Dare To Love Series: Dare Me Again (Kindle Worlds Novella)

by Cora Seton

  “You know I’m not like him, right? If you say yes to me, I’ll stick with you forever.”

  She shrugged, but he saw right through her attempt at nonchalance. Sam had hurt her badly. She’d stopped believing in a happily ever after.

  Connor squared his shoulders. Too bad. Her happily ever after stood right in front of her.

  And he wasn’t going anywhere. “Come on.”

  “Where?” She took back her drink and took another long sip.

  “Let’s dance.”

  Richmond Rule #7

  Know when to take chances.

  You can play it safe or you can try to win; you can’t do both at the same time…

  CAROLINA DIDN’T BOTHER to argue with Connor. She was still too shaken by her confrontation with Sam to fight, and besides, she was feeling unsteady. She’d finished her drink and set the glass on the bar before Sam led her out onto the dance floor and she was beginning to feel the effects of the alcohol.

  “Are you all right?” His breath tickled her ear as he pulled her close and began to sway to the music, and she shivered. It would have been delicious if she wasn’t so angry at Sam.

  “I’m fine. That jerk can’t rattle me.”

  “Of course not. You’re made of sterner stuff.”

  “You bet your sweet ass I am.”

  “Is my ass sweet?” He looked over his shoulder as if to check it out.

  Startled, Carolina broke into a laugh. Trust Connor to lighten the mood. “It is. Very sweet.”

  “Yours is pretty sweet, too.” He slid a hand down and gave her bottom a squeeze. Carolina whacked him. “That’s better.” He pulled her in closer. “You’re a fighter. Remember that. Now let’s forget that asshat and talk about important things.”

  “Like what?”

  “Like you marrying me.”

  “Not in the cards.” Definitely not now that Sam had reminded her exactly why she’d never trust a man.

  “There’s Avery Dare over there.”

  “So?” His rapid, random conversation changes were beginning to confuse her.

  “So, I bet you can’t steal her drink.”

  “Why would I?” She pulled back. “Are you drunk?” He didn’t look drunk. Instead, he looked like exactly the kind of man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. If Sam hadn’t ruined love for her, she had no doubt she would have fallen hard for Connor and said yes the minute he’d proposed.

  “Haven’t had a drop yet. Do it for fun.”

  “That doesn’t sound fun.”

  Connor sighed. “Then do it because I dared you. Get it? Dare? I dare you to steal a Dare’s drink.”

  “Ha, ha.” Even when he talked nonsense she liked the beat of Connor’s heart against her ear as she rested her cheek on his chest. It was soothing, and her anger at Sam began to slide away.

  “You’re chicken.”

  “Am not!” She straightened. “Sue me if I don’t want to play your silly game. I’m a grown-up.”

  “A grown-up chicken. Aren’t those the ones that usually end up in the frying pan?”

  “Just… stop talking for a minute. You’re driving me crazy.” All she wanted was to dance. And maybe to have another drink. She glanced at the glass of champagne Avery had set down. The woman hadn’t even taken a sip of it yet. She could glide by and pick it up, and if anyone noticed she could pretend she’d thought it was hers. “Okay, I’ll do it.”

  She did, before she could second guess the decision. She moved quickly across the room, her dress swishing in her wake, passed close to the table on which Avery had set her drink and took it.

  No one noticed.

  Carolina circled the room to end up back with Connor. “Did you see that? I think I have a career in crime!”

  “Don’t get ahead of yourself.” Connor circled her waist with his arm again. “You did good, though. One point for you.”

  “A point? How many do I need to win?” She liked winning.

  Connor considered. “Three. But if I reach three first, you lose.”

  “What do I lose?” She looked at him out from under her lashes before she remembered she wasn’t supposed to flirt with Connor.

  “You lose your single status and marry me.”

  “You want to reduce my whole future to a bet?” She sipped the pilfered champagne slowly this time. After all, the stakes would be pretty high if she took that wager.

