You weren’t even supposed to go to the party.

It was loud, chaotic, packed with sweaty bodies and way too many solo cups. You’d come to blow off steam, not to get roped into a round of Truth or Dare by Sarah Cameron herself, who was already tipsy and loving every second of the chaos.

“We’re playing,” she insisted, tugging you down into the circle on the floor. “Don’t be boring.”

Around the circle: Pope, JJ, Kie, Sarah, and—of course—Rafe. Who was leaned back against the wall with that lazy smirk that always made your heart do annoying things.

You sat down directly across from him. Mistake #1.

Round One: JJ gets dared to shotgun a beer. Easy. Round Two: Kie picks truth and gets asked who she’s crushing on. She flips off the group.

Then it’s your turn.

“Truth or dare?” JJ grins at you like he’s plotting something.

You go safe. “Truth.”

JJ leans in. “Have you ever had a crush on someone in this room?”

Your stomach dips. Eyes flick — accidentally — toward Rafe.

His eyebrow raises, just slightly. He definitely caught it.

You recover fast. “Maybe.”

The group groans, demanding a name, but JJ lets it slide. “Lame, but whatever. Your turn to ask.”

You look across the circle. “Rafe. Truth or dare?”

He grins like the devil. “Dare.”

You hesitate. But you’re feeling bold, so you go for it.

“I dare you… to kiss someone in this circle.”

A chorus of “ooooh” erupts. Sarah gasps dramatically. JJ’s already cracking up.

Rafe doesn’t flinch. He just stands up, slowly, like he’s done this a thousand times.

Then he walks around the circle — and stops in front of you.

Oh no.

“Hope you don’t mind breaking your own rule,” he says quietly, leaning down.

Before you can ask what rule he’s talking about, his lips are on yours.

It’s not a peck. It’s not innocent. It’s slow and intense and everything goes completely silent for a moment — like the party disappeared and it was just him. You. And the fire catching in your chest.

When he finally pulls back, your head’s spinning.

Rafe smirks. “Your turn again.”