by Lilly Wilde
I push him away. “I got it. I don’t need the McGuire tutorial on how to stand.”
He chuckles. “Okay. Then show me, hot stuff. Throw it.”
I look down the field at Hayley. Oh shit.
She cups her hand around her mouth and shouts, “Come on, Ragan.”
Disregarding everything Branch told me, I throw the ball to Hayley and this time it glides in her general direction just enough for her to shift right and catch it.
I look over at Branch. “See. I don’t need any of your fancy football techniques. Now let’s get this over with. I have an early shift tomorrow and I’m already tired.”
Thanks to my disregard for Branch’s advice, we lose the game, but Branch’s fans and the crowd eat up every minute of the embarrassment that’s the Annual Blue Ridge Bowl.
“You should learn to listen to those who are wiser than you,” Branch taunts after the clock winds down.
I look up at him with a scowl. “Blow me.”
“Just tell me when, sugar.”
“Branch, my man. Now I know you aren’t worth that two hundred fifty million,” Matt says, coming up and shoving his friend’s shoulder. “That game was an embarrassment to the sport.”
Branch nods toward me. “Fault’s all hers. I offered a few tips, but Ms. I-Don’t-Need-Any-Help refused my advice. But I think she was trying to save face. Weren’t you, Ragan?”
His eyes lock onto mine.
“You have a difficult time being close to me. Don’t you?” he asks with an arrogant smirk and heads in the direction of the people standing in line to get autographs and pictures.
Matt surveys me from head to toe and then his gaze rests on mine, his lips spread into a tight sympathetic line of a smile. “Good game, guys,” he lies, and follows his friend, leaving Hayley and me staring after them.
“I think Branch likes you,” Hayley says, stepping up beside me.
“I think what you meant to say is, Branch likes taunting me.”
“No, I’m serious.”
“So am I. Come on, Hayley, I highly doubt he’s all of a sudden into fat chicks.”
“Stop calling yourself that. You’re not fat.”
“Okay. Weight-challenged. Is that better?”
Hayley’s lips set in a disapproving line. “Why are you always so down on yourself?”
“I’m just being realistic. Have you seen the women he dates? Well, date isn’t the right word. I hear he gives the word playboy a whole new meaning.”
Hayley wiggles her brows and grins at me. “So let him play with you.”
I wave her off. “Just stop.”
“Why should I? You were obsessed with him in high school. I mean, you would have died to have him say just one word to you. Now he’s even hotter and he seems interested. Why else would he go to Jim Bob’s for lunch practically every day? I’m telling you, there’s something there. So why aren’t you doing anything about it?”
WITH THE EMBARRASSMENT OF THE game behind us, I give in to Hayley’s incessant whining and head back to Blue Ridge High for the bonfire. And as I scan the faces of those who didn’t give me a second look in high school, I wonder what the hell I’m doing here. And furthermore, why did I think it was a good idea to play a game of Truth or Dare with this drunken bunch?
Matt looks at me with a suspicious grin spread over his lips. “Dare,” he says. “I dare Branch to kiss Ragan.”
I frown at Matt and shake my head. “No, thanks.”
“That’s not how you play Truth or Dare,” Matt replies. “You can’t just opt out.”
I meet Branch’s eyes and he winks at me. “As if you haven’t already been fantasizing about my mouth on you.”
“That mouth has been on half the women of Fannin County. Why the hell would I want it on me?” I retort.
“Oooh, burn.” Chad guffaws.
“Kiss her, Branch,” Matt says.
“Yeah, go ahead, Ragan. I dare you to let him,” Hayley urges.
“Kiss. Kiss. Kiss,” they all chant like a group of teenagers. All but Skye. She looks like she wants this game to end as badly as I do.
“Isn’t all of this just a little too high schoolish?” I ask.
“Sure it is. We all know it, but it’s tradition. This is the weekend we forget about the adulting and go back to high school,” Matt says.
