Page 22 of Dare You to See Me
“So? Is there a rule that you can’t date a parent?”
“I mean yeah, kinda. There isn’t a rule clearly stating that, but it’s pretty frowned upon. It’s unethical and a conflict of interest in a student’s academic career,” I explain.
He nods slowly, looking out across the bar and smirks. “But you spent the entire day with her and her kid at the beach and that’s okay?”
“We just ran into each other. It’s not like we planned a date.” As far as he knows.
“So if you were to see her again, purely coincidental, and hang out, it would be okay?”
“Yeah. I don’t see why not.” I furrow my brow, confused as to where this hypothetical is going.
His devilish grin brings nothing but worry when it appears. It very rarely means anything good. “Cool.” His lips wrapped around the mouth of his beer bottle and the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
I see his eyes focused on something behind me, and slowly turn to find out what, or who, has pulled his attention. I scan the faces of patrons and then spot her. My obsession.
Soleil.
She stands with her friend from Saturday, Kyle, and smiles as they walk to the bar. My eyes track her every step and I lick my lips. She wears a top that clings to her body, showing off her petite frame, and jeans that make her legs appear a mile long. Her hair looks like ebony waves that sit just below her shoulders, and her glossy lips look juicy and kissable.
“You gonna let her pay for those drinks?” I swing my head to Danté and he dips his chin while pointing his eyes in their direction.
I throw back the last dredges of my beer and stand from our usual booth seated in the back of the bar. It’s early Friday night and things are just starting to heat up in the bar and already, I see men’s eyes turn in the girls direction. One asshole looks like he needs his head checked by my fucking fist with the way he’s leering at her.
I slide between bodies and get manyhey man’sandcall me’sfrom people as I pass. Just as I draw up to the bar, Soleil’s back to me, I lift my hand to Lainey who looks at me.
“What’s up, boss man?” She yells over the crowd.
“These two ladies are my guests. No charge.”
She smiles and with a wink says, “You got it.”
This causes both Soleil and Kyle to turn around. Soleil looks absolutely stunned, and Kyle stands there with a knowing smirk on her face.
“Good evening, ladies,” I address them both, but keep my eyes glued to Soleil.
“Hello, Malik. Funny seeing you here,” Kyle responds, her voice husky and low.
“Is it?” I cant my head in her direction and raise a brow. “How are you tonight, Soleil?”
“I’m go–wait. Did that woman call you bossman?” She points over her shoulder at Lainey who is rapidly filling drink orders.
With a nod I tell her, “Yup. This is my bar. Well, mine and my brothers’ bar. Hence the Dare.”
She gives me a tight smile then turns to her friend who looks guilty as sin. “Huh. I had no idea. Did you, Kyle?”
Kyle shrugs, still wearing a twinkle in her eye, and Soleil’s jaw clenches tight.
Lainey places their drinks down and I reach between them to grab hold. “Excuse me. Why don’t you two come join myself and Danté. It’s going to get real rowdy here in about an hour. It’ll be standing room only.”
“Danté? From Saturday? The broody one with the piercings?” Kyle asks, not the least bit shy.
“That’s the one.”
She shoves at Soleil, causing her to stumble and almost running smack dab into me. “We’d love to join you two.”
I give them my bestaren’t I charmingsmile and push a path through the crowd, making sure to keep my eye on them. Just as we clear the mass of bodies, Danté sees us and does that whole lick of the lips that makes girls drop their panties. His eyes roam up and down Kyle’s body and she pauses, flipping her hair over her shoulder and propping a hand on her hip.
“Need a picture?” She asks.
