“Are you fucking serious right now?” I go to reach out for her, but she runs into the master bathroom and slams the door shut.
Walking over to it, I try the knob, and just as I expected, it’s locked. I lean up against it. “We both know I could knock this door down if I wanted to, sweetheart.” It would only take one hit with my shoulder. I’d hate to do it, but if she leaves me no choice … “Austin?” I call out, slapping the white wood. “Austin, fucking open this …”
The door swings open, and she stands there with both hands on her hips. I open my mouth to yell at her but stop myself when I see the unshed tears in her eyes.
I step into the bathroom, and she takes a step back, matching it. “What is wrong?” I ask, truly concerned.
“I want you to be honest with me,” she says slowly as though she’s trying to pick her words carefully.
“Okay,” I say without hesitation.
“Were you with someone earlier tonight?”
Not this again. “No, Austin,” I say through clenched teeth. “I’m not fucking around on you, and I’m starting to get offended you would think I’m capable of that.” I can be a fucking dick, but I’m not a cheater. “The fact you think I would is a problem.”
“Becky told me …”
“When have you spoken to Becky?” I demand. We never talk about her. No one does. Demi has nothing to do with her sister or anyone in her family besides her dad, and Deke doesn’t give a fuck about his ex anymore. We gave her to Shane as if she was property that we sold. But I’m not close with Shane like I used to be, so for all I know he’s already tossed her to the side as well. But Austin? Becky was her best friend, her only friend who betrayed her in the worst possible way.
She ignores my question, running a hand through her hair. “She told me you would get bored with me.”
I throw my head back and laugh.
“Fuck you, Cole.” She shoves me backward and exits the bathroom.
I follow her, trying to stop the laughter but failing miserably. “You know that bitch was just putting words in your head, right?” I remember now when Becky and Austin had their falling out after we moved here. When she found out that Becky still had her diary after she promised Austin she would burn it. “The same bitch who was going to let a man rape and kill you? You’re going to believe her bullshit? Austin, she just wanted to hurt you.”
She spins around to face me, and shouts, “She may have put the words in my head, but your actions made me believe it was a possibility.”
Actions? What actions? So I was late one night. That doesn’t mean I was out cheating on my wife. “Goddamn, Austin. I thought you were smarter than that.”
She gasps and then slaps me across the face. “Don’t you dare. Don’t pretend how I feel doesn’t matter.”
I take in a deep breath. “Austin—”
“Fuck you, Cole!” She cuts me off again. “We’ll see how you feel when I ignore you and don’t come home for a night.”
I wrap my hand around her throat and shove her back into the nearest wall. Pressing my body into hers, I pin her in place.
My heart picks up, and my cock instantly hardens. She’s doing this on purpose to get a reaction out of me. Well, sweetheart, be careful what you wish for. Sliding my hand up her slender neck, I tilt her head back and lower my lips to hers. “I wish we could start every day off like this.” I growl, wanting to devour her.
“Cole …”
I cut off her air and press my hips into her lower stomach, letting her know I’m about to throw her ass onto the bed and fuck her unmercifully. Her glassy green eyes glare up at me while strands of her hair cover parts of her face. My free hand comes up to move them to the side. I can smell the cinnamon on her lips. She’s so drunk. I wonder if we’d be having this conversation if she were sober? But I understand her fear of losing me. Because I feel it every day with her. “You’re the only woman I’m fucking, Austin,” I tell her, my eyes on hers. “You’re the only woman I want and will ever need. Do you understand me?” I loosen my hold around her neck, but don’t let go.
“No.” She licks her lips.
“No?” I repeat with a growl.
“Show me,” she breathes. Her heavy eyes hold mine. “Make me believe you. I dare you.”
I smile. “My pleasure, sweetheart.”
I hope you enjoyed the bonus content.
SURPRISE
Shane will be getting his own book. Truth or Dare will be coming out in 2022. I know that seems like forever away, but I promise it’s not. Read on for a sneak peek. Subject to change.
Truth or Dare
SHANE
IT’S LATE. A look at my watch tells me it’s past midnight. The only light we have is from the pool in the backyard.
Placing my hands in my pockets, I slowly make my way to stand next to her at the edge of the pool. My eyes run over her yoga pants. The way they hug her ass has my hand itching to slap it. Or rip them off and bend her over. At this point, both sound mouthwateringly delicious. She wears a black Nike tank top, and her hair is down, fanning her back. “This isn’t about win or lose. It’s about life or death,” I say, alerting her to my presence.
“You going to kill me?” she asks with a snort, turning to face me. Trying to seem pretty confident for a woman who doesn’t stand a chance.
She clearly underestimates me. They always do. Until they’re on their knees begging for their lives. Then it’s just too late. I give a little shrug. “Depends.”
Her face falls, and eyes widen, and her breathing hitches. Any confidence she had is starting to fade. Swallowing, she takes a step back as if the distance will give her an advantage. “Depends on what?”
I reach out, running my knuckles over her jawline before sliding them into her hair. Getting a handful, I jerk her head back.
She begins to fight me, struggling without any hope. “Shane …”
My free hand comes up and wraps around her throat, cutting off her air. I yank her to me, turning her back so it faces the calm water. Large blue eyes meet mine while her lips part, trying to catch a breath. My fingers tighten to hold her in place. “On how long you can hold your breath.” Then I shove her in.
Make sure to add TRUTH OR DARE to your TBR list.
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/39rTVYy
Thank you for taking the time to read my Dare Series. Do you also enjoy reading about an arranged marriage? Continue on to the prologue from my standalone Code of Silence: Dark Mafia Romance.
PROLOGUE
LUCA
Ten years old
“WHO DID YOU fucking talk to?” my father demands.
“No one, John,” Uncle Marco snaps. “You know that—”
“I know what I’ve been told and what you are saying doesn’t add up!” He pokes his brother in the chest. “And you.” He points at my aunt who stands in the corner of the living room with her back against the window that overlooks their backyard. “You’ve been running your fucking mouth too much.”