Branch walks over to me and reaches for my hand, then without looking up at him, I shake my head. From the corner of my eye, I catch Hayley nodding her encouragement but I still don’t move. She hops out of her seat, then hurries to my side and whispers, “If for nothing else, do it to get a rise out of that bitch, Skye.”
Still not totally sold on the idea, I look up at Branch and grasp his hand and he tugs me to my feet.
“It’s just a kiss,” he says, pulling me against his chest. His body is a thick wall of defined muscle and I’m sure there isn’t an ounce of fat on him. I’m equally sure he’s thinking the exact opposite about me, and my self-consciousness forces me to step back, but he cups my face and forces my eyes to his. My apprehension slips to the wayside as I gape at him, engrossed by the dancing flames flickering across his irises.
My lips part to object but the rebuttal gets lost somewhere in my head as I stare, mesmerized by that perfect mouth.
“Hey, Branch. Are you gonna make love to her or kiss her?” Chad blurts out.
The unruly group of friends becomes an assortment of lewd prods and cackles, probably laughing at how ridiculous I look paired with a guy like Branch. But for now, I don’t care.
I focus on the deliciously hot ball player; my gaze pressed to his as he leans down and brushes his lips across mine. And then he kisses me. Branch McGuire kisses me. He kisses me slow and he kisses me soft. He kisses me as if he has something to prove. And it’s utterly breathtaking. But I sense something else, too. Something behind the dare. Something that tells me he wants a resistant sullen woman to know what she’s been missing. Something that sends sparks radiating from my center and pulls me deeper into him and farther away from the onlookers situated around us.
I want to be unaffected by the kiss but it’s like honey on my lips, and it touches a part of me that’s never been touched. It’s like every kiss I’ve ever had all in one—an explosion of heat that I feel in every part of me. It’s everything I imagined it to be in high school, and everything I don’t need it to be now. He pulls me tighter against him as he deepens our connection, his lips moving in tandem with mine with a soft, sweet tenderness I didn’t expect. He prods my lips to spread and his tongue slips in, tracing the inside of my mouth with long, gentle strokes.
Something inside me shifts and my body relaxes into his. With his tongue nearing the back of my throat, he runs his hand down the line of my neck to the curve of my shoulder, then further down until he reaches my butt cheeks with a firm squeeze. Then I feel the bulge of his erection poking me in the stomach, a jab that jolts me back into self-awareness. And before I can pull away, he retracts his tongue and our kiss is over.
The previously rowdy bunch of spectators has fallen quiet. I look up at Branch and he appears as confounded as my insides. Flustered by his intense blue gaze, my cheeks start to flush, and then he, too, is suddenly aware of his audience and his expression shifts back to the one of the cocky asshat.
“Dare completed,” he says, a self-satisfied smirk spreads across his lips, then he smacks my backside as he rejoins the others around the fire.
Behind me, the fellas cajole Branch about being smitten. I turn to face the group, my eyes dart to Hayley who’s bouncing in her seat with a silly grin and two thumbs up. Then I look at Skye who appears as though she wants to scratch my eyes out. Her reaction alone was worth being on display for Branch’s friends. And then I evaluate my own response—my heart racing, my panties insta-wet and my lips burning from the heat of his touch.
As if nothing out of the ordinary has happened—and it probably hasn’t for them—everything falls back to normal. Conversations commence, laught
er floats through the night air and beer bottles clink. Chad passes me a fresh one when he sees my hand is empty. He taps the neck of his with mine and then takes a seat between Hayley and me. “I think we should take this party to the cabin,” he suggests.
“I’m game,” Matt says.
“What cabin?” I ask as Darcy rejoins our ever-growing circle.
“My parents’. We always go there when Branch honors us with his annual homecoming,” she says, flashing a smile in his direction. “It’s become somewhat of a tradition, I guess.”
“Yeah, let’s do it,” Todd agrees.
I look around as everyone starts gathering their things. I have no idea how I’ve been pulled into the popular crowd that shunned me in high school.
