Without warning, I reached down and gave her ass a hard smack.
"That's for spray painting my car," I said.
Her breath hitched, and she bit her lip, trying to suppress a smile. "You're such a caveman."
"Caveman? How about this?" I said, smacking her...
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ESMERALDA'S POV
The party swirled around me in a blur of music and laughter, but I felt like I was moving through water—disconnected, floating between reality and something far more dangerous. Caleb's kiss still burned on my lips, a phantom touch that refused to fade. Every time my gaze flickered to where he stood, leaning casually against the wall with a drink in hand, my stomach clenched.
I told myself to focus. To be present. To lose myself in the crowd, in the new friendships I was forming, in the thrill of the night. But no matter how hard I tried, my thoughts kept snapping back to him.
He was a magnet, and I was hopelessly trapped in his orbit.
"Esme! Over here!"
Sylvie's voice cut through my haze, reeling me back into reality. She stood near the center of the living room, flanked by Mia and Jason, all three of them grinning like they were up to something. Their laughter bubbled up like champagne, infectious and wild.
"Come on, we're playing a game!" Mia declared, her eyes glinting with mischief.
I hesitated, narrowing my eyes. "What kind of game?"
"Truth or dare, baby!" Jason wiggled his eyebrows, flashing that signature smirk that had probably gotten him out of trouble more times than I could count. His words dripped with challenge, and a flicker of excitement sparked in my chest despite myself.
"Don't think you can get away with the boring stuff," Mia added, nudging me playfully. "We want the juicy secrets!"
A nervous thrill rushed through me. Part of me wanted to refuse, to stay in the safety of the shadows where I could keep my emotions in check. But the other part—the part that was still thrumming with adrenaline, still craving something reckless—wanted to say yes.
Before I could make a decision, Sylvie grabbed my wrist and pulled me forward, dragging me straight into the lion's den. The group had gathered in a messy circle on the plush living room floor, bottles of alcohol scattered around, the tension thick with anticipation. Some people were already flushed from previous rounds, and the air smelled faintly of whiskey and perfume.
I took a seat between Sylvie and Jason, my stomach flipping as I realized just how many eyes were now on me.
"Alright, princess," Jason drawled, his grin slow and lazy as he leaned in. "New girl goes first."
The room buzzed with anticipation, the energy thick as everyone leaned in, waiting for my decision. Laughter and the distant pulse of music filled the air, but all I could focus on was the way Caleb stood against the wall, his drink resting lazily in his hand, his sharp gaze locked onto mine.
His expression was unreadable—dark, unwavering. Almost like he was daring me to do something reckless.
"Truth or dare?" Sylvie's voice cut through the tension, and I forced myself to look away from Caleb, turning to her instead.