  “Why not? Go ahead, it’s your turn. Dare me.”

  What the hell, she thought. She could keep up with Connor. She was fearless. Dimly she was aware that the alcohol she’d consumed might be affecting her judgement. “I dare you to steal a tray of canapés.”

  “Done. I need a place to take them, though.” He scanned the room. “I think there’s a deck outside.” He pointed. “Through that door. Meet me there in five.”

  “Got it.” She watched him slip through the crowd while she sipped her champagne. The party was in full swing, and it was easy for him to blend in with the crush of chattering guests. She had to shift her position to catch sight of him when he stopped to talk to one of the waiters who circulated the room. Connor pointed. The waiter hesitated, then lowered his tray onto a nearby table. She didn’t see where the man went, but she imagined Connor had concocted an emergency to lead him astray. Connor picked up the tray and made his way swiftly to the door at one side of the ballroom. Carolina chuckled and started off in that direction, too.

  When the door shut behind her, the quiet was a welcome change from the noise of the packed room she’d just left. While the streets around Club Meridian were busy, the deck and grounds felt private. She heard a murmur of voices to her left and realized there was another couple sitting close together at the opposite end of the deck. Deep in conversation they hadn’t noticed her and she didn’t want to intrude.

  “Carolina.”

  She followed Connor’s whisper and spotted him hiding behind a palm tree that was part of the plantings surrounded the deck. Wondering why he’d positioned himself there she quickly cut across to a set of steps that led down to the ground, keeping a tight hold on her glass of champagne.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Shh. You gotta see this.” He nodded at the deck, still holding the tray of canapes he’d stolen. “Ian Dare is hitting on Riley Taylor. Alex Dare’s best friend,” he added when he noticed her confusion. “Alex is Ian’s half-brother and he won’t be pleased. They don’t get along.”

  “Someone’s coming!” She pulled Connor further into the shadows as the door to the club opened again.

  “Uh oh, that’s Alex now.”

  “Did he find them?” She peeked over Connor’s shoulder.

  “Yep.” He tucked her beside him so she was hidden from anyone on the deck. She couldn’t make out the words Ian, Riley and Alex exchanged but they sounded like they were arguing. “Come on, we’d better get out of here.” He led the way farther from the deck to a bench tucked into an arrangement of semi-tropical plants. “This is better. Want a snack?” He held out the tray as Carolina sat.

  “Sure.” She opened her mouth and Connor popped one in, sitting down beside her. “Yum, that’s good. Give me another. I’m hungry.” She leaned against him and opened her mouth again. Connor poked another bite-size snack in, then dropped a kiss on her lips.

  He ate one himself. “That is good.” He offered her another. When she accepted it, he kissed her again, this time prolonging their contact.

  “Let me eat.” She pushed him away, still whispering, but secretly she liked how much Connor kissed her. He was good at it.

  “Try this one.” He gave her a salt-and-cheese-laden snack and when she’d swallowed again, he tugged her close and kissed her until her knees grew so wobbly she was glad she was already seated. “Time for another dare.” He traced another kiss down her neck and across her shoulder until his mouth met the strap of her dress. Low on her shoulder, it barely held up her gown. “Show them to me.”

  “Show what to you?” she murmur
ed against his lips when he kissed her again.

  He slid his free hand up her waist to cup one breast through the silky material of her dress. “You know what I mean.”

  She did. With a glance over his shoulder to make sure they were alone, she set her glass down on the ground. With both hands, she dipped into the bodice of her dress and lifted her breasts free. Connor moaned appreciatively.

  “Beautiful.” He bent to pay homage to them, teasing them with his tongue until her nipples hardened.

  “Two points,” she gasped, arching her back to allow him greater access. The things he was doing with his tongue had her hot and wet and breathing hard. “I dare you… to show me.”

  “You’re on,” he growled against her skin. He reached down, undid his fly, and pulled himself out. “If anyone comes, I’m going to tell them you put me up to this.”

