Page 45 of Pretty Little Threats

“I’m waiting for a good reason,” Dare drawls. Whether he realizes it or not, Dare’s timing has pulled me out of my head before the thoughts get too heavy more than once.

“Because,” I begin again, glancing at the minimalistic calendar hanging on the fridge. “It’s a full moon. Bad luck.”

He grins and it’s beautiful and I hate him even more for it. “Here I thought witches liked that.”

Asshole. “One of these days, I’m going to find a way to hurt you.”

His expression darkens. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep,wife.”

The way he says that word does something strange to my insides. It’s possessive. Dangerous. Domineering. And instead of it making my insides curdle, they warm. Head to toe, my body tingles with the unspoken promises of what it would mean to be married to him.

If we were different people, marrying someone like him would provide safety.

But our families hate one another.

“Let’s get it over with,” I finally say, taking a step away. The sooner the ceremony is over, the sooner I can find a way to destroy him.

“Absolutely not,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest and glaring at Dare.

Hispresentlies spread across his bed. A slinky white thong and matching bra. An obnoxiously short cocktail dress. Pretty three-inch silver heels that lace up. And a soft white veil. Dare is perched on the edge of the bed, mirth dancing in his eyes as he takes in my reaction.

“They’re your size.”

I scoff. “Like that makes it better. How do you even know my size?”

That was the wrong thing to say. His gaze lazily tracksover my body, shimmering with appreciation, and heat shoots through me in response. I work out, sure, but I also eat cookies and enjoy bread with my pasta. My body is curvy, my hips and ass full, tits a generous C-cup. Though my stomach and thighs are more soft than hard, that doesn’t seem to bother him.

By the time his eyes meet mine again, there’s a strange sort of hunger in the depths of his irises. One that I recognize. We may hate each other, but there’s no denying our attraction. There’s no ignoring the tension sizzling between us. We’re set on a collision course, and my will is all that will stop it from happening.

“Put it on,” he demands.

“Fuck you.”

His responding chuckle makes my pussy clench. “We have to say ‘I do,’ first.”

“You’re delusional if you think either of those things are happening.” And even as I say it, I know it’s a lie. The longer I’m around him, the more I wonder what it would be like to let him ravage me. Which is a major problem. I should be repulsed by him.

“We’re going to be late, and if we miss our appointment, I’ll be dropping you off at the police station instead.”

Any attraction I felt dies as his threat lands against my chest, a solid impact that has me stepping back. “Fine. Get out.”

I expect him to tell me no, to force me to change in front of him, but he pushes off the bed and stalks past me, pausing long enough to trace his finger down my arm. Gooseflesh chases his touch, my skin desperate for more.

“Don’t try anything stupid,” he warns.

Stupid, like stabbing you in the eye with my heel?

“Out. Now,” I demand.

He leaves, and I swear I can hear him laughing inside his head, enjoying my irritation. I have to stop giving him the satisfaction. There’s something about him that brings out the worst in me. I can’t control myself like I should. I feed into the bickering. That stops now.

Glaring down at the bed, I study the outfit. The dress is by my favorite designer, and while it’s short, it’s in a style that will flatter my form. Strapless and tight, with ruched fabric on one side that shoots out like sunbursts at the hips and breast. The thong and bra are...also cute, but I’m not wearing those.

A knock sounds at the door.

I scowl at it and mutterassholeunder my breath before stripping, leaving my black thong on. The dress has built-in cups, which means there’s no reason to use the bra Dare bought for me. Silky as it glides over my skin, the dress molds to my body, a perfect fit that sours my mood.

This would be easier if he had picked out something ugly.

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