An Inconvenient Dare

by Bethany Lopez

  Slater took a step forward and said, “I don’t need you cock-blocking me, asshole. Who I hook up with is no one’s business but my own.”

  “C’mon, Mr. Slater, you know that Fine PR is looking out for your best interest,” David said smoothly, walking up from wherever he must have been waiting. “Enrique here was just doing what he’s paid to do … What we’re all being paid to do. As our client, we have your best interests at heart, I assure you.”

  Slater scowled at David, but backed off, allowing Enrique to follow his number one suspect to his car.

  “What a fucking douche,” Enrique said, incensed, as they drove off down the street.

  “Yes, that is true, but he is a client, so we really shouldn’t say it out loud,” David said primly, then added, “Would you mind if we stopped at my house real quick? I forgot my lunch.”

  “Sure,” Enrique responded, hoping he didn’t sound as eager as he felt to get a glimpse inside David’s home.

  Maybe he’d finally catch a break and find what he needed to wrap up this case, so he could finally come clean with Vanessa.

  Nine

  So far the club opening was a smashing success, for the club and for the positive PR that Slater was garnering.

  They’d been on site for a little over an hour, and Slater was still drinking water, his fresh-faced date smiling happily up at him as he droned on and on about his latest game. Vanessa would have rather slit his wrists than hear the conceited player talk about himself for one more second, but the starlet didn’t seem to mind. At all.

  Vanessa searched the room, noting the members of her team were stationed throughout, and smiled to herself as pride filled her. They’d really outdone themselves with this one. The response to the work they’d been doing to put a positive spin on Slater had been greater than she’d even hoped. She knew Derek was pleased, and after tonight, she hoped he’d be happy he hired her, and think of her as a peer.

  “Darlin’, I’ve been noticing you staring at me all evening.”

  Vanessa looked up, then up farther, to see Slater grinning down at her like she was a steak and he was starved. Startled at this abrupt change, Vanessa turned her head to see Slater’s date turning down the hall toward the bathroom.

  “I’ve been watching you because I’m in charge of your PR, you know that Mr. Slater … I’m just trying to make sure everything is going well. Which is what I’m paid to do,” she added lightly, hoping to convey her message without pissing off the client. Being a woman in this business, Vanessa was no stranger to men coming on to her, but it never got any easier. Or more pleasant.

  Slater brought his hand up and brushed it down the length of her bare arm, causing her body to shiver in apprehension. He, of course, took it as a lustful reaction instead, and bent his head so that his mouth was a breath away from her ear.

  “I think it’s more than that. What do you say I dump the teenager and take you back to my place. I’d much rather have a woman in my bed…”

  “Mr. Slater,” she began, prepared to make her brush-off more stern. Before she could finish her sentence, however, they were interrupted by a livid Enrique.

  “Hey, Slater, Mr. Dare was looking for you, I think he’s over there,” Enrique said through clenched teeth, gesturing with his chin in the direction of the bar.

  Slater lifted his head up to scowl at Enrique, his face growing suspicious when he saw who it was. Vanessa looked around him to see Ian Dare watching them, and felt him stiffen when he realized Enrique was telling the truth. Slater schooled his features as he headed over to see what the Miami Thunder President wanted.

  “Thanks,” she began, then stopped when Enrique’s heated eyes burned over her face. “Are you okay?”

  Enrique didn’t speak, he just took her hand in his and pulled her through the crowded club, toward the stairs, practically dragging her up each step.

  “Hey,” she protested, struggling to pull out of his grasp and wondering what in the hell had gotten into him.

  Before she could protest further, they’d stopped progression and she found herself up against the wall in a dark corner of the staircase, Enrique’s mouth branding her as his lips seared hers.

  Confused, but unable to stop herself from returning his kiss, Vanessa was hit with a wave of lust as she opened her mouth and met the kiss with vigor. Just as she was beginning to writhe against the heat of his hard body, Enrique pulled away and began dragging her up the stairs again.

  “What is going on?” Vanessa asked. Her head was hazy from the kiss, her body throbbing with desire.

  Enrique pushed open the door at the top of the stairs, and it closed behind them with a bang. She barely noticed the dark street below the small balcony of the fire escape they were on, or how the wind picked her hair up and flicked it around her flushed face; she was too focused on the handsome man before her.

  “Are you going to answer me?” she demanded.

  “Si, Mi Cielo,” Enrique replied, his words clipped. “I’ll answer you…” He backed her up until the railing of the balcony stopped her. “I may have mislead you by giving you too much power in the beginning of this relationship, but I need to remedy that now.” Enrique lowered his head so they were eye to eye when he said firmly, “When you are with me, Mi Cielo, you are with only me. You will not flirt with another man. You will not date another man. And you will not let another man touch you.”

  “Now, wait a minute,” Vanessa argued, becoming angry at his insinuation, as well as his assumption.

  Enrique stopped her with a kiss. Her mouth was already open, so he swept right in, claiming it as his own. His hand came to the back of her head, his fingers delving into her loose hair, and he tightened his hold as he deepened the kiss.

  When she was pliable and ready to give him anything he wanted, he pulled back slightly and added, “You are mine, Vanessa, as I am yours.”

