Page 20 of SnowBound

Feeling dizzy, I sat down on a chair, hung my head low, and closed my eyes. How did I end up here? What was I thinking when I roped Andy into this game tonight? It was a bad idea. Now I could tell. Refusing to open my eyes, I took a few deep breaths.

I could do it. Let go for once. Be wild. Go with the flow. Forget about the right and wrong. Live as if there was no tomorrow. No expectations, no rules, no nothing to stand in my way or dictate my next move.

No parents to make me feel like I didn’t fit in because I was too much. Too optimistic. Too jovial. Too opinionated.

I only had one shot at this, to let the wildest parts of me shine without having to think about the consequences. Or how people would perceive me. To just be without my brain analyzing my actions. Or my parents blaming me. It was harmless fun, right?

Andy had agreed to play with me, and I had to show him I wasn’t afraid of a little challenge if I wanted to keep the game running all night.

With a long exhale that fortified my resolve, I decided to do it. I’d climb on that chair and give him the show of his life. And then I would call the next dare. The idea of getting even encouraged me to agree. To prove to him I wasn’t afraid and that I was fearless. Even if it meant dancing in front of all these strangers.

When I opened my eyes, Andy was nowhere to be seen. Sitting on that office chair, he couldn’t go too far away.

Behind me, probably on a speaker, the beginning of the raunchiest song I had ever heard started playing. My heart dipped in my chest and tried to leave the premises and never return. All my previous pep talks dissolved. Was he kidding me? I clenched my fists to keep them from shaking and turned around, only to lock eyes with Andy, who gestured to me with a finger to start dancing.

I glared at him. Uneasiness coiled around my stomach.

What did I get myself into?

When I shook my head, he bobbed his, a smile forming on his kissable lips that I didn’t find so enticing right now.

His throat worked as his gaze roamed over me. And so did mine.

He jutted his chin, encouraging me to get to it.

Adjusting my sweater with trembling fingers, I rolled my lips over my teeth to avoid chewing on them and stepped on the chair.

Heads turned in my direction.

Eyes drifted to me.

A few people whispered, but I blocked them out.

Andy watched me with his arms folded over his chest, sparks blazing in his eyes.

You can do this, I repeated in my head over and over again. Show him you’re not scared easily. Yes, I was Abigail Peña, and it would take more than a dance to break me.

Deciding to give Andy my best, I swayed my hips to the music, keeping my eyes on him. Only him.

The fire in them multiplied.

Heat rippled through me.

Courage filled every inch of my being.

Was dancing in front of these people making me hot and bothered, or was it the Andy-effect? The way he undressed me with his eyes, his gaze caressing my body from head to toe, a smirk lingering on his lips. My cheeks burned. My heart skipped a beat. Something in my chest swelled. I breathed easier. The game we were playing got me hooked. My movements were more assured now. Fear left me.

Without breaking eye contact with the guy who made me feel more powerful than I had ever felt before, I slipped my sweater over my head. The hem of my shirt underneath lifted a little, giving the spectators a glimpse of my stomach.

Someone wolf-whistled.

Andy’s jaw flexed.

The playfulness in his features vanished to give way to a scowl. But he couldn’t hide the twinkle in his eye. From where I stood, I could see it clearly. That shot me with more doses of confidence.

To test—and play—with him, I unfastened a button. Then a second.

Tension rose in Andy’s shoulders and neck. I noticed the subtle change. And my body overheated at the sight.