Page 9 of The Dare

Olivia met my eyes and chuckled. “We could always check out the lingerie section,” she suggested, knowing I was a big fan of all things lace and silk.

I was tempted, but I shook my head. “Maybe I can catch up with you guys later,” I suggested. “I need to find my phone today and I’ll be better off if I’m in the house alone. No questions that way.”

My parents would be upset if they knew I had snuck into his room to embarrass him. They didn’t understand why I couldn’t stand my brother.

Olivia and I had looked around Atticus’ room for a while last night, but we never found my phone. I could tell that Olivia was tired, and I was too freaked out to linger for long in the room. But in the light of day, it seemed like something I could handle. Besides, Atticus wasn’t here anymore.

Jenna and Olivia seemed a little put out over my decision not to join them, but they just shrugged and let it go. They understood it was nearly impossible for a twenty-year-old girl to go without her phone for an extended period of time. I promised them I’d text later, once I found it, and meet them in town.

After breakfast, my friends left, and my parents dragged all of my aunts and uncles out to go antiquing. I was alone in the house, and I headed straight for Atticus’ room. In my heart, I knew the phone wasn’t there, but I searched every inch of the room, anyway.

When I didn’t find it, I double-checked the hallway, thinking that I might have actually dropped it on the way back to my bedroom. I was so panicked that anything seemed possible. Of course, it wasn’t there.

The sound of the cabin’s landline phone ringing cut through the disappointment I felt, and I rushed downstairs to answer it. “Hello?”

“Molly.”

How Atticus said that one word sent a shiver down my spine. There was a strange intensity to it.

“Do you have my phone?” I asked, putting some extra sass into my voice to cover up that effect.

“No friendly greeting for your big bro?” He chuckled, and there was something sinister to it.

“Just answer my question.”

“There’s a cabin across the lake from you. It’s the one with a red door. Take one of the cars in the driveway and come over.”

“What are you?—”

There was a click on the line as he hung up. Putting the phone down, I walked to the huge bay window facing the lake. There, on the other side, I saw the small cabin he was talking about. Why was he there?

I hesitated, a sense of foreboding washing over me. Whatever Atticus wanted, I had a feeling it wasn’t nearly as simple as returning my phone. He wouldn’t ask me to come to a strange cabin on the other side of the lake just for that. What would be the point of it? Slightly inconveniencing me?

There had to be something up this sleeve. I didn’t know what he wanted, but I couldn’t deny that I was curious. Atticus was up to something. I could feel it.

So, I swallowed my pride and did as he commanded. Whatever secrets my brother was hiding beneath that nerd exterior, I had a feeling I was about to catch a glimpse of them.

Chapter 8

Atticus

My body was strung tight as I waited for her arrival. I was standing at the front door when I heard the car pull up to my cabin. My cock was already throbbing, and my fingers tingled with the urge to finally touch her the way I’d dreamed about for so long.

I opened the door when I heard her footsteps across the porch. Her fist was raised to knock, and she arched an eyebrow at me, disdain shining in her eyes.

But there was something else there, too. A heat that I’d never seen her send my way. I couldn’t help smirking at the confirmation that she was affected by what she saw last night.

“Come in,” I said, stepping back to let her enter.

She strolled inside with her nose in the air, her haughty attitude on display already, and she hadn’t even said a word yet. She thought she was so superior to me. I just found it amusing. She had no idea what I had in store for her.

“Where’s my phone, Atticus?” she asked, her eyes trailing over every inch of the living room.

I couldn’t tell if she liked the place or not, but I didn’t really care. I didn’t have her come over to give an opinion on the place. “What were you doing in my room last night?” I asked, raising one eyebrow.

She froze for a moment, her eyes not meeting mine. “It was a mistake.”

“A mistake? How is that possible?”

---