Dare to Rock

by Carly Phillips

  A quick look and he caught her massaging her shoulders, her tension obvious. If he weren’t driving, he’d love to help her release some of the strain, but he tamped down on his wayward thoughts before they could travel the sexual road and make him any more aware of her in the enclosed car than he already was.

  She sighed. “The tech guys explained something about someone spoofing IP addresses and things I don’t understand, but they’re monitoring things more closely now and removing the comments as they happen.”

  “What do the comments say?” he asked. Lola and Rep’s house came into sight at the end of the long road.

  “They’re calling me a bitch, a whore, and even …” She shook her head and shuddered. “Never mind. Suffice it to say it’s foul.”

  “What the fuck? Who’d call you names like that?” he asked, pissed off now.

  “I don’t know. That’s why they’re called trolls.” She placed a hand on his shoulder. “It’s common in the blogging world. It’s just never happened to me before.”

  He glanced over and winked, reassuring her he’d relax. But he didn’t like the fact that anyone was playing games with her, and he hoped like hell it could be shut down fast.

  “It’s calmed a little. Hopefully whoever they are, they’ll get frustrated with the lack of visibility and go away.”

  “Let me know if it doesn’t stop.” He’d call in the best people he could if someone was making her life miserable.

  “I can always ask my brothers’ IT people to look at things, but when they get involved in my life, things get even messier.” She shivered, obviously not thrilled with the idea of bringing in her overprotective brothers who owned Double Down Security.

  But her brothers were a solid choice, if it came to that. Even Lola had hired them when she’d moved back to Miami. Grey didn’t want a bodyguard trailing him everywhere he went, but the reality was, he never knew if or when he’d be ambushed, so he needed someone he trusted. He didn’t think the Dare brothers would want anything to do with protecting his ass, so he’d hired Marco to stay on the job. He didn’t trail them now, but Grey kept him on the payroll.

  He parked at the end of the long drive, the house right in front of them. Lola and Rep had purchased a white Spanish-style home that suited them.

  “The landscaping is gorgeous,” Avery murmured, forcing him to see it from her perspective.

  Tropical pink flowers, green plants, and palm trees covered the front and allowed for privacy from neighbors, who weren’t close by anyway.

  “It’s beautiful.”

  “So is the house,” she murmured. “It’s not too modern. And I love stucco and the adobe-colored roof.”

  “Me too. But inside? Lola’s taste is … eclectic. Wait until you see.”

  He rang the doorbell once and opened the unlocked door, letting them inside as Lola would expect him to do. “Hello?” he called out.

  “Grey!”

  Lola ran toward him, a flash of dark hair and cropped top as she jumped into his arms and hugged him tight. “It’s been so long!”

  A sharp spike of possessiveness ran through Avery, striking her directly in the heart and taking her off guard.

  “Lola, let the guy breathe,” a deep voice said as a large man with dark hair and plenty of muscles joined them. “Otherwise I’m going to have to hit your best friend, and I know you don’t want blood on your freshly painted walls.”

  Lola jumped down and laughed. “It’s so good to see you!”

  “Same here,” Grey said, immediately reaching for Avery’s hand.

  The gesture helped calm her nerves and emotions. A little. She really wanted to give the woman a chance, for Grey’s sake.

  “Lola and Rep, meet Avery Dare. Avery, this is Lola, she’s insane, and Rep Grissom.”

  “It’s good to meet you,” Rep said, capturing her other hand in his.

  She met his blue eyes, struck by how good-looking he was … in a bulked-up, beefy football player way. “I’m sure we’ve been in the same room at a Thunder party, but it’s good to actually be introduced,” she said.

  “That’s right, you’re Ian’s little sister.”

  “It’s been a burden,” she said, laughing.

  Rep glanced at Grey. “I like her.”

  “I do too.” Grey pulled Avery close, wrapping one arm tightly around her. She felt his affection and more straight down to her toes.

