Chapter 1 #2
“I’m excited for a fresh start.” I grin, relaxing my shoulders. “Just don’t make me do anything too crazy tonight. I want to show up for my temp job in one piece tomorrow. I need to make a good impression.”
“They’ll love you.” Alexis looks certain of this.
“I really hope so.” It’s just a meager admin assistant job, but it will pay the bills, and it’s in marketing at a renowned investment company. “I’m hoping to impress the hell out of the head of the department. If I do, there’s a good chance I’ll be able to keep the job and work my way up.”
With my distinguished academic achievements, this isn’t the life I thought I’d have at this stage of my career, but surviving long enough to rebuild counts for something.
“Don’t worry. Like I said, they’ll love you.” She gives me a determined nod and a mischievous look flashes in her eyes. “Enough real-world talk. Drink up, girl, and let’s go have some fun.”
I drain the rest of my drink. As soon as I set the empty glass on the table, Alexis grabs my arm and practically pulls me onto the dance floor, where we’re quickly absorbed by the crowd.
The lights sweep over us in waves of gold and crimson, blurring strangers into flashes of movement. Everything feels almost cinematic.
That club mix is still playing and everyone is loving it.
Watching people dance in their colorful masks is fascinating.
The cascade of colors is pretty, and the confidence behind the masks is noticeable, even with me.
Strange how a little thing can make you feel like a different person.
Or at least not who you are for the night.
Two hours fly by, and we have the time of our lives dancing, daring, and meeting new people.
It didn’t take long for someone to come up to us and say, “I dare you.” Then a host of dares followed.
Alexis got the bulk, most of which involved drinking games.
I tried to make myself scarce for those because I’m mindful about tomorrow.
The most daring dare I accepted was taking over the bartender’s job for fifteen minutes and dancing barefooted in the DJ booth.
Now I’m back on the floor, swaying to a Taylor Swift song with a lemonade sweating in my hand. Alexis is in the booth again, deep in conversation with the guy who dared her to flash him — a dare she'd accepted within seconds.
True to her nature, she’s always attracting attention. Same type as always—jock guys who trail after her like sheep. This one’s an ice hockey player, which automatically puts him in her good books. At least for tonight. She’s a sucker for hockey players.
I know the drill. The second she sits down with her chosen guy for the night, she’s gone. I’ll be lucky if I even get a goodbye.
Normally that would make me uneasy. Tonight, oddly enough, it doesn’t.
I’m actually okay with it. It’s nice to have a taste of something familiar. I think I may also head out in a little while. Surprisingly, I’m not tired, but it’s probably wise to get some sleep to be fresh for tomorrow.
I twirl with the music when it hits the high notes, swaying my head from side to side. Just dancing feels good in a way that makes me feel alive. And I have to admit I’m glad I’m not alone tonight.
When I turn again, my eyes lock with a tall, muscular man on the first-floor balcony. He’s leaning against the rail. Watching me.
He’s wearing a mask, but there’s no mistake his eyes are definitely on me.
I’ve had my fair share of attention tonight. I just haven’t encouraged it the way Alexis has. But there’s something about this guy that won’t let me look away.
Maybe it’s the stillness about him. Everyone else in this club moves like they’re performing for attention, but he looks like a man completely certain he already has it.
The music blurs to background noise, and warmth slides down the back of my neck.
I linger, slowing my moves as I take in his potent stare, and allow myself to look at him, too.
He’s dressed in full black, with his dark hair neatly trimmed into a faux hawk. The sharp angles of his face look almost too perfect, like they were made that way on purpose.
He must be at least six foot six or seven—basketball player height. But this guy doesn’t look like an athlete. His build is too solid, his stance too still, like he’s holding himself in check rather than ready to move. Any refinement is undercut by the arrogance simmering beneath.
It takes me a moment to catch myself and school my thoughts. I look away, guiding my gaze back to the DJ booth. I slow my breathing then take a quick sip of my drink. My mind must be doing a number on me. Or I’ve had too much to drink—though I’m nowhere near my limit.
I didn’t come here to ogle anyone, least of all a gorgeous guy who looks like he was made to cause trouble. I should know better.
Men who look like trouble usually are.
But…
I can still feel his eyes on me and that pull of fascination still has a hold on me.
