An Inconvenient Dare
Bethany Lopez
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Epilogue
Untitled
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Also by Bethany Lopez
An Inconvenient Dare
Copyright 2018 Bethany Lopez
Update Published 2018
Published June 2015
Cover Design by Makeready Designs
Editing by Red Road Editing / Kristina Circelli
Ebook Formatting by White Hot Formatting
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this ebook with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this ebook and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite book retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. All rights reserved.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please don’t participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
This ebook is also available in print at most online retailers.
Want to learn more about my books? Sign up for my newsletter and Join my FB Group/Street Team!
http://crea.tf/bethanylopeznewsletter
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1443318612574585/
Created with Vellum
Thank you to Carly Phillips for allowing me to play in her world!
One
“You seriously need to loosen up,” Ella said, her eyes narrowed as she watched Vanessa over the rim of her whiskey sour. “It’s been what … years since you’ve had sex?”
Vanessa rolled her eyes to try and play off her best friend’s statement, but her hand tightened around the stem of her wine glass. “I’ve been focused on my career.”
It was true. She’d spent the last six years working her ass off to learn as much as she could, and had worked her way up that ladder at Smithson’s PR back in Detroit. A few months ago, when a position opened up at Fine PR in Miami, she’d jumped at the chance to move closer to Ella, whom she met in college.
“More like obsessed,” Ella accused as she tossed back the amber liquid. “It’s time to get a little crazy and achieve an orgasm with another person in the room. Preferably a hot male.”
Vanessa bit back a sarcastic reply when she realized Ella had a point. When was the last time she’d been with a man? Had it really been two years? Beginning to feel the tingly glow of liquid courage, she looked around the party with a slight frown.
“I know most of these people from work, so even if I did decide to throw caution to the wind and pick up a guy, I couldn’t. I don’t mix business with pleasure, you know that.”
Ella looked at her beautiful friend. Vanessa’s rich chestnut hair was loose and flowing down her back, and the little black dress she wore showcased her killer long legs. It really was a crime that Vanessa was always so focused on moving up to the next level in her career, that she never allowed herself a little fun. Ella was determined to change that tonight.
“You never mix pleasure with pleasure,” she argued, biting back a smile when her perfectly posh friend stuck out her tongue in defense. “There has got to be at least one hot guy here who has nothing to do with your PR firm, or the Miami Thunder, and I’m going to find him.”
“Wait,” Vanessa said, her tongue darting out to lick her lips nervously. “What am I going to do while you search?”
Ella smirked at her friend and replied, “Drink up … I think you’re going to need something to grease those wheels.”
“Gross,” Vanessa grumbled, then watched with mild panic as Ella left her and began to circle the room. Taking Ella’s advice, she knocked back the rest of her red, then casually walked to the bar to order another.
“There’s the lady of the hour,” Vanessa’s boss, Derek Fine, said, reaching out a hand to stop her after her trip to the bar.
“Just doing my job,” Vanessa said humbly, even though her insides were glowing at the compliment. She’d only been with Fine PR for a few months, and she already loved working there. Mr. Fine could be a tough boss, but that only made her respect him more.
“Vanessa, you know Avery Dare.”
Vanessa turned to the striking brunette with an easy smile.
“Yes, we’ve met a few times.”
Avery smiled back and said, “It’s nice to see you again.”
The three chatted for a few moments, then Derek excused himself to go speak with Ian Dare, Avery’s brother and the President of the Miami Thunder.
“I have to say, the ideas you had for that last marketing campaign were risky, but it totally paid off. People are still talking about it.”
“Thanks,” Vanessa said, unsure of how to respond to the other woman’s praise. Derek had been skeptical about her ideas when she came on board, but she’d convinced him to give her the chance to prove herself, and luckily he’d agreed.
She’d been overjoyed when Mr. Dare had loved her campaign.
They were chatting about an upcoming project, when Ella came rushing over with an excited grin.
“I’ve found him,” she said under her breath when she reached the women.
“Avery, this is my rude friend, Ella,” Vanessa said instead of replying to her crazy friend.
Ella looked sheepish.
“Oh, sorry … It’s nice to meet you!”
“You too,” Avery replied, then looked around the room with a conspiratorial smile. “Who’d you find?”
“The man who’s going to break Van’s dry spell.”
“Ella!” Vanessa exclaimed, embarrassed that her friend would bring up such a private topic in front of a client.
“Oooh, point him out,” Avery said, leaning in closer to Ella, obviously not finding the situation inappropriate in the slightest.
