If You Dare (Dare 3)

Even her voice makes my skin crawl. “Long enough.”

She runs her hands down her dress nervously, and I give her a smile. I’m not gonna hurt you. Just going to use you.

“I’m ready when you are.” She clears her throat and reaches for a clutch that sits on her dresser. Her eyes move to her bed for a brief second, but I don’t miss the longing in her eyes. There was a time when I would have already had her dress off and her lying on her back with my head between her legs.

Not tonight.

I’m in no rush to fuck you. I’m going to take my time. I’ve got all night, after all.

She makes her way over to me, and I reach my hand out for her. We make our way down the stairs, and just as we reach the door, I hear a set of heels clapping on the tile floor behind us. “You kids have fun tonight.”

I turn around to see Angelica walking toward us. I remember her from when we were younger—back before the divorce—and she has always been a bitch. Angelica has her bleach blond hair up in a tight bun. She wears a skintight black skirt that reaches her bony knees and a white silk blouse tucked into the high waist with a black blazer. A string of pearls rests along her thin neck. She looks every bit of the powerhouse woman she is. A self-made billionaire. Becky looks identical to her. She has Becky’s height, but I’m pretty sure she weighs less than Demi. I don’t think the woman ever eats. The buzz going around town was she used to be addicted to diet pills back when we were in middle school. My mother chatted about it for months because she was jealous of Mrs. Holt. I think because she wasn’t afraid to go after what she wanted. She wanted to be skinny, and she was willing to do whatever it took to achieve that. My mother wouldn’t know commitment if it bit her in her silicone ass.

She comes to a stop and frowns. “Becky, isn’t that Demi’s dress?”

Becky smiles but rolls her eyes. “Yes, but it’s not like she’s ever gonna wear it.”

Her mother sighs. I know Becky is her favorite because she never hid that from anyone. Becky was her mini-me in every way. Demi may look like them, but she never had that desire. She was forced. But that doesn’t stop her from wanting Demi to give in to their ways.

“Just be careful with it.” She places her hands on her nonexistent hips. “And put it back where you found it afterward.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

BECKY

HE TOOK ME to Austin Stonelake. I’ve never been here before, but I’ve heard of it. It’s just as fancy as they say. Dim lighting with white tablecloths and folded black napkins. There’s a vase at every table with a single rose in it. It immediately reminded me of our dinner at his sister’s house that night. It must be a good omen.

We’ve already had our appetizers and are currently finishing our main course. It’s been awkward. We’ve been quiet, but I’m not sure what to say. And I don’t think he has much to talk about.

I lick my lips and take a deep breath. “I was in Collins last weekend.”

“Oh, yeah?” he asks, not bothering to take his eyes off his plate.

“I saw your father.” That gets his attention.

He drops his fork and looks up at me. Slowly, he lifts his black napkin and rubs the corners of his mouth. “And?” His voice has gone cold.

I knew it would. His father is the last thing I want to talk about, but if it gets his attention … “He misses you.”

He snorts at that. “Doubtful.”

I lower my eyes to my plate. “He said he’s been calling you.”

“And I’ve been ignoring him.”

“Why?”

He takes a drink of his water and sets it down. “Since when do you care about my father? You never have before.”

Honestly? I hate that man. He always tried to use Deke. He had Deke’s life mapped out for him from the moment he was born, but Deke didn’t care. That was the problem Langston had. His only son wanted nothing to do with him or his plans to take over the world. Deke always had that ability on his own. Deke and Langston both know it.

I shrug. “I don’t. I just thought you should know.”

“Thanks,” he says dryly before picking up his fork and getting back to his meal.

The rest of dinner went by slow and silently. We didn’t speak, and I hated it.

Things aren’t going how I wanted them to. He was supposed to see me in my dress, take it off, and make love to me. I can work with that, but this? I don’t know what to do. Things used to run smoothly between us, but now nothing but secrets and lies hang in the air, choking us with every breath.