Dare (Fighting Fate Book 6)

by Maree Green

  I sighed and let my shoulders drop in an exaggerated move. “If I have to . . . ”

  As one side of her mouth curled up with amusement, she slowly crawled her way off me. I shook my head at how she made even that look damn sexy. Or maybe it was just the heated look she had in her eyes as she did it. Either way, it made me crazy fucking hard for her.

  Taking my hand, she lightly tugged, commanding me to stand, and, of course, I obeyed. I knew I’d been a complete fucking idiot with her in the past, but I was done with the excuses now. Now, there was no turning back. I’d never do anything to hurt her again.

  As she towed me toward the stairs, I thought of the comfortable routine we’d settled into these past few days. It had only been a week since the day she’d put her ultimatum on me, but it had been the easiest—and best—week of my life. I tried not to think about it too much, but it was hard to not feel like kicking myself for not having the balls to do this with her a long time ago. Like I said, complete fucking idiot.

  She squeezed my hand as she started up the stairs, flicking the lights off as she moved. When we reached her room, I spun her around, taking her mouth in a searing kiss. When I let her go again, I lightly smacked her on the ass. “Go get naked for me. I’m just going to freshen up.”

  Giggling, she sauntered into the room, glancing over her shoulder with that killer smile of hers as she went.

  Quickly freshening up, I dried my hands and face, my mind wandering to a conversation I’d had with Noah the day before. I’d forgotten about it with all the things we’d busied ourselves doing the last twenty-four hours, but now it was on my mind, I was going to get some answers from her. Or at least tease the hell out of her trying.

  Moving back to her room, I stripped off my clothes and stalked my way over to the bed. Jess lay naked, just as I’d asked, her legs positioned so one was bent seductively. “So,” I said, grinning with intent as I crawled over the bed, “rumors have reached my ears, Jess.” Taking her hands, I pinned them on the bed beside her head, lowering my mouth to hover only millimeters away from her neck.

  “Okay,” she said, not really giving a shit about whatever the rumors were. I loved that about her. She knew she had nothing to be concerned about. Or so she thought.

  With a touch that was so soft it was barely there, I ran the tip of my nose over her skin. “I heard something about you and Amber, and a dare, and the Murphy brothers,” I said, licking up the side of her neck, just below her earlobe.

  Jess immediately started giggling, but it quickly turned to full laughter as the moment drew on. “Oh my God!” she said. “I so want to deny it, but I can’t. It’s so true.”

  “Hmm . . .” I murmured against her skin. “That hurts, Jess. That cuts me deep. I can’t believe you’re only with me because of a dare.” Sucking on her lobe, I pushed her legs wider apart.

  “Well, you know,” she breathed, her head pushing back, exposing her neck to me even more. “You’re pretty hot. It wasn’t a hard sacrifice to make.”

  Pulling back, I smirked down at her. “Playing with people isn’t nice, Jess. You should know, I’m going to have to punish you now.”

  Meeting my gaze with an intense stare, her lips curled upward. “I dare you.”

  Her breath shook as I leaned down, taking her mouth with a heated kiss, but I broke it just as quick. Reaching forward, I pulled a silk scarf off the headboard and sat back on my haunches, smoothing it out in my hands. She watched me curiously, her gaze sparking with excitement. “You started this, Jess,” I said, holding the scarf in front of her face. “This is your fault. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about that dream of yours since you tormented me with it. So, this is your punishment.”

  Placing the soft strip of black material over her eyes, I leaned down and brushed my lips over hers. “Lift your head up for me, Jess,” I whispered.

  Without pause, she raised her head, waiting for me to tie it off before lowering it back down again.

  Grabbing a hold of her hands, I crossed them over at her wrists above her head and reached for another scarf, wrapping it around them firmly before tying it to the headboard. Letting my hands move slowly down her arms, I followed the contours of her body, skimming over her shoulders and chest, down to caress her soft, round breasts before trailing them across her stomach.

  She shuddered under my touch, her breath growing heavier with every movement. “Tell me what happened when you were like this in your dream, Jess. What did I do to you when I found you here?”

