Double Dare

by Melissa Whittle

  “Oh, stuff it. It needs to be said, and I’m saying it.” Emma patted Abigail’s now slumped shoulders. “You’ve got other worries. You need to let Miguel know you don’t love him and probably never will. See how he takes it.”

  “But—”

  “You should have had this talk before you let him move in. You said you did.”

  “I did.” Abigail paused. “In a way.”

  Emma straightened. Sasha was right. They’d crippled each other. Now if they could pull through this they would know better now. “Be clear so he can get his place back.”

  “But—” Emma quelled the protest with a look and the mutinous expression was back. “I hate it when you’re right,” Abigail said.

  “You hate it when anyone else is right.”

  “Heifer.”

  “I love you, too.”

  The words put a smile on Abigail’s face. “I love you, too.”

  Emma stepped back so Abigail would have room to pull out. Once again the street she grew up on went quiet. One by one the street lights flickered on, but it barely illuminated the street. Sharing the neighborhood with professors or retirees kept the crime rate down. It also meant curtains were being pushed back into place now the show was over.

  Despite the turmoil, it wasn’t what had Emma feeling unease. In two weeks, day in and out, she’d be in small confines with Tobias. After last night, she couldn’t be sure where they stood. Would he want intimacy on her part? Did she want to give it to him? Emma wasn’t sure of one damn thing, except, maybe, he was the exact kind of guy she’d fall for.

  Hell.

  Chapter Sixteen

  The next two weeks flew by in a blur for Emma. She split her time prepping the store for the week at the college, and between Abigail and Sasha, who still hadn’t bothered to pick up a phone and apologize to each other.

  Emma hadn’t realized how convenient it was for her best friends to be best friends. No checking calendars, coordinating days or watches to make sure you had an open slot. She’d never been a social butterfly to begin with, but now she was exhausted.

  Crossing the campus toward the canteen, her step had purpose, because there would be coffee.

  And there would be Tobias.

  Coordinating calendars and watches had left little time for them to flirt, talk or for her to tease smiles and laughs out of him. The closer to school beginning, the more the traffic picked up in their stores. She’d already started to ship off her treats to Caff-aholic 1―as they agreed to call it. The numbers were in and, well, impressed was an understatement. She now needed Josh to work full time and soon she’d need someone else.

  The brief phone conversations, the quick glimpses of each other as they talked across the street while trying to open their stores, well…sexually frustrated was totally another understatement.

  She kept a steady pace through the thick crowd of students. The only highlight of the week would be getting another hour of sleep. She hadn’t used it that morning; because she knew parking would be hell on the first day of school. She smiled. Thankfully, the Dean had okayed her driving up to the canteen to unload everything before classes really started. That nixed the slight worry of running a kid or two over in the process. By the time she finished the prep, parking had been the hell she imagined and then there was the walk back to the canteen.

  Suddenly, the crowd opened up. On the opposite side of the water fountain there sat the canteen, what looked to be a large tin box. A man stood at the end of the canteen, directing a younger man who stood on the opposite end. His back faced her as he helped put up the roof, but it was definitely Tobias.

  Josh continued to prop up his end. Closer now, she could see Tobias’ profile clearly. Gaze focused on Josh, his brother said something that made Tobias throw back his head and laugh.

  She stuffed her hands in the leather jacket, self-conscious now, because it wasn’t hers. No telling which friend had swiped the fleece coat, down coat and windbreaker, leaving Tobias’ jacket her only option. It still smelled of him and she wondered if that contributed to her cheerful mood.

  Josh spotted her first; he stilled, and then grinned. “Hey, Miss Sharp.”

  “Emma or Emmaline please,” she corrected him.

  “My brother won’t let me call you that in his presence.”

  Having delayed witnessing his reaction, Emma let her gaze wander over to where Tobias stood. He closed the distance between them and then placed his hands on her shoulders. “This feels familiar, but something’s missing.”

