Page 76 of Darkness Defined

“Thank you,” he said, clinking his bottle against mine. “I believe you are up for a dare.”

I groaned. “Please have mercy.”

“I don’t know. You look pretty hungry.”

I cocked my head to the side, dubious about where this might be heading.

“Go into the kitchen and pick whatever snack you want.”

If feeding myself was the dare, then I wasn’t going to complain. I vacated the couch, grabbed a bag of crisps from the cupboard, then plopped back down.

“Now, open it without your hands or feet.”

I gaped at him. “How am I supposed to do that?”

“I don’t know, it’s your dare. Get creative.”

I thought about it a moment and then tried to use my teeth, but the damn thing wouldn’t hold still.

“Ah-ah. No hands.”

“Curse you, Matt. I actually am really hungry.” In a stroke of inspiration, I dropped the bag and caught it with my arm, then used the air already in the bag to force it open. The bag made a loud pop and crisps went everywhere.

Matt fell off of the couch he was laughing so hard.

“Shut up,” I said through my own laughter. “Go get me another bag while I clean up this mess.”

He returned with a couple as well as a few other snack items, which were a little more substantial. “I believe I’m up, and since you hijacked my last one, I’m going with dare.”

“Alright, Mr. Daredevil, I dare you to do a body shot,” I challenged, waving the half full bag of broken crisps.

He looked genuinely surprised. “Did you really just… Okay.” He walked to the kitchen then returned with the salt shaker and some limes I didn’t know we had. “Lift your shirt.”

I clutched the bag to my chest. “What? Why?”

“So, I can do the body shot.”

“Yeah, so? What do I need to lift my shirt for?” He reached out to lift it for me and I forced it back down. “Cut it out.”

He gave me a scornful look. “You can’t dare me to do something and then refuse to let me do it.” He pointed at me. “That’s cheating.”

I dusted crumbs off, glad I hadn’t sat back down yet. “I still don’t see what my shirt has to do with this.”

He stopped trying to move the article and looked back at me. “You have no idea what a body shot is, do you?”

I shifted uncomfortably. “No.”

He shook his head, laughing to himself. “Well, you’re about to learn. Quit being such a prude.”

Stunned, I stopped holding the fabric down and let him lift the shirt to reveal my stomach.

“Damn,” he whistled. “This just isn’t even right. I mean, come on.” His hand glided warmly over my exposed skin, and I flushed from head to toe.

“Matt,” I tried to admonish, though I sounded more strangled than anything.

“I’m sorry, but it’s not fair. Some of us have to actually try if we want to look like this.” His finger traced along my abdomen while my breathing devolved into shaky panting.

“You look fine, Matt.”