Page 27 of Dare (Fighting Fate)

Now that actually sounded perfect.

“Here,” Amber said, passing me another bottle of vodka. Her gaze narrowed as she studied me. She looked exactly like an elementary school teacher giving their student a warning. “Do not put it down until it’s empty. Got it?”

With one side of my mouth curling up with amusement, I gave her a little nod. “Yes, Mom.”

She rolled her eyes playfully before turning on her heel to follow the others outside. Following her, I put on a goofy smile, determined to enjoy the rest of my night.

I loved the Murphys property. It was just amazing. The space they had was perfect, and the way they’d landscaped it always left me feeling inspired. Even though there were bodies standing around everywhere, it was still gorgeous.

Walking down the back stairs on their split-level deck, I took in the incredible fire pit Luke and Eli had built this fall. The pit itself was stunning, but I loved the built-in, cushioned benches that surrounded it the most. And with the rows of old oaks with dozens of lights strung to their branches, it always looked like some dreamy scene from the movies.

As everyone squeezed into a spot around the fire, I looked around. All the seats were taken, but there were also people sitting on cushions at their feet. Amber stopped beside me and motioned toward the Murphys’ man cave. “Noah said there are more cushions in the cave. Do you want to claim a spot, and I’ll go grab a couple?”

I glanced at the gravel-covered ground and gawked at her. “I’m good. You wait here and I’ll go.”

I heard her laugh as I walked off, but as I glanced over my shoulder, she was already squeezing her butt onto the edge of Isaac’s cushion, mischief in her smile.

Slipping in through the door to the man cave, I squinted, trying to get my eyes to adjust to the dim light. Spying the stack of cushions over by the far wall, I weaved my way through the obstacle course, stepping over weight benches, motorcycle parts, and tools.

Putting my drink down on the workbench, I grinned. Take that, Amber. Then I picked up a cushion and tried to dust it off as best I could. They weren’t the cleanest of cushions, but I’d still take it over sitting on gravel. I was just glad I’d decided against wearing my white jeans like I’d originally planned.

I’d just about finished with it, when the sound of the fridge opening had me turning. As the interior light from the fridge illuminated the newcomer, my body immediately stilled.

Crap.

My first instinct was to remain as still as possible and hope he wouldn’t see me before he left again, but fate wasn’t on my side. The cushion I’d just put down obviously didn’t like where I’d put it and listed to the side, knocking a can of lubricant over.

Eli spun, his gaze pinning me with surprise. “Jess?” he asked, his voice so warm and freaking arousing. Damn him and his whole freaking family with their ridiculous sex appeal.

“Hi, Eli,” I said, happy I didn’t actually sound like a lunatic standing in the dark.

“What are you doing?”

As his words slowly sank into my brain and made themselves clear, I realized I must’ve looked super weird, lurking in the dark corners of his man cave. Holding up the tattletale cushion responsible for my current predicament, I gave it a little shake. “Trying to find a cushion that won’t make me look like I just finished an oil change on one of your motorcycles.”

He grinned before grabbing a beer from the fridge and closing the door. I’d hoped he would just excuse himself and go back to the party, but I should’ve known he was too nice for that. As he slowly moved closer, my pulse skipped and sped, sending shivers to every one of my nerve endings.

“How have you been?” he asked, letting me know exactly what he meant by the dark, intense look in his eye.

I swallowed, forcing my head to consider his question seriously. “I’ve been okay. I’m mostly just angry now,” I said.

His head cocked to the side a little. “Why angry?”

Drawing in a slow breath, I let my teeth rub over my lower lip. “Because regardless of who slipped what into my drink and for whatever reason, Wyatt should’ve known I wasn’t myself. He should’ve been able to see that two drinks wouldn’t do that to me. But he still just chose to leave me there and go to the gym like it was nothing. That pisses me off.”

Eli nodded his agreement, watching me with those damned irresistible eyes. It made it hard for me to concentrate on what I was trying to say. Of course, the alcohol may have had something to do with that as well.

“Don’t you think,” I continued as he drew closer, my voice losing the majority of its venom in his presence, “if he really cared about me like he said he did, he would’ve at least stayed with me to make sure I was okay?” I said, shaking my head. Sympathy crept over his features, making me sigh with disappointment. “It was all just bullshit.”

He stared down at me, his long, dark lashes framing the intensity burning in the depths of his eyes. It was plain idiocy for me to think I could fight the attraction I had for him, especially while I was already so intoxicated. My breath shook as I gazed up at him, my heart thumping wildly against my chest. All I could think about was that stupid dare.

His mouth was so tempting, his lips so incredibly soft looking. I wanted to know what they’d feel like against my own. I wanted to know what his kisses were like. Would he be the type who took his time, trying to taste every little part of me, or was he the kind who became too overwhelmed with hunger and needed to devour me with barely a hold on his control?

Shivers broke over my skin, causing my body to tremble. Holy crap, I wanted him. That dream had seriously ruined me. Amber’s dare wasn’t looking so impossible right about now.

“Jess,” he said, his voice low and slightly growly.

I leaned forward, my head tilting back and my lips parting with need. Visions from my dream swam in the depths of my mind, driving my need for him higher with every breath. Tension coiled my muscles, pressing me, pushing me forward, taking me over until I was straining upward, gravitating closer and closer.

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