Dare to Tempt

by Phillips, Carly

  After washing up, she made her way to the kitchen and found his coffee machine, brewing a cup and taking a seat at the granite table. She looked around the brand-new state-of-the-art kitchen. The appliances had foreign names she didn’t recognize and the refrigerator was a Sub-Zero, large enough to hold food for an army. Or a big man like Damon, she thought with a grin.

  “I like that smile,” Damon said in a gruff morning voice.

  She glanced up to see him leaning against the doorframe wearing a low-slung pair of sweats and nothing more. She took in his muscular frame from the top of his shoulders down to his bare feet. Even those were sexy.

  “Good morning,” she said, taking a sip of her coffee, her gaze never leaving his.

  “It’s a great morning. After an even better night.” Striding over, he leaned down and pressed his mouth to hers, parting her lips and tasting her with his tongue, leaving a hint of mint in his wake. She moaned at the delicious invasion.

  He lifted his head. “Any idea what time your brother will be here?” he asked.

  She shook her head. “But I can text him.” She picked up her phone and sent Mack a message. He answered immediately. “Since we’re up, he said he’d come by in an hour.”

  “Plenty of time then.” His slow smile caused flutters in her stomach that only increased when he took her hand and pulled her to her feet.

  “What are you doing?”

  He grasped her hips and lifted her onto the island in the middle of the kitchen, also granite like the table.

  “Ack! It’s cold!” She’d pulled on his shirt and it dropped to her knees, but her nearly bare ass was freezing on the granite.

  He grinned. “Not to worry. I’m going to warm you up.” He eased her back against the stone counter.

  Next thing she knew, he hooked his fingers into the sides of her panties and yanked them down and off. He spread her legs, bent down, and licked the seam of her thigh, teasing her with gentle flicks and nips. He held open her sex and pulled her into his mouth, devouring her, sucking and nibbling on her clit.

  She arched up her hips, wanting more. The man had a golden talent with his tongue, and she was on the edge almost instantly. When he bit down lightly, she started to come. Gripping the edge of the counter, she writhed back and forth, her hips lifting, grinding against him until she came down from the high to which he’d taken her.

  “Holy hell,” she muttered, her legs dangling from the granite top.

  He lifted her up to a sitting position. “See? You aren’t thinking about being cold now, are you?”

  “Nope. But I am thinking about this.” She slid off the counter and lowered herself to her knees, taking his sweats down next. “I didn’t get a chance to taste you yet.”

  He let out a rough groan and kicked the pants off to the side. She looked at his thick erection and knew this wouldn’t be easy. He was a large man, but she wanted to make him feel good. And she really wanted to see her effect on him.

  She reached out and gripped him, running her hand over the velvety steel of his cock, using the pre-come on the tip to lubricate her palm.

  “Harder,” he said in a gruff tone.

  Happy to accommodate him, she grasped him tighter and pulled back and forth, tugging on his hard flesh until he was thrusting into her hand. Only then did she release her clasp and guide him into her open mouth.

  As she closed her lips around as much of him as she could take, he shuddered, his fingers coming to rest on her head.

  “Fuck. You feel so good. Warm and wet.” He jerked his hips forward, and she relaxed her mouth, letting him slide in deeper, doing her best to handle him.

  She rested her hands on his thighs, and he began to move, gliding out and in, picking up a rhythm yet stopping short of hitting the back of her throat. She sucked, her lips surrounding his thick erection, and he groaned, his hips moving faster until he let go, spurting in her mouth, his entire body trembling as he came.

  She released him to catch her breath but she was very pleased at how fast she’d made him climax and how hard he’d orgasmed.

  Looking up at him, she grinned. “Good?”

  “The best.”

  He helped her to her feet and pulled her close for a deep, warm kiss that pushed past all those boundaries she’d tried to put back after walking out of his bedroom this morning.

  Then, as if he woke up with her in his bed and kitchen every morning, he strode over to make himself a cup of coffee.

