Page 10 of Dare You to Love Me

“Stell?”

My eyes pop open as I stare up at the ceiling rather than at him. “Yeah?”

“You’re not going to see that bozo again, are you?”

I snort out a laugh. It’s enough to break the sexual tension, which is a welcome relief.

“No. I’ve already deleted him. In fact, I’ll be deleting the app altogether.”

“Good. You deserve way better.” His tone dips. “I hope you realize that.”

My heart softens as I roll toward him. I’m just able to make out his handsome features in the darkness. It’s only then that I realize his eyes are already locked on me.

“Thanks.”

He scoots closer until I’m able to feel the heat of his practically naked body. Air gets wedged at the back of my throat as he balances on his elbow and hovers over me.

His steady gaze sifts through mine in the darkness. “I’m serious, Stella. You deserve a man who’s going to make you his first priority.”

My heartbeat stutters.

Almost as if in slow motion, his face looms closer until his lips can drift over mine. Unlike earlier, I open immediately so that the velvety softness of his tongue can invade my mouth.

There’s nothing rushed or frenzied about how the caress unfolds. I don’t realize until the heat of his skin nearly singes my palms that they’ve settled against his chest. The hard slabs of muscle tighten beneath my fingers. It’s so tempting to let them wander.

The kiss seems to stretch forever. He angles his head one way and then another. That’s all it takes for me to lose track of both time and space. When Riggs finally pulls away, I realize we’re both breathing hard.

That’s the moment reality crashes over me. It’s like a bucket of frigid water dumped over my head. I mutter a quick goodnight before rolling away onto my side. My muscles fill with tension as I silently wonder where our friendship goes from here.

Maybe I should broach the subject…

I don’t know.

I don’t know anything anymore.

It feels like our entire relationship is careening out of control.

It’s almost a relief when his breathing turns deep and even.

That kiss…

I clench my thighs together, attempting to stymie the arousal that has once again flared to life deep in my core.

The only thing I know for certain is that tonight is going to be a long night.

RIGGS

I’m not sure what rouses me from a deep sleep.

A noise?

A shift of the mattress?

My eyelids flutter open as I attempt to find my bearings.

For a handful of seconds, I lie perfectly still and listen to the sounds that fill the room. My ears strain in the darkness, but there’s nothing. Maybe it was my imagination all along.

Just as I’m about to drift off again, there’s another faint noise.

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