The Dare

by Kendall Ryan

She looked up, seeming to draw some strength at hearing me grovel, her mischievous grin slipping back in place. “And you’ll commit—only to me. No more filming no matter how tough times get.”

  “I promise. I’m never doing that again.” I kissed the back of her hand, her knuckles, her wrist.

  “And you won’t even so much as look at another woman when we’re together.”

  I met her eyes. “I won’t need to. I’ve got the most beautiful girl in the world right here.” We were making our own vows to each other, and no matter how strange they might have seemed they were perfect for us. “Will you be okay with me sitting on my ass on Sunday afternoons, watching the game and having a beer?”

  She laughed, deep and throaty. “Only if you’ll let me have chicken wings.”

  I smirked. “Done.”

  She crawled onto my lap, straddling me and resting her head against my chest. It was strange how I’d come to think of this as her spot. She traced a tender fingertip lightly over my chest, grazing against the hair. “Would you go to the store and get me tampons and chocolate ice cream and cheesy gossip magazines when I need them?”

  “Damn baby, if I can play Beauty Shop Barbie with Lil, don’t you think I can handle that?”

  She chuckled, her chest brushing against mine as she laughed. My body stirred to life, remembering that we were still mostly naked.

  I turned and gently lowered her onto the bed, settling myself over her. I licked her nipples, pulling one into my mouth, and kept my eyes locked on hers. I took my time, thoroughly worshipping her with my mouth and fingers until she was soaking wet and begging me for more. God, I loved this girl.

  I arranged her on her back, her legs spread wide for me, and knelt between her knees. I inched forward until I was disappearing inside her. Watching my cock push inside her was insanely hot.

  My only issue with this position, propped up on my knees the way I was, was that I couldn’t kiss her. I had the perfect view of her hot little body, however, so I used it to my full advantage. Having her laid out before me this way allowed me to cup her breasts and touch between her legs to massage her clit. “I want you to come for me, baby.”

  She moaned softly, her eyes closing in concentration. “Cade, I want it faster.”

  “You sure, baby?”

  “Yeah,” she groaned out, meeting my gaze again.

  I gripped her knees and increased my tempo, until I was fully buried with each thrust, my balls hitting her ass.

  Oh fuck, I wasn’t going to last at this pace. Her warmth, her body, her tight little pussy…. Ah, shit. “Baby, I’m going to come.”

  “Not yet,” she whispered.

  I bit back a curse, and pumped harder, circling her clit faster. Droplets of sweat rolled down my back from the effort of holding off my orgasm. “Baby?”

  “Not yet,” she whimpered.

  I gripped the base of my shaft, squeezing off my impending orgasm, and continued thrusting. My balls tightened as the physical ache from holding back overtook me.

  Her cries got louder and her hips ground against mine. She was close. With one hand still playing with her clit, I used my other to massage one breast, pinching and rubbing her sensitive nipples.

  Her hips shot off the bed and her raspy voice moaning my name sent me over the edge. I pumped twice more and climaxed, leaning over her to whisper loving endearments while I came.

  We made love twice more and then called for delivery, refusing to get out of bed even while we ate—sushi of all things. Alexa had promised I’d like it, and surprisingly it actually wasn’t half bad. Once we finished, we lounged in the center of the bed, unwilling to leave each other’s arms.

  “How could I be enough for you, baby? You deserve the world. My own parents didn’t even want me,” I asked, tracing a single fingertip over her naked hipbone. I’d denied her request to get dressed after the last time we’d made love.

  She leaned up on her elbow to look down at me. “Your parents missed out on an amazing man. And as far as you not being good enough…” She shook her head. “Think about the unconditional love you have for Lily. She may have her challenges, and you probably never envisioned caring for a six year old at your age, but to you, she’s perfect.”

  I knew she was right. I’d take a bullet for Lily. And I felt the same way about Alexa.

  “You might not have been who I ever pictured myself with, but you’re exactly what I need—someone I can let loose and be myself with. Not some uptight, suit-wearing douchebag who’s only hanging around in the hopes of impressing my father to secure his next promotion.”

  “True. That’s not me.”

  “And I love that about you. I love knowing that you’d stand up to my parents—or anyone, for that matter—to make sure I was happy.”

  “Hell, yeah, I would.”

  I tucked Lex under my arm and held her until her breathing became deep and even. I hadn’t ever spent the night away from Lily, but knowing Sophia was sleeping over at my place, and that Lily was safe—and most importantly that I had Alexa back—I fell into an easy sleep, feeling happier and more complete than I ever had.

  CHAPTER 25

  * * *

  Cade

  “What exactly do you think you’re doing?” I asked Alexa as she crawled across the cab of my truck and onto my lap.

  “Shh. I have an idea,” she murmured against my neck. Having her straddling my hips in that little black skirt sent a wave of desire through my system.

