Dearest Series Boxed Set

by Lex Martin

“Nice to see you,” I whisper into his neck. Before he releases me, I take a quick sniff because I honestly can’t help myself, and I’m treated to the scent of soap and crisp cologne, and my heart flutters at the reminder of last weekend.

  As we part, he laughs and leans closer. “Did you just sniff me?”

  “What? No. Weirdo.” I roll my eyes like he’s ridiculous.

  He motions toward our table and places his palm on my lower back as we weave through the restaurant.

  Expectant faces greet us when we reach our table. A flurry of chatter erupts, and I sink back into my seat, amusement bubbling up inside of me.

  The girls fire questions at him and pass him cocktail napkins to sign, and it’s a little comical to see this six-foot-three man hunched over trying to autograph scraps of paper. Just when I’m realizing I should offer to get him a chair, Camille, an investment banker who happens to be a blonde bombshell, scoots over, squishing in the other girls across from me, and pats the now vacant seat next to her.

  He glances at me, and I smile, letting him know he should join us. As he sits, he calls over his friends, who pull up two chairs to squeeze in at the end. I’m pretty sure this is a fire hazard, but the wait staff seems too enthralled by the present company to mind.

  Quentin and I chat for a while, but I keep finding my gaze on Camille and the way she’s leaning into Daren when she talks. How she flips her long hair over her shoulder and leans over, flashing him her cleavage.

  In case he doesn’t get the hint, she bats her eyelashes at him. Who actually bats their eyelashes? Camille, the investment banker, that’s who. But my moderate irritation is quickly surpassed by a hot sting that starts in my chest and sweeps through me when she wraps her hand around his forearm.

  He doesn’t flinch or look annoyed. No, Daren just keeps talking and signing whatever the girls hand him.

  This. I need to remember this. Because girls throwing themselves at Daren is the norm, not the exception.

  I feel like a fool for forgetting my vow to never date pro-athletes.

  Wait. We’re not dating. We’re friends who have sex. I only asked him to be monogamous because I don’t want to expose myself to some nasty disease.

  Which means he can flirt all he wants, right? He’s not my property. I’m not his. That’s the point of this arrangement. I’m not allowed to be jealous.

  Oh my God. I’m jealous.

  I’m not even dating the man, and I’m jealous.

  Brilliant, Maddie. I want to facepalm myself for getting into this situation. For agreeing to this arrangement. For inviting him over to our table. For allowing myself to care what Camille does and doesn’t do to this guy I’m… fucking.

  I swallow, needing something stronger than a Diet Coke.

  When the waitress delivers my vodka martini, Sheri gives me a strange look, her eyes shifting to Camille and Daren across the table and back to me again.

  Ignoring the question in her eyes, I grab my phone and check my emails. Anything to get my act together. In my head I realize there is no reason I should be pissed. Daren has fans. Lots of them, many of whom are women. Hell, even our sports segment hones in on that interest. So why I’m sitting here like some wounded girlfriend is something I can’t quite comprehend.

  One of the girls giggles across the table, and my mouth opens of its own volition. “So Daren, are you taking a sudden interest in romance novels?”

  He laughs and rubs the stubble on his chin. “Is that what we’re calling it? I thought Sheri said you guys read smut.”

  My roommate nods enthusiastically. “Maddie is trying to pretend she isn’t reading erotica.”

  “I’m not reading erotica, freak. I came to hang out with you.” I honestly don’t have a clue what they’re reading this week.

  “She’s missing out. Little Miss Manners doesn’t want to dirty up her Kindle.”

  I don’t have to look up to feel Daren smirking. Rolling my eyes, I frown. “I can handle whatever you throw my way. I’m not some priss.”

  I grab my drink and I’m mid-sip when Sheri adds, “Besides, I don’t think Maddie’s ready for cocks and clits.”

  My drink spurts across the table as I choke. I cover my mouth, horrified to look like such a dork in public.

  Determined to grab back some control, I turn to Sheri once I’ve caught my breath. “Just make sure my mouth isn’t full the next time we talk about cocks, and I won’t have any trouble swallowing.” I dab the corners of my mouth with my napkin.

