Page 30 of Dare You to See Me

You are correct in assuming I disguised my voice. I have a recognizable voice that, because of my proclivities, I don’t want people to know. It’s also the reason why I cannot show you my face. I have to protect myself from those that would want to damage my reputation.

Now for a question of my own.

Do you have a boyfriend or husband, Sunny?

I see the moment the message hits her inbox and she begins to read. She pauses, looking around the room, and I sink further into the shadows of the night. Head down, she focuses back on her computer.

SG:But you saw me. That hardly seems fair, King. Shouldn’t this be an equal relationship? And no, I have neither of those.

Her words have me biting my lip.

K:A relationship. Is that what we have, Sunny girl?

SG:Not that kind of relationship. I should’ve said friendship. Or at least the possibility of a friendship.

K:Wellfriend. I will show you anything you want…except my face

SG:Anything?

K:Anything, beautiful. Just ask. The only thing off limits is my face. Do you want to see more?

I wait for her response to come but after a few moments, I know I really did it this time. I sigh and replace my phone on the holder and resign to going home. I watch her for one more minute, telling myself this is best.

I flip the kickstand with my heel but don’t make it further than that when my phone buzzes.

SG:Not tonight. I need to know more. But for now, it’s late. Good night, King.

K:I’m an open book with a dark cover. All you have to do is ask. G’night, Sunny girl.

I watch her stand and flick off the lamp, taking my light away, but I’m filled with excitement. The kind only a ray of sunshine can bring to your life.

My Sunny Girl.

FIFTEEN

SOLEIL

I type words into an email,but my brain doesn’t register what they say. All I can seem to think about for the last three days is King. He was tempting and teasing and the mystery, as much as it worries me, sends a rush of thrill through my veins.

I’ve always been a very cautious person. I never took chances, traveled the road that was laid out in front of me, and indulged in no more than alcohol when I was a kid. But seeing as the carefully paved road turned out to be filled with a gaping sinkhole, I was giving myself an excuse to indulge in something illicit.

Not that talking to someone I hardly know is all that scandalous, but for me it is. It’s the craziest thing I’ve done aside from being Kyle’s friend. Now that takes a brave soul.

I blink out of my haze to read through the email before hitting send. It’s late and I’ve had a long day between a busy schedule and caring for Dahlia who is a little under the weather. I think she has a little case of missing-the-grandparent-itis, and I can’t blame her.

Rolling out my neck and shoulders, I close out my email and I’m just about to shut down for the night when I have a change of mind. I type in the SecretFans web address and immediately I’m taken to the members page.

I look around as if someone may be watching, judging me for what I’m about to do, then lean over and click off the lamp that sits on my desk. Breathing deep, I click on my mailbox and see one message from very late last night.

K:Hi Sunny girl. Are you up?

It came in well past midnight and I was sleeping, dreaming of the man in question. It’s only ten o’clock, so the chances that he’s still awake is very likely.

SG:Now I am.

I chew on my cuticles, biting away at a hangnail, then sucking on it when it bleeds.

K:As am I. Wanna chat?