  Her gaze fell to his broad back and she sighed. He was easy to like. To have fun with. And she could fall for him so effortlessly, but she needed to remind herself that’s all this was.

  Fun and short-term.

  * * *

  Damon dressed, then leaned against the armoire in the bedroom and groaned, listening to the blow dryer in the bathroom. He’d convinced Evie to share a shower that was just a shower before her brother arrived. No sex had been involved, but he’d never look at soap and not think of the way she’d leaned over and lathered her legs, her stomach, and her breasts again.

  All the while, a wicked smile had curved her lips. Lips that had just recently been wrapped around his cock.

  Evie strode out of the bathroom wearing a pair of sweats his sister kept in a guest room for when she stayed over and one of Damon’s tee shirts because he’d liked how she looked wearing his clothes.

  Seeing his shirt wrapped around her curves had him feeling possessive, the need to hold her, keep her safe, and make her his overwhelming. But it was way too soon to even broach the idea of a long-term relationship, especially given that she was still dealing with her past and was far from ready to consider a future with him.

  He couldn’t believe his mind had gone there already, but Evie brought something unexpected to his life. The urge to protect someone who wasn’t family. The emotions that had built in his chest when he’d come deep inside her body were foreign but clearly meaningful. As was the desire to just be with her and enjoy her company. That she’d trusted him with her deepest fear and pain had been humbling. And he wanted to build on that trust.

  “Ready to deal with my brother?” she asked.

  “Definitely.” He wanted a solution to the loose cannon that was John, lurking in the shadows and threatening Evie.

  As they headed downstairs, the doorbell rang.

  He let Mack inside and the man immediately pulled his sister into an embrace. “Jesus. If you weren’t with Damon, I would have come right away.”

  She hugged him back. “I know. And I’m okay.”

  He released her and Damon led them to the family room, his favorite room in his house. The huge leather couch with recliners on either end had been a find. Of course, he’d hung a large-screen television on the wall, and his mother had discovered a unique rock formation table to sit in front of the sofa. One that could withstand Damon and his brothers propping their feet on, which, after encouraging Evie to sit, Damon did.

  “I’m going to kill the bastard,” Mack said, pacing back and forth in front of the table, his agitation clearly preventing him from sitting down.

  “I want him off the streets,” Evie said. “He can’t go around threatening me with a knife.” She shuddered at the memory, and Damon pulled her into him, a move not missed by her eagle-eyed brother, who narrowed his gaze.

  Damon shot him a level stare, shrugged, and kept his arm around Evie, making his point. He was here to stay. In case he hadn’t been clear enough the other day.

  Mac inclined his head. “Well, I did some digging. John’s unemployed. Can’t get a job with his record, which is probably why he’s so pissed at you. I’m sure he could have found you before now, but seeing you hanging with the star of the Miami Thunder clearly set him off.”

  “Clearly,” Evie muttered.

  “I think he’s spiraling and I want to find him. I have an APB out on him. Don’t worry. He’ll turn up,” Mack said by way of reassurance. But from the tight set of his shoulders, Damon wasn’t certain Mack knew where to find t
he SOB.

  Evie shifted against him. “I should talk to his ex-wife. Maybe she’s heard from him.”

  “No!” Damon and Mack shouted at once.

  She shoved herself away from Damon and glared at both men. “Seriously?”

  Damon squeezed her hand. “I have no doubt you’re capable of talking to her. I just don’t want to give John any more reason to go after you.”

  Mack nodded in agreement. “And I don’t want you exposed, going to a place where John might actually show up.”

  “I keep saying I can handle myself and he keeps making me look inept. I hate it.” She jumped out of her seat, agitated and upset.

  Damon met Mack’s gaze. He was concerned about Evie, worried she’d do something to find John that was impulsive, just to prove she was capable.

  “Stop with the looks, will you? I’m right here. I can make my own decisions and I’m also not stupid. I’ll call his ex. I still have her number.” With that, she stormed out of the room.

  Mack shook his head, staring after her. “She’s always been stubborn and independent.”

