Chapter 32: Chapter 32

AVERY

I usually always pick truth, but devilish Avery takes over, raising a challenging eyebrow.

“Dare.”

“I dare you to give Devon a lap dance,” he says as he fist bumps Devon.

Olive’s eyes narrow.

“This game is dumb,” she says as she hops off the counter and grabs my hand. “I’m probably a better dance partner anyway. Come on, Avery.”

She pulls me toward the dance floor.

“Why’d you do that?” I ask.

“Because if Devon wants a shot at my girl, then he’s gonna have to work for it. He’s not gonna get to cop a feel just because of a stupid dare. That’s so lame. You’re worth so much more than that.”

“I don’t think Devon wanted to cop a feel, Oli,” I say back, glancing toward the kitchen.

Devon hasn’t moved, his eyes watching me hungrily, like a lion locked onto its prey. I suppress an uneasy shiver.

~Okay. Olive might be onto something.~

“No? Let’s ask him then.” She whistles. “Hey, Devon! Come over here.”

“Olive,” I groan as he comes toward us.

“What’s up, Oli?” he asks, taking a sip of his beer.

“Settle this. During truth or dare, were you or were you not trying to finagle your way into copping a feel on Avery?” she demands.

Devon nearly chokes, holding his hands up and shaking his head. “What?! I didn’t make the dare.”

“That’s not what I asked you.” Olive cocks her head. “Did you tell your buddy to dare Avery to do that?”

“I-I wasn’t trying to cop a feel…I swear!”

Olive regards him with a fierce stare. “Sure you weren’t. Whatever. I’m gonna go grab Casey and get him out here. Behave,” she says, poking Devon hard in the chest.

I watch as she walks away, wishing I’d have gone with her. Devon shifts nervously beside me.

“I’m sorry about the whole dare thing, but since we’re out here, how about it? A normal dance, that is. What do you say, Avery?” Devon asks, holding out a hand.

I stare at it for a minute, hesitating. I don’t want to make things more awkward than they already are. Sighing, I slide my hand into his.

~It’s just a dance. No harm in that, right?~

“Show me your moves then,” I say.

“Your wish is my command, pretty girl,” he whispers as he brings me close.

He spins me a few times, joking around as we move and making the awkwardness disappear. I start to feel at ease just as a sensual R&B song comes on. Devon pulls me into his chest, his hands wrapping around my waist. I glance up at him, noting the heated look in his eyes.

“Avery, what the fuck?”

I turn, spotting Reed as he crosses the room. His face is a mask of rage, his jaw clenched as he grabs my arm and pulls me away from Devon.

“What the fuck are you doing?” Dark jealousy taints the golden hue of his eyes as he takes in my scantily clad body. “What the fuck are you wearing?”

Devon tries to pull me back. “Can I help you, dude? We’re in the middle of a dance.”

“Yeah, ‘dude.’ You can start by taking your fucking hands off her.”

Devon steps closer to Reed just as Olive rushes in, inserting herself between the two men. She puts a hand on Reed’s chest, pushing him back. Her eyes widen.

“Wow, that’s really hard,” she murmurs before shaking her head and glaring at the pair of them. “No fighting. If you want to continue this, take it somewhere else.”

“Come on, Reed,” I say, stepping around Devon and taking Reed’s hand.

I drag him to my bedroom and slam the door shut before turning to face him.

“What the hell are you doing here, Reed?”

REED

“You invited me. You texted me back and said to come over.”

She shakes her head, muttering something that sounds like ~Olive~ under her breath.

I look over her attire. She’s barely wearing anything, but damn does her body look delectable. I’ve never seen her like this, though I’ve fantasized about it more than once. My cock hardens.

“Why are you wearing that?”

“It’s a Halloween party, Reed. We have one every year.”

“That’s not a costume, Avery. Why didn’t you let me know about this last night?”

“Because…I didn’t think it was a good idea. After everything that happened… I don’t know. I thought we might need some space.”

“But you invited your friend, Devon.”

My jealousy is palpable as I sit on the edge of her bed. My hands shake with anger as I think about seeing his hands on her body.

~How dare he touch her. How dare he fucking touch what’s mine.~

“That’s different,” she says, crossing her arms.

“How?”

“Devon’s a friend, Reed!” She throws her hands up. “I don’t know what this is anymore!”

“Looked really friendly to me.” I glare at the door as if waiting for the prick to come waltzing in. “You said that he didn’t like you.”

“I didn’t think he did.”

“But you do now?”

She nods.

My gaze wanders down her body again. I’m trying to keep a clear head, but fuck it’s hard when she looks like that. I groan and tear off my shirt.

“Put this on. I can’t talk to you when you’re dressed like that.”

She doesn’t take it.

“No.” She shakes her head defiantly. “I’m at a party, Reed. A costume party. I’m not covering up because it makes you uncomfortable.”

“What?” I growl.

“I said no, Reed.”

I grit my teeth and stand, fighting to keep control as my chest vibrates with suppressed anger and lust. I thrust the shirt into her hands.

“Avery, put the fucking thing on.”

She throws it back at me, watching as it hits my chest and falls to the floor.

My jaw drops. I glare at her, heat and tension radiating from me like I’m some big, pissed-off volcano. I step closer, fists clenching as I struggle to hold myself back.

“Pick it up, Avery.”

“No.”

She raises her gaze to mine, and the fire in her eyes is enough to send me over the edge. My body tenses, ready to pounce on her and finally relieve that long-suffering ache below my waist. My tongue darts out to wet my bottom lip.

“Avery, for the love of god, please put the shirt on,” I beg.