Page 46 of One Wealthy Wedding

As he puts me down, he says, “Believe it or not, you just discovered the key to winning.”

And apparently, I have, because Theo’s face gets darker and darker with every shot. We’re down to a single cup on his side, and two on ours.

“You got this,” Cole encourages.

I get in position, ready to throw, and then I make the mistake of looking at Theo. His eyes are hot on me, and his lips are parted. He sees me staring, and his mouth hitches up at the side. Flutters start low in my stomach.

“I dare you,” he mouths, a secret phrase only I’ll understand. Win, and get him to stop the nonsense so I can keep studying. Lose, and give him two dares of his choosing. His dares always were the best, even if they caused me no end of trouble. Even if I went without dinner every time I got into a scrape with Theo. It was worth it for the joy on his face, the whoops of pleasure when he did something bad and exhilarating.

I want to live. I want to be more like Theo and less like me.

He pulls his lower lip between his teeth. My stomach flips. And I miss.

Miles sinks two shots in a row, and he and Theo high-five.

“Idiots,” Cole mutters. I notice he hasn’t had anything to drink. The beers on his side are full still.

“Idiots.” I grin up at him. “It was fun, though, right? I don’t have beer pong on my list, but I’m totally going to add it and cross it out.”

“Your list?” His brow furrows. “What list?”

“I have a ‘get out of my shell’ list. It’s full of dumb, fun stuff I want to do. I was pretty sheltered by my parents. They didn’t want me to do stuff like this.” I shrug, and Cole looks stricken for a second. He glances at his brother and frowns.

“Does he know?”

“No. I haven’t told him.”

“Why not?”

I sigh. “He already thinks the worst of me, and he hates them. I don’t want him to know about what they did.”

I’ll do anything to protect Theo from the truth of our childhoods.

“Are you sure?” Cole’s eyes are shadowed with uncertainty. He’s a good man. Kind, upstanding, a little serious and grumpy, but a heart of gold. I give his arm a squeeze.

“Don’t worry about me. I’m making my own way. I have to go back to studying.” I give him a hug and turn for the door.

“Catherine,” Theo calls. I sigh, paste on a smile, and turn.

“Yes, sweetheart?”

He’s right in front of me, eyes laughing. “Where’s my dare?”

“What do you want?” My pulse thuds uncomfortably. Theo is unpredictable. Fun, but wild.

His tongue does a slow sweep of his bottom lip as he considers me. Grant’s voice comes from behind me, and Theo’s eyes narrow briefly. “I want to sell this,” he says. “Come here.” He reaches for my hand, and I let him clasp it in his warm palm. He tugs me toward him, looking deadly serious and unbearably handsome.

I’m flushed and anxious at the thought of whatever Theo will want me to do. It’ll be awful, I’m sure. He bends. I tense. He raises my hand.

“What are you do—”

Theo’s lips meet my palm. The breath flees my lungs at the press of his mouth, the way his lips move gently over my skin. They’re warm and soft, but seeking and confident. He holds my gaze as his lips move to my wrist, as his tongue flicks over my skin. His breath is warm and damp. I take a shaky breath.

This is how Theo would kiss.

Utterly focused.

Consuming me.

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