  “No fair, baby. I don’t have room to touch you.” I gripped the arm rests on either side of her, caging her in against me, but still letting her have her way.

  She lifted her chin and caught my eyes, confidence and desire blazing in those blue depths. “Hush. I was once told you liked sex in the cab of your truck.”

  A low rich chuckle tumbled from my lips. That’s what this was? “Used to. Pre-Alexa.” Or P.A., as we’d taken to calling my life before her. I was not fucking her in my truck. Sure it was dark out and the parking lot was mostly deserted, given the hour, but Alexa deserved more. She deserved everything. And it had become my new mission in life to make sure she got it.

  She grinned at me, nestling herself in even more snugly in my lap. “Yes, but you came out dancing with my friends tonight even though I know you hate loud clubs, and I want to reward you.” She rocked her hips against the front of my jeans, the friction of our bodies demanding attention.

  I took her chin in my hand and kissed her mouth. I did hate dance clubs, but getting to watch Alexa dance in a miniskirt and heels and feeling her grind up against me all night, well let’s just say I was no martyr.

  It had also helped that we’d seemed to bridge the gap between our friends, inviting several of her friends and mine out together. Sort of our first real coming out as a couple. And to our surprise, everyone had gotten along well. Even Tyson and I had buried the hatchet between us. It appeared some had gotten along better than others, too—case in point, I was pretty sure Ian and MacKenzie were currently en route to his place.

  I couldn’t help but smile, because this was exactly what we’d been doing for the past month—her introducing me to the things in her world and me introducing her to mine.

  Alexa continued to watch me, her expression curious, her mouth curving into a mischievous smile.

  “Not here. Not in my truck, baby. Let me take you home where I can fuck you properly,” I kissed her, nipping at her mouth.

  She grinned and shook her head. “I’m not breakable, Cade. You don’t have to treat me like a princess. I want you.”

  “Cupcake…” my voice came out in a half moan, half whisper.

  She worked her hands in between us, unbuckling my belt and tugging open my jeans. God, I was completely at her mercy. She owned me. And the gleam in her eye and smile twitching on her lips told me she knew it.

  “I think I need to remind you…” She tugged my boxers down just enough to free my cock. “That this belongs to me.” She angled herself closer, grinding
against me so I could feel just how damp her panties were.

  Fuuuuck. “Oh, it’s all yours, cupcake.” I tugged her panties to the side, running my thumb along her swollen pussy. Knowing she was ready, I thrust my hips up, meeting her wet heat with gentle thrusts. She whimpered and writhed, adjusting to the fullness as I pushed inside. I clenched my jaw to keep from crying out when her impossibly tight, warm channel sank down on me.

  “Every inch, mine,” she whispered.

  “Yes, yours.” I kissed her passionately while she increased her speed.

  Alexa cried out and pressed her hand against the window, smearing the steamed-up glass with a handprint. If it wasn’t obvious what was happening in this truck before, it certainly was now.

  Her whimpers grew more insistent and I knew she was close. I never had to ask her anymore. I could always tell when she was about to come and timed my release accordingly. She raised and lowered herself on me while repeatedly moaning my name like it was her mantra. It was fucking hot.

  She tossed her head back, moaning low in her throat and rode out the pulsing orgasm I could feel squeezing me. I gripped her hips, pumping hard and fast, and quickly followed her over the edge.

  After, I cradled her to my chest, holding her while our heartbeats slowed and breaths mingled. “I love you, cupcake.”

  “I love you, Caden,” she murmured, her lips pressed against my neck.

  EPILOGUE

  * * *

  Alexa

  Eight months later

  “That girl’s a fish—look at her go,” my dad chuckled, squinting into the sun.

  Watching Lily splash around in the pool was my new favorite way to spend a Saturday and it was obviously becoming my dad’s too. I had grown up in this pool, on the patio of this country club, but somehow watching Lily enjoy it was even better than my own memories.

  My mom was in the pool with Lily, since trying to keep her out of the water was like trying to keep Cade from calling me cupcake—it was a lost cause. And it was beginning to look like all those swimming lessons were really paying off.

  I looked across the terrace to find Cade returning with lunch. He set the foam boxes on the table between my father and I, before dropping a kiss on my lips and settling in the lounge chair beside me.

  “What’s for lunch?” my dad asked, addressing Cade.

  He chuckled. “Burgers. What else?”

  It had becoming a running joke between them. When my mom wasn’t in the pool with Lily and was the one to order lunch, she’d come back with salmon salad or something equally as foreign to Cade and Lily’s palates. They were good sports about it though, just like my parents were when Cade came back with cheeseburgers for everyone. With gouda and mushrooms—just the way I liked them. It was like we were all learning to exist together. Even my dad had cut back on working Saturdays in the summer to spend the days with us here, which was a miracle in and of itself. He certainly never did that during my childhood.

