Who do you want to be tonight?”
I raise an eyebrow. “I thought I was the Duchess.”
“If you like,” he promises, “but tonight you can be anyone and anything. What will it be?”
“Carefree,” I say without hesitation. “I want to be carefree.”
Jameson falls silent as if considering my answer. Studying me for a moment, he finally stands and holds out his hand.
“Another game?” he suggests.
“Twenty questions went so well for us,” I say dryly.
“Truth or dare.”
Narrowing my eyes, I take his hand and allow him to pull me up. “Truth.”
“Why do you hate Monroe?” he asks.
“She stole my boyfriend. Truth or dare?” I don’t linger on my answer. There’s no way I’ll get to carefree if I let thoughts of Jonas sneak into my subconscious.
“Truth.”
“Why did you leave school?” I ask.
“I wouldn’t call it a voluntary exit,” he admits. “I was kicked out. This game sucks.”
“Let’s liven it up,” I suggest. “Dare.”
Jameson doesn’t miss a beat. “Go swimming with me.”
“I don’t have a suit.” My objection dies on my lips as he tugs his shirt over his head, revealing the hard slab of abs the thin fabric hinted at.
“Carefree, remember? Your turn.”
I pause, realizing this might be a good time to gracelessly exit.
“C’mon Duchess. I showed you mine.”
“Hardly a fair trade,” I hedge, even as my fingers inch toward the hem of my skirt. “I’m only wearing this.”
“That’s the best news I’ve heard all day.” A grin splits across his handsome face as my cheeks turn red.
“And underwear!”
“That’s a shame,” he says sadly, unbuckling the button his belt and sliding it through the loops. The sound of the leather vibrating against denim trembles across me. “Allow me to even things out.”
I do my best not to gawk as his jeans hit the ground, but I can’t quite help sneaking a peek at his boxer briefs. He taps his foot impatiently. “Do you need me to unzip you?”
I bite my lip before I nod. I barely trust myself to move at this point, let alone attempt the slightest change in position. Jameson circles around behind me, gathering my hair over my shoulder, he draws the zipper down. His hands slip under the straps of my dress as he pushes them down. The flimsy dress flutters into a pool of fabric at my feet as a fingertip trails down my back, between my shoulder blades, to the band of my bra.
I whip around before he can unsnap it. “It’s going to take a little more than a dare to get me out of my panties.”
He nods in acceptance, but I can see the glimmer in his eyes. I’ve just made this a challenge. The trouble is I’m not certain which one of us I want to win. He doesn’t press it, though. Instead he grabs my hand and tugs me toward the water.
“It’s a little bit chilly up here,” I call right before he grabs me around the waist and hurls us both into the deep end. Instinct kicks in and I struggle back toward the surface, but Jameson doesn’t let go. Instead he smashes his lips to mine, and suddenly I don’t need air. I don’t need to fight. I go limp in his arms, my body molding naturally to his as the kiss deepens. He pushes us up, not breaking the kiss until we sputter apart for air. We suck in deep breaths, staring at one another. Water drips into his eyes from the strands of wet hair that have fallen across his forehead, but he doesn’t blink as if he can’t stand to break contact. Then he’s kissing me again and I never want him to stop.
Chapter Six
Dawn creeps up on me. I blink against the sunlight before I sit bolt upright and stare at the unfamiliar surroundings. Memories from last night swim to the surface. Jameson's body pressed against mine. His hands gripping my wrists over my head while he kissed me until my lips were swollen. My fingers flutter to my mouth as I recall the vivid details of each hungry kiss. The towel draped over me drops to the ground and I scramble to grab it before someone spots my nearly naked ass waking up in the West’s private pool cabana. In the light of day, it looks less glamorous and distinctly less friendly. But more than anything it looks empty.
I’m alone.
I look around for a note even as it sinks in that there won’t be one. Two party crashers don’t equal a relationship, I remind myself