Chapter One
An Erotic New Adult Romance
A game of Truth or Dare was the beginning of it all.
The lights were dim. A Bluetooth speaker in the corner pulsed music. In the basement of the dorm house, bodies were spread out on mismatched couches and beanbags. Half-empty bottles, crimson solo cups, and the unpleasant odour of marijuana permeated the air.
This isn't where I should be. The invite list didn't even include me. However, Lila, my flatmate, pulled me in as if it were a rite of passage.
"Just one night of college fun, Ava," she replied.
"Then you can go back to being a virgin in peace."
I knew she meant it, even though she said it in jokes.
I therefore knew what would happen when the bottle whirled and fell on me.
Lila smiled slyly. "Dare."
The room gave a collective hoot.
I took a deep breath. "All right. Dare.
It was a sword of a voice. "I dare you to seduce Jace Kingston."
Dead. Quiet.
Dark-haired, sharp-jawed, muscular in a hoodie, with a cigarette between his fingers, Jace sat on the leather couch at the far end of the room, and eyes shot towards it. On campus, the most coveted and dreaded senior. The women flocked to him. The professors ignored it. Additionally, there were rumours that he had previously been expelled for a violent incident that was hidden up.
He caught my eye as he looked up, bored.
Then he grinned.
I felt sick to my stomach.
His voice was rough as he said, "You scared, little freshman?"
The laughter from everyone in the room provoked me.
"No backing out," Lila's arrogant warning said.
With my heart pounding, I stood. "All right."
He cocked his head.
"Come on over here."
---
I approached gently. My pride was hotter than my weak knees. He patted the space between them and spread his legs a little.
"Take a seat." I blushed, but I did as I was told. Even though his hands hadn't touched me yet, his very presence was enough to make my nerves tingle.
He leaned closer and said as his breath touched my neck.
"Are you certain you're prepared to participate in this game?"
I didn't respond. I simply nodded.
"Good," he said.
Then, unexpectedly, his hand moved under my skirts and up my thigh, stopping just short of my sensitive spot.
I let out a gasp.
There was a shout throughout the room.
He said, "You have until the end of the party to make me finish."
"But if you don't succeed...
I took a swallow.
"What if I don't succeed?"
He smiled.
"Then it's my turn to challenge you."