Mae smiles sweetly next to him, her gaze curious. “Yes, darling,” she joins in, “first meetings are easy. It’s what comes after that tells you something.”
I feel Levi’s hand brush mine beneath the table.
“We just… clicked,” I say, keeping my voice steady.
Arthur hums. “Clicked, huh? And what do you say, Levi?”
“I don’t waste my time on anything that doesn’t hold my attention.” Levi gives him a smug smile.
Ellie Mae leans forward slightly. “And what is it about Piper that does?”
The question settles between us, heavier than it should be.
These are questions you can’t prepare for. They’re the natural kind with answers that come from knowing each other.
Levi turns his head toward me, his expression softening just enough to look real. Except suddenly I’m not entirely convinced he’s pretending. “She’s not impressed by any of it. My wealth,” he says, studying my face. “She sees me, not what comes with me.”
That’s… true. When I look at him, I don’t think about his net worth. That would probably scare me away. I just see him. A man who somehow makes me feel both nervous and safe at the exact same time.
Ellie Mae’s smile deepens. “That’s a dangerous kind of woman to fall for.”
