Page 7 of Brothers Best Friend Cowboy

“Fuck!Fine… but no judging. It’s cold out here.” Dodge yanks down his swim trunks and runs toward the river, dipping into the stream with the bellowing shriek of an eight-year-old girl.

“Come on! I was just in there, man. It wasn’t that cold. California has made you soft.”

“Don’t talk about soft right now.” He laughs and tugs his shorts back on.

Ash leans in toward him. “You didn’t look soft to me.”

“Can I open my eyes, or is this nonsense still happening?” Maggie calls out. “You guys are disgusting me!”

“Your turn, Ash. Truth or dare?” Dodge stares toward Ashley.

“Dare.” She grins as though she gets off on moments like this.

Why do I feel like this is going to get bad?

“Okay.” Dodge pauses, holding us all in suspense. “Kiss someone here.Anyone.You pick.”

Thank God.I figured he was going to set her on me. If I were a betting man, I’d say her lips are going straight to Dodge.

She glares at him, runs her hand over her chest, then leans in, landing a long, hard kiss on Dodge’s lips. I’m not sure what I expect, because I know technically, he brought her here hoping the two of us would hit it off, but Dodge doesn’t hold back. He wraps his arms around her and pulls her onto his lap. Maggie and I look toward each other and laugh.

What would happen if I’m dared to kiss Maggie?If she hated me for it, I could blame it on the alcohol. Before I get a chance to render a conclusion to my terrible plan, the kissing duo unlatches, and take their seats at the circle.

Giggling, Ash looks toward Maggie. “Your turn, young lady. Truth or dare?”

Maggie sighs heavily enough that I can hear it through the gentle breeze. “Truth.”

Why was I hoping for dare?

“Okay. Do you have a thing for Emery?”

What the fuck?I narrow my gaze, as my heart swells in my chest. Why would she ask that question?

Maggie gasps. “What? Dare. I’m pretty sure I said dare.”

Ash shakes her head with a smile, then shrugs. “Okay, sure… then kiss Emery.”

“What?” Maggie gasps.

“You’re lucky I even let you switch,” Ash calls out as she raises her voice then lowers it again with playful energy.

I glance toward Dodge, gauging his expression. So far, he doesn’t look like he’s registering what’s happening. He’s still staring at Ashley’s tits. I make a mental note to start cutting him off, then glance back at Maggie. “It’s just a game. You don’t have to kiss me if you don’t want to.”

She stares at me long and hard and for the millionth fucking time in my life, that feeling… that sick, needy feeling is back. The one where I’d give anything to pull her against my chest and feel her warm body against my own.

“Just keep in mind, if you don’t do it… you get hazed.” Ash laughs. “I didn’t make them, but those are the rules.”

Maggie glances toward Ash. “What kind of hazing?”

“The kind you won’t like.” Ash laughs again. “It’s just a kiss. Just do it! It’s fun!”

I never imagined us kissing like this, but I’ll take it. Even a brief second of her lips against mine would be heaven and I’m not about to turn an angel away.

My flannel pools around her frame as she looks toward me. “Should we? I mean… it’s just a game.”

I nod, my gaze darting from her plump pink lips to her eyes. “Yeah. I mean, it’s just a kiss. If you’re okay with it, I am.”

She leans in closer.

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