  Her lips parted, her chest rising as she arched underneath me. “You tasted me.”

  “Where?” I demanded. “What did I taste, Jess?”

  She moaned. “Down there. My pussy.”

  I hummed. She could bet her ass I did. I didn’t care if it was a dream, a dare, or something else. I would always taste her pussy, because she tasted fucking amazing. Just the thought of it made me so hard it was almost painful.

  Running my hands up the insides of her legs, I rubbed soft, slow circles over her skin with my thumbs. Her body arched, her pelvis tilting, begging, crying out for more. Goose bumps spread over her skin as I kissed the inside of her knee, licking upwards until I was kissing that little crease, right beside her sweet spot.

  “Eli . . . ” she breathed, the sound shaky and desperate.

  “Like this?” I asked, lapping closer.

  She whimpered. “More.”

  Breath hot, I hovered over her clit, watching her tense, strain, and arch, trying in vain to get to me.

  “Eli,” she begged. “Please—”

  Using the flat of my tongue, I gently moved it over her clit, stroking and circling, again and again. Slow at first, but then, as her body wound tighter, her legs pressing open as she arched, I started working her faster. Using my thumb, I stroked over her opening, lightly teasing. “What now, baby?”

  She moaned, but she didn’t say anything.

  “You need to tell me, Jess. I can’t keep going unless you tell me.”

  “Oh my God,” she choked out. “Fingers, Eli.”

  I smiled against her pussy, repositioning myself so I could slide a finger inside and still taste her. As she pulled at the bindings, writhing under my touch, I added another finger, slowly working them in and out while I swirled my tongue over her clit.

  “Oh my God, Eli. I’m going to come,” she cried.

  I crooked my fingers inside her, working them faster, pressing my tongue harder as I flicked it over her tightening core. Then, with the softest of touches, I sucked on her clit and hummed.

  Jess screamed, her legs clamping around my head as her body jerked, bucking and thrashing. It was the best rodeo ride of my life. I could barely breathe, but I was okay with that. If I was going to die from suffocation, it was the only way I wanted to go.

  As her legs began to relax again, I eased off the pressure and, very slowly, started to move my tongue over her again. “What happened next, baby?” I murmured.

  Her breathing labored and she shook her head. “Nothing,” she said, her voice slightly sulky. “You disappeared and I was sad.”

  “Why were you sad?”

  She arched her body. “Because I wanted to feel you inside me.”

  Growling, I moved up her body and kissed her hard. The thought of her tasting herself on my tongue almost making me lose control. Lifting myself off her a little, I grabbed hold of my cock and rubbed it over her dripping pussy before holding it to her opening. “Then I’m going to be inside you, baby.”

  As I pushed inside, she gasped, her mouth forming a perfect, silent O as she tilted her head back, straining against her bindings. Lowering myself down onto my forearms, I pressed my chest to hers, feeling her exhale, her body melting against mine as she softly moaned.

  Emotion swelled inside me. She was so fucking unbelievably hot. Even though I’d had her underneath me every day for the last week, it still fucking amazed me that she wanted me like this.

  Running my bottom lip over her jaw, I rocke
d against her pussy. “Three years, Jess,” I said dangerously. “I’ve wanted you like this for three years—since the first time I saw you.”

  She whimpered as I licked along her jawline.

  Withdrawing again, I hummed. “You were at Mia’s house,” I murmured, pushing into her. “You were wearing a green bikini and your hair was dripping down your body.” As I slowly continued to thrust in and out, teasing her with my touch, I breathed against her ear. “I’ve been tortured by that image, every day, for the last three years, Jess.”

  Her breath shuddered. She shook her head as though the thought of me wanting her for so long wasn’t one she could easily reconcile. But I just didn’t see how that was possible.

  Pushing all the way in, I stilled, only lightly rolling my hips as she tried to roll hers. She had no idea just how much she fucking ruined me. “There’s something you should know, Jess,” I growled against her lips. “Now that I’ve had you, I’m never going to be able to stop. I’m never going to be able to let you go.”

  “Eli,” she breathed, her back arching.

