Clarrisa's POV

We all stood by a table, and they got the bottle ready for us. There were at least ten of us playing right now, and there were others waiting to join in for the second round. Apparently, this was a very popular game for Ares and his friends. They were accustomed to playing it.

My family avoided games like this for obvious reasons. I was only playing because there was a good chance that I could end up kissing Damon, especially with Autumn on my side.

“I’m first,” Anya says as she spins the bottle. It lands on Adrian Willis. My eyes were locked on Damon to see his reaction, and I could tell how hard it was for him to watch her kiss Adrian.

The timer makes a noise, letting them know that they can stop. They break apart, and Anya looks a lot happier than she should have, considering she’d just kissed someone other than her mate while he was watching.

I’m surprised that Damon had even let the kiss happen in the first place, but by now, he was probably used to seeing Anya kiss other men. After all, he’d had to witness her kiss Dante and Atticus multiple times.

I tried not to frown at the reminder. Even Autumn looked disturbed when I glanced at her.

Griffin was next. The bottle landed on a woman named Paige. Neither backed down and kissed the other without a problem. So far, everyone was following the rules.

Ares was up next. I was fearful that the bottle would land on me. Luckily, it doesn’t, and I can sigh in relief. My relief doesn’t last long. It was now my turn, and a part of me wanted to run and hide. It was the same part of me that didn’t want to play the game, to begin with.

I looked at Autumn for confirmation; I wasn’t sure this was such a good idea anymore. Not after seeing Anya kiss Adrian and the impact it had on Damon.

Autumn nodded, and her confidence helped to build mine. If she believed she could help me, I shouldn’t have to worry about anything else.

I kept my eyes on the bottle as I placed my hand on it. It felt cold to the touch, and I tried not to stop my heart from racing in my chest. I was afraid that everyone in this room would be able to hear it and tell how scared I was. That was the last thing I wanted to do. They were all already close to laughing in my face. I didn’t need to give them another reason to bully me. I could tell that there were plenty of women in here that were just waiting for the right opportunity to make fun of me.

“You don’t have to play this game if you don’t want to, Clarissa,” Damon assured me. “I can take you home right now. Don’t listen to what any of these fools have to say.”

I bite my lip at his words. Only Damon would use this opportunity to call everyone here fools. He was aware of the women that bullied me, and I think it was directed at them. As much as I wanted to take up his offer, I knew I had to decline it.

He doesn’t realize that this might be my only opportunity to kiss him. I didn’t think there was a possibility that he would ever allow it otherwise. I wasn’t even sure that he would accept it in this game, but I was taking any chances that I got.

There was only one way to find out, and I didn’t plan on backing down. If this was my only chance to kiss Damon, I was gladly taking it.

“It’s okay,” I answer him. “I want to do this.” Only because of you. Again, these words are only said in my mind. He can’t hear my thoughts. A part of me wished that he could. It would make things easier for me.

I didn’t wait for anyone else to say something as I spun the bottle the second Autumn gave me the signal to begin.

It spins a few times before it slowly noticeably stops at Damon. My heart jumps in my chest, and I can’t wait to hug Autumn for doing this. I knew that it was only possible because of her. I’ve never been happier knowing her biological father was a sorcerer than I am now. It was working to our advantage. Finally.

There are a few gasps around us, and Anya suddenly doesn’t look like she’s enjoying the game anymore. The color is suddenly drained from Damon’s face as he realizes what just happened. I’ve never seen him look this pale before. I knew that this was the last thing he was expecting.

“I think it’s safe to say that the two of you would prefer to kiss the people next to you than kiss each other.” Ares points out. “And it just so happens that I’m next to you, Clarissa. I didn’t think our first kiss would happen in front of so many people, but I’m all open to it.”

Why did he think would ever choose to kiss him over Damon? I was playing this game only because of him, no one else. And he was the only one I was planning on kissing.

Damon glares at him. “She isn’t kissing anyone.” He growls. “So sit your ass back down before I need to do it for you.”

“You can’t back down from the game now,” Adrian says. “No one backs down from the game. It’s the rules. And you knew the rules before you then started the game.”

“She isn’t even your blood sister.” Another person adds. “And If kissing her is a problem for you, Ares is willing to do it. Heck, so many of us are willing to do it if you don’t want to kiss her. Don’t spoil our chances.”

This wasn’t going the way I’d planned. I should have known that Damon wouldn’t have given in easily like everyone else. If I wanted this kiss to happen, I would have to make it happen on my own.

I couldn’t wait for Damon to come up with a solution to this problem. I was sure he was already trying to think of something to get us out of this.

“This is taking too long,” Ares says as he moves closer to me. Before he can try anything, I move away from him and walk over to Damon, who’s looking at me like I’ve just lost my mind. The startled look on his face makes me more nervous about my plans, but I can’t stop now; it’s too late to stop. I had to do this. If I didn’t, it would always haunt me for the rest of my life.

Before he could stop me, I grabbed his face and pressed my lips to his. I hear Griffin shouting for us to stop behind me, along with a few whistles from some of the guys I barely knew. Soon enough, all of that slowly fades away. I couldn’t hear anything except Damon’s loud breathing and the pounding of his heart.

All I was focused on was him. He stands completely still like a rock in front of me. I think I’d just shocked the life out of him. Did I make a mistake? He wasn’t kissing me back, and I think everyone was beginning to notice.

“It doesn’t count as a kiss unless you kiss her back.” Someone shouts behind us, confirming my suspicions. “Then you’ll have to start over and kiss her again.”

Damon’s hands slowly grab my waist at his words. I gasp into the kiss as he slides one of his hands up my body until he cups my cheek and angles his face to deepen our kiss.

I couldn’t believe this was finally happening.

Damon was kissing me back. For the first time in my life, we were kissing. For the first time in my life, I was kissing someone, and it wasn’t any random person; it was Damon! My Damon. The only man I’ve ever dreamed of kissing.

Damon’s lips are soft and warm as they cover mine. He doesn’t kiss me hungrily; he doesn’t kiss me with urgency. No, Damon kisses me like he knows this is my first kiss. He’s very gentle with my body, with every part of me that he’s touching. His kisses made me feel like I was floating in the sky; it was light but yet it made my toes curl on the ground.

I want to wrap my arms around him, but I don’t want to bring more attention to us. I needed to remind myself that we had an audience, and everyone still saw us as siblings. I couldn’t get carried away, no matter how much I wanted this.

I could hear the timer ringing in the background, but I wasn’t ready to stop. I’ve wanted this for so long. I didn’t want it ever to stop. I bite down on Damon’s lip, and he growls into my mouth.

I felt wetness immediately between my legs just from that one sound.

“I think that’s enough now,” Anya said through gritted teeth next to us.

Her voice seems to affect Damon as he immediately freezes on the spot. He grabs my hips and pushes my body away from his. It took me a moment to remember that we were not alone.

“Fuck, dude,” Adrian says. “That was one steamy kiss.”

“I forgot she was his sister for a second.” Someone whispered behind us.

My cheeks are on fire at all the comments about our kiss.

“I think I’ve had enough of this game,” Anya mumbles. “Damon, can you please take me home now.”

“Yes, take her home,” Ares tells him. “You can leave Clarissa with me so we can continue the game. There are plenty more chances before I can get my opportunity to kiss her.”

Damon surprised us when a growl tore from the back of his throat.

“Clarissa,” He says in a rough tone, probably the first time he’s ever used that tone with me.

“Let’s go. Now.”