The Dare (The Bet #3)(51)
Author: Rachel Van Dyken

Beth’s warm laugh made my stomach flip.

"Ask me what I’m scared of right now."

Beth’s gaze flew to my eyes. "What are you scared of now?"

"You," I whispered. "I’m scared I’m not who you think I am. I’m scared that you really have convinced yourself that I’m some sort of hero, when we both know that’s the last thing people would call me. I’m terrified that if you give me a second chance, I’m just going to screw it up. I’m afraid that you’ll wake up, and not want me. That you’ll decide I’m not worth it. Because the truth, Beth? Guys want to be fought for too. We want to be worthy of the women we love. I want to be the Romeo, Mr. Darcy, and Avenger. But those shoes? They’re pretty big ones to fill, and although I love difficult situations, I don’t like the idea that one day you’re going to wake up and realize how damn beautiful you really are. You are worthy of those guys and more. I know where I land on that totem pole, and it’s on the very bottom, underneath the dirt and worms and crap. You’ll see me waving.

Beth laughed.

"I’m serious." I pulled her into my arms. "I’m serious about you. What would you say if I told you that you were the one that got away?"

"I’d say you’re crazy."

"Mission accomplished," I whispered. "And what would you say if I told you I wanted more than a few days?"

"I’d say you’re out of your mind."

"What would you say if I told you I burned for you? What would you say if I told you that even before this week, you consumed my dreams?"

Beth shook her head and opened her mouth to say something.

I kissed her roughly across the mouth. "And what would you say if I told you I was going to jump?"

"Jace—"

"I’m jumping. If only to prove to you that I’m going to start conquering fears, starting with jumping and ending with you."

"Jace don’t—"

I couldn’t hear her words as I jumped; my blood was roaring too loud, and the wind whipping by my face wasn’t helping anything. The water slapped against my body as I landed, far away from the rocks and into the warm ocean.

I didn’t have time to enjoy my accomplishment, what with Beth throwing herself off the cliff in such a fashion that I was a bit concerned she was going to belly flop.

Three seconds of cursing like a sailor, followed by mind-numbing screaming, and Beth splashed right next to me. She gasped for air, and then her hands were around my neck.

Holy shit. She was going to drown me!

"Beth!" I croaked, unable to actually breathe.

"Don’t you dare," she shook me in her tiny hands, "do that to me again! I thought you were going to die!"

"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 grinned.

"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."