  “Tell them anything you want.” She slid a hand around his hardness and closed her eyes. It would be so easy to take Connor home tonight and enjoy every inch of his body. Or hell, they didn’t even have to go home.

  “…he’d better hurry up with that platter…” Footsteps passed close by and a man talking into his phone ran up the steps and into the club.

  “Shit.” Connor stuffed himself back into his pants while Carolina yanked up her dress with both hands. She made sure the girls were properly stowed before smoothing down her gown, grabbing her champagne glass and following Connor farther down the path toward the back of the club.

  “Now where?” she hissed as she hurried after him.

  “I don’t know. Somewhere private. I bet there’s another deck on the other side.” He led the way around the back of the building.

  “I’m wearing heels,” she protested as she wobbled along the gravel path.

  Connor scooped her up and carried her the rest of the way. She’d felt dizzy before but held like this against his broad chest as he strode through the darkness, she became breathless. “We forgot the canapés.”

  “Are you hungry?” His voice rumbled low in his chest.

  “Only for you.” Damn, she hadn’t meant to say that out loud.

  His laughter made her blush, and she was glad it was too dark for him to see. When they reached the deck on the far side they found it was empty. It was obviously not in use tonight. A couple of chairs and tables were set up, but others were stacked and pushed against the wall. A strong light lit up the area close to the door into the club, but at this end the deck was mostly in shadow.

  “Thank God,” Connor said.

  “Am I heavy?”

  “You’re not heavy. But I can’t wait a minute more to do this.” He sat down on a deck chair, set her drink on a nearby table and eased her onto his lap before reaching into her bodice and lifting her breasts free again. “I love this dress.”

  “Your suit’s not too shabby either.” She tugged at his tie even as she sucked in a breath when he teased her sensitive nipples. A few moments later he pulled back and she moaned a protest.

  “Say the word and you can sit across from me at breakfast every day for the rest of your life.”

  She sighed. “Will you wear a suit like this?”

  “Will that make you say yes?”

  She rested her forehead against his chest and shook her head from side to side. “The suit isn’t enough.”

  “What is?”

  Couldn’t he simply keep kissing her? “A guarantee that you’ll never mooch off of me or leave me in the lurch or try to control what I do.”

  “I can give you that.”

  Carolina wished that were true, but no man could.

  “We’re tied, two to two,” he said, drawing her close again.

  “What’s my next dare?” She was thankful for the distraction.

  “Have an orgasm.”

  She laughed. “You want me to make myself come? Here?” She gestured at the busy city that lay beyond the shelter of the plantings.

  “No. I want you to let me make you.”

  Richmond Rule #8

  Shine like a star.

  While teamwork will take you most of the way, every organization needs a star player. You’ll know when it’s time to step up…

  “I’M NOT GOING to have sex—”

  “No sex. Just some fun.” When she hesitated, he added. “Or you can marry me.”

  She rolled her eyes. “This is so unfair.”

  “No, it’s not. Remember, you get to dare me next.”

  That’s right; she did and she could make it a real doozy. She was already hot and bothered; why not let Connor take care of her? Maybe it would clear her head. And at least they were partially screened from the street by the palm trees and plantings in front of the deck and the groupings of potted plants on it.

  “Go for it.” She climbed off his lap. She thought he would kneel down in front of her and lift her hem. Instead he turned her and guided her to take hold of the balcony railing. “Wait—”

  “Hell, no. I’m not waiting.” Before she could react, he’d bent her over and flipped her dress up onto her back. A cool breeze wafted over her newly bare bottom.

  “Connor!”

  “No one will see, I promise. We’re in the shadows here. Let me make you feel good.” Moving close behind her, he reached down and slipped a hand under her thong. Carolina’s breath hitched and she moved against him instinctively. Her head swum with alcohol, making it hard to judge just how exposed he’d made her. With him so close behind her, it would be hard for someone to see any details, but one look at them would tell even the most casual observer what they were doing.