Against my better judgment, I glance over my shoulder, meeting those piercing eyes again. I can’t see what color they are from here, but they seem light. I imagine them to be a light blue.
The corner of his mouth slides into a seductive smile. Liquid heat uncurls low in my belly, tightening my stomach, and I realize my skin has gone hot under the silk of my mask.
My pulse skips stupidly hard for a man I don’t know and absolutely shouldn’t trust on sight alone.
And damn it, the problem of not being able to look away screws with me again.
This is simple. I just need to go back to dancing and ignore him. Or better yet, I could leave now.
I wanted to dance for a little longer before heading home, but perhaps it’s best to cut that plan short. I’ve had a great time tonight. I don’t want to do anything to spoil it.
With that in mind, I tear my gaze away again and make my way back to the booth, weaving through the crowd of dancers.
Alexis notices me approaching and stops talking to her guy.
I’m about to take the steps up to her, but someone clutches my arm.
Stunned, I turn and find myself face to face with the gorgeous man who was staring at me.
My pulse trips, stumbling over itself before picking up in a rhythm I don’t recognize. Then we stare at each other for one reckless heartbeat.
I was right. His eyes are light blue, almost a silvery blue. And he’s not just gorgeous. He has a dangerous beauty that almost hurts to look at. It doesn’t help that I have to tip my chin up to meet his gaze.
Up close he seems taller, towering over me, even in my heels that lift me four inches above my usual five four.
“Don’t tell me you’re leaving,” he says in a rich baritone, smooth as velvet, tempting as sin.
My lips part, and my gaze flicks between his hand resting on my arm and those piercing eyes locked on me.
“Actually, I was.” I find my voice.
He releases my arm and his grin widens, unleashing irresistible dimples. The grin looks practiced. Weaponized, even. I find myself wishing he didn’t have a mask on. I’d like to see the rest of his face.
Dangerous thoughts, Piper. Come on now.
This is exactly how bad ideas start. With beautiful things.
Curiosity killed the cat. There’s nothing to stop it from screwing me over, too.
“That’s a shame. I was going to give you a dare.” Mischief lights up his eyes.
“I have to go, so that kind of takes me out of the game.”
“That’s true, but as one of the club’s owners, I could bend the rules for you and pretend I didn’t know that.” His smile turns up a notch.
My interest piques. “You own the club?”
“I do.”
I’m not entirely surprised. He looks like a man who has power and assets, and the world bends itself around him without him ever needing to ask. It’s just that the likelihood of me meeting someone who owns what’s clearly a million-dollar business is next to non-existent.
“Impressed?” he asks, leaning closer, his eyes searching my face.
“Of course. Has anyone not been impressed when you tell them that?”
“No. But there’s a first time for everything.” His voice drops on the last word, like he wants me to pay attention.
“Were the dares your idea?”
He tilts his head. “Yes. What gave me away?”
“Wild guess.” Not exactly. It’s the undertone of mystery and menace. It’s stronger now.
“So, looks like we’re talking. Have I convinced you to stay yet?”
His eyes hold mine with a fascination that tempts me to stay. The look brightens the longer he stares, as though he can see something in my mind I can’t. The potency warms my insides, and I wonder what harm could come of staying a little longer.
But with him?
That’s the dangerous part. I already know I’d enjoy it.
No. I stop whatever thought I was going to have abruptly.
I have to go.
“Sorry, I have work in the morning.”
“It’s Monday night. At least eighty percent of the people here have work in the morning. Plus, you’re in Wicked Dares, a place where the real world and work don’t exist. Come up with a better excuse.” The dimples come out again.
I chuckle despite myself, but I can’t think of anything better to say. At least nothing that won’t make me sound pathetic.
“Can’t think of anything?” He raises a brow and bites the inside of his lip.
“You don’t take no for an answer, do you?” I grin.
“I never have and I won’t start tonight.”
This guy is smooth. “Okay. Let’s try this. Why do you want me to stay?”
“I think that’s obvious.”
Yeah, very smooth. “You’re gonna have to help me out. I may have danced too much; my head is spinning a little.”
“Yes, I noticed the dancing. As for why I want you to stay… Let’s just say you caught my attention.”
I let out a little laugh. “There are a ton of gorgeous women here to catch your attention.”
“But I want you.”
