Dare To Love Series: A Kissing Dare (Kindle Worlds Novella)

by Yvette Hines

  She gasped.

  He continued. “Giving it straight. A sexy, well-dressed woman will grab their attention. If you can get my players’, or any NFL teams’, attention then you can sell them the underwear they are wearing.”

  The man was bold in speech, she’d give him that. The men she’d been used to dealing with on the corporate side cared about the work. She’d busted her ass to out calculate and predict them on every level and that was how she’d risen in her field. Now this man was telling her that all she knew, all she was, was secondary to how she looked.

  “The loosely clipped hair, minimal make-up with the super saver department store blouse and slacks is not going to do it.” He narrowed his gaze to her shoes. “Flats will never do it.”

  Earlier she’d felt anxious that she would not be able to present a sound plan to Ian and now, she felt nauseous and frumpy because her appearance didn’t measure up. “So, I need to dress more like Erin Brockovich to talk to the Thunder players?”

  “No. They get enough of that in their off time. More like Jennifer Garner in Draft Day. Classic, yet captivating.”

  She swallowed down the sour taste in her mouth. “I’ve never shied away from what I need to do to get a job.”

  He led them toward the door. “Madison and Alex will have the final decision on that. Bill Atkins was who they wanted. I’ll leave it to you to convince them otherwise next week. Bring your A game, Jo’el.” He held a hand out to her.

  “Bill is good for Wall Street, but I plan to show you how I can be better for your program.” She shook it. “Thank you for your time.”

  “I look forward to it.” When he opened the door she left.

  Unsure of what else to say, she walked down the hall, passing people and portraits and not seeing anything. Her mind was filled with questions and concerns on so many levels. What was she supposed to take back to the partners? Even though, she’d taken the day off today, she had still planned to go in after this meeting to fill them in. However, she didn’t want to do that now. She needed time to get her head together. Fingering a few loose strands behind her ear, she kept her gaze away from anyone she passed on the way to the elevator.

  In her lifetime, she’d never considered what she wore, or how she looked. Not even for prom. She’d just attended in her sister’s dress from two years before and went with a group of friends from the math club. The most fashionable thing she wore was her eyewear and that was because Donna Karan’s happened to be on an after Christmas mark down and she had a coupon to take off more.

  As she got to the elevator she saw a few people standing waiting for it to come up. She looked passed the two men in suits, and focused on the woman who was on her cell phone handling business, sounding intelligent about what she was talking about. Both the old and young man were standing behind her, eyeing her legs and backend, accentuated by the cut of her skirt.

  Neither even looked in Jo’el’s direction. Their slight, unintentional as it probably was, hammered home Ian’s words. The elevator chimed then opened and people filed out. Not wanting to be stuck in the box for even one floor and feel worse about herself, she pivoted and was glad to spot the exit stairs door. Heading toward it, she got to it quick and pushed open the door.

  She let out a short scream as someone came from behind and grabbed her. In a flash, as the door closed, she found her back against the wall and a mountain of a man before her.

  “Why can’t I get you out of my mind? Now you’re here.”

  Mister Kissing Dare stood before her, blocking planned route of exit from the Thunder Dome.

  “What?” Real intelligent, Jo’el.

  He was no longer touching her. Instead his hands were flat against the wall on both sides of her shoulders, boxing her in. Those steel gray eyes of his were staring down at her, accusatory. Today he was dressed in a button down shirt and slacks. His casual apparel was just as captivating and tailored to him as the suit had been the other night. She was overwhelmed by his scent, it cloaked her. Strong, robust, it was masculine but pleasant like coming home after a long stressful day—it brought harmony to her mind, body and soul.

  “Jo’el right?”

  He knew her name. “Uh, yes. But you have me at a disadvantage, because I don’t know your name.”

  One thick eyebrow cocked high.

  She figured he was shocked that she didn’t know who he was. At the bar the ladies had mentioned something about knowing who he was. By his build and where they were located she assumed he was a football player.

  “I guess you sealing your lips against mine, didn’t leave much room for introductions, did it?”

  Those bees in her stomach became butterflies as his deep timbre brought to mind the feel of his lips on hers. Strong, demanding. She’d started the kiss, but he’d finished it. The memory caused her nipples to tighten and those damn butterflies were doing swan dives and summersaults. All the glory of his midnight locks just made her want to feel it brushing along her bare skin. She rolled her bottom lip inward to keep the sigh inside.

  “Guess not.”

  “How about we try it over again?” He lowered his hands, but didn’t step back, holding one out he gave her a devastating smile. “Hello, beautiful, I’m Donovan Clay.”

  Did he just call me beautiful? She slipped her hand into his wide one and prayed he didn’t detect how much they were shaking. “I’m Jo’el Gifford…handsome.”

  She tossed the last part in attempting to play along. Flirting wasn’t something she’d ever done before, but this tall, big hottie made her want to do a lot of things she’d never before.

  “Nice to meet you.”

  Before she knew what was happening, Donovan gave her hand and firm tug and she was in his arms. She literally found herself cocooned in strength, heat and man.

