Winter Inferno

Four

"Truth or dare, Brandy?" Beth asked, giggling. The alcohol had been flowing freely for hours and everyone was feeling the effects.

I had no idea who had suggested we play such a juvenile game. I grinned, giddily, and answered, "Dare."

"You have to make out with Hannah for two whole minutes." Beth stated, earning hoots and hollers from the guys. All except Brody, who looked ready to vomit.

I shook my head, "I can't make out with my brother's fiancé, so how about truth."

"That's now how the game works! You can't just change your mind because you don't want to do whatever you're dared to do." Gretchen instructed, in her customary snotty tone. I'd learned quick that she was not an easy person to get along with.

"My sister is not making out with my bride-to-be! Screw the rules!" Brody growled.

Beth rolled her eyes, "Ugh, lame, but fine. Brandy, if you had to spend one night with any of the groomsmen, which one would it be."

My eyes cut straight to Cale. He was lounged back, carelessly sipping his whiskey. As soon as I looked at him, one corner of Cale's mouth lifted and wiggled his eyebrows. My face grew hot. Hell, my whole body suddenly felt like it was burning up. Cale's gaze turned serious then and his eyes didn't leave mine, holding me captive.

"Well ok then. Is it hot in here or is it just Brandy and Cale? We all know your answer. Your turn." Beth said, fanning herself, with a shit-eating grin on her face.

Embarrassed, I dipped my head, but managed to say, "Um, Gretchen, truth or dare?"

Don't ask me why I picked her. Out of all the people in the room, I could tell she despised me. Maybe that's why I picked her. I hadn't done anything to her, so she had no right to hate me. Gretchen smirked, "Dare."

Well, shit, now I had to think of something to make her do that wouldn't make me sound lame. I caught Noah waving his arms, clearly trying to get my attention. He was pointing at himself with a huge grin. I had no idea what exactly he wanted, but figured I could get close enough. I said, "I dare you, Gretchen, to give Noah a lap dance, for three whole minutes."

Wesley put some music on his phone and we all watched Gretchen happily grind on Noah's lap for three minutes. Honestly, why I made the time limit so long was beyond me. Three minutes hadn't seemed that long until Noah and Gretchen began to moan. It grew uncomfortable, at least for me, but when it was finally over Gretchen didn't appear embarrassed at all. Noah wore a satisfied smirk and leaned forward, not very discretely adjusting the front of his pants.

Giggling Gretchen said, "Cale, truth or dare?"

"Dare." Cale said, with his eyes only half open.

"Seven minutes in heaven with Brandy." Gretchen said, without a second's hesitation. She was smirking. She thought I wouldn't do it. What the hell was her problem with me?

Before I realized what I was saying, I asked, "Which closet should we use?"

Gretchen raised her perfectly sculpted eyebrows and pointed to the coat closet. It was small and Cale was a big guy. We'd have no choice except to touch while in there. So be it! I got up and stomped over, waiting in front of the closet, as Cale lazily got up.

"Uh, guys, maybe we should call it a night." Brody said, clearly uncomfortable with the situation. Whatever. I was a big girl.

"We'll call it a night, after Cale finishes his dare." Gretchen said with authority.

Brody sighed, sounding disgusted, "Fine, but I'm not going to sit here, while...I'll see you all tomorrow."

My brother took Hannah's hand and they exited the room. Everyone else stared at us, expectantly. Cale opened the closet and bowed to me, requesting I enter first. With my nose in the air, I entered, pushing coats out of my way the best I could. He came in after me and then shut us into darkness.

I fidgeted trying to get more comfortable and his hands settled on my waist. He leaned down and whispered, "Relax Brandy, we don't have to do anything."

"Yes we do or that bitch wins."

He chuckled and leaned down further, nuzzling my neck, "What did you have in mind?"

His breath on my neck, made me shiver. I had to admit, it didn't suck. Before I knew what I was saying, my alcohol infused brain demanded, "Kiss me."

With a growl, Cale cupped my face and the next second his lips came down on mine. His facial hair tickled my face, but I barely noticed. His lips fit on mine like they were made to be there. I knew I was playing with fire. The man was too cocky for my own good.

He pulled back and growled again, "Fuck Brandy, you taste amazing." Then he slanted his lips back over mine, more possessively the second time.

I'd never been kissed like that before. He knew exactly what he was doing. Anyone I'd been with before him seemed amateur compared to Cale McGregor. His kisses made me dizzy and I found myself swaying toward him. We'd already been close, but he instantly took my weight against him and then some. He lifted me and pushed my back against the wall, not giving a damned that we were seriously wrinkling everyone's coats. Instinctively I wrapped my legs around him and he growled his approval, placing his hands under my butt to hold me in place.

It felt like we'd barely begun when there was a knock on the door that our seven minutes were up. No! How had those seven minutes gone so quickly, while Gretchen's three minute lap dance seemed to last an hour? I wanted to protest, but Cale cursed and slowly slid my legs back to the ground. He hugged me to him for a second and then he exited the closet. I stayed for another minute to catch my breath, before exiting and making a run for my room, avoiding eye contact with everyone.