  “You mean there’s a lack of something missing.” She shouldn’t have said it because his gaze trailed down the length of her.

  Josh cleared his throat. Tobias stuffed his hands in his pockets. “You’re right…Lucky, but it looks good on you despite the circumstances.” Josh cleared his throat again and Tobias said without glancing his brother’s way. “Scram.”

  “Inappropriate,” Josh muttered.

  Emma frowned in his direction. “Good l—” Her throat caught on the word, because she knew exactly what Tobias was referring to with her new nickname. “Have a good first day, Josh. We’ll be here half day so be back here for clean up?”

  He jerked one shoulder and left. “Merchant men,” she said.

  “What about us?”

  “You have a way with nonverbal conversations.” He was undressing her with his eyes and not bothering to put the clothes back on when she noticed. It seemed like forever since they’d had a real exchange, one charged with the sexual tension that warmed her better than the coat.

  “Makes me think your mouth had very little exercise before me.” She grinned and didn’t give him room to reply. “Ready to get our makeshift store open?”

  “You’re going to pay for that one, Emmaline.” He made the promise with his gaze. “Bet on it.”

  She’d thought the two weeks would have been enough time to prepare herself for him with the only barrier being they were in public. It hadn’t, and goodness she liked the off-kilter feeling.

  “Fourteen days of nothing. You’re all hot air.”

  A ghost of a smile was all the warning he gave her before saying, “I’m ready if you are, Lucky.”

  “Uh,” someone said behind her and she faced them. “When are you guys going to open? I’ve got class in fifteen minutes.”

  Turning back to Tobias, she said, “I’m ready.”

  And they were off.

  By the end of the first hour, Emma realized she would have to thank Abigail profusely. Maybe Coco Channel earrings this time. It would definitely cheer up her friend.

  The prime location at the center of the college kept them with a steady flow of customers. The traffic lulled her into complacency. It wasn’t possible she could become unaware of Tobias. Not even her treats could overpower the smell of his coffee, the scent she associated with him. Definitely didn’t help his coat was saturated with something a little extra of him, a scent that was all his own. Whenever she was dumb enough to take a deep breath she’d have to bite back a sigh.

  By the second hour, he kept invading her space, which wasn’t hard to do since they had so little of it. A brush behind her. Another at her front on his way back to his side. Little reasons that made sense with the amount of traffic keeping them in motion, but left her breathless because how could he concentrate with his want of her so evident. He also didn’t miss an order of coffee.

  It took another hour before she really caught on once things had slowed. Behind her, he leaned forward, whispering, “Can I use some of that cinnamon. Just ran out.” And then he nipped at her lobe, pressing against her to reach forward.

  She’d barely got her breath under control when Tobias brought it back, stepping in front of her, midnight eyes filled with desire. Cinnamon in hand, he leaned forward, settling his mouth at the corner of her lips. “Here.” A soft nip and then gone.

  Like most canteens, it sat up high and most of the view was bracketed by two windows. From the outside, it would look like two pe
ople working a small space, sharing ingredients, murmuring to each other. To bystanders the actions were so damn innocent.

  He didn’t like crowds? Lie. He was putting on one hell of a show in front of one and that thought alone forced her to finally take off the leather coat. The canteen had become much too hot. The brushes and nips went on for another hour and her knees almost buckled from relief when Josh showed up earlier than expected.

  “Ready to tap out?” Josh asked on the other side of the window, down below.

  “God, yes,” she said to him and felt no embarrassment at all.

  “But my mouth has been getting such a good exercise,” Tobias replied, voice full of a smile he didn’t let brush his lips.

  That mouth had her hot, achy and wet. Oh, she was going to pay him back, but first she had to recuperate.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow then,” she said.

  “Tomorrow, Lucky.”

  On rubbery legs, Emma escaped while she could.

  *****

  Much to his disappointment, the next morning, Emma was ready for his tricks. Each time Tobias found an excuse to be in her space, she’d arch forward, making sure her backside stuck out, forcing him to either change his mind or to take the challenge.