  I felt her push her feet into the mattress before she parted her legs farther and rolled her hips higher. My whole body coiled, fighting for need. Sliding my hands up her arms, I slipped my thumbs into her palms, gripping her fingers, lightly squeezing as I rocked against her. “You’re everything to me, baby,” I whispered, kissing her softly. “Everything.”

  “Oh God, Eli,” she moaned.

  Rolling my hips faster, I pressed my forehead to hers, almost panting now. “I love you, Jess,” I murmured. And I didn’t think I’d ever spoken truer words. It might’ve taken me a while to work it out, but it was the truth. I would always be hers.

  Chapter 49

  Jess

  If someone had told me when I was in high school that I’d need to pass through a security check to meet up with my friends later in life, I would’ve thought they were mentally unstable—or that I’d been committed to some institution. The same could probably be said about someone telling me some of my closest friends would be famous, throwing parties to celebrate the announcement of their upcoming world tour. But as Eli and I pulled up to the gate, six large, intimidating security guards standing before it as though they were invincible, I had to admit that this was now a reality.

  Lowering both our windows, I smiled at the blond guard walking toward my side. “Hey, hey, look at you,” I said, sticking my head out the window a little. “Beat up any paparazzi lately?”

  Corey grinned so hard, I could see all his teeth as he came toward me. “Jessica Rabbit,” he said, leaning down to kiss me on the cheek.

  As Daniel approached Eli’s window, I shot Corey a sassy glare. “Don’t start with me. I don’t care how big you are or who you’re trying to protect, I will whoop your ass,” I said, narrowing my eyes playfully.

  I sat back in my seat as he leaned down to rest his arms on the door frame. “And what do we have here, Jess? Why can’t you girls leave these poor Murphy boys alone?”

  Twitching an eyebrow, I smirked. “I don’t know about all the Murphy boys, Corey, but this one’s hot, and I like to have my wicked way with him.”

  Corey laughed and stuck his arm through the open window. “Hey, Eli. How’ve you been, man?”

  Eli smirked as he shook his hand. “No complaints. You guys coming in?”

  Another head appeared in the doorway beside me, making me jump. “Dammit, Cain!” I yelled, smacking him lightly on the forehead.

  “Aww, Jessie. Don’t be mad at me,” he said, giving me his puppy dog eyes.

  I rolled mine, but I couldn’t stop the smile from making my lips twitch. “You’re all impossible.”

  Daniel tapped the door with his fingers and took a step back. “Only for you, Jess. We’ll be in as soon as Aiden and Emmy get here. These two hulks are staying on watch with Lance,” he said, pointing at the two large forms standing in front of the car. He gave the hulks a jovial nod and a wave. “Let them through.”

  They nodded and stepped to the side, setting the gate in motion. As Eli edged his truck forward, I gave the guys a wave. “See you inside.”

  I watched Eli pull into a parking space with my lips pressed together with thought. “Why do I get the feeling tonight’s going to get out of control?”

  As he cut the engine, he gave me a withering look. “Probably because you girls always get out of control when you’re together like this.”

  Trying for a surly look, I realized I wasn’t going to be able to pull it off when I knew he was right. These events usually did bring out the crazy in us girls. But we were older now, so who knew? There might be some kind of maturity going on. But I was doubtful. “I’m not even going to try arguing with you.” I laughed.

  Throwing the door open, I stepped out and looked up at the dark veil above me. All the cloud cover had gone over the last couple of days, so the stars were shining nice and bright in the late winter sky. It was beautiful.

  Eli stepped up beside me and slid a hand over my lower back. “Are you ready?” he asked softly.

  The way his gaze penetrated mine told me he wasn’t just asking about my readiness to go inside. It was more to do with the fact that this was the first time we’d be amongst the group as a couple, and considering it had been such a long time coming, we were expecting some teasing.

  “I’ve been ready for a long time,” I said, turning and sliding my hands onto his hips. “I just didn’t know who I was supposed to be ready for.”

  A soft smile curved Eli’s lips as his hands pulled me against him. “Then we were opposites, because I’ve known it was you for a long time, I just didn’t know when I’d be ready.”

