by S. J. Sylvis
She gave me a dirty look, her round lips pursed. “No!”
I flicked an eyebrow, and her shoulders dropped as she turned onto the gravel road. “It’s just…what are people going to say when I show up with you all hot and bothered at the cabin?”
Holding back a laugh, I angled myself toward her. “You think I’m hot and bothered right now?”
I watched the widening of her eyes, her thick eyelashes that barely had any mascara left on them from her earlier tears blinking. “That’s not what I meant.”
I chuckled, righting myself in the seat and glancing out the window. “Yeah, okay.” I paused before saying, “You can stop worrying. No one is at the cabin.”
Once we pulled up, Madeline shifted her car into park and twisted the key. “It’s not me I’m worried about, Eric. It’s you. Do you really want people to see us together?”
“You know very well I don’t give a fuck what people think about me, Maddie.”
She sighed, opening her door and pulling her keys from the ignition. Something caught my eye at the last second, and it put a pause on all the fuckery going on in my head. My rage had simmered.
I swiped her keys quickly, and she flew back into her seat. “What are you doi—”
Her expression changed from confused to ashamed—or maybe even embarrassed. The dome light shined on her pink cheeks, and I grinned. “What’s this? Hanging on to our old friendship bracelets, are we?”
“Uh…” She looked away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I smiled even wider. “It’s absolutely adorable that you are pretending to not know what this is. Ask me where I keep mine.”
Madeline gave me one last look before she realized there was no point in lying. She rolled her eyes playfully, and I saw the slight slip of her lips. “Oh, whatever.” She snatched the keys out of my hand quickly and shot out of the car, slamming the door in my face.
I laughed, shaking my head as I climbed out of her car and followed after her. The clouding thoughts of my parents were slowly coming back into view, and the pent-up aggression from holding back my fist from flying into my father’s nose was beginning to flame again. I needed an outlet before I pulled Madeline’s body into mine and buried myself in her as if she were my own personal safe haven.
I was being honest with her when I’d said I wouldn’t kiss her again. Not unless she begged me.
She could pretend all she wanted, but she and I were inevitable. I was going to break her. I was going to break her into telling me how she really felt, listen to her beg, then I’d piece her back together with a single fucking kiss.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Madeline
It had been a while since I’d been in the cabin. The last time I was here was when Christian had shunned me in front of everyone, and I’d acted like a desperate queen with a broken crown. My stomach turned at the thought.
I thought Christian breaking up with me was the worst thing that would happen to me during my senior year of high school.
How wrong was I?
I jumped at the sound of the door latching behind me. Eric came around, his annoyingly delicious scent wafting all around me as he turned the light on and walked into the den area. For as many parties as the English Prep boys threw here, the place was still in nice shape. Large, comfy couches surrounded a fireplace with a TV high on the mantel. The swirls of tans and browns on the marble countertop were glistening underneath the lights as if they’d been recently waxed. The floors were clean, not a speck of dirt to be seen. No littering beer cans or used condoms. Nothing like it would appear the morning after a cabin extravaganza.
“Do you hire a cleaning company after the parties here?” I asked, my gaze lingering. It was surreal seeing it like this. It was way bigger than I thought without everyone crammed inside.
“Nah.” Eric walked over to the fridge and pulled out a beer. “Christian, Ollie, and I usually clean up the next day. Or we make an underclassman do it.”
I nodded, pushing my hair behind my ears awkwardly.
Why was this so awkward? Was it because he saw me at my worst earlier? Or was it because I saw him at his?
“Want one?” he asked, leaning back onto the counter. Eric was so tall he could have sat on the counter and his legs would have still hit the floor.
“What’s the occasion?” I asked, eyeing him with a watchful eye as his lips wrapped around the beer bottle.
After taking a swig, he shrugged. “Not beating my father’s ass in front of my mom, I guess.”