  “I’m so happy you came!” Lola said, still bouncing in excitement, her voice smoky, her Alabama accent obvious. “I’ve heard so much about you for so many years. I wasn’t sure this day would come.”

  “Give it a rest, Lo,” Grey muttered.

  Avery melted a little at the knowledge that he’d spoken of her at all. “Thanks for having me over.”

  “Like I said, it’s a pleasure. Now come on in, and let’s get to know each other.” Lola pulled her away from Grey, and Avery had no choice but to follow the spitfire through her eclectic house, passing a huge set of painted lips on a long hallway wall.

  Avery had a feeling she was in for an interesting evening.

  Chapter Four

  Despite Avery’s brief flare of jealousy, she liked Lola. Her bubbly personality and genuine warmth were contagious, and it was obvious she only had eyes for Rep and a sisterly affection for Grey. And true to his prediction, they were the only couple there.

  As Lola explained while the men were outside grilling, “I really don’t have a lot of friends in Miami, but Rep is based here. I’ve met a lot of the football wives and significant others, and I like them, but I’m still looking for my own crowd, if you know what I mean.”

  “I totally do. I have my sister and sisters-in-law who I’m close with and my best friend, Ella, but I like doing my own thing. Next time we all get together, you should join us.”

  “I’d love to!”

  And just like that, a huge rock star was going to hang with Avery and her family. Life had really weird twists and turns.

  “Come. Let’s get comfortable.” Lola gestured toward the oversized sofas.

  “I’ve read your blog and watched your videos and I have to say I’m impressed,” Lola said.

  Avery was thrilled that someone of Lola Corbin’s stature would be interested and find her work good. “Thank you. That means a lot coming from you.”

  Lola waved away the comment. “I’ve used many of your suggestions, and they’re great. Seriously.”

  “Well, I bet I can learn a lot from you too.” After all, the woman was on stage, photographed for magazines, and lived a life in the spotlight, so she had to always worry about her appearance.

  “We can trade knowledge,” Lola said with an easy grin.

  “I’ll take you up on that.” Avery glanced around the large room. A baby grand piano sat in one corner, the sofa was a gorgeous cocoa color, and behind her was yet another mural, this one an abstract of colors washed across the entire wall.

  “Your taste is so eclectic,” Avery said.

  Lola laughed. “That’s Grey’s word. I’m sure you mean it’s all over the place and what the hell were you thinking when you decorated the joint!”

  Avery shook her head. “No … well, maybe. A little.”

  “I can’t help it. I like what I like. So it’s a good thing Rep doesn’t care about things like decor.”

  Avery leaned back against the comfortable cushions. “He cares about you, so the rest doesn’t matter.”

  Lola curled one leg beneath her. “Is that how you are? If you’re in love, nothing else matters?” Her blue eyes pinned Avery in place, and the question had her choking on her drink.

  “Sorry. I tend to speak my mind,” Lola said, mirth in her gaze and not a hint of true remorse in her voice.

  “Yes, I can see that. I take it you’re asking about my feelings for Grey?” Avery decided to confront the innuendo head on.

  Lola shrugged. “He’s my family, and I want him to be as happy as I am. And I know, no matter how many years have passed, you’v
e always been important to him. I just want to make sure you’re not going to hurt him in the end.” Her tone was light, but the warning in her message was clear.

  “Wow. You really don’t hold back.” Avery rubbed her bare arms, chilled by Lola’s sudden possessiveness.

  Despite the fact that she was Grey’s best friend, Avery had let her guard down and relaxed around her. She’d invited her out with her closest friends, only to find herself cornered and pushed.

  “Look,” Avery said, wanting to be perfectly clear. “If anyone’s in danger of getting hurt, it’s me, so don’t worry about your best friend.” She heard the sharpness in her voice, but she couldn’t bring herself to take it back.

  Lola let out a long breath. “I like you, Avery, I really do,” she said, her tone softening. “I’m just looking out for Grey. He’s been like a brother to me, and it’s what I always do.”