  How is that for manners? I am so not a priss.

  Everyone laughs, cheering me on, but when my eyes reach Daren, his are smoldering hot.

  But a minute later, his attention gets diverted when Camille pulls out her business card and leans into him as she explains how she’d like to “handle his portfolio.”

  I bet.

  And while I’m tempted to play with fire, I’ve had enough of this game for tonight. I finish my drink and tell Sheri I’m running to the restroom and then I’m taking off.

  Her eyebrows pull tight. She whispers back, “I’m sorry. I was just joking. You know I didn’t mean anything by that, right?”

  Giving her a small smile, I nod. “Of course. I have an early call time tomorrow, so I should get going.”

  I wave bye to everyone at the table as I leave money on the table to cover my share, but people seem to be deep in conversation. Camille has lassoed Daren’s attention again, so I don’t bother trying to flag him down. Because that looks desperate. And I’m done with feeling desperate.

  As I skirt around Quentin, I pat him on the back and wish him luck on his game Sunday.

  He grabs my wrist and pulls me closer so he can whisper, “You know this is part of the gig, right? Daren has to talk to fans. He has to talk to girls. That’s his job.”

  Ugh. Am I that transparent? My defenses rise. “Absolutely. And no offense, but what should it matter to me what he does one way or another? We’re just friends.”

  He nods slowly, looking like he doesn’t quite believe me, and releases my arm.

  Just friends. Friends with benefits.

  But maybe we shouldn’t be.

  Grateful to get away from that trainwreck, I head toward the back of the restaurant and down the long, dark hall that leads to the restroom where I can finally drop my defenses.

  Staring at myself in the mirror, I try to get my act together. I feel like an ass. For caring what Daren does. For being so obviously bothered by Camille that Quentin said something.

  See, this is why I, Maddie McDermott, do not embark on a sex-only relationship. How do I call this thing off?

  I wash my hands and press my cool palms against my neck.

  “This is supposed to be simple,” I tell myself in the mirror.

  So I’ll keep things simple. Next time I see him, I’ll tell him I’m too busy to follow through on our arrangement. I’m sure he can appreciate that. And judging by the girls at our table ready to strip naked and gyrate on his lap, I’m pretty sure he can get casual sex anywhere.

  With a sigh, I grab my purse and reach in to check my phone. I have one text message. From Daren. Where’d you go?

  My mind races with a dozen different things I should write back, but I settle on something simple. It’s late. I have to get up early.

  I toy with the idea of saying something snarkier, but like I said, I shouldn’t care.

  I’m tucking my phone back in my purse as I walk out of the bathroom when I turn right into Daren.

  “Jesus Christ, you scared me.” I laugh as I press my hand to my chest.

  He has his phone out, and he’s reading my text. He doesn’t look amused. Straightening my shoulders, I move over as a woman edges around us to walk into the restroom.

  Daren takes my arm and walks deeper down the hallway and around the corner where an exit door stands open. It’s dark, the only light coming from the moonlight outside. A cool breeze blows in, smelling of ocean air and rain.

  “What’s this about? What
happened back there?” he asks, releasing my arm.

  “It’s nothing. I needed to go. I told everyone goodbye, but you were busy talking, and I didn’t want to interrupt.”

  His eyes travel over my face in a slow sweep, a small smile pulling at his lips. “Are you jealous?”

  “No, not at all.” The lie comes out easily enough.

  “You shouldn’t be. You invited me over to your table. I was talking to your friends.”

  “That was very kind of you. I appreciate it. But they’re not my friends, I mean, aside from Sheri.” Do it, Maddie. Say what needs to be said. “Honestly, I’m glad we have a chance to chat because I really can’t do”—I wave a finger back and forth between us—“this.”

  He tilts his head. “What do you mean, this? You don’t want me to take you back to my place, strip off all your clothes, and fuck you until you’re hoarse from screaming my name?”

  My mouth drops open, and a pulse starts between my thighs.

  He chuckles and steps closer, forcing me back against the wall. He tugs at the hem of my skirt. “Whatcha got down there, Maddie? I may have been talking to other girls at your table, but I can promise the only thing I was thinking about was what you have hiding beneath this skirt.”