I honestly thought he would have taken a swing at his father if I hadn’t run down my porch steps and grabbed onto his arm. His skin was like fire, burning my palm when we’d touched. He was shaking, blinding anger laying right underneath the surface. Heather had taken one glance at me when he’d stepped into his father’s face, and that was all it took for me to rush down as his barrier.
“Are you going to make me drink alone?”
I glanced up and saw Eric watching me with hope in his eyes. Drinking with Eric was likely one of the worst things I could agree to do, but I put one foot in front of the other, and soon, a beer bottle was thrusted into my hand and the malty flavor was on my tongue.
His cheek lifted, his dark eyelashes fanning. “Thatta girl.”
Eric walked past me, taking another swig of his beer. By the time I wiped the smile off my face, I turned around, and he was sitting on the couch in the den area. The cushions molded perfectly to his body. He pushed his dark hair back with a skillful hand, showcasing all the defined lines of his face. “You can sit, you know.”
I shifted my gaze to the spot beside him, and my stomach pulled tight.
“I wasn’t lying the other day when I said I wouldn’t touch you.”
Shoving away the disappointment that I had brought upon myself, I took a step down into the den, still holding my beer bottle in one hand. I felt my disappointment slowly turn into jealousy. Jealous of what? I wasn’t sure. The beer bottle that his lips were touching? The thought of him touching someone else because I had pushed him away?
You touched me earlier,” I said, taking another step closer.
His stare darkened. “Not like I wanted to.”
Mmmhm. Just light me on fucking fire.
“Eric,” I warned.
“Sit down, Madeline. Let’s just take a breather.” He made a tired noise as he rubbed his hand down his face. “You and I have been going at it for weeks. I don’t know if I have the energy right now. Not after almost beating the fuck out of my dad.”
Right. I forgot all about that little incident for a moment. “Are you okay? Like, really okay?” I asked as I moved closer to him. Eric glanced up at me, and his lips straightened. “I don't know. I mean…” He glanced away, looking out the glass door that led to the deck. “I’m still so fucking mad.” He gripped his beer bottle so tight I thought it might break. “I still feel hyped.” He pointed the bottle at me. “Hence the alcohol.”
Guilt tapped me on the shoulder. “I should have told you about him sooner.”
He peered up at me, the gray in his eye a little less stormy. “You had your reasons.”
I closed my eyes, finally sitting down on the couch and falling backwards until my back hit the soft cushion. I swung my legs over but kept them bent so they weren’t touching him. “Everything is so messed up.”
“Yeah, it is.”
My eyes flew open when Eric touched my leg with the palm of his hand. Even through my skinny jeans, I felt the searing burn he left behind. I knew it was all in my head, but I still glanced down to make sure my leg wasn’t on fire.
“Let’s play a game,” he mused, a smile in his voice.
“A game?” I asked nervously.
He nodded, his lips forming that dangerous grin that made me uneasy. I sat up, pulling myself to a sitting position with my beer tucked away in my thighs. “Like what?”
Eric thought for a moment, and when he shot me a mischievous look, my nerves inte
nsified. A look like that from him was never good.
“You look awfully naughty over there, Eric,” I whispered, taking another drink of my beer to hopefully calm the jitters.
“Truth or Dare?”
I looked away, unable to focus on really anything at all other than the fact that I was losing my battle of Resist Eric quickly.
“Do you really think that’s a good idea?”
“All I have are good ideas, Maddie.”
I snickered into my hand. His palm was back on my leg, and that was all it took for me to agree. “Fine. I guess if it’ll help you calm down over there with all that angry testosterone.”
He laughed as he stood up and went into the kitchen. I heard him mumble under his breath. “That’s unlikely.”
When he came back, he turned the lights down low and placed four beers on the coffee table in front of us.
“Really?” I asked, eyeing them. “Trying to get me drunk?”
He shook his head. “Nope. Trying to get me drunk. Now who’s going first?”
“I am.” I sat up, bringing my legs together to sit cross-legged. I pulled my hair into a high pony and took another baby sip of my beer before turning toward Eric who was looking at me with skepticism. “What?”