  The act was more effective than erecting a wall between their two stations. Emmaline was no one’s marshmallow, so he kept calling her Lucky. By the end of the day, he conceded she’d won that round.

  On the third morning he woke at an obscenely early hour, made the most decadent brew he’d ever created and went to her house. Emmaline answered the door the fourth time he rang the bell. A hastily belted robe, only one eye cracked open, Emmaline took in a deep breath and then both eyes popped open.

  “What. Is. That. Smell?” She made a noise in the back of her throat, sniffing the air.

  “If you let me come in I can give it to you,” Tobias said.

  She scratched at her tousled hair and yawned before saying, “It’s early and that sounded really dirty.”

  She turned, dragging her feet, but headed to the living room. He closed the door with his foot and followed. He found her sitting cross-legged on the couch, back to the armrest, eyes closed again but hand out. The bathrobe covered just about every inch of her.

  “That’s not how you enjoy the coffee.” He sat in front of her. “Put your hand down, but keep your eyes closed.”

  “Mmmm-k,” she murmured.

  He put the cup level with her breasts and waited for the full smell to hit. She sort of melted into the couch and he grinned. Her next intake of breath was longer and the exhale a deep sigh.

  She opened her eyes. “Wow.”

  “I know.” He handed it to her.

  Holding the cup with both hands, she brought it closer to her nose and breathed in deeply. “Oh.” She finally took a sip. “Oh.”

  Each sip she made the same humming sound and the eroticism wasn’t on purpose. It was too early in the morning for Emmaline to be that cunning. His cock tightened nonetheless, and when she made the noise again, he had to taste her to ease the sudden ache in his mouth.

  “Let me have a taste,” he said.

  She handed him the cup. He tried the coffee, nodded because it was superior to anything he’d ever made. After placing it on the table, he faced Emmaline. “That’s not what I meant.”

  “Oh,” she said, and if he had any control left it would have jumped out the window because she made that humming noise at the thought of him.

  Within seconds his body was over hers. Tobias lightly placed his lips against hers. The sun had barely broken through the darkness, blanketing the living room in a soft glow. Her irises had turned to amber and in them he could see she wanted him with the same fervent urgency. He kissed her again, just on the lips and her eyes fluttered close. He shifted, bringing her legs up and around his waist. The movement parted the robe and he sucked in a breath.

  “I was up.” She placed her hands on the sides of his face. “Took a shower. Brushed my teeth.” Kissed him and this time let him taste her with his tongue. She pulled back and said, “Dried and primped—”

  He silenced the rest with his mouth, because it went without saying she hadn’t had the time to get dressed. Tobias gripped the fabric of the couch behind her head to keep his hands from caressing the caramel tips tempting him. But they had danced this dance before, and Emmaline pulled back as best she could from his mouth.

  A satisfied smile pulled at her lips. “Third Button?”

  “Yes.” His voice was thick and hoarse.

  She pulled the robe apart, exposing her breasts. “I think you need a new nickname.”

  Tobias would have chuckled if any sound could get past his throat. Instead he plucked one nipple between his thumb and forefinger. “Any ideas, yet?”

  She shook her head, breath getting heavier now. He covered her left breast with his hand, bringing his mouth back to hers. She tasted of his coffee and for a while that’s all that filled his brain—the feel of her under him soft, pliant and warm.

  Because he couldn’t help but be a tease he alternated between her mouth and left breast, satisfying both, and ignoring the rest until her thighs squeezed around his waist, forcing him to press against her. Tobias laid a kiss on her chin, neck and stopped at her ear, tsking softly.

  “Emmaline,” he said and she shivered. The hand that had cupped her breast lowered until he had her spread wide and wet for him. “What do you think let me have a taste means?”

  She moaned rocking against his hand. His slick fingers brushed the swollen bud. “You want to taste me there,” she said.

