Page 60 of Dare To Live

The small blonde he’d been with earlier joins him. I say my goodbyes and slip through the crowd, and into the nearest ladies’ restroom.

I clean up the front of my dress as best I can. Thankfully my dress is black, and the hand-dryer makes quick work of the wet patch. Once I’m done, I start back for the door, only to stop.

I’m waiting for those panties, Kitten.

The restroom is empty, other than me. My heart is hammering against my ribs when I step into one of the stalls, slide the lock into place and press my back against the door.

What am I doing?

I take in a deep breath and close my eyes.

You never even came close to getting closure.

He’s right. I didn’t. But do I want to risk getting hurt because he’s decided he wants to resurrect our old game?

Is the pleasure he’s dangling in front of me worth it?

Should I accept his dare one final time or walk away for good?

Chapter 34

Eli

“Eli.” The voice saying my name is not wholly unexpected, and I turn slowly to face a man who I’d last seen ten years ago, when he turned up at my home to help Arabella pack and leave.

I let my gaze run over him. He looks good, better than he had the last time we were this close to each other. Which is no surprise given I’d lost my best friend and he’d lost his first real love.

It takes me a second to realize he’s holding out a hand. I take it in mine, and we shake. To anyone watching, it must look like we’re strangers. Which, really, we are. We’d never had a chance to become friends, I’m not sure if we ever would have.

“You look well,” Miles says when he releases my hand.

“So do you. What are you doing these days? Still swimming?”

He laughs and shakes his head. “Only for exercise. I’ve tried a few different things, but haven’t really found something I’m passionate about, so for now, I’m just living life and spending my inheritance.”

“I hear you’re engaged to the man behind Iskusstvo.” I name the art gallery Ivan Vasiliev owns. “Never thought you’d end up with someone in the art business.”

He chuckles. “I didn’t know who he was until I introduced him to Bella. We met in his gallery, but I thought he just worked there. I’m surprised to see you here. She said you live out at the cabin.”

“I was in town for a show last night, and Gabe invited me to attend while I was here … and talked me out of some pieces so he can sell them.”

“You know Gabe Mercer?”

“We met a few years ago.” I glance over at the man in question, who has his arm wrapped around his fiancée’s waist as they chat with a group of businessmen. “I did the artwork for one of Forgotten Legacy’s album covers and the band insisted on meeting me. We hit it off and kept in touch.”

I feel the vibration of my cell in my pocket, telling me I have a message. “Excuse me for a second. I need to check this.” Pulling it out, I swipe open the notification.

Arabella: Why?

Me: Why what?

Arabella: You know what. You fucked me like you really hated me!

My lips twitch.

Me: Isn’t that what you asked me to do?

Three dots pop up, disappear, pop up again, then disappear. I slip my cell back into my pocket.

---