  “He—”

  Not a single sound slipped beyond her lips as she found them fused with his. He gripped her hips, holding her tight against him. His solid chest pressed along her breasts making them ache. She clutched his shirt at his side, not sure if she was holding on for dear life or holding him to her. His hard, muscled sides were evident along her knuckles.

  As his tongue glided over her lips and into her mouth she met it was her own. His tasted like paradise. There was a minty sweetness to his tongue as if he’d recently chewed gum or popped a mint in. Whichever she didn’t care, because beneath all the peppermint goodness was him, as heady and warming as alcohol but way more potent and intoxicating.

  Her head was swimming and her body was singing. Once again the wall was to her back, this time it gave her balance. She arched against him, pressing ever closer. The hardness of his body proved the kiss was affecting him as well.

  Sliding her hands up, she wrapped them around his neck and felt the cool, silkiness of his hair brushed the back of her hands.

  His tongue went deeper and she suckled it harder.

  A sound emitted from him and vibrated into her mouth. If she were lost in a jungle at night and she’d heard that same sound, she would know it was a predator about to attack. She’d be in danger of being devoured. How much more danger was she in having such a beast of a man in close proximity, with no chance of escape.

  This man was doing things to her. Making her forget everything and desire to be in this passion-filled moment with him.

  Unable to step back, she moved her hands to his broad chest and tried not to get lost in the rock hard muscles beneath her palms. She pushed.

  When he dragged his lips away, they were both panting, hard.

  He didn’t give her much space, she could still feel the tickle of his breath over her moist lips. Even that was turning her on.

  Damn what is this man doing to me?

  “Donovan…I think this is moving a bit fast.”

  “We started in the fast lane.” His tone was husky, lust-filled. He lifted a hand then caressed one of her cheeks with his fingers. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you before. I want to see where this takes us.”
/>   “You mean like coffee or dinner?”

  “More like your place or mine.”

  Was he serious? “Are you serious?”

  “Oh, Jo’el. If you let me, you’ll see just how serious I am.”

  No. Her mind screamed. She pushed against him again, like the mountain he was he held in place. “This is insane.”

  He stepped back and released her completely. “It is.” He shoved a hand through all that hair. “I have enough going on right now that I should be on the other side of that door trying to straighten out my damn life.” His stormy grays never glanced away from her face.

  Something was brewing there, even more than the raw passion that seemed to always ignite between them. Donovan was fighting some war.

  The ache in her heart toward him shocked her.

  “I know what you mean.” There were a million and one things she should be doing right now to keep her job. She lowered her gaze breaking contact trying to unwind the threads of desire. Seeing her leather folder on the floor, not even knowing at what point she had dropped it, she bent for it.

  Donovan got to it first. They were eye to eye again as he held it out to her. “Take a chance with me, beautiful. Just one insane moment, one night.”

  Damn did his voice have to drop to that rich, satin baritone? Her panties would not survive such tempting words.

  No. Her mind yelled and began to list all the things she needed to do and all the people she needed to call.

  Still crouched, she took her portfolio smiled. “Okay.”

  For once in her life, she wasn’t going to listen to her cautious analytical thoughts. Rationale and logic had been her companions all her life. However, she was going to live for one night in the arms of a man who thought she—in her super saver clothing—was beautiful.

  His lopsided smile curled her toes. Rising, he offered her his hand. Slipping her fingers into his, warmth and strength gripped her as he brought her to her feet. Hand in hand they journeyed down the stairs then down a back hall to the parking lot.

  “I don’t want to let you out of my sight to get my ride. How about we take your car to my place.”

  “All right.”

  It didn’t take them long to reach her car in the visitor parking.

  He let her go, so she could fish out her keys from her pocket. Taking hold of her door, he held it open for her before going around the car to the other side. She knew most men liked to drive and be in control and was happy to see him settle into the passenger side of her sedan without complaint.

  “You’ll have to tell me where to go.” She started up the car and backed out of the space.

  “Absolutely.” He captured the back of her neck and pulled her closer. The kiss was hard and quick. “Just in case you were thinking of changing your mind.”

  She laughed as she removed a hand from the wheel and fanned her face. “I wasn’t.”

  “Good. We need to make one stop on the way.”

  “Okay.” Following his instructions she left the parking lot and headed toward the freeway. Don’t think, Jo’el, just do.

  She did.

  Chapter Four

  “This is a nice place.” She entered after him and glanced around his condo. “You just move in?”

  He was one block away from not being in the Miami zip code. Forty-five minutes from the stadium the quiet, upscale residential neighborhood allowed him his privacy and solitude.

  “No.” He knew the place wasn’t technically empty, but it only held the necessities, no personal effects or articles. If he wasn’t at the stadium or one thing or another, he was with his personal trainer, eating or sleeping. On his off days he still trained and watched game tapes.

  He tossed his keys into the bowl on the table by the door, the small bag went next before he walked up behind her where she stood before the large two way window showcasing his manicured vacant backyard. There wasn’t even a lawn chair out there. From his bedroom on the second floor he could see the ocean that was at the far end of his neighborhood. Being an Iowa boy this beach wasn’t really his thing, mountains were. “I’d give you the tour but I really don’t want to talk about views and crown molding.” Donovan pulled her into his arms then placed kisses along her neck.

