Page 10 of Beards and Holly

“Fine, dare,” I whisper, leaning in despite myself. I’ve repeatedly told myself to stay away from this man, and yet, at the moment, all I can think about is him kissing me. We’re so close I can smell the light smell of beer on his breath along with a bit of mint. Did he use my mouthwash? Is he going to kiss me? My mind reels as his smile turns wicked.

Tension rises in the dim light of my living room, and heat radiates between us. I wonder if he feels it, too.

“I dare you to get naked,” he says, with glee in his eyes.

My eyes widen in shock.

“And streak around your house.”

Okay, that’s not as bad or maybe as good as I thought it was going to be. Did I want him to say something else? No, hooking up with my neighbor would be a terrible idea.

“Admit I win, and you don’t have to do it,” he says, arrogance in his tone, grating my nerves and giving me the courage to stand.

Without a word, I strip on my way to the front door, tossing my sweater at him before I duck out. The look of utter shock and pure lust in his eyes makes this all worth it.

Outside, the cool air bites at my skin, but the late night hides my naked body in the shadows. A thrill zips up my spine, and I realize I haven’t done anything this daring since my teen years.

Once upon a time, I was exciting. I did crazy things like this all the time.Where did I lose myself?I wonder as I make my lap around the front porch. This part is the riskiest, but spotting Jenson in staring in shock and admiration at me through my window makes it all worth it.

Bursting through my door, I casually grab my clothes. I won’t shy away from his eyes, though anxiety threatens me.Truth be told, I want him to see me. Something about tonight is making me feel like a different person. It’s reckless maybe, but it feels so damn good. So unlike the person I’ve been the last few years.

“Now, if the cops show up and take me in for that, your ass is bailing me out,” I tease, still catching my breath.

Jenson just stands there, staring.

“What?” I ask, slipping on my sweater then wiggling into my pants, leaving my thong on the floor to grab later.

“I just never thought you’d do that. I think I’ve misjudged you,” he admits, a dumb look on his face.

“What kind of girl do you think I am?”

“A goodie good girl,” he says.

“Oh, I’m a very good girl, Jenson. Just not a perfect girl.” I step closer invading his space where he sits on the couch, stopping just before his open legs.

A fire burns in his eyes, and his jaw clenches. Is he nervous?

“Truth or dare?” I ask, looking down at him.

“Truth,” he says, but there’sdarein his dark eyes.

“Do you want to kiss me?”

“Fuck, yes, but it’s against the rules,” he mutters with no hesitation and more than a little disappointment.

He’s right. I’m the one who said no faking kissing in the fake dating agreement.

“Truth or dare, Holly?”

“Truth.”

“Do you want to more than kiss me? No strings attached, just one night of fun and nothing more?”

I’m no stranger to a one-night stand, but I have to pretend to be his girlfriend in front of his family, knowing he doesn’t want more. Can I handle that? He’s my neighbor, and I’ll have to see him again. Fire like I’ve never felt burns low at my center, and I know even if this doesn’t work out the night together wouldbe more thrilling than racing outside naked. Just imaging the things this giant, bearded man could do to me has me nodding yes to something I never thought I would do.

“Say it,” he orders, and that familiar thrill of excitement runs up my spine.

“I dare you to take me, Jenson.”

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