The Three Slips

Chapter 4

Eve opted to keep on her wet panties and bra. The thought of wearing someone else's undergarments just felt uncouth.

Adding to her misery, Dominick's mom didn't own anything but low cut shirts and miniskirts. Amber reminded Eve that Dominick' s mom was actually his fourth step-mother in ten years and was only three years older than they were.

Eve emerged from the bathroom feeling only slightly less naked than she had in her wet t-shirt. Amber, however, beamed at her and thoroughly approved of the deep blue V-neck shirt and white skirt- so short Eve could touch the hem by placing her hands on her thighs.

Add to the skimpy clothes the fact that her hair was now decidedly uncontrollable, arranging itself as wild curls down her back and around her shoulders, and she felt wholly ridiculous.

Sam, however, seemed to approve of her hair and her new outfit. His mouth slowly curved into what could only be described as a sexy grin when she walked into the living room. His expression conveyed nothing but appreciation and admiration for everything she'd tried for so long to hide.

Under his gaze she had to remind herself how to walk- heel-toe, heel-toe so she wouldn't trip and take a face plant into the berber carpet.

Dominick, on the other hand, seemed to avoid looking directly at her.

He shot up from his seat when she entered and glanced at his phone. "Hey- it's almost eleven. We need to book it if we're going to make it to the lake house on time."

Eve suppressed a little flutter of nerves originating from her lower belly and twisting with delightful pain in her chest. She walked past Sam, only meeting his eyes for a moment, then held Amber's hand as they left for the new location.

But Eve sense that Sam's attention was glued to her; the back of her legs burned under his watchful gaze. She felt her lack of clothing acutely.

When they reached the lake house Eve was startled by the number of people included in the 'private party'; startled and a lot worried. If she didn't end up with Sam- which, based on the odds she most likely would not- that meant she would end up with one of the other guys.

In the bathroom earlier, when Eve questioned Amber about the game, her friend had laughed it off; she said it was no big deal. It was not the first time that Eve wished she'd already told Amber about the rape. As it was, Amber didn't know. Eve still hadn't found the words to tell her and she doubted a house party, six years later, was the time or the place.

Mustering a modicum of courage, Eve pressed her free hand to her stomach and tried settle her anxiety; she permitted Amber to steer her toward a table where empty strips of paper were sitting. A gaggle of giggling girls- all terrifyingly gorgeous- were gathered around the table writing down their forfeits.

Amber passed Eve a pen, "Just write something down- Dominick will have made sure there are no creeps."

Eve predictably swallowed, "What are you going to write down?"

"I always write down foot massage. I don't care who it is, I'm always up for a foot massage."

A blonde nearby added her two cents, "Oh, that's a good one. I always write down body shot."

Eve blanched and scanned the room. She didn't want one of these guys touching her feet or licking her stomach. The very thought filled her with such an intense dread she thought she might toss her kippers.

At that moment her eyes met Sam's. His brow creased as he unabashedly surveyed her. She, in turn, watched him as he brought a beer to his lips. She studied his mouth where it met the ring of the bottle and stood with rapt fascination as he leisurely swallowed; a small, languorous smile hovering behind his features.