Page 3 of Their Wicked Dare
I turned and rushed down a path, crashing into a rock-solid chest. Large fingers branded me where they touched my bare arms, silver rings cool against my skin.
“Where are you going in such a hurry?” His deep, gravelly voice wrapped around me.
His hand slid along my face until he lightly cupped my jaw, tilting my head back until deep brown eyes held mine.
A scar cut through his right eyebrow, and his black ringmaster coat stretched across broad shoulders, silver raven pins at the collar.
I sucked in a breath as recognition hit. Ronan Hargrave. One of the Regents, and the last man on campus I should be plastered against.
“Oh my God. I’m so sorry.” My voice tipped up at the end on a shrill note.
His thumb dug into my jaw until I looked back at him. He leaned down until his warm breath fanned over my mouth. “There are no apologies here, Gwen.”
Hearing my name in his mouth sent another shiver through me.
Tingles traveled down my spine, and I had to stop myself from melting into his chest. As it was, he was close enough that the heat seeped through my thin dress. Our chests touched with every deep breath we took. His full lips parted slightly, and my gaze caught on his tongue running along his top teeth. God, I wanted to kiss him. Wanted to close the minuscule gap between us.
He searched my eyes and brushed his lips against mine. Shit. Goose bumps exploded up my arms and neck. He was persuasive to his very core. Ronan watched me, his mouth a hairsbreadth from mine, but he didn’t move.
I could have everything I wanted. I just had to take it. I tentatively closed the distance between our mouths and ran my tongue along his bottom lip, a small moan escaping my lips as I tasted lemons and tequila.
He stiffened, and I froze, my lips still touching his. He let out a long breath before wrapping an arm around my waist and kissing me in long, slow strokes. It wasn’t enough. I needed more. A little voice whispered for me to take it. I lifted on my toes, deepening the kiss before sinking my teeth into his bottom lip.
He groaned, digging his fingers into my hair as he tipped my face, exposing my neck. He ran his nose up my neck and groaned into my ear.
“I’d fuck you right here if I didn’t have to go.” He bit the soft skin of my earlobe, his breath fanning over my ear. “I’ll find you later.”
He let go of me and took a few steps backward. A smile curved up on one side as his dark gaze roamed over me. “Don’t leave until I do.”
Then, he turned and jogged down the path.
He left me, heart pounding, skin burning, core aching in his wake. An intrusive thought whispered that I didn’t do things like this anymore, but he’d woken up something buried in me.
I pushed aside the lingering fear. I would wear my own form of mask tonight.
Ronan had promised to find me. God help me, I really wanted him to keep it.
Chapter 2
Let the Fun Begin
“This way.” Guys with half masks, holding glow sticks, guided the way through the paths until we gathered together in front of a dark stage.
Within moments, the crowd grew thick, everyone pushing to be closer until my arms brushed against the people on either side of me.
Their excitement became tangible as they shared snippets from past years’ events.
A girl in front of me had her hand tucked into the back pocket of the guy beside her while another couple openly made out a few feet away. No one seemed worried about who might see them or what anyone would say tomorrow. It was strangely freeing.
Trying to make out what they were saying, I leaned toward the group on my right, but just as I was about to, a brilliant red light beamed down on the empty stage.
“Welcome. I know we’re all excited to get the night started.” Ronan’s voice was magnetic as he appeared in the middle of the stage.
He looked demonic in all black, haloed in the crimson light. He leaned lazily against a tall staff.
Silence fell on the crowd as their words caught, frozen in place by his presence.
Ronan’s gaze shifted around the crowd, then landed on me. “You have been specially selected to attend this event.”