Vanessa took a healthy gulp of wine and tried to act like she wasn’t holding her breath waiting to see who Ella was talking about.
“Twelve o’clock, dark hair, and dimples that have panties dropping on site.”
Vanessa turned her gaze to twelve o’clock and was shocked to find a thrill run through her at the very tall, very tanned, and very gorgeous man watching her and her friends watch him. She looked down quickly, but it was too late; she’d already caught the cocky grin he shot at her. She’d felt it straight to her bones.
“Wow, you’re not kidding,” Avery said under her breath.
Vanessa had to agree with Ella’s assessment. She was ready to drop her panties at one glance. What the hell? She’d never had a reaction like that to a man before. Certainly not just from eye contact.
“Well?” Ella asked.
“I don’t even know if he’s single,” Vanessa began, her palms beginning to sweat at the thought of approaching the handsome stranger.
“He wasn’t wearing a ring,” Ell
a answered. “There’s only one way to find out whether he has a girlfriend or not.”
“I don’t know,” Vanessa said, then looked to Avery for a lifeline. “Do you know him? Does he work for the team?”
Vanessa’s hope for an easy out vanished when the striking brunette shook her head.
“I’ve never seen him before. Believe me, I’d remember.”
“No excuses,” Ella cajoled. “I dare you…”
Vanessa’s head shot up and she looked incredulously at her oldest friend.
“We’re not in college anymore.”
“No, but there’s no expiration date on taking a dare,” Ella said with a grin.
They’d made a pact the first night they’d gotten drunk and played Truth or Dare in college. You had to accept all dares, or face the consequence. Which meant the other person would pick out the ugliest bra and pair of granny panties, and the welsher had to strip down and streak in a public area. It was a stupid pact, but one they’d always adhered to, and since then, neither of them had ever turned down a dare. It may be childish and stupid, but it always reminded Vanessa not to take herself so seriously all the time.
“We’re adults now, Ella, I’m not playing some silly game,” Vanessa argued, even though she was really warming to the idea of breaking her dry spell. Especially with a guy like that!
“I don’t care if we’re eighty; a pact is a pact, and a dare is a dare.”
Ella had her hands on her hips now, and Avery was nodding in agreement.
Vanessa knew she was at least going to have to make an attempt. There was no way the other women were letting her off the hook, especially when Ella added, “I double dog dare you!”
Jeez, it looked like her friend was never going to grow up.
Vanessa downed the rest of her wine, handed the empty glass to her giddy friend, and took a deep breath.
Game on.
Two
Enrique watched, intrigued, as the tall, leggy brunette finished her wine, squared her shoulders, and began striding toward him with purpose. Her confidence turned him on, and he found himself biting back a grin as she neared, searing her with a hot gaze instead. When she finally reached him, he turned to her, giving her his full attention, and he saw her confidence waver a bit.
“Hi,” she said in a breathless tone, causing his body to react instantly.
“Hello,” he replied, taking her in. She really was stunning. “I’m Enrique.”
He held out his hand, and when she took it, he turned her hand slightly and placed a soft kiss on the inside of her wrist.
Enrique saw her chest heave as she took a deep breath at his intimate touch, and smiled when he felt her pulse race beneath his thumb.
“Vanessa,” the beautiful stranger replied, her deep, throaty voice causing his dick to stir.
“It’s nice to meet you, Vanessa,” he said, still holding her delicate hand in his grasp. He noticed her look him over, her eyes heating and letting him know that she liked what she saw.
Enrique was at the party for business, and he knew that he was supposed to be making contacts and networking, but he couldn’t help but be intrigued by the contradiction that was Vanessa.
He’d noticed her early on, and had watched her intermittently throughout the night. She seemed confident and controlled. Definitely an important businesswoman or executive. She kept close to her pretty blonde friend most of the night, and hadn’t engaged with any men in other than what looked like a professional capacity. He’d seen the friend canvassing the room, and wondered what their game was … He couldn’t wait to find out what Vanessa wanted with him. He hoped it was the same thing he wanted with her.
“Tell me, what brought you to me, Mi Cielo.”
He watched something click in her eyes, as if she’d just made a decision, and was nearly blown away when she said, “I was wondering if you’d like to get out of here.”
His first instinct was to look around for hidden cameras.
Enrique felt the blood rush from his head, and he wanted more than anything to say yes, but suspicion led him to ask, “Did my cousin’s boyfriend put you up to this?”
Confusion crossed Vanessa’s face and he saw a flash of uncertainty as she asked, “What? No, no one put me up to this.”