  “With four older brothers and a cop for a father, I imagine she felt the need to prove herself more often than not,” Damon said.

  “Never thought of it like that.”

  Damon rose to his feet. “Want a drink?” he asked the other man. “Soda? Water? Beer?”

  “On duty and I need to get going. Look, she’s going to want to handle things herself. I need you to watch out for her,” Mack said, just as Evie walked back into the room and glared at her brother.

  “Talking for me again? First, Amanda, John’s ex-wife, hasn’t seen or heard from him, but she promised to call if she does. Second, did you forget what I do for a living? I sure as hell will be more careful now.”

  “I can’t just turn off worrying about you,” Mack said. “Are you going to stay here until we find him? Because your apartment is open with the catwalk, close to the elevator, and leaves you vulnerable.”

  Damon had every intention of keeping Evie at his house, but he knew better than to say so.

  She glanced up at him. “Do you mind? It is smarter.”

  “Wouldn’t have it any other way.” Damon winked at her.

  Blushing, which he found sexy, she turned to her brother. “Can you talk to the bar owner? See if they have a camera in that back hall? Maybe we can get a tape of him threatening me with the knife.”

  Damon was impressed with her ingenuity.

  “You got it,” Mack said. “Now I’m going to do my job. Keep in touch and I’ll do the same.” He reached an arm out, pulled Evie to him, and kissed her forehead. “You know I’m just worried about you.”

  She inclined her head. “And I appreciate it. But I’m sick of feeling impotent thanks to John and frustrated that you think my movements should be dictated by the whims of a psycho.”

  “Love you, Evie.”

  Mack obviously knew better than to get into another argument. Together, Damon and Evie walked him to the door.

  Once he was gone, she turned to him. “What’s on your agenda for today?”

  “Doctor’s appointment for my head. I can at least get cleared even if I can’t play.”

  “Team doctor? One you see often?” she asked.

  He nodded.

  “Then I’m coming with you. In case you forgot, we’re still working on your case, too.”

  “Great.” This way he could keep an eye on her. He was just too smart to mention it.

  * * *

  Evie and Damon stopped at her apartment for her to switch into an outfit of her own, then pack up clothing and personal items to bring back to his house. Her brothers had stopped by, and Mack had found the bug John planted, disposing of it for her. She still didn’t feel perfectly safe here, but at least she wasn’t being watched. She changed into a pair of jeans and a tank top. Her leather jacket lay on her bed, and out of habit, she reached for it and paused.

  She wore the jacket to protect herself from the memories and insecurities that arose every time she saw the scar. Not to mention she hadn’t wanted Damon to notice. But he’d already seen her pain and questioned her about her past. And she’d been forced to talk about it. Face it. So, the question arose. Did she continue to hide herself? Or did she begin the slow process of acceptance and healing? Jacket or no jacket, it wasn’t like she could forget, not with John lurking around.

  She left the garment on the bed and continued to pack before ending up back in Damon’s car, her mind going to her brother’s overprotectiveness. She didn’t want to be angry with Mack for wanting to keep her safe, but he was questioning her ability, the very thing she’d left her job at the DA’s office to avoid happening. And he’d done it in front of Damon, who’d all but backed her brother up. But they were both just concerned.

  “Hey. Are you okay?” Damon put a hand on her knee before placing it back on the wheel.

  She shrugged. “Frustrated.” She didn’t elaborate, not wanting to get into it again.

  Before he could reply, his cell phone rang. It was connected to the car, and Austin’s name came up on the screen. He hit a button. “Hey.”

  “Hey. Can you talk?” Austin asked.

  “Sure. Evie’s in the car with me.”

  “Even better. I was planning on calling her next.”

  Damon glanced over and she raised her eyebrows in question.

  He pulled into the doctor’s office lot and parked. “Okay, what do you need to tell us?”

  Austin cleared his throat. “Can you guys come to the office this afternoon at three? I have a surprise for Quinn, and I want the people we care about to be there.”

  Evie let out an excited squeal. “Oh my God, you’re asking her to marry you!”