I’m on my third beer. Maybe fourth. Quite frankly, I’ve lost count. But since I’m seeing two of everything and the room is spinning, I’m sure I’ve surpassed my limit. The space is partially lit by the tall lamp in the far corner; the fire crackling a few feet away from me is the only other source of illumination. I make my way to the sofa and fall onto Hayley. She nudges me to look at the figures on the opposite side of the room. At first glance, it’s four of them, but after some serious squinting, I see it’s only two. Skye has somehow maneuvered her way into Branch’s arms and she’s taking full advantage of the opportunity. Her body is practically glued to his, every curve of her body is touching the muscled contours of his. And here I am, sitting on the sidelines, half-drunk, watching the popular couple, the whole time wishing it was me…just like in high school. The difference now is that I’m apparently one of them, which means I don’t have to sit by and watch. I should be the one in his arms but I know that is just as unlikely now as it was then. I frown in their direction. I swear if he wanted to screw her right here in front of us, she’d be all for it. When Todd joins them, Branch disentangles himself and goes to the kitchen.
“Now’s your chance,” Hayley says.
“For what?”
“Must I state the obvious?”
“I’m guessing you do because I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”
Branch reenters the room with a bottle of water in one hand and a beer in the other.
“How about another round of Truth or Dare?” Hayley asks.
“Yeah, but let’s up the stakes,” Chad says, pouncing on the sofa beside us.
“I say we finish what Branch and Ragan started,” Hayley suggests, a sly smile on her lips.
I look at Branch and my insides tighten as I recall the kiss at the bonfire. He lifts the bottle to his lips, takes a sip and then winks at me.
Matt finishes off his drink and places the empty container on the table. “Everyone in?”
Even before we confirm, he spins the bottle. When it stops, the neck is pointed to Skye. “Okay, I’m first. This one is for you, Skye,” Matt says. “Truth or Dare.”
“Truth,” Skye replies.
“You only came with us tonight in hopes of scoring with Branch.”
She looks at me, then at Branch, and smiles. “No offense to anyone here, but yes. It’s true.”
My gaze flashes back to Branch and he appears unaffected by Skye’s admission.
Skye takes a turn spinning the bottle and it points to Hayley. “Truth or Dare.”
“Truth,” Hayley replies.
“How often do you masturbate?”
I look at Hayley and she scoffs. If Skye was hoping to embarrass someone, she picked the wrong girl.
“A lot,” Hayley replies and grabs the bottle. After her spin, it’s pointing toward Branch. “Truth or Dare,” she says.
He swallows the last of his beer and says, “Dare.”
“I dare you to have sex with Ragan,” Hayley blurts out.
“What the hell?” I elbow her.
“What? We’re all adults. You can say no. So can he. Jeez.”
“Why is everyone so focused on Branch and Ragan? They are clearly not a match,” Skye says with a discerning air, as if she’s imparting wisdom.
“Good thing this is Truth or Dare and not Matchmaker,” Hayley replies.
The guys egg Branch on and I sit in drunken silence. Yes, this is feeling more and more like high school with each passing minute.
Branch looks at me. I can’t tell if he’s okay with what he’s seeing or not because he gives nothing away. “I’m game if you are.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Skye scoffs.
“Mind your own freaking business,” Hayley retorts to the uppity blonde.
“As if anyone is talking to you,” Skye replies.
“I haven’t seen a girl fight since our senior trip to Panama City Beach, and these two are way hotter so this should be good,” Matt says, rubbing his hands over each other as though he’s just uncovered a sinister plot.
Ignoring the impending squabble sounding around me, my eyes remain fixed on the hottest guy in the cabin, wondering if he’s for real and then just like at the bonfire, he stands and holds a hand out to me. And just like then, I hesitate.
“Where’s all that sass and attitude now?” Branch asks.
The egging on and near-fight jabs fall into silence as everyone awaits my response. My breaths come shorter and my heart is thumping to some weird erratic beat.
In the next second, Hayley is in my ear. “Told you he likes you. Do it, Ragan. You will definitely regret it if you don’t.”
