Page 89 of A Drop of Anguish
“Yep.”
I guess I see what he means about it being on my terms. I don’t have to do something ridiculous, like give Jarron a lap dance or a strip tease or bite his neck. I can do whatever I choose—as long as it’s something believable.
Realizing that my gaze has already given me away, I blink back to the group.Shit.Okay, it’s not that bad, but also, it’s really bad. I now have to get up, walk into the party while everyone watches, and… do something to Jarron.
There are several somethings I’ve thought about during the last few hours. But this dare is part truth. No one will know for sure if my action is what I’ve been thinking about.
I could serve him a drink. Sit at his feet and begin a conversation. Run my hands through his hair and then walk away. Will any of those things appease my audience? I’m not sure.
I stand, and several of the Elite around me chuckle. I meet Samantha’s stare. Her glare tells me she’s waiting for me to fail. Waiting for me to do something to prove her right when Jarron pushes me to the side the way he has every other girl that’s come on to him tonight.
That’s the moment I decide.
I’m not near bold enough to do something extreme, but I sure as hell have a point to prove, so I’m not going to take the easy way out.
My head pulses, vision moving in and out of focus as I approach the demon prince. He meets my stare with a confused frown and a flexed jaw I’m not supposed to find sexy. My chest rises dramatically with each step toward him.
Part of me wants to straddle him, press my whole body against him. Part of me wants to kiss him and taste the forbidden fruit. But I’m not bold enough for that, or perhaps not drunk enough. But still, determination swells in my chest, eager to prove my worth.
I know Jarron wants me. And I want him.
Right now, I’m determined to prove it while everyone watches.
He doesn’t move. Once his eyes meet mine, they do not budge, not for one second. He doesn’t examine the crowd piling into the room behind me, eager to watch the show. He doesn’t move to anticipate me.
Jarron remains utterly still as I walk right up to him and then slide onto his lap.
35
I Dare You
Maybe it’s the release of inhibitions from the mollifying potion, the determination to prove myself, or fear of what might happen if I lose the game, but somehow, I find myself settling down on Jarron Blackthorn’s lap in the middle of a party.
Jarron is frozen in place for exactly three seconds, which doesn’t sound that long but feels like an eternity. Finally, his muscles relax ever so slightly, and his hands slip over my thighs, tucking me in tighter against him.
It’s not an overly sexy position, my legs are simply hanging over his thighs, my back partially against the armrest, partially against his side.
He leans in slightly, his nose grazing the hair at my neck. “What are you doing, Candice?”
I shiver at the gravel in his tone.
My throat sticks for a moment, and despite the mollifying potion, anxiety begins pooling in my chest. I try my best to swallow it down. I’ve technically completed my dare. I could hop up and run away like a coward now.
But my blood heats, overcoming the anxiety. I find I don’t want to move.
Jarron leans back and brushes my hair over my shoulder to examine me. I still give no answer, mostly because I’m not sure I could make my lips work currently. Apparently, he finds no answer on my face or body language because he then turns to the audience crowding the open door from the balcony.
“What was the dare?” Jarron asks, his voice low.
Now, everyone in the room is watching.Great. Perfect, exactly what I was hoping for.
Thompson grins. “I dared her to do the thing she kept thinking about but was too afraid to do.”
Jarron’s fingers tighten over my thigh, and I swear I can feel his heart racing.
Dammit, I really like that.
His attention turns back to me. “Interesting,” he murmurs against my shoulder. But then, he relaxes against the chair, expression back to that lazy arrogance that I don’t dare admit does things to me.