“You good over there, Bob Barker? Planning on winning a square game or…?”
A laugh bubbled up and flew out of my mouth before I slapped my hand over it. “Did you really just call me Bob Barker?”
“You’ve been prepping for this single game of Truth or Dare like you’re about to host the world’s greatest game show. Seemed fitting.”
I laughed again before sighing and getting in the zone. It was going to have to be all hands on deck for this one because I had played Truth or Dare many times in the past, specifically at parties, and they always turned dirty.
“Okay, are you ready?” I asked, sneaking a glance.
Eric appeared completely unfazed and relaxed as he sat back on the couch with his one hand wrapped around the bottle and the other laying on his thigh.
“I’ve been ready. Go on.”
“Okay.” I took a big breath. “Truth or dare?”
He answered quickly. “Truth.”
The choices were limited here. I didn’t want to cross over that line I had drawn, making this sexual from the very beginning, because that wouldn’t help me in any way whatsoever. I also didn’t want to bring up anything dealing with our parents or the situation we had found ourselves in, so I asked the first safe thing I could think of.
“Is it true that you’ve never told a girl you loved her before?”
Eric pulled back, glancing down at me with furrowed brows. “What?”
I shrugged, bringing my beer to my lips. “I’m curious if the rumors are true. You’re the talk of the girls’ locker room.” Especially now that the Powell brothers were taken.
“Explain.”
I shrugged. “It’s just…every girl that’s ever been with you has compared notes. Kind of like a compare and contrast thing.”
“They compare and contrast what exactly?”
I could already feel the shift in the conversation. “You know…” I beat around the bush. “Just stuff.”
Eric’s face was still confused, and I rolled my eyes.
“What do you expect when you've been with almost every single girl in the senior class, Eric? They’re bound to talk.”
He licked his lips, appearing curious. “Well, what do they say?”
I thought back to a few months ago when Sara, Cassie, and Missy, whom I used to be friends with, all cheerleaders of course, talked about how Eric had always been very accommodating in the bedroom but completely unattached otherwise. No matter the number of dates or hookups they’d had with him, he’d never once told a girl he loved her. In fact, Missy’s exact words were, “I’m not even sure he liked me.”
“They said that you aren’t very...vocal.”
“Vocal?” he questioned, grabbing a new beer.
I rolled my eyes, suddenly becoming very annoyed with the conversation. “They said you fuck so good that it feels like love-making, but you’ve never actually said it.”
Eric threw his head back and laughed so hard the couch shook. My mouth opened as I watched him slap his knee hard.
“Why is that so funny?” I asked.
“They think I love them?” His eyes were wide, his cheeks flushed with laughter. “Are they serious?”
“No!” I half-laughed, attempting to remedy the conversation. “Not really. Well, I don’t know. I think it was more that they were fishing to see if you loved anyone else.”
His laughs were beginning to fade. “And did anyone fess up?”
My lips fell at the same time my hope did. “So you have told a girl you loved them?”
I only asked the question because I assumed it was true—that he hadn’t told a girl he loved them.
“Yes.”
Stake to the heart.
“Okay.” I was quickly moving away from this topic before he saw how much that bothered me. “Well. It’s your turn now.”
His laugh was low, like he was trying to hold it in. I wouldn’t dare look at him, though, in fear that he’d see how angry I was. I had no right to be angry, but I was. I was angry and jealous, and suddenly, I needed another beer. Was this how he felt when I was with Christian? Oh my God. I was a terrible fucking person. All the more reason he needed to stay away from me.
“Truth or dare?” he finally asked after I still wouldn’t look at him.
“Truth.” There was no way I was taking a dare from him.
“Does it bother you knowing I’ve told a girl I loved her before?”
I grasped onto the beer in my hand, concentrating on the cool glass beneath my palm. Stay focused. Act cool. Eric shifted beside me, and the hair on my arms stood up. “Nope,” I answered.