He could feel her beginning to question her decision, so rather than allow her to bolt, he made an impulsive decision and answered, “Yes. Let’s go.”
Enrique led her through the sea of guests toward the front door, his hand resting gently on the small of her back. As she moved, the sultry scent of her wafted back and penetrated his senses.
His need for her was as sudden as it was intense, and he found becoming impatient as they waited for the valet.
“I can drive and bring you back for your car, or you can follow me.”
“I’ll follow,” he said, figuring it would be best to have his ride with him, and he wanted her to have the time alone on the drive, to be sure this was what she wanted.
He had to fight his desire to speed through the streets of Miami as he followed her lead. Vanessa pulled into the parking garage of high-rise condominiums. He pulled into one of the slots that said “Guest Parking,” then waited for her to join him by the bank of elevators.
The clicking of her heels hit him like a pulse, and he was surprised at how sexy he found the sound. He’d never been this turned on by a woman he’d never even kissed. The chemistry was off the charts, and he prayed to God that she wouldn’t change her mind.
She gave him a small smile as she approached, and he could see the tremble of nerves on her lips.
“Are you okay?” he asked, hoping that she said yes.
She gave a slight nod, then walked into the open elevator and stood, waiting for him to enter behind her before pressing the button. Once they reached her floor, and subsequently, her door, he came to a decision. One he’d never reached before, but he found himself willing to try anything, to do anything, to be with this captivating woman.
He shut the door behind him, watching as she moved through her modern-styled living space, her confidence seemingly returned now that they were on her turf. He stood in the entryway, waiting as she placed her things on a side table and turned to him.
“Please, come in,” Vanessa said when she saw he hadn’t moved to come inside her condo.
“While we’re here, from this point forward, Mi Cielo, you are in control.”
She cocked her head to the side, unsure of what to make from his statement.
Enrique stayed where he was, giving her time to fully understand his meaning. He found he was willing to do whatever it took to be with this woman tonight, even if it meant turning over control. Something he had never considered doing with anyone else.
He could see when she got it. She stood taller, her legs seeming to get impossibly longer, and her nipples peaked beneath the black material of her dress. He could tell she got off on the idea of being in control, even as he wondered whether or not she had anything on under that dress.
Three
Vanessa’s body was on fire. With four little words, you are in control, Enrique had lit something inside of her that had never been touched before.
Control was something she needed in her life, both personally and professionally, but she’d never taken control in the bedroom. If she was honest, she’d often deferred to the man she was with and had taken his lead. Not that she hadn’t had great sex, she had … But no man had ever flipped her switch like Enrique just did.
“Come here,” she said, the strength of her own voice surprising her.
She wanted to clap with glee when the strong, powerful man before her did exactly as she requested, but instead she kept her gaze steady and her face straight.
When he stopped a few inches away from her, Vanessa said, “Take of your shirt.”
Enrique’s dimples flashed, and yes, her panties may have melted at the sight, but he brought his fingers to his buttons and began leisurely undoing them, one by one. She watche
d with bated breath as the dark skin beneath his dress shirt was slowly revealed. He shrugged off one shoulder, then the other, and let it drop to the floor behind him.
Vanessa devoured him with her eyes. His body was lean and muscular, not bulky, but too toned to be slender. He obviously worked hard to maintain the level of definition that was showcased in his chest, biceps, and abs. The smattering of dark chest hair pulled at something primitive inside of her, and she reached out to touch him without hesitation, running her palms across him curiously.
Enrique inhaled sharply through his nose when the heat of her palms touched his smooth skin, and the sound of his pleasure only fueled Vanessa on.
He stood stock still as her hands explored, and when she leaned in and touched her moist, hot lips to his hardened nipple, he clenched his fists at his sides. Spurred on by Enrique’s reaction, Vanessa allowed her lips to follow her hands as she acquainted herself with his body. She licked a trail down the center of his abs, stopping to dip her tongue under the waistband of his slacks, before backing up a step.
One second away from tearing the rest of his clothes off, Vanessa needed a second to catch her breath. She was unsure if it was the lack of sexual contact, or this man, but her body was so taut with need she didn’t know if he would even have to touch her in order for her to come.
She looked up at Enrique to see him staring back at her, eyes hooded with desire.
“Take off your pants,” she ordered, her body tingling all over as she watched him unbutton, then unzip his pants. Before he finished her request, he kicked off his loafers, then he shoved the slacks down and stepped out of them.
An Inconvenient Dare Page 1