  I brace my hands on his chest—to push him away or hold myself up, I can’t decide. “We’re… we’re a bad idea, Daren.” I hate that my voice is shaky.

  “Hmm. Or maybe we’re the best idea.” He brushes my hair away from my neck where he places a hot, open-mouthed kiss.

  God. Damn.

  My hands clutch at his shirt, and he nips at my delicate skin. I can’t stand it any longer and wrap my hands around his neck and pull him closer.

  “You feel so good,” I whisper, shocked by my honesty. But Daren does that to me, gets me to say things I’d never dare utter.

  He grabs my knee and pulls it up over his thigh and presses his hard body against mine. “I’ve had a hard-on all week thinking about you, and my hand isn’t doing it any justice.”

  When he talks like this, I could melt on the spot. Hell, I am melting, my panties soaked, and we haven’t even done anything.

  I burrow my face into his chest, his scent enveloping me. My heart is galloping in my chest, and I know I have a dozen reasons why I shouldn’t be hooking up with Daren, but I can’t think of a single one when he’s standing between my legs.

  He tilts my face back until we’re nose to nose, his huge frame filling my vision. “Tell me later why we’re a bad idea. But tonight let me show you all the reasons we work.” And then his mouth descends to mine.

  Twenty-One

  - Daren -

  Goddamn. She’s sexy. Even with the doubt behind her eyes.

  I could tell she wanted to call things off. But the way her eyes widened as I got closer—how her breathing shallowed, how her cheeks flushed without me even touching her—are signs I'm not crazy. Signs that she wants this as much as I do.

  Her tongue strokes mine in a teasing dance, but her fingers tighten in my hair as I press harder against her.

  I nibble her lip and tighten my hold on her hips. “Come home with me tonight.”

  When our eyes meet, hers are wild and luminescent in the dim light.

  Maddie’s a glowing ember, and doesn’t even know it. And I want to stoke the fire. So fucking bad.

  The sound of voices down the hall makes her push away. Reluctantly, I let go of her.

  She holds her fingers to her lips. “We shouldn’t be doing this here.”

  I grab that hand and place a soft kiss on her wrist. “C’mon, sweet thing. Let’s take a walk on the wild side.”

  And then I turn for the exit behind us, pulling her behind me. The parking lot is packed, but it’s dark in the back where my SUV is parked under the branches of a large tree.

  Cold rain pelts us, and before I have a chance to worry she’ll be pissed she’s getting drenched, her laughter rings.

  Spotting a large puddle, I pick her up with one arm around her waist and one under her knees. Her gasping breath energizes me, and I turn back toward my SUV and resume our run.

  I’ve never heard her so relaxed, so at ease that she giggles. Yet, here she is, gripping my shoulders, delight and shock on her face.

  When we reach my car, I release her legs, letting them dangle as I hold her to my chest. Her shirt is damp and sticking to her skin.

  “You’re soaked.”

  She nods, and something in her eyes tells me she’s admitting to more than just her clothes being wet. I set her down on the ground, pleased to see her as out of breath as I feel.

  Reaching into my pocket, I hit the key fob and the locks to my SUV snap open, but instead of reaching for the front door, I reach for the back.

  Confusion tenses her brows until she gets what I’m suggesting. Her eyes dart around the parking lot, assessing the risk.

  “Let’s be young and stupid. For once.” I run my thumb along her lower lip.

  In what seems like a split-second decision, she nods and lets me lift her into the back seat. Following behind, I slam the door shut and reach for her.

  I may have broken out the dirty talk a few minutes ago in the restaurant, but I don’t know what I expect from her tonight. Maybe nothing. Maybe everything. I’ll do whatever she wants or nothing at all. I just know I need to be in her space and breathe the same air. I’ve been daydreaming about this girl all damn week.

  No sooner do I think to say we don’t have to be physical than she’s hiking her skirt up so she can straddle me. Let me just say that a pleated skirt never looks so fine as when Maddie McDermott wears one. She has this naughty schoolgirl vibe going on that has me instantly rock hard.

