Page 74 of The Fallen Ones

His grin widened. “You’re right. OK. You want to play the long game. I’m in. Next Friday night. I’ll pick you up at your place. Dinner. Movie. Standard date stuff.”

“If it goes well, I’ll consider the upstairs.”

He chuckled. “I like your fire, Lily. I’m agreeable.”

I smiled at that. I liked he wasn’t so pushy and still showed me how much he wanted me. Maybe that’s what I needed.

The song ended, giving way to a faster one. I pulled away from Brandon, but he tugged me back and pressed his lips to mine. It was surprising, but I didn’t hate it nor did I try to stop it. I let him kiss me and parted my lips for him. He deepened the kiss until we were both panting before he pulled away.

“Friday,” he said, releasing me. “I’ll text you.”

I nodded dumbly as he winked at me and walked off to join a few of his elite friends who all cast quick looks at me, varying looks of cockiness on their faces.

“Girl, looks like it’s going well with Brandon,” Olivia said as I walked back to her sitting on Cam’s lap outside on the patio. He was engaged in conversation with a few other guys and I nodded.

“It is. We’re going out Friday.”

“Wow. I’m happy for you.” She grinned at me. “You need this. And Jace seems like he’s doing OK too. This is a good thing.” She slid off Cam’s lap and came to me. “You don’t look happy. What’s up?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. Should I even go on dates all things considering? I mean, I broke it off with Jace because he wanted sex and a relationship and now here I am, basically doing that with someone else.”

Olivia sighed. “Maybe Jace was coming on too strong. You said he could get pushy sometimes.”

I nodded glumly. “It just seems dumb to me to be doing this. Like, I want to go out and have fun, but maybe I’m not equipped for all this.”

“Girl, trust me. You’re equipped.” She chuckled. “I say do whatever makes you happy. If a date with Brandon is it, then go for it. I would just be careful.”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Brandon does have a reputation of being with a lot of women.”

“So did Jace.”

She shrugged. “Valid point. You’ll know when it’s right, so just go with it. It could be a lot of fun. Keep that in your mind. You’re just having fun. You can date and have sex and not be in a relationship. Friends with benefits exist, you know.”

My mind immediately went to Caleb. Quickly, I shoved the idea away.

“I don’t know. I just…” I sighed again, so unsure of myself. One moment I was all for things and the next I was struggling. It was like the night with the masked trio. It had taken them basically forcing it on me for me to relent and relax.

I wanted that again.

“You just what?” Olivia studied me. Her eyes light up as comprehension dawned on her. “You’re hooked. It’s those three guys from Satan’s Hollow, isn’t it?”

I winced as she said the words.

“It is!” She gripped my hand. “I can ask around. Maybe someone knows who they are. Then you can continue it if they’re into it.”

“Maybe,” I murmured.

“You dirty bitch.” She let out a loud laugh. “I love you. I’m going to make it my mission to find out who these guys were. Christmas is coming. It’s going to be my gift to you.”

I chuckled at that, something inside me really hoping she could come through on it.

“Have drink. Or five. Dance. Let’s have some fun tonight. Forget about all the dicks out there and just roll with it. Can you do that?”

I nodded and gave her a shaky smile.

“Good. And while you’re doing that, I’ll ask Cam if he knows anything. If I find something out, I’ll come straight to you.” She reached over and grabbed a drink out of the cooler next to us and handed it to me. “Drink. It’s time to have some fun.”

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