  With all the restraint he could muster, Tobias settled back onto the couch. He put one of her legs down to rest on the floor. Grasped the ankle of the other and lifted it onto the top part of the couch. Emma would be shy at this act of blatant exposure. Emma wouldn’t have bent forward in the canteen so that he would have to grind against her ass.

  “There?” He wanted Emmaline. “I don’t know where there is. Show me.”

  She flushed. “Lie.”

  The laugh once again caught in his throat, because one of her hands moved down, sensuous and slow, while the other gripped the fabric of the couch. Palm face down, she took her time, slowing at her breasts.

  “I already tasted you there,” he said. “Show me.”

  “The nickname coming to mind can never be said in public.” And her hand traveled over the patch of hair that forced him to take cold showers. With a vixen like smile she said, “Taste me here.”

  He changed his position on the couch, getting level with the beauty hidden between her legs. She went to move her hand, but he grasped her wrist. “Point to where. Exactly.”

  Her breathing had grown heavy again, but she still placed her forefinger on her clit without hesitation. “There.”

  Applying soft suction to the hooded nub, he tasted her there. Tobias groaned because she tasted better than all her desserts. “You are a goddess.”

  Emmaline’s chuckle turned to a moan as he lapped up every bit of her. As he swirled his tongue around and around that sensitive nub, the sun broke through the darkness, brightening the room. The light cast over her flushed skin, and he knew she was close when the pitch of her moans heightened. Sliding two fingers inside her, she fisted around him instantly and came. He let his fingers leave the warmth of her, placed one last kiss there, and settled onto the couch before lifting her onto his lap.

  She rested her head on his chest. “Don’t you want to—”

  “Later,” he promised.

  She seemed to sense what he needed and curled into him. He pulled her closer and held on. In the quiet, he waited to be bombarded with memories of her. But there was nothing but the sunrise and Emmaline.

  The peace of having the moment just be that moment, clogged his throat, but he managed to speak around it. “Lucky, we have to get ready to open.”

  “I know, Couch.”

  He snorted. “That’s what you came up with?”

 
; “There’s the obvious reference and then I’m sitting on you like an arm chair. A really comfortable one though.” She sighed. “So that’s what I came up with, Couch. Over.”

  He smiled into her hair. “Out.”

  *****

  “I feel like a randy teenager,” Emma said against Tobias’ mouth and finally came up for air.

  “After a long day of work, I have you pressed up against your car, in a college parking lot. I win the randy teenager contest,” Tobias said.

  She let him kiss the smile away. Those strong, callused hands encircled right below her breastbone, beneath his leather jacket she’d worn again. His thumbs caressed the tender skin. Later was the promise he made this morning and that’s exactly where the kissing would lead. If only it could. With regret, she placed her hands on his chest and pushed him back.

  Despite the cool weather, Emma felt a flush of heat as she met his hungry gaze. “I have to go,” she said. Testing his reaction she licked her lips nervously and went on. “My friend needs me. And we’ll have to postpone…”

  Her cheeks heated, because the words were hard to say. Mainly because she didn’t know what the word should be. Fucking or making love? This morning hadn’t been all dreamy and soft shadows. She’d touched herself in front of him.

  In the state he had her, she would have done more as long as he put those lips on her. Anywhere. It made her hot just to remember the sharp-edged orgasm that cut through her.

  His hands and thumbs were still touching her in a sensual way, promising more of that morning, but he angled his head to side. “What’s wrong?”

  “Long story,” she said.

  “Probably is, but I still want to hear it, or I wouldn’t have asked.”

  She hesitated, but this intimacy felt right. “Part of it I can’t tell you because it’s not for me to say, but my friend is in a crisis. I gave her an ultimatum, and she hasn’t complied with our terms. I have to go to her and make sure she’s ok.”

  “And put the smack down.”

  “No one’s going to get smacked.”

  “An expression. Ok.” His hands lifted and those wonderful, wonderful thumbs caressed the taut nipples under them. “Give me something to think about while your being a good friend.”