  My hands dip under her skirt and grip her gartered thighs. The fact that Maddie wears garters is seriously hot as fuck.

  “I’ve been thinking about you,” I murmur as she grinds against my lap. She stares down at me, her hair damp and tangled. Her fingers slowly unbutton the top two buttons of her blouse, the sight of which has me wanting to rip off every button in a race to see her creamy skin.

  Her hips keep a silent rhythm in what’s turning out to be the world’s best lap dance. Thank you, Jesus.

  I kiss her neck as the fabric falls away to reveal a white lace bra that pushes her perfectly rounded breasts into my face. So I do what any red-blooded man would do. I bite one. Not too hard. Just enough that she grinds down harder and moans. I grip her other breast in my hand and squeeze before I push the lace down around both lush mounds. Goddamn. What a sight.

  Latching on to one nipple, I suck and tug and pull. Her hands pull me closer, like she’s cradling me, while a breathy little pant escapes her lips.

  When I break away to inspect my handiwork, a droplet falls from her damp skin. “You’re wet.” I glance up at the raindrops still glistening on her cheeks as I snake a hand between us to push aside her soaked panties. “Everywhere.”

  But I can’t give her what she wants. Not yet. So I tease around her soft, pouty skin until her eyes screw shut and her head falls back. “Harder, Daren.”

  “Not until you tell me you want this.”

  Her head snaps up, and as she begins to shake her head no, I reach for the one place on her body I know will make her say yes.

  “Say it, Maddie. Tell me you’ve thought about this all week like I have.”

  Choppy breaths escape her mouth as I rub faster, slicking the moisture along her swollen folds. Her eyes shut for a moment and she nods her head. “I did. I do. I don’t know why I want to lie about it. Why I can’t just admit this.” Her hips tilt, grinding harder into my erection. “Yes, Daren. I want you. It’s making me a little crazy, in fact. But I—”

  “Shh. Now let me make it better.” I grip her hair and pull her down, and our mouths collide in a frenzy of tongues and lips and groans.

  Before I get her to ride me—because, please, God, let her ride me—I have to see this. I have to watch her fall apart.

  When I flip her onto her ba
ck, she gasps. Her legs fall open, and seeing this gorgeous girl with her breasts surged up over her lace bra, garters dressing the sexiest pair of legs ever to grace this good Earth, and a face that makes angels weep, I know that whatever happens between us, I am one lucky bastard.

  Twenty-Two

  - Maddie -

  Right now, with Daren pinning me down, looking at me like I’m the only meal he’s had all week, I feel like one lucky girl.

  Maybe it’s crazy. Maybe this is the dumbest thing I’ve ever done, but when he asked me to do something young and stupid, every part of me screamed to let go. To be with him. To take a chance.

  And right now, with him tossing my leg over the back seat and pushing my other leg farther apart with his shoulder, I’m both embarrassed to be this exposed to him and so turned on, I could come if he blew on my wet skin.

  I’ve never been with a man like this, someone who just told me what he wanted and pushed me to go there. Someone who saw my desire and urged me to seek what felt good.

  Why haven’t I? I’ve had lovers. But nothing has ever come close to the way my body feels when it’s being tugged apart by Daren Sloan.

  Yes, we had all kinds of sex last weekend, but I’d drunk too much. The memory of what we did came to me in waves all week. But I couldn’t appreciate it in the moment like I am now.

  He kisses his way down my body, and I feel dizzy. From the sound of rain beating down on the roof of the car. From Daren pressing me into the damp leather. From his cologne and the scent of his skin. Dizzy and falling. Fast.

  When he reaches my now bare skin, a wicked smile lights his eyes. “Your hot little pussy is going to feel so good like this.” And then his mouth reaches me in the most erotic kiss I’ve ever seen.

  My hands tangle in his soft hair, and he angles lower. His eyes find mine as he takes a long lick. That’s all it takes for me to shatter apart, but then he sticks two large fingers in me, and I’m coming harder, so hard that white spots dot my vision.

  His name leaves my lips in a sharp cry as I arch my back off the seat. “Fuck. Fuck!” My head thrashes as I writhe beneath him. “Come here. Get in me. Right. Now.”