Page 113 of Meet Dare

Olivia skids to a halt in front of the dining room table. “What is everyone doing here?”

“It’s a family dinner,” I answer. “I think the correct question is what areyoudoing here.”

Cedar wraps an arm around my shoulders and draws me near until I’m practically sitting in his lap. “Do you want to leave?” he whispers in my ear.

I shake my head. I’ll be damned if I’ll allow my long lost sister to force me away from a family gathering.

“I live here.”

At Olivia’s announcement, I pretend to clean out my ear. “I must be hearing things because there’s no way you said you’re living here now.”

“She’s staying with us while she figures out her next moves,” Lilac explains. “Although I’m unsure what next moves means.”

“It means she’s milking you for your money until you get sick and tired of her.”

Olivia cringes at my words. Don’t tell me my big sister has grown a conscience.

Elizabeth taps the spot next to her. “Come sit next to me, big sis.”

I clamp my jaw shut as Olivia sits down in between Elizabeth and Lilac.

Raven reaches over to squeeze my hand. “Are you okay, dear?”

I force a smile and nod. “I’m fine.”

I’m not. I’m spitting mad at my big sister for abandoning us. For strolling back into our lives without an apology, let alone an explanation.

But I’m also sitting here with the arm of the man I love wrapped around me for support while his mother smiles at me and offers her support as well. Things could be worse. Much worse.

Chapter 37

If you want to tell your sister you’re mad at her but you’re not on speaking terms, a glitter bomb is the most effective method ~ Cassie’s rules for living her best life

“Are you ready?”

Cedar glances away and his forehead wrinkles.

“What’s wrong?”

He blows out a puff of air. “Large crowds make me nervous.”

Today is the Litha or Midsummer festival. All the pagan festivals Winter Falls puts on are tourist magnets. I can’t blame the tourists since there’s always plenty of fun to be had. But it does mean the town will be overcrowded.

I wrap my arms around his waist and cuddle into him. “We don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”

“But you’ve been looking forward to the festival all week.”

It’s true, but I’m not going to force Cedar into a situation where he feels uncomfortable.

I waggle my eyebrows. “I’m certain we can come up with another activity to enjoy ourselves.”

To help him make up his mind, my hands sneak down to squeeze his ass. The man has a magnificent ass. Muscular but not too hard to mold in my hands.

He punches his hips, and I feel his length against my stomach. “What did you have in mind?”

I lift up on my tiptoes. “This,” I whisper before pressing my lips to his.

He immediately takes charge and pushes his tongue into my mouth. You won’t hear me complaining about him assuming control. No, siree bob. I sit back and allow myself to enjoy how he devours my mouth as if it’s the most delicious morsel he’s ever eaten.

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