  Things had changed considerably over the past several months since I graduated from nursing school. Most notably, Cade had won my parents over. It hadn’t been easy at first, but Cade had persisted. He’d started his own successful contracting company, and sought my dad out for financial advice, which he was all too happy to provide, seeing as finance was his favorite topic.

  My dad in turn referred him to several clients for remodeling projects—wealthy people at the country club—and Cade’s business had grown considerably in a short time. Most of all, it gave him a boost of confidence, and forced any lingering worries over money from his mind. It was nice to see him a bit more relaxed because of it.

  Another big part of my parents coming around had to do with little Lily—she was just so loveable. So determined and funny and sweet. Though my mom never seemed the grandmotherly type before, she’d begun coming over several days a week to pick up Lily. It was nice to see my mother have someone in her life to devote attention to, rather than sitting alone in their big, empty house.

  Cade had begun helping my dad around the house with odds and ends, my father gaining a healthy respect for the self-taught skills Cade possessed. Of course we’d conveniently left out Cade’s brief stint as a porn star and though his videos were still online, we doubted my parents would ever discover them.

  The biggest change came last month when Cade sold his grandparents’ little house, and I sold the condo my parents had bought for me a few years before, and together we bought a house halfway between both our places. It was in the same school district for Lily and still close to the hospital, where I now worked full time.

  My dad grabbed a towel for my mom and Lily’s pink hooded towel that had her name embroidered along one side—a gift from my mom—and helped them from the pool.

  I took the opportunity to inspect Cade. His eyes were glued to me too.

  Cade in a pair of navy swim trunks slung low on his hips was enough to make me want to drop my bikini bottoms and wade out in the water with him for some underwater action, spectators be damned. But of course, I didn’t. I just clenched my thighs together, knowing that when we got home from the pool, Lily would be exhausted and ready for a nap and Cade and I could disappear into our room for some alone time.

  “Later cupcake,” Cade whispered as if reading my mind. “Now eat. You’re going to need your energy for what I have planned.”

  I stifled a gasp and grinned up at him. I was his completely. Body, heart and soul. And I wouldn’t want it any other way.

  Available Now!

  The Temptation can be read as a standalone novel, but is a follow up to the New York Times and USA Today bestseller The Dare.

  Cage fighting always came first for him…

  Ian’s life is full of sacrifice. His intense training schedule means brutal workouts, no drinking, and worst of all, no pussy. But it’s all worth it because he’s about to go pro. When a tempting young nurse starts working at his gym, he can’t escape the dirty desires clouding his mind, and it’s driving him crazy. He’d love a taste, but he needs his focus now more than ever.

  She’s kept her heart on maximum-security lockdown…

  Growing up in foster care, MacKenzie learned early on that love was something other people experienced, something she’d seen but never felt. When she meets sexy cage fighter, Ian, she expects nothing more than a one-night stand, but he walks away before they seal the deal. Now she’d like to forget the night they almost hooked up. But she’s just taken a job working at his gym, and despite her efforts to move on, his allure is overpowering. When Ian gets injured, they begin working together on his rehabilitation, and their one-on-one physical therapy sessions are so hot they sizzle, leaving them both desperate for more contact.

  The battle for love is about to become a fight to the finish.

  Get Your Copy Here.

  Acknowledgements

  To my girls—both Courtneys and my little muse, Sammy Rae. Thank you for your unending support and love on this journey, even when your own dating adventures have the distinct possibility of appearing in a book at some point.

  Thank you once again my fabulous editor, Tanya Saari, who has knocked my socks off with her ability to polish my story into a novel. Thank you, my dear.

  A special thanks goes out to my critique partners: Madison Seidler, Lolita Verroen and Charlie Evans. Thank you for your thoughtful advice. The dangerous duo of Sali Powers and Jenny Aspinall are in a critiquing category all their own, purely for the astounding number of exclamation points and F-bombs dropped when telling me what they liked or didn’t about the book. You two are getting characters named in honor of you in my next book. Just wait!! Love ya, gals!

  A giant bear hug goes out to my readers for believing in my stories and letting me entertain you. I love connecting with you on Facebook, Twitter, and GoodReads. You make this so much fun!

  Oh, and to my sexy husband who might just be my biggest fan of all. Hi sweetie!

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  Other Books by Kendall Ryan

  Unravel Me

  Filthy Beautiful Lies Series

  The Room Mate

  The Play Mate

  The House Mate

  Screwed

  The Fix Up

  Dirty Little Secret

  xo, Zach

  Baby Daddy

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  Bro Code

  Love Machine

  Flirting with Forever

  Dear Jane

  Finding Alexei

  Boyfriend for Hire

  The Two-Week Arrangement

  Seven Nights of Sin

  Playing for Keeps

  All the Way

  Trying to Score

  Crossing the Line

  The Bedroom Experiment

  Down and Dirty

  Wild for You

  Taking His Shot

  For a complete list of Kendall’s books, visit:

  www.kendallryanbooks.com/all-books/