  Unable to catch her breath, Vanessa nodded feebly, then her body thrummed to life when he demanded, “Turn around and hold on to the rail. Tightly.”

  Vanessa gripped the cold metal in her palms, her breath coming out in pants as every nerve ending seemed to stand on end, waiting to see what was going to happen next. She sucked in a sharp breath when her tight skirt was pushed up her thighs, over her hips, and bunched at her waist.

  Enrique clutched her hips with his strong hands and yanked her back, so she was forced to bend as she held on to the rails. Utterly turned on by this drastic change in Enrique’s sexual games, Vanessa was panting with need at the thought of her normally submissive partner taking total control. His hand caressed one of her full cheeks before gliding down to fondle her pussy, and she knew he’d find her soaking wet.

  Vanessa moaned with pleasure as first one, then two fingers entered her. She bucked back against his hand and felt his body cover hers as he leaned forward. Enrique pushed her hair off to one side, leaving a portion of her neck bare, and placed his lips there as he worked her with his hand.

  “You are the hottest woman I’ve ever seen,” he murmured in her ear, his voice rough with desire. He trailed his tongue up her nape, then took her earlobe between his teeth and tugged softly. Their groans mingled in the night air, and when he said, “I can’t wait any longer,” she responded with, “Fuck me now!”

  She heard his zipper and whimpered at the loss of his hand, then felt his hands grip her hips once again and his cock enter her in one fluid movement.

  “God, yes!” Vanessa screamed, oblivious to the goings on on the street below. She wouldn’t have cared if someone else came out onto the balcony with them, she needed to come more fiercely than she ever had in her life.

  Enrique pounded into her, his words incoherent as he grabbed a fist full of her hair and pulled it tightly. Vanessa’s body caught fire at the twin feelings of pain and pleasure, and she felt the orgasm begin to build in her. She slid her hand down to find her clit, and began circling it quickly as she thrust her hips back to meet each plunge of his cock.

  “Fuck, M
i Cielo, I wish I could see you touch yourself,” Enrique groaned, the sound almost painful.

  “Next time,” she barely spat out before the wave of pleasure swept over her. She ground her hips back, milking every last ounce of pleasure as her walls convulsed around Enrique’s cock, causing him to shout out his own release.

  They rocked into each other for a few more moments, both enjoy the aftershocks of gratification, as they both struggled to catch their breath.

  Vanessa felt his come run down her legs, just as Enrique swore, “Shit! I’m so sorry, I didn’t even think about a condom.”

  Vanessa mentally calculated in her head, then said, “We should be fine. I’m on the pill, and the timings off.”

  She felt fabric caress her leg and looked down to see him cleaning her up with his socks. Vanessa chuckled at the sight. “Thanks.” She turned to see Enrique grinning sheepishly at her.

  “I never liked that pair anyway.” His face grew serious and he asked, “I wasn’t too rough with you, was I?”

  “No,” Vanessa replied truthfully as she shimmied her dress back down into place. “It was perfect.”

  Enrique tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and admitted, “I’ve never felt jealousy like that before. When I saw you watching Slater, I knew in my head that it was for work, but that didn’t stop doubt from seeping in … then when he walked over and touched you, and he was all over you like you were his … I lost it. I’m sorry.”

  Vanessa smiled, then pulled him in for a hug. She wasn’t sure if it was meant to assure him, or if she just wanted the closeness after what they’d just shared, but she held on tight.

  “You don’t have to be sorry. You took me by surprise, but I liked what you said … I’m yours and you’re mine.” She leaned back and looked up at him, her gin turning wicked. “Plus, I liked what came after.”

  Enrique chuckled and bent to nuzzle her nose. “So did I, Mi Cielo.”

  Ten

  Ella eased into the bubbling hot water across from her and Vanessa did a double take.

  “Your hair looks great!” she gushed, sitting up so fast that waves erupted around her.

  Vanessa took in the new, bright blonde pixie cut, which complemented her best friend’s face perfectly. “I never would have guessed, but it totally works on you.”

  Ella’s face was flushed, but Vanessa wasn’t sure if it was from the compliment, or the heat of the water.

  “Thanks, I wanted something different,” she explained, bringing a hand up to toy with the tips of her bangs. “When the hairdresser started showing me pictures of this, I wasn’t sure, but she was right. I love it.”

  Vanessa had been so busy with work, and with Enrique, that she and Ella had decided to carve out a day just for the two of them. They were going to be pampered and spoiled at the day spa they loved to frequent.

  She’d arrived a little early, and had eagerly stripped her clothes and adorned her one-piece suit, so she could soak a little while in the hot tub before her first appointment, a massage.

  “So,” Ella began as she settled back against a jet with a sigh. “Tell me the latest and greatest with you and Enrique.”

  “Well, he took me to meet his brother, Carlos, who owns a food truck and cooks amazing food,” Vanessa said, submerging herself a little farther. “Then, he showed a totally different side of himself when he flipped his lid over one of our clients flirting with me at an event.”

  She leaned in, which caused Ella to lean in closer to her, and looked around to make sure no one was listening to their conversation.

  “In the past he’s always let me take charge, but I kid you not, Ella, he marched me right out of the club and up onto one of those fire escapes. We had sex outside, in public … I held on to the railing.”

  