  Did she care?

  His touch made her ache and he had to know how much she wanted him. He nudged her feet apart with his own and she opened to his touch. Soft at first, but growing more insistent, he moved his fingers within her until she panted with need. He reached around to cup a breast with his other hand. Kneading her nipple between his fingers, he brought her even closer to the edge. Carolina longed to have him inside of her, but Connor played with her like he knew all her secrets. He brought her so close to ecstasy she begged him to finish, but he pulled back only to do it again. When he finally dropped to his knees and eased her back against his tongue she gasped and came in wild pulsing spasms. She couldn’t hold in her moans any more than she could stop her slide into ecstasy. When she finally finished, she sank down and Connor caught her on his lap.

  Carolina twisted to bury her face in his shoulder.

  “Hey,” he said softly and lifted her chin. “What’s wrong?”

  She pulled away. She didn’t want him to look into her eyes. What they’d done was far too revealing.

  “Don’t hide from me.” He stroked her hair. “Carolina, you know I love you. I want to spend my life with you. I want to make love to you every day. I won’t hurt you.”

  “I’ve just had too much to drink,” she said unsteadily. She didn’t want to talk about what had happened and she didn’t want to hear his promises. Sam had made plenty of promises. Look how that had turned out. She braced her hands on Connor’s shoulders and stood up. He followed more slowly.

  “What’s my dare?” He watched her set her clothing to rights once more.

  She swallowed down the desire to ask him to make love to her. “I dare you to let me tie you up and have my way with you.” Time to show him she meant what she said when she refused to get married.

  “THIS COULD GET interesting.” Maybe a little too interesting, but Carolina had trusted him when he dared her to let him make her come. The least he could do was trust her.

  “Yes, it could. Give me your belt.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He allowed her to undo his belt, knowing she’d feel how ready he was for her. He hoped she intended to swap favors with him. If he stayed this hard much longer he’d do himself an injury. She backed him up against a metal trellis that provided support for a potted plant, looped the belt through it and wrapped it around his hands behind his back. She pulled it tight with a complicated knot. He didn�
��t think it would hold for a second if he put it to the test, but he figured that wasn’t the point. She wanted control. He’d give it to her gladly.

  When she sank down to her knees and pressed her cheek against the fly of his trousers, Connor groaned again. She undid his button, unzipped his fly and pressed a kiss against his silken boxers.

  “Oh, God.” Connor hoped he could stay upright. When she slid his pants and boxers down and took the length of him into her mouth, he closed his eyes and did his best to stay on his feet.

  Her mouth felt so good. So hot and wet and wicked when she pressed her lips around him and slid him in and out. “Baby—”

  “You like it?”

  “God, yeah.” He wished he could bury his hands in her hair and move himself in and out of her, but he’d given up that control when he let her tie him to the trellis. It was worth it. So worth it—

  His eyes snapped open when she pulled back suddenly and stood up. A cool breeze danced across his damp extremities. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” she said sweetly. “I’m just done.”

  He waited for the joke. Saw she was serious. “But—”

  “See you later.” She backed away. Connor tugged at the belt that bound his wrists.

  “You’re kidding, right? Carolina.” He tugged again. To his consternation, the belt held.

  She took another step back. “It sucks, doesn’t it? Getting left behind? Being exposed so everyone knows you were dumped?”

  “I’d never do that!”

  “Maybe you wouldn’t, but maybe you would, too. There’s no guarantee, right?”

  “Carolina!”

  She stepped back again. “What you’re feeling—that pain and humiliation—that’s exactly what it felt like when Sam left. He took my dreams and stomped on them. I gave up everything I wanted for him and then he just left.” Connor struggled to free himself. The belt gave a little, but not enough. If someone walked onto the deck…

  “The humiliation didn’t stop after one night, either. I felt like that for months. For more than a year. I don’t ever want to feel that way again!”