Don't You Dare (Reckless Games #1)

by C.E. Ricci

I actually know he wouldn’t. We’re the kind of best friends who would do anything for each other. Even kiss each other for a stupid dare.

He’s handling me like I’m made of glass, capable of shattering in his hands, and right now, I think it’s very possible I could.

I realize what it is. Lust. Desire. For…Aspen.

Moments later, he rolls to a stop outside the training center and throws the car in park. “Do you need me to pick you up too, Your Highness?” “You think this is a chariot?” He glares. “Never mind. You can walk. Last I checked, it’s supposed to start raining right when you’re done lifting.” Ah, Oregon. Always raining. I smirk as I get out, slinging my bag over my shoulder and calling through the open door. “Thanks for the ride, Mom. Meet you here after practice.” The words “fucking asshole” are just loud enough for me to hear before the door slams shut and I turn to walk away.

Hahah I love them and it's the first chapter

That makes me smile. No matter how many friends he has or how popular he gets as the years pass, I’m still his number one. Just like he’s mine. We might’ve been basically family since we were born, but we still choose each other. Always have, always will. And damn if that doesn’t make me feel like a million bucks.

“I didn’t want to kiss you because I didn’t want it to mess me up all over again, okay?”

Whatt

Pen: You think I’m hot. Me: I can hear your ego inflating from here. Pen: It was good to hear you laugh, though. And don’t worry, I think you’re hot too. Me: *insert Ryan Reynolds rolling his eyes gif* Pen: He’s definitely hot. No man can deny that. I’d say you have good taste. Me: Why do I think you’re gonna want to help me match people on Toppr now? Pen: Uh, that’s what best friends are for.

The ones I bit back as I jacked myself until I came with his name on my lips.

me. “Hey, Pen. Don’t you dare?” Though I know I shouldn’t, especially with how things turned out last time he asked me that question, I turn around and arch a brow. But I’m not prepared for the shit about to come out of his mouth. A deadly smirk sits on his lips when he says, “I dare you to think of me when you fuck her tonight.”

Ahhhhh

What are you doing to me, Kee? Why can’t I get you outta my head?

“I’m done holding back. Not when refusing to give in only makes it worse.” “Give in,” he repeats in a whisper, almost in reverence. Or maybe anticipation. As if he likes the idea as much as I do. I nod. Swallow. Tamp down the nerves. And lean in. “Please, don’t deck me for this later.”

“You think it hasn’t been fucking torture to keep this shit to myself? From you for this long? I’ve been living in hell ever since that kiss, and it’s only gotten worse over the past few weeks. So do you really think it’s been easy to want you, but know I can’t have you?”

“Don’t you dare?” His eyes heat dangerously. “Pen.” I shake my head. “Yes or no, that’s all I need.” His jaw ticks, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen him look more pained in my life. Torn between what he thinks is right and what I can tell he really wants. And make no mistake, he wants this. He’s just too afraid to take it. I’m almost positive he’s gonna say no when his eyes sink closed and his head slumps back against the wall. Until he nods. The slightest movement, but it’s there nonetheless. And fuck if I’m gonna let him start overthinking and take it back, so I blurt the dare out before he has the chance. “I dare you to suck my dick.”

Ahhh

And I’m more than happy to let him drag me to Hell.

“Don’t get mad, Pen. You’re like my own, personal, sexy-as-sin e-boy.”

I don’t get to finish that thought because Keene decides to crush his mouth to mine, spearing my lips apart with his tongue to put my own to much better use than arguing. And yeah, I guess I was wrong about sex stuff overshadowing our friendship. Friendship is a lot more fun when kissing’s involved.

“Yours, huh? Never took you for the possessive one. You jealous of my hand?” Yes. I want it to be my mouth.