  “Well, Grey can look out for himself. What’s going on?” Grey himself asked, stepping into the room, his gaze darting from Lola to Avery.

  Avery glanced at Lola and managed a smile. “Not a thing. Just girl talk.”

  She placed her glass on a coaster and rose to her feet. “I’m going to the ladies’ room. I’ll be right back.”

  She needed a few minutes to compose herself before she had to face Lola and Grey and the subject of their relationship, because if she knew Grey, he wouldn’t buy her story or let things go until he had answers.

  Grey watched Avery leave the room before turning on his best friend. “What the fuck did you say to her?” he asked as Rep walked into the room.

  “Don’t talk to her like that, man.” The large football player strode up to his woman and wrapped an arm around her.

  He leaned down and asked, “Tell me, baby, what’d you do?”

  Grey bit the inside of his cheek. Rep might look out for Lola, but he knew her well too.

  “It’s like Avery said, it was girl talk.” Lola blushed but held firm.

  Grey cocked an eyebrow her way.

  “Fine. It was about you.” She pursed her lips, then forced out the rest. “And I might have warned her not to hurt you.”

  “Dammit, Lo, I wanted her to like my friends, not face an inquisition.”

  “You’re the one who told me she’s wary of the craziness that comes with celebrity. I’m just worried she’s going to freak out and bail on you and—”

  He stiffened. “It’s my problem. Not yours.”

  “He’s right,” Rep told her.

  Grey groaned. “I’m going to do damage control, and when we come back out, you’re going to be your nice, non-prying, non-threatening self.”

  “Okay. If it means anything, she seems great,” Lola said.

  “Then behave. You aren’t helping me by driving her away from my best friends.” Without waiting for a reply, Grey turned and headed to find Avery.

  He approached her as she was coming out of the bathroom and eased her back in the small area, shutting the door behind them. He realized his mistake immediately when his body responded to her nearness and her distinctly warm vanilla scent. Once again, he warned his cock to calm down. Now wasn’t the time.

  “You okay?” he asked her, taking in her wary expression.

  “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  He narrowed his gaze. “I know Lola said something she shouldn’t have.”

  “It’s fine.” She flicked her braid over her shoulder dismissively. “We can work it out between the two of us.”

  He appreciated her attempt to let things go, but he wasn’t accepting her easy out. “Not when I’m the issue.”

  Avery sighed. “Lola is looking out for you, and I respect that even if I don’t like her getting involved or questioning my feelings and motives.”

  “Which she had no right to do. I don’t need her fighting my battles or making trouble between us out of some misguided sense of loyalty.”

  “Don’t worry. I’m not going to do something stupid like ask you to choose between me and your best friend.”

  “There’d be no contest who’d win.”

  “Good to know.” She clenched her jaw, steeled herself, and tried to push past him and get to the door.

  Ridiculous woman, he thought, holding her in place with his hips, pressing her against the vanity behind her.

  She sucked in a shallow breath, her flushed cheeks revealing she was as hot for him as he was for her. “You need me to explain that better for you, sugar?”

  Avery scowled, and that expression set him off. He’d played by her rules, been nice, accommodating, and taken his time. If she didn’t believe where she fit in his life, he’d damn well have to show her, he thought and slammed his lips down on hers.

  She stiffened at first, her hands coming to his shoulders in a half-hearted attempt to push him away until suddenly things changed. She softened beneath him and kissed him back with the same need driving him, her fingers curling into the material on his shirt. Her teeth clashed with his; their tongues tangled. He slid his hands beneath her dress and cupped her breast through flimsy lace, pinching her nipple between his fingers until she whimpered and bucked against him.

  He released the tight bud only to give the other one the same treatment. She pulled at his hair as she cried out, rocking her hips into his, seeking relief against the harsh denim of his jeans. “I need … I can’t …”

  “Shh. I’ll take care of you,” he promised. He lifted her, setting her down on the vanity counter and hiking her dress above her hips.

  “Wait, in here?” she asked, coming to her senses and drawing her legs together.

