The Dare

"Alive," I wheezed, "until you murder me."

"I want to murder you."

She released me. Thank God.

"But I'm too impressed by your speech and stupid death wish."

"Really?" My chest puffed out.

"Really." Beth swallowed. "So what now?"

"We get married."

"Be serious."

"We pretend to get married."

"Better." She gri

"And we get even."

"Oh?"

"I'll give it to Grandma. She knew what she was doing, but I hardly think the couples' therapy and Viagra were necessary to get our attention."

Beth gave me a doubtful look.

"Okay fine. It was probably necessary because I'm a man. Happy?"

"Thrilled."

"Inspired?" I pulled her into my arms.

"Not as much as you are." Beth wrapped her legs around me and jerked my body against hers.

"Three more days."

"Of the fairytale," I whispered. "Guess what happens at the end?"

"What?"

"The prince wins."

"And the princess?"

"She lives happily ever after."

"In a castle?"

"Apartment."

"NO deal."

"Beth…" I growled.

She released her grip on my body and started swimming for shore. "Come on, Thor. We have to sneak back into the hut without Grandma seeing us. You're supposed to be sick, remember?"

"Why would I go back to the hut when everything I want is right here? In my arms?" He reached out and gently caressed my hand, I shivered in response.

"That was a good speech." Beth exhaled.

I could feel her heart race as we swam us back toward the beach. Once we could touch the ground, I pulled her into my arms and kissed her, wrapping her legs around me in the process.

"I could love you," I whispered.

"I could love you too."

I finally gave in. I forgot about my career, forgot about prom, forgot about Kerri — I forgot about everything, purposefully, and focused, purposefully on the curve of her hips as I held her against me, on the softness of her skin as my lips brushed across it. I focused on the sound of her soft pants when my tongue licked the salt water from her neck.

Beth arched her back as I kissed down the front of her chest, causing our bodies to fit together perfectly. She was on fire, and I wanted nothing more than to remember this moment — since we'd somehow screwed it up so badly the first time.

She dug her nails into my head, touching part of the scar from the accident. And for some reason, I froze.

Something felt familiar.

Something wasn't right.

Beth. The accident.

Beth and the accident.

"Bye, Dad!" I called out and ran to the car. "Beth." I smiled. "I'm going to marry her someday."

I jerked back from her as if she'd just burned me.

"Jace?" Beth held my face. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

I shook my head, unable to find my voice. It had been a memory. I'd been dressed in the same tux I'd worn to prom. What the hell?

"Jace?"

"I, uh..." I couldn't catch my breath. "I think I really may be sick."

"It's okay." Beth pulled me in for a hug. "Let's just go back to the hut, alright?"

"But—"

"Jace. It's fine, plus you look really pale."

"Right." I gripped her hand like a lifeline and waded through the water to shore. The memory was still there, I'd said her name, I'd gotten back into my car that night with her name on my lips. Why?

Chapter Thirty

The agent yawned. "So, the senator admitted his feelings. Good for him."

"No," Grandma sighed, "not good. You see, there was one thing I wasn't counting on happening, one person I wasn't able to…" she shrugged, "manage."

"You mean one person you couldn't control?"

"I prefer manage." She glared.

"Manage it is."

Beth

I didn't sleep all night. It had nothing to do with the fact that sex personified was snoring next to me. I was even partial to the snores. It had turned into my white noise, my soothing sound.

Something wasn't right.

I wasn't sure if it was me, if it was Jace, or if it was just the situation. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized it was the situation.

Everything had been going fine until things got heated during our moonlight swim. It was almost as if he'd seen a ghost. I tucked my knees under my chest and sighed. Was it me? Or was it something more?

I stole a glance at him, knowing that I was being the creepy girl that watched a hot guy sleep. I was totally pulling a Bridget Jones. The scar near his eye was more evident in the moonlight; it made me wonder where he got it? Football, maybe? Or getting punched in the face by Travis? I smiled to myself.

Two more days, and this vacation would be over. Whatever Jace and I felt for each other would be tested.

The experience had almost felt like something off The Bachelor. In fact, the more I thought about it, the more it seemed exactly like a reality show. From the dates to the excursions. I frowned.

I don't know why I didn't think of it before, but the minute the little light bulb turned on — I almost started crying.

She was Bacheloring us. And yes I was totally comparing my life to a reality show.

We'd had the romantic getaway, the action adventure, the silly couples' therapy followed by the whole vulnerable Jace moment, even down to the fact that Brett had shown up. Both Jace had I been so ridiculously played that it wasn't even fu

None of it was real.

I'd gotten exactly what I'd asked for.

Something fake.

My money was even on Grandma putting Jace's parents up to the task of making him feel guilty. After all, he'd very openly written down on a piece of paper that he never wanted to let them down. Not marrying me would let them down.

I was a smart girl. I'd always been smart. Sadly, during the last week all I'd done was ignored my feelings and my gut when it had told me something wasn't right.

Jace and I, back in the real world? With cameras flashing and people all around us? The fairytale would fade into the blackness, and I'd be left — exactly how I'd started off. Alone. Only this time I'd have a broken heart on top of everything else.

I was letting my insecurities take control. But I couldn't help it, because it still didn't make sense. Why would he want me? Why would he look at me as if I was his long-lost love?

Jace stirred next to me. The blanket fell off his golden skin. It wasn't real. He wasn't real. Because in what world would a guy like him actually be interested in me?

I was about to break a promise.

Being as quiet as humanly possible, I went over to my suitcase, pulled out my phone, and grabbed my charger. I tiptoed into the bathroom and locked the door.

My phone wasn't completely dead, so I plugged it in and only felt a twinge of guilt when I typed in Jace's name.

Senator Jace Brevik.

Most of the pages that popped up described his perfect childhood, loads of money, and ability to charm the pants off just about anything that walked.

A few brief paragraphs about his ex-fiancée who'd accused him of cheating on her with paid escorts.

And then a news article from yesterday…

Sources close to Senator Brevik say he had this trip pla