“I’m not just talking about your cock, Kee,” I growl out the words. “I’m going to lick every inch of your body before fucking you so hard, you have no choice but to remember what I’m about to tell you. No option but to hear me when I say this.” I lick my lips and lower my voice, my eyes locked on the hand still wrapped around his cock. “You. Are. Mine. You belong to me and me alone.”

“Fuck, Pen.” A groan escapes him as his hand moves faster over his shaft. “Why’re you not here right now? Why am I in Arizona instead of in your bed?” “Because you’re the best goddamn catcher Foltyn has had in years. And because if I was there right now...” I trail off, swallowing. “I don’t think I could stop myself from railing you into the goddamn tile wall of that shower.”

Not until his fingers are in his ass and my name is on his fucking lips. “Put your fingers in your ass.”

“Hey, Kee?” “Yeah?” “I missed you.” My stupid heart squeezes. “I missed you too, Pen.”

It’s just…different with him. I’m different with him.

“Just kissing you.” “But…why?” Because you’re mine.

But how can I be afraid when everything about him screams things like safety and security and home?

“Absolutely not,” he whispers, pulling my mouth to his.

“I don’t wanna hurt you.” He nods, eyes full of trust. “Then don’t hurt me.”

He’s so fucking…beautiful. So brave and caring, and all I can think while our eyes lock is mine. He’s mine, from this day on.

It’s so easy to get lost in him. Especially when we’re like this. Just the two of us in our own little world where nothing else exists.

“God, you’re such an idiot sometimes.” Your idiot,

Wanting something like that is dangerous. Both to our friendship and to my heart.

“At the risk of sounding completely fucking corny or like a total sap, I’m happiest when you’re happy, Kee. It’s always been that way, always will be.”

“Well,” I say, snuggling up into him, “my smile is infectious.” He chuckles, leaning in to press his lips to mine. “That, and it’s completely addictive.”

About feeling like we were always meant to end up here, even if we didn’t realize it. Even if he still doesn’t, from the sounds of it. Maybe this was the plan all along.

“There’s the Keene I know and love. Always going with the flow and talking me off the ledge.” That one four-letter word leaves his lips, causing my heart to stutter and stumble in my chest. Inflating painfully against my ribs until they might crack from too much pressure. And they do splinter slightly when I force a smile back at him. “That’s what best friends are for.”

Maybe it’s because I don’t think I’m enough. Not what he deserves or what he needs in the long run.

But when it comes to something more than that, I’ve got nothing to offer but a really shitty track record of letting my guard down with people I should trust, and a long string of emotionless hookups to show for it.

“You told me Keene is like a golden retriever, and I can see it. He just loves and loves and loves. Never has met a person he didn’t like. And he’s also the kind of person who needs that kind of love in return.”

“I don’t know what I want…other than to keep him safe. From the world, and from me. I don’t want to ruin him or hurt him or—”

“Well, in the words of the great Olaf? Some people are worth melting for.”

getaway

And all I know is…I want more. More of Keene, and in ways I’ve never wanted anyone else. In ways I’ve never wanted him before now. You have to be all in.

But I’ve come to realize, it’s not just his kiss that I’m hooked on. It’s everything about him. Keene. My best friend. The only person who has the power to completely ruin me. And I might just let him.

“I want you. So much, I can’t think. Can’t breathe. I can’t do anything but want you.” And I do. In every sense of the word, I want him. Need him. Crave him.

“You already have me.” Four words, and my heart explodes.

I want more, however I can get it. Giving this up would be like living without oxygen. Impossible.

“Don’t you dare?”

Queee

A future you don’t have.

“I’ll never hurt you,” he murmurs, teeth scraping against my shoulder. “I’d rather die.”

He fucking hurts me with every touch, look, or kiss, painting an impossible picture in my brain. That this is real. That he might love me. But I know he doesn’t. Not the way I love him.

Because I don’t want him to own my body alone. I want him to take my heart and soul too. Everything I have to give, I want him to own. Make his and protect it. Cherish it. But what I want is something I know I’ll never have…and I’d do well to remember that.