Page 65 of Dare To Break

Something churns in my gut, and I squash it down just as her gaze connects with me. I don’t even pretend to hide my disgust. Just last night, she was detailing a fantasy involving a stranger, and now she’s over there sharing sloppy kisses with a fucking jock. It proves, once again, that she is like her mother. A chameleon. Becoming whatever her latest lover wants to ensure she gets what she wants. Judging by the bags at her feet, he’s already throwing money at her.

When Miles distracts her, I pull out the burner from my pocket.

Me: Stop whatever you’re doing, find the nearest restroom and take off your panties. Take them to the bench before dinner and leave them there. Stay bare for the rest of the day. Green or red, Kitten?

I hit send.

“Let’s go and see if I have any packages before the post office shuts.”

“Are you expecting anything? What did you buy?”

“Tools.” I grin at his raised eyebrow and answer his unvoiced question. “Get your mind out of the gutter.”

He shakes his head. “What’s your plan for her?”

“She told us what gets her off. Tonight, we test it.” I wave a hand back toward the cafe she’s sitting in. “I want to see how far she’ll go while her boyfriend is tucked up in bed asleep.”

“I thought the idea was to drive her away.” Kellan keeps pace beside me as I walk along the high street.

“It is.” I ignore the little whisper inside my head, which tells me that there would be far easier ways to scare her away.

“Funny, because she doesn’t seem to be running, Eli.”

“We’re only just getting started.” And I want more of her gasps. I want more of her fear. I want more of … everything.

The delivery lockers are at the back of the post office, and we head straight to them, where I fish out the key from a pocket and unlock it. There’s a neat stack of boxes inside. I take them out and pile Kellan up with them.

“Why am I carrying everything?”

“Because I’m driving.”

“Not right now, you’re not.” He nudges me with his elbow. “What the fuck did you buy? This shit is heavy.”

“Stop whining. Most of it is for my art project. New tools. Some of it … isn’t. I’ll take it from you once I’ve locked up.”

I close the locker and turn the key, then take half of the boxes from Kellan. “Let’s go.”

***

I check the burner once we’re back in our dorm. There’s a one-word reply from Arabella.

Prey: Green.

The response makes me smile. I wonder how she managed to make it work and how she feels, walking around town with no panties on. I couldn’t see from where I stood whether she was wearing pants or a skirt. I guessed pants. She hasn’t worn a skirt since the last time I told her to go bare. I make a mental note to turn it into a regular thing. I like the thought of her being uncovered. I know from her diary she has an exhibitionist streak and I’m sure I can build on it.

“Are you going to show me what you bought?” Kellan distracts me from my thoughts, and I look up.

“I told you. Tools for my art project.”

“And?”

I toss him a box and wait while he tears it open and pulls out a delicate lace bra and panty set. His eyes lift to find mine.

“I’m flattered but dusky pink isn’t my color, and I’m pretty confident these won’t even fit over my thighs.” He holds up the panties, dangling them off one finger.

“I thought you were a commando kind of guy.”

He leans back on his bed and hooks a thumb into the waistband of his sweats so he can pull them forward, and peers down. “You’re right. I am. Easy access and all that.” Dropping the lingerie back into the box, he reaches for another. “What else have you got?”

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