  Turning in his arms, she gazed up at him.

  Damn she was beautiful. There was an innocent air about her that he didn’t get often in his world. Most of the women were jaded or after his money and fame. “You’re a breath of fresh air.”

  “Wow. No one has ever said anything like that to me.”

  He meant it. She calmed the storms raging inside of him. Over the last several months he’d felt as if there were a category four hurricane swirling inside of his head preparing to destroy his life. Not when he held her.

  A phone rang out loudly between them, breaking the moment.

  It wasn’t his ringtone.

  Removing the device from her pocket she stared down at the display.

  “You need to get that?”

  “Not at the moment I don’t.” When the factory-style ringer stopped, she turned the sound to silent then put it away again.

  Reaching up, he unfastened the clip holding her hair back. After tossing the hair accessory in the vicinity of his couch, he fingered the thick soft brown waves. As he drew the long strands over her shoulders he took a moment to study her. Her round golden face seemed pale compared to the cinnamon brown of her eyes. Her dual nationality gave her a unique look—narrowed nose, with a wide full mouth and almond shaped eyes complimented by long lashes that curled just so at the ends. Her glasses with their designer insignia on the frame seemed out of place. Not that all the curves of her body couldn’t pull off something more high fashion, it just didn’t fit with her look. And it was her unpretentiousness that appealed to him.

  “May I kiss you?”

  “Now you want to ask for permission.” Her voice was light with a raspy tinge to it, like the early morning whisper of a lover.

  “Yes, because once I start this time, I’m not going to stop until I’ve kissed you everywhere.”

  Her body swayed a little toward him, as she let out a short breath. “Then kiss me, Donovan.”

  Besides his sister, everyone called him Tank in lieu of his real name. He was glad he’d given it to her because he liked hearing it on her lips.

  Wrapping his arms around her waist he started in on his first kiss. He loved the fact that her body was voluptuous. The women that flocked around him and his teammates were usually model thin, waifs. He’d always preferred women with healthy curves. As a big man, he didn’t like feeling as if he’d break the woman beneath him.

  Their kiss continued as he cupped her ass and brought her closer. He wanted her to feel his length and know what she did to him. Holding her there, he pressed his cock right at the juncture of her thighs.

  In response, she gyrated against him and drew a groan from him. Moving from her mouth to the side of her neck he inhaled her fragrance. She smelled of cherries and almonds, soft and sweet enough to drive him nuts.

  The buttons of her blouse were easily undone by his hands. He leaned back as he parted the sides of her top. Her breasts filled out her simple sky blue bra. There was a little dark blue lace along the inside edge that drew his gaze to the swells.

  “I need to see more of you.”

  “Only if I get the same courtesy.”

  “Sweetheart, you can have whatever you desire.” He deftly took care of his buttons as he watched her remove her blouse. She hesitated just a moment before she reached behind her and undid her bra.

  Her bra and top met his shirt and T-shirt on the floor. They both stood there topless, but he was more interested in the sight of her. Her areolas were a few shades darker than her golden skin and her nipples were taut and large.

  Cupping her breasts they filled his hands nicely he circled the peaks with his thumbs. “You are even lovelier.”

  “Thank you.” Her cheeks were tinted red showing her shyness. “You’re
quite the sight yourself.” She caressed his chest, using her fingers to follow the cut of each of his muscles.

  When her hands caressed low on his abs he sucked in a breath. Her touch would soon have him losing his mind in lust. Lifting her breasts, he pressed them together and traced a pattern around one nipple with his tongue then the other.

  She arched up to him, showing him she enjoyed what he was doing.

  He drew a nipple into his mouth, laving the distended tip and suckling it until she was cupping the back of his neck and dragging her thigh up along his hip as she bucked against him.

  Fuck, he had to have her. He could take his time the second and third time he had her, right now he wanted to spread her wide and lick her from end to clit then drive his dick inside her.

  He divested her of her pants and matching blue panties, quickly bring them to her ankles so she could step out of them and her shoes. He didn’t miss the cream coating the crotch of her underwear and that just made him want her even more. If only a few kisses and caresses had her primed, he couldn’t wait to see how she came around him once he was thrusting between her thick thighs.

  Rising, he walked her a few steps back until she was against one glass panel.

  “Wait, your neighbors will see.” She stepped to him, trying to hide her nudity.

  “Two way, baby.” He moved her back, kissed her and silenced her argument.

  Once she was gripping his arms and arching toward him again, he knew her focus was back on them. Dropping to his knees on the carpet, he tapped the center of her thighs. “Open for me.”

  She stepped out, barely shoulder width apart.

  “Wider.” He stared at the small strip of curls just over her swollen, damp sex. The rich musk of her pussy captivated him, it was a scent he would never forget.

  When she slid her feet a little further out, he leaned forward and angled his tongue right between her folds until the tip met her clit. He swirled around it, collecting all of her rich nectar to savor.

  “Oh…” Her legs trembled before him.