Page 8 of Wicked Dares
The reminder hits harder than I expect, stirring the long-forgotten parts of me I’ve missed for years. I press my hands to my sides as memories of the girl I used to be circle my mind.
Seize the moment.
I used to say thatallthe time. Every day and all day long.
Sometimes, the words felt like magic. They could pull me out of any mood and make me do anything. Especially the things I really wanted.
Suddenly, I’m desperate to reclaim it. Even a little.
The past few years have taught me that life is something meant to be experienced instead of survived. The reminder hits low in my gut.
I suppose if I want to reclaim more of myself, that would mean taking more first steps. And why not take them with a seriously gorgeous guy I’m insanely attracted to?
Attraction has never exactly been my strongest survival skill. I was probably a goner from the instant I saw him.
I release the breath I’m holding and nod slowly.
“Yes?” Alexis nods, excitement dancing in her eyes.
“Yes. I’ll go.”
My best friend doesn’t waste another second. She turns me back to face the gorgeous man and marches me closer, eradicating the distance between us.
“Ready to go?” he asks with a subtle wink.
“Yes. I guess so.” I glance back at Alexis, who is nodding vigorously.
“Then I dare you to spend the rest of the evening with me in a game of dares.” A ruthless grin slides over his lips, encouraging the heat in my core to climb into my throat.
Lord, whatamI getting myself into? “Okay. I accept.”
He holds out his hand to take mine, and I give it to him.
Chapter Two
PIPER
My pulse flickers in my wrist where his fingers rest.
He’s still holding my hand.Mr. Wicked.
That’s what I’ve christened him.
He led me into a private elevator behind a velvet curtain that blended in with the club’s dark walls. Once inside, he swiped a thumb over a silver panel and up we went.
My nerves twist the higher we climb, and the silence between us is…
It’s a mixture of tension and anticipation—mostly from me. The kind that makes me hyper-aware of every breath I take and every inch separating us.
It doesn’t help that he’s been watching me. He hasn’t taken his eyes off me, even when I think he has.
I’ve kept my gaze ahead, fixed on the cool metal of the elevator doors. I’m all sorts of nervous. I’m going to God knows where with a man I just met, and I have no idea what we’ll be doing.
I risk glancing at him, and sure enough, those piercing eyes are fixed on me.
My skin prickles everywhere he isn’t looking, aware of his interest and his proximity. A cocky smile dances on his lips. Like he already knows exactly what I’m thinking.
I expect him to say something, but he continues staring like he’s sizing me up. Then the elevator stops. The doors slide open to a rooftop lounge, the ceiling open to the Manhattan sky.