  Running my hands over his back, I searched his gaze. “Well, too bad if you weren’t ready,” I said, one side of my mouth tugging upward. “I’m always going to be a just-do-it kind of gal.”

  He didn’t laugh, and he didn’t offer a joke at my expense. He just watched me, his gaze heated and intense. “I’ve loved you for three years, Jess. It might not have been the kind of love Noah and Kaeli have, but it was the start of it. It just needed your spark added to it,” he said, his hand reaching up to brush the side of my face. “I’m always going to be here for you. Whenever you need me—even if you don’t realize it at the time. I’m yours.”

  My heart stumbled and my breath stalled. His words were everything I’d been wanting to hear for so long, but the honesty I saw in his eyes was what had me melting into a puddle at his feet. It was right in that moment that I knew what I had—what we had. And it was the most amazing feeling in the world.

  Emotion swelled inside me to the point of tears. I felt them prick at my eyes with wonder. Wetting my lips, I tried to swallow against it all, and gave him the tiniest of smiles. “Thank you,” I whispered.

  Slowly, he leaned forward and kissed my forehead, his lips lingering sweetly. When he finally pulled away, he glanced down at me, head cocked to the side, and squinted with uncertainty. “Just how long do you think it’ll take for them to let it go?” he asked.

  Taking his hand, we started up the stairs. “At least until Christmas.”

  I heard him groan just as we walked inside and were hit with a chorus of welcoming voices. Kaeli was the first to envelope me in a hug. Even though we’d seen each other a few times over the last week, she was still super freaking excited about the prospect of us dating brothers. As much as I shook my head at her, it was nice to know how happy everyone was about us being together.

  “Is your excitement ever going to die?” I asked her as she pulled away.

  Throwing her head back, she let out a full belly laugh. “Probably not,” she said, stepping back to let Noah in to kiss me on the cheek. “Our weddings are going to be epic.”

  Both Noah and Eli exchanged slightly worried glances, but that only made us laugh more. It wasn’t the first time she’d teased about the whole wedding thing. We all knew she was only joking, but the slight uncertainty in the guys’ expressions was as funn
y as shit. And I had a feeling that now Kaeli knew it, she was going to give them hell whenever she could.

  Spotting Amber and Amy coming our way, I grinned and opened my arms for Mae, ecstatic when she willingly lurched out of her mother’s arms toward me with a smile. It had been a couple of months since I’d seen her, and as far as time went to an eighteen-month-old, it was more than long enough to forget someone. I was just thankful Amy put in the time to constantly show Mae pictures and talk to her about her big, extended family.

  “Hello, gorgeous girl,” I said, squeezing her to me. “I’ve missed you so much. You look so beautiful tonight. Your dress is so pretty. And look at your hair,” I cooed, touching her little blonde pigtails.

  Amy stepped forward and gave me a hug. “Remember Jess, Mae? She has very pretty hair, doesn’t she?”

  Mae watched me with wide eyes before reaching up to touch one of my curls that had fallen over my shoulder. “Da,” she babbled.

  “Yeah,” Amy said, smiling. “Pretty hair.”

  Turning, I glanced at Eli, who was watching me with a soft smile on his lips. “Look, Mae,” I said, reaching out to touch Eli’s arm. “This is Eli. Can you say hi to Eli?” Picking up her hand, I helped her wave.

  Eli gave her a little wave back. “Hi, Mae. I like your pretty shoes,” he said, running a finger over the shiny pink leather.

  Looking down at her feet, she wiggled them happily and grinned.

  Amber leaned forward and mock whispered in Mae’s ear. “It’s called the Murphy charm, Mae. They’re all like that. You need to be careful.”

  “She speaks from experience,” I added, smirking Amber’s way.

  Passing Mae back to Amy, I gave Amber a quick hug, unable to stop myself from pinning her with a teasing look of warning. “And you’re in trouble,” I said. “For breaking the bitch code.”

  Her eyes narrowed with confusion, but as I continued to stare at her, my eyebrow slowly creeping upward, understanding dawned in her gaze. Sheepishly, she grinned. “Ah . . . yep.”