Page 71 of If You Dare

While not totally true, I have managed to compartmentalize enough to bury Mom’s disappointment deep enough that I sometimes forget about it altogether. Forget that this time last year, she was calling or texting every day to make sure I was still alive and to tell me all about our neighbor’s latest antics or—when she and Mrs. Novak met—about the funny memes and gifs they’d sent each other that day or the hilarious stories they shared while wine-drunk.

Aneesa squeezes my shoulder, forcing me to meet her wide, deep brown gaze. “Just promise me you won’t go to that party tonight.”

My heart skips with the lie forming on my tongue. “Fine. I have a lot of studying to do anyway.”

“I’m glad.” She nods her approval. “Nothing good can come from you being around Wes Novak.”

* * *

I’mstiff in Aneesa’s black dress. She let me wear it to the last party, so I’m sure she won’t mind if I borrow it again. Especially if I wash it and she never finds out.

A slow-moving line blocks my way into the frat house. A few of the Devils are passing out red plastic cups.

As soon as I spot their jerseys, I want to run in the opposite direction, but my desire to see Wes wins out. I’m aching to watch his eyes light up when he notices me in this dress.

Once I get further up the line, Trey’s predatory gaze lands on me.

I balk. He flashes his notorious devilish grin before holding out a red plastic cup to me. Like he didn’t have me pinned up against a bathroom wall yesterday, slicing into me. Those wounds still fresh and tender beneath my dress.

His palm snakes around my shoulder, fingers digging in just deep enough to inflict pain. “Back for more, pretty girl?”

Wes’s words ring in my ears.Fight back. For a wild second, I imagine throwing my drink in Trey’s face.

But then I picture the rage that would contort his features, and I clutch my drink in both hands. I square my shoulders. “I’m not here for you.”

I shake off his touch and keep my head high as I stride away, even as nausea roils in my gut and I brace myself for him to attack me from behind. Maybe hold that knife against my throat this time. I don’t dare glance over my shoulder, but his assault never comes as I disappear into the crowd of warm, gyrating bodies.

Maybe the Devils really are listening to Wes’s order to leave me alone. Relief flows through me, relaxing the tight muscles in my shoulders.

In the massive dining room, I manage to get some space to catch my breath. The place smells like old coffee and burnt toast. I sip at my beer, nerves pestering me.

“You came.”

I spin, drink sloshing dangerously close to the brim as Wes approaches through the dimly lit room. “You told me to.”

He’s already closed the distance between us, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “I love when you do as you’re told.”

I want to ask if I’m forgiven. If he’s been touching me and kissing me and making me come because he still wants me just as much as I want him.

Despite everything we’ve done to each other. Despite all the damage and hurt we’ve caused. Neither of us has been able to shake those feelings away. To withstand that magnetic pull toward each other.

But I’m still too scared to ask, because I’m terrified to know the answer.

“Why did you invite me here?”

A mischievous grin spreads across his gorgeous face. “To make you wear that dress for me.”

His eyes eat me up before he presses my body against him and squeezes my ass. His hot breath envelops my ear. “You want to come on my cock tonight?”

I take another long gulp from my cup. The liquid courage helps me nod, form the breathy words of my assent. “Yeah. I do.”

“Beg me,” he growls low in my ear, his husky scent wrapping around me in a delicious embrace.

I let out a shaky breath. “Please, Wes.”

“Please what?”

“Please...fuck me.”

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