I shrug her away and with my gaze pinned to Branch, and my heart still trying to escape my chest, I stand and place my hand in his. Then finally, I reply, “If you don’t think you’re too wasted to get it up, let’s do it.”
“Ah, there she is,” he says and curves his fingers over my hand and tugs me behind him.
As the guys whistle and applaud like the childish men they are, I toss a nervous glance over my shoulder at Hayley. She’s nodding her approval with those damn two thumbs up again.
Branch’s hand squeezes mine as he leads me up the stairs and with each step my anxiety increases. What the hell am I doing? This is crazy. Responsible adults don’t do shit like this. But isn’t that the point of everything tonight? To forgo the responsibilities of our everyday lives and do something wild and crazy?
When we reach the second door on the top floor, Branch pushes it open, moves to the side and, gestures for me to step into the bedroom.
I swallow the bundle of nerves and cross the threshold.
Once he’s closed and locked the door behind him, he steps in front of me and leans down, and with his lips touching my earlobe, he whispers, “Finally.”
The warmth of his breath and the barely there touch of his mouth sends a trail of gooseflesh over my skin.
He bites at my lobe and murmurs, “Fucking you is going to be the highlight of my trip.”
I hear the blood swishing through my ears and I’m so wired my chest hurts.
He places a finger above each of my breasts then heats a trail to each nipple, circling until they are plump and hard. “And I’m definitely going to enjoy torturing these.”
Kitty’s purrs become deep and steady as the reality of what’s about to happen overshadows my apprehension.
“Give me a sec.” Branch steps away from me and flips on a light in the adjacent room, and I hear him taking a leak.
I sit on the edge of the bed and wonder if Hayley was right. Will I regret not doing this? And how will this all go down? Is he going to fuck me as if I’m one of his groupies? Will he only be concerned with his climax or will he make sure it’s good for me? Either way, it will be hot as hell, so a release is definitely gonna occur on both sides. Hell, I nearly came when his lips grazed my ear. Chances are I’ll detonate as soon as the tip touches kitty.
I hear the toilet flush and then the sound of running water. Moments later, Branch is standing in the doorway, lifting his shirt over his head and every part of me clenches tight. His body is sexy as sin and it takes everything in me not to gawk.
“Ready, sugar?”
“Stop c
alling me that.”
“I thought sugar was a term of endearment. Should I try one of the less than sweet terms?” he asks, his voice a velvet whisper. “Do you like it dirty, Ragan? Is that what makes your cunt wet?”
Oh sweet fuck. I don’t know if it’s what I want but it definitely makes kitty go berserk! Screw the not gawking. I surrender to the urge and allow my gaze to flow over his body in successive waves. From his toned chest to his defined obliques, to the happy trail revealed by the loose belt and unbuttoned jeans.
Already aware of what his body is doing to me, he takes it a step further and reaches above his head and grips the doorframe, his muscles rippling and straining against thick veins, and I swear my ovaries explode.
I draw my eyes away from the perfect contours of muscle and meet his gaze. “Maybe I do like it dirty. And maybe my cunt is already wet.”
His lips break into that arrogant smirk. “I expect it is and it’s about to get a lot wetter,” he replies and walks over to the side of the bed, reaches for my hand and pulls me to him. “You know you don’t have to do this because of a dare.”
“What makes you think that’s the only reason I’m doing it? Maybe I want to give you a sample of what good pussy feels like.”
A soft chuckle rumbles in his chest. “So this is Ragan high on liquid courage? I think I like it but darlin’, don’t make claims that little thing of yours can’t back up. Every woman thinks her pussy is good.”
“Maybe,” I reply, the nerves replaced by the need to experience the fantasy of being with this man. “Difference is, I speak the truth.” I pull his head down to mine, halting any further conversation. And when our lips touch, it’s all I want. He’s all I want. Rough, dirty, sweet…however he chooses to give it, I want it. It’s all I’ve wanted since he walked into the diner weeks ago. A few chance encounters and a lot of alcohol may have brought me here, but now that I am here, I want him to fuck me with every ounce of aggression he displays on the field. I want it all. I want him.