Eric leaned in closer, and damnit, he smelled so, so good. “Need I remind you of the rules of this game?”
I looked at him out of the corner of my eye. He smirked. “Tell the truth. Does it bother you that I told a girl I loved her?”
Ugly jealousy surged through my veins. Of course it bothered me! I wanted to rip her hair out, and I didn’t even know who it was. The old Madeline was creeping back in, and I needed to shut her out, but Eric’s taunting voice was stuck on repeat. Does it bother you?
“I think it probably bothers me as much as it bothered you that I fucked your best friend.”
Our eyes met, and the room was suddenly charged. If there were candles lit, they’d all be brighter, their flames burning everything in sight. Eric’s gaze darkened, and mine did the same. He leaned into my space further, and I told myself to pull back, but my body was too stubborn.
“It’s my turn again because you lied.” His warm breath smelled of beer and something enticing. I said nothing as he asked, “Truth or dare?”
My eyes dropped to his mouth as the words piled out. His tongue slipped out to wet his lip, and my heart sped up.
“Truth.” Still not taking a dare from him.
“Is it true you used to look for me in a crowded room after kissing my best friend?”
My face grew hot, like I was standing too close to a fire. Shit. “No.”
His head slanted just slightly. “My turn again.”
I said nothing because he was right. I was lying through my teeth.
“Truth or dare?”
I probably should have picked a dare, considering he was playing dirty, but then again, he was playing dirty, so a dare wasn’t going to be in my best interest either.
“Truth.”
Eric placed his bottle on the table in front of us, and his hand landed just below my crossed legs. The couch dipped down, bringing our faces even closer together. “Is it true you used to picture me when you two fucked?”
My heart slammed against my chest. Eric was playing so fucking dirty. He was doing it on purpose, wanting to get under my skin. He was proving a point. We both knew I
wanted him. He just wanted me to admit it.
“Yes,” I answered truthfully, taking a hold of the game in my hands.
His chin tipped slightly, his eyes becoming hooded. He liked to hear that I had pictured him, and I hated to admit it, but I liked it too.
“Your turn, Maddie.”
Eric was playing dirty, but I could play dirty, too.
“Truth or dare, Eric?”
His eyes flared. “Dare.”
Dare?
I smirked, moving closer to him. Our lips were grazing, and I felt electrified all over. “I dare you to kiss me.”
His nose brushed over mine, and I braced myself for the impact. I wanted to see the stars behind my eyes. I wanted his tongue tangled with mine despite my earlier pleas for him to realize I was selfless and everything good.
“I told you I wouldn’t kiss you until you begged for it.”
“But it’s truth or dare, and you picked dare.” Our lips were brushing along one another just enough to make me throb. “Need I remind you of the rules, Eric?”
He growled, keeping his eyes on mine. His mouth opened at the same time his pupils dilated, and I stopped breathing when his lips crashed on mine. His tongue swept in, bringing me back to life, before he pulled away so fast I almost whimpered.
His voice was raspy as a swallow worked itself down his throat. “Truth or dare, Maddie?”
I was panting. “Dare.”
He smirked. “I’ll give you two options.”
My eyes narrowed.
“I dare you to, one”—he held up a finger—“beg for me to touch you, since I won’t do it otherwise, or two”—he held up another finger—“touch yourself.”
The room grew hot with his enticing words. My mouth parted as I stared at him and his lust-filled eyes and plump lips. “This is a dangerous, dangerous game…” I whispered, pushing my beer bottle to the side.
He lifted a brow. “Which one? Truth or Dare? Or the game we’ve been playing for weeks?”
I licked my lips. “Both.”
He nodded. “So, what will it be? Do you want me to touch you, Maddie?”
God, yes.
Something wicked stirred inside me as I watched his breathing become heavier. He was turned on, and I was feeding off of it like the devil feeding off a sin. “I do.” I smiled coyly as I took my shirt off and dropped it to the ground. “But I want to touch me, too.”