The blunt honesty of his answer catches me off guard more than any cheesy line ever could.
The words land low in my stomach, and a shiver runs the length of my spine, fast and scattered, like my body is telling me what my mind hasn’t agreed to yet. It’s been a long time since I felt anything close to that, so long I can barely remember.
“Me?”
“Yes. You’re the only gorgeous woman I can see here.”
“I’m wearing a mask.”
“So am I.”
“Yes, but…” I search for something to say.
“Worried I’m hideous?” he teases.
“No.” I laugh. “Are you?”
With a flick of his fingers, he casually slips the mask off. And Lord have mercy, I wasn’t ready to see him fully. His face belongs on the cover of one of those dark romance books Alexis is obsessed with. Beautiful enough to ruin your judgment on sight.
He’s attractive as sin, and I’m taken aback by the untamed beauty of his face. It undoubtedly matches his alluring confidence.
“Am I hideous, Butterfly?”
The air between us thickens, making it harder to pull into my lungs. “No. You are most definitely not hideous. And Butterfly? Is that what I look like to you?”
“You move like one. Attracted me like one, too. Come on. Come with me.”
This is the kind of guy who can get you into all sorts of trouble you’d never regret, and he’d make you forget—everything.
Forget that you’re trying to be careful.
Forget why you swore off relationships forever.
Forget the reasons you moved across the country for a fresh start.
I forget all of that for a good few seconds, until the warnings of all the things I should remember return to me like death knells ringing in my head.
Say no, say no, say no.
The sound warns.
The gorgeous man stares back at me, waiting for an answer.
Despite the warnings, I would love to say yes. The old me would have gone with him in a heartbeat. This version of me wants to go, too, and explore whatever this is, but it’s best I don’t.
“Yes, she will go with you,” Alexis’ voice answers for me in a brisk tone that sounds impossibly loud in my head, even against the music.
I whirl around to face her, my eyes wide. She’s right behind me. I don’t know how long she’s been there, but she’s clearly heard everything.
“What are you doing?” I hiss.
“Excuse me. I’ll just borrow her for a second,” she says to my new gorgeous friend, then grabs my arm and hustles me to the side, leaving him staring after us. “I’m trying to stop you from dying an old maid.”
I roll my eyes at her and frown. “Alexis, please.”
“Don’t Alexis me. That guy is seriously hot. Please do not turn him down.”
“I have to work in—”
“No. Don’t you dare tell me that.” She raises a finger and shakes her head. “Work is work. Don’t pass on a guy like that for the sake of stupid work.”
“Work aside…” I sigh. “I don’t think I should be around guys at the moment. You know, with everything—”
She grabs my shoulders. “Stop. Just shut up.”
“But—”
“No. There is no but. This is why you moved to New York. What happened to your whole ‘seize the moment’ thing? You’re Piper Carson, for crying out loud. You’re all about living. Please just live a little.”
The reminder hits harder than I expect, stirring the long-forgotten parts of me I’ve missed for years. I press my hands to my sides as memories of the girl I used to be circle my mind.
Seize the moment.
I used to say that all the time. Every day and all day long.
Sometimes, the words felt like magic. They could pull me out of any mood and make me do anything. Especially the things I really wanted.
Suddenly, I’m desperate to reclaim it. Even a little.
The past few years have taught me that life is something meant to be experienced instead of survived. The reminder hits low in my gut.
I suppose if I want to reclaim more of myself, that would mean taking more first steps. And why not take them with a seriously gorgeous guy I’m insanely attracted to?
Attraction has never exactly been my strongest survival skill. I was probably a goner from the instant I saw him.
I release the breath I’m holding and nod slowly.
“Yes?” Alexis nods, excitement dancing in her eyes.
“Yes. I’ll go.”
My best friend doesn’t waste another second. She turns me back to face the gorgeous man and marches me closer, eradicating the distance between us.
“Ready to go?” he asks with a subtle wink.
“Yes. I guess so.” I glance back at Alexis, who is nodding vigorously.
“Then I dare you to spend the rest of the evening with me in a game of dares.” A ruthless grin slides over his lips, encouraging the heat in my core to climb into my throat.
Lord, what am I getting myself into? “Okay. I accept.”
He holds out his hand to take mine, and I give it to him.