"You look good," he said.
I tried my best not to blush. "Thanks, I wanted to look nice tonight."
"Oh yeah?" Dare cocked his head to the side. "Was there someone you're hoping to see?"
Where was he going with this? Had he figured out my feelings for him? Or was he teasing me about something else? I really didn't know, so I shrugged.
"Just eager for phase 5 and a night out with my fake boyfriend."
He finally smiled, and I felt my spirits lift.
Ugh, I had it bad.
"Are you going to let me in?" he said.
I rolled my eyes at myself. "Of course, sorry. Come on in."
Dare stepped through the door, the two of us ending up so close that I couldn't take a breath without scenting him. Oh man, he smelled so good. I tried not to inhale too much in an act of self-preservation. It had the added side effect of making me light-headed. But again, that could've been caused by our close proximity.
"So," I prompted, both nervous and excited, "phase five. What is it?"
"Where's your parents' room?" he asked, and my eyes widened.
"Why do you need to know that?"
"Just tell me, flower," he said. "It's important to get the logistics. This all hinges on them catching us in the act."
"The act of what exactly?" I said.
He rolled his eyes. "You'll see."
I walked a few steps then pointed down the hall. "That's their room down there."
"And yours would be?"
I crossed my arms and scowled at him. "At the other end of the house," I said. "Though I don't see why you need that either."
Dare threw me a wink. "I actually didn't need to know, but I'm glad you told me anyway."
"Ugh. Let's just do this already—whatever this is."
"Phase five commence," he said, rubbing his hands together like it was some kind of Mission Impossible assignment. Which, okay, maybe it was. All our other attempts had failed. My father hadn't gotten the message, and I didn't know how Dare planned to change that. "I think we should move into the living room."
"Okay." I walked a few steps forward and stopped. "What now?"
"A little further," Dare said and placed his hand on the small of my back. I felt that touch all the way to my fingertips. He led me to the couch's arm directly in line with the hallway—and my parents' door. "Perfect."
A beat passed, and his hand was still on my back.
I pretended to be bored. "Will phase five start sometime before my next birthday? Because I'm getting old over here."
Dare's chuckle was low, and it sent shivers of pleasure down my spine.
"Patience, flower, all will be revealed in due time," he said.
If he didn't make a move soon, I was afraid I would. And then he'd know how I really felt which would ruin absolutely everything. I had to hurry this along.
"Chop, chop," I said. "Come on, Dare. Show me your moves. Or did you run out already?"
Dare walked toward me until the top of my thighs hit the couch cushion. "I've got a ton of moves, flower. We haven't even tried half of them."
I blinked. "Really?"
He nodded. "I'm just trying to ease you into this, make sure you're comfortable. I don't want to move too fast."
Please, do, I thought.
The words that came out of my mouth were, "I'll believe it when I see it."
It had sounded good, quippy and totally aloof in my head.
But Dare took it as a challenge.
"I'm going to enjoy this," Dare said.
Before I could respond, he gripped the backs of my legs and lifted slightly, making me gasp and throw my arms about his neck. In the next instant, I was balanced on the couch back, my legs on either side of his hips as he took a step forward. There hadn't been that much space between us to begin with. So, the next thing I knew his body was mere inches away from mine.
My cheeks flamed, and he drank in my reaction.
"Now, I know you mentioned no kissing," he said, and my heart jumped. "But I think we should break that rule. Just this once."
"You do?" I squeaked.
"Yeah," he said. His eyes were bright as they roamed over my face. "I'll try to stay away from certain areas."
Dare ran his eyes over my lips.
"Though I do love that smart mouth of yours," he murmured.
I blinked. Did he really just say that?
Convinced I had misheard, I was just about to ask what he'd said when he moved. Dare slowly leaned in and placed his mouth on the side of my neck. The kiss he left there was the first of many. My eyes fell closed as he made his way up to the space behind my ear, across my jaw.
"You okay?" Dare asked between kisses.
If being okay meant I'd forgotten my name twice in the last few minutes, yeah, I was peachy keen jellybean.
"Hmm," I said instead and felt him smile against the hollow of my throat.
"Good." His lips brushed over my pulse point, and in response, I gripped his neck tighter. "You know, flower, you really shouldn't challenge a guy who hates to lose."
I gave a slight nod as he kissed up the other side of my neck.
"I'll remember that for next time," I breathed.
"Ah see," he said, "I knew you were smart."
"Dare?" I said.
"Yeah?"
"Can you be quiet?" I asked. "Your talking is kind of ruining this for me."
He suddenly leaned back, and I opened my eyes to find him grinning.
"Just admit it," he said. "You're loving this."
