Page 69 of Wild Stars

To stay or go.

Dare settles his hand onmyhip.

I know I should push him away, but his touch is warm, and the air around us is cold.

His fire is addicting.

Like a wildfire spreading

Tearing down the forest of my heart

Destruction giving way to freedom

You are my wild star

“I know you’re scared,” he whispers, his pink tongue darting out to trace over his lips, and my entire body freezes at his words.

He tugs my hips gently, pulling me toward him, and I foolishly let him.

“I am not—” My voice betrays me as it shakes.

“But I need you to know something,” he says softly.

Involuntarily, I lean into his space, seeking more of his warmth.Seeking the silky, smooth lips that silence everything else when they take control of mine.

“What’s that?”I ask, my voice barely a whisper.I feel like I am on the edge of a cliff.

He smiles, and the sight is full of mischief.“Stay, and maybe you’ll find out.”

Little shit.

He shifts his weight, tossing some dark hair behind his shoulder.

“Besides, it’s late, and my townhouse is a lot closer to the studio than your place is.”

He isn’t entirely wrong, and I can’t argue with him about the logistics.

I look up at his townhouse, which looks so much smaller than anywhere I’ve been in the last twenty years.

It’s a far cry from the woods, from the somewhat secluded property where Hailee and I reside.

“And you know no one else is home, and if I’m alone, well, something bad could happen.”He grins.“You wouldn’t want anythingbadto happen to me, would you Matty?”he teases, his voice full of mischief and darkness.

Perhaps, it is because I have lost my marbles, or perhaps, it is because being around Dare makes me feel like I’m young again.Perhaps, the kid is rubbing off on me, infecting me with his sweet brand of chaos.

“Of course not,” I say definitively.I look back to my driver, waving him off.

Dare opens the door, waving me in.

“After you, Batman.”

When the door closes, it’s like a switch inside me has been flipped.I take his face in my hands once more and I kiss him.Dare falters, falling back against the wall and bringing me with him.The sigh that leaves his throat sends a shiver racing through my spine.

His body softens under my weight as his lips move slowly against mine.

I bite at his lower lip, wanting to feel the in between.

His flesh between my teeth.

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