  “Dude!”

  Austin chuckled. “I know it’s last-minute, but it’s all planned. I just decided to have family and friends there. Are you guys free?”

  Evie could hear the excitement in his brother’s voice.

  “If I wasn’t, I’d make myself free,” Damon said. “But yeah, we’re fine and of course we’ll be there.”

  Evie was practically bouncing with joy in her seat at the news.

  Damon disconnected the call, glanced at her, and grinned. “Happy?”

  “I’m thrilled for my best friend. I never thought I’d see the day she married a man with a baby. Her own ready-made family. This from the woman who said no kids.” Evie shook her head. “Just shows you that you never know what life has in store.”

  Meeting her gaze, he treated her to a slow smile that had her stomach twisting with need and seemed to carry a hidden message. One she wasn’t ready to decipher or know.

  * * *

  Damon walked into the team doctor’s office outside of the stadium, Evie by his side, his stomach in knots. Although the doctor’s decision didn’t mean he’d be allowed to play in the first four games, it would be an important step toward returning both to the team and to his exercise and readiness routine. And those would keep him in shape and get him ready to play as soon as he could return.

  The receptionist checked him in, and soon after, the nurse, Lana, opened the door to the treatment rooms. “Damon? We’re ready for you.”

  He rose to his feet and gestured for Evie to join him. If he was going to get to the bottom of his issues, he wanted and needed her by his side.

  She stood, following him inside. Once in the patient room indicated by Lana, he sat on the exam table and Evie took the chair against the wall, watching him intently. She had a calming influence on him, his rapidly beating heart slowing just because he could look over and see her there.

  And when she smiled, he was able to return it.

  Two raps sounded at the door, and when it opened, Dr. Jonas walked in, clipboard in hand. As usual, he wore a white jacket over his clothes and a stethoscope around his neck. He looked around the same age as Damon’s uncle Paul, with a head of salt-and-pepper hair and a kind look in his eyes. Always.

  “Damon! Go
od to see you.”

  “Wish I could say the same,” Damon said wryly. He’d prefer not to have to deal with a concussion on top of a suspension.

  Doc chuckled. “I understand.” He turned to Evie. “And who is this?” he asked, extending his arm.

  “Evie Wolfe,” she said, and before Damon could introduce her, she rose to her feet and shook his hand.

  “Nice to meet you, Ms. Wolfe,” he said with a curious expression on his face.

  Damon glanced at Evie. “Evie’s my … girlfriend.” He played the ruse because it was necessary, and Evie seemed to smile and go along.

  The older man looked surprised. No doubt because Damon never had a long-term girlfriend, no woman he’d labeled as such, and none he’d ever have brought with him to an important appointment like this one.

  “Well, I’ll be damned,” Doc said, grinning at Evie. “A miracle happened.”

  Doc had been with the team so long, blurting things out was second nature, and now he’d just helped cement Evie’s belief that Damon didn’t do relationships.

  “How’s the head?” Doc asked, putting his items on the countertop, then turning to Damon.

  He shrugged. “Fine, Doc.”

  “Dizziness?”

  Damon shook his head. “Nope. Once it went away, it never came back.”

  “Ears?”

  “No ringing.”

  Doc slapped his shoulder. “Good. Now let’s check you out.” Over the course of the next half hour, he ran a series of neurological exams that included cognitive and balance tests before turning to the computer that hung in the room and pulling up Damon’s chart.

  “So. Looks like you’re back to your baseline,” Doc said.

  Damon glanced at Evie. “Every player takes these tests early in the season so Doc here has a baseline of comparison. He knows what he expects to see if he’s going to clear me to come back.”

  She nodded in understanding. “Makes sense.”

  He was surprised she hadn’t asked any questions yet, but knowing Evie, they would come.

  “Let’s go talk in my office,” Doc said.

  Damon’s hand on Evie’s back, they followed Doc out the door to the end of the hall and entered the man’s domain. He had wooden bookshelves behind his desk and an array of team memorabilia on the shelves.