Page 28 of Dare You to Run
My heart skids to a stop and saysexcuse me.These two are betting with my chips and I’m not much of a fan.
“Um, shouldn’t I be the one offering that? And since I’m not playing, maybe you should bet with your own money. Or in this case, your own kisses.”
“C’mon sweetheart. It’s just for fun. A quick kiss on the lips for the winner. No tongue. Nothing more.” Danté’s brows move up and down and Hendrix keeps his eyes focused on the darts in his hand.
It’s a silly kiss, I know, but I’m worried that if Danté wins, he’ll want more than I’m willing to give. And if Hendrix wins, I’m worried I’ll want to give him more than he wants. My mind battles my will. My eyes move between the two and I chew on the inside of my cheek.
“What’s goin’ on over here?” Kinsley and Malik finally join us and it gives me a little more courage to have another woman by my side.
“Henny and I are going to throw darts, and we’re trying to get sweet Dagen to kiss the winner.”
“Youare trying to get Dagen to give the winner a kiss,” Hendrix corrects.
Kinsley looks at me with a sparkle in her eyes. “Aw shucks. A little kiss. You can do that Dagen. I’ll make sure these boys keep their hands to themselves.”
She winks at me then rolls her eyes in Hendrix’s direction like she’s trying to tell me something, but I haven’t known her long enough and I’m in the early stages of learning to speak Kinsley.
An arm is thrown over my shoulders and I see Malik’s tattooed hand. “You mongrels are scaring our new friend away. Back off,” he tells them.
I jokingly punch his stomach and tell him, “You’re just saying that because you want suite tickets to the Wranglers game.”
He beams with a wide mouth and bright teeth and shrugs. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.”
The four of them stand around, all looking at me and waiting for my answer. Danté looks devious, Malik is far too jovial, Kinsley looks playful, and Hendrix has what looks like a hint of hope in his eyes.
“Fine,” I finally concede. “A small, no tongue kiss for the winner.”
Danté, Malik and Kinsley all cheer in their own way, and Hendrix stays looking at me, emotionless. I don’t really know what to take from that, but I guess we’ll see.
The guys are in game four of five and each has one dart left to throw. Danté won the first game with Hendrix winning games two and three. Now Danté leads and I anticipate this going one more round.
We’ve been laughing and hollering with each point, and it’s drawn more attention. Now what was a game between five people is a spectator sport with at least ten others watching.
Danté steps up to the line and closes one eye, trying to focus on the bullseye. He aims and releases. The dart zips through the air and lands with a thunk on the triple ring in the ten spot.
“That’s thirty, chump. I don’t think you’ll beat that. Dagen, sweetheart, I think you better get your chapstick ready.” Danté picks up a shot glass that was placed on the table and throws it back.
I definitely won’t be riding in the car with him driving.
Hendrix’s fingers swipe the corners of his mouth as he stares at the board. He rolls his last dart in his hand and moves silently to the exact spot where Danté just stood. His head dips and he looks at his feet, one angled behind the other, then brings his eyes and his hand to face the board.
He blinks a couple of times then inhales deeply. A large gush of air expels from his mouth and he throws the small dart. I watch as it spirals its way to the board and sticks perfectly in the bullseye.
People around us shout and Kinsley jumps up, giving Hendrix a high five.
“That’s fifty, D. Looks like I beat you.” He walks over to where I sit at the table and comes to a stop. “Time for me to collect my prize.”
He places his hands on my thighs and instantly I’m wet. Swallowing down what feels like a boulder coated in sand, I nod my head and lick my lips. Carefully and somewhat guarded, I lean in, my eyes wide with the nerves that wrack my body. Gradually I move closer and closer until I feel his warm breath mingle with mine.
“Don’t be afraid, little mouse. I won’t bite,” Hendrix whispers for only me to hear.
With every bit of courage, I press my lips to his and immediately know it was a bad idea.
His lips are soft and pillowy and I would love to open my mouth and taste his tongue. Without my permission, a moan works its way out causing Hendrix to lick my lip, breaking the rule of a small kiss only set by me, nonetheless.
Fuck the rules.
I part my lips and invite him in. He wastes no time and quickly wraps his tongue with mine. I feel his hand come to rest on the back of my head and hold me tight to him. I spread my legs allowing him to stand between them, then hang my hands on his shoulders.