  “Nobody’s going to bother us.” He pushed her legs apart and slid her panties down her tanned legs, shoving them into his back pocket.

  He looked down at the gorgeous sight. Her bare pussy beckoned, creamy skin and slick folds waiting for him. “Fuck. I’ve waited years to see this.” He cupped her wet heat in his hand, and she gave in.

  She leaned against the mirror, head back, cheeks flushed, and a sense of satisfaction flowed through him that she trusted him this way.

  “I want to see you come for me, Avery.” He slid a finger inside her and nearly came himself at the feel of her tight walls clasping him in heat.

  She trembled, and a raw sound ripped from her throat.

  “Lean forward.” She did as he asked, and he pressed her head against him. “Scream into my shoulder,” he said and began pumping his finger in and out, all the while keeping pressure on her clit with his hand.

  Her soft sighs and breathy moans let him know what worked, and when he curled his finger upward and her breathing hitched, he knew he’d found the spot. He kept up the pressure, rotating his hand in a circular motion until she was writhing on the counter.

  He slid his finger out, and her inner walls clasped at him, not wanting to let him go. “Noo …”

  He grinned and slicked a finger over her clit, focusing on where she needed him the most. Back and forth, he worked the tight bud, and she rotated her hips in time to his rhythm, keeping her on the edge but not taking her over.

  “Grey, please, please, please.” She was shaking, nearly totally undone and just where he wanted her. Begging him for what he could give her.

  Only then did he change the light caress to a hard tweak, and she came, first screaming then fucking biting his shoulder as the remainder of the tremors shook her body.

  He held her until her orgasm subsided, ignoring his own pain and state of need.

  She lifted her head, her glazed eyes meeting his. “That was … earth-shattering.”

  “I hope so because it was just the first of many.”

  Her eyes opened wide. Grey was so on edge he couldn’t manage a laugh at her incredulous expression. Her hands drifted to the button on his jeans.

  He shook his head and clasped her wrists in his. “If you touch me now, I’ll explode.”

  “That’s the idea,” she said, treating him to an impish smile.

  Hell no, he thought. “The first time
I come with you, it’s damn well going to be inside that hot pussy.”

  Those eyes opened even wider at his blunt words.

  He adjusted the top of her dress so she looked presentable. He couldn’t help it if she still looked almost fucked. Hell, he liked it.

  “Where have you been hiding?” she asked, her voice still husky.

  “What?”

  She bit down on her puffy bottom lip. “You’ve been so …” She wrinkled her nose, searching for the right word. “Gentle up till now.” Her soft gaze bored into his, and guilt flooded him.

  “Did I go too far? Hurt you?”

  “No! I actually like this side of you.” A sweet blush stained her cheeks. “I’ve just never seen it before, and you’ve definitely kept it from me on purpose.”

  His heart started beating again at I actually like this side of you, and he blew out a long breath.

  “You weren’t sure about me or us,” he said, trying to explain. “It seemed smart to let you set the pace. But when you were about to walk out on me because of Lola … I decided to change my game plan.”

  She studied him in silence for so long he grew antsy, shifting on his feet.

  “It’s about time,” she finally said.

  He took that as an all clear. “We’re out of here,” he muttered.

  “Now?” she asked, stunned.

  “Yep. I need to be inside you. I’m taking you home before you change your mind.

  “But what about Lola? And Rep?”

  “Trust me, they’ll understand.” He grasped her hand and unlocked the door. “But … my panties!”

  “Are just where I want them,” he said, patting his jeans pocket. Without giving her a chance to respond, he pulled her along with him back into the big living room.

  “Everything okay?” Lola asked.

  “Fine,” Avery said.

  “Great,” Grey added. “I’m sorry to break up the party, but we need to get going.” He squeezed Avery’s hand in reassurance.

  Lola looked from him to Avery, a smile edging her lips as she took them in and understanding dawned. “I can see why,” she said, laughing.

  Rep chuckled. “Okay then.”