Page 58 of Meet Dare

“Open it.” When I stand there frozen, he leans forward to growl in my face. “I dare you.”

Damn it! He knows I can’t resist a dare. It’s like crack to me. I hear the word ‘dare’ and my ears perk up and I’m ready to do just about anything.

I rip the wrapping paper off of the box and fling it on the bed. Diva wakes up and pounces on it.

“Don’t worry, Diva. I have a present for you, too.”

What the hell? He’s spoiling my dog as well? Although Cedar spoiling my dog is not a new thing. She’s got him wrapped around her little back paw.

He taps the box in my hands. “Did you forget our dare?”

I open the box to discover a gray hooded scarf shawl inside. I can’t resist touching the material. It’s soft and I know it’s warm.

“It’s from Aran.”

“Aran in Ireland?”

Now that he mentions it, I recognize the cable Aran stitch.

“Yeah. I was in Ireland a while ago and picked this up.”

“Hold on. You bought a woman’s scarf when you were in Ireland? Did you buy this for some other girlfriend?”

“Girlfriend?” He smirks.

I smack him. “I didn’t mean I’m your girlfriend. In fact, this gift is completely inappropriate.”

“Inappropriate?”

I ignore him as I’m on a roll now.

“You should save this for when you find a woman you care for to give it to.”

“Care for? Do you think I don’t care for you?”

“I mean care for as more than a friend.”

He cocks his eyebrow. “I think we’re more than friends.”

Since I hate liars, I try not to be one. Which means it’s time to get the hell out of here before I do something completely stupid and irresponsible such as tell him I care for him. Crap on a cracker. I care for him. When did this happen?

How did attached become care? I’m a freaking idiot. I should have never agreed to become friends with benefits with him. Not when I know I can never love him. Actually, I can love him. I’m probably halfway there already, but I don’t deserve his love. I don’t deserve love. Period.

I need to get the hell out of here.

“I can’t accept this.” I throw the gift on the bed, startling Diva awake.

“Why not?”

I ignore his question to gather my clothes from the floor. I throw on my sweater without a bra and my jeans without panties. Close enough to dressed for me. It won’t be the first time I do the walk of shame without any underwear on.

I gather Diva in my arms and hurry out of the bedroom. My shoulders sag when Cedar doesn’t chase me. Do I want him to chase me? No, I don’t. I need to make a clean break.

“I’m letting you go, but this isn’t over.”

My heart warms at his words.Shut up, heart. No warming allowed. We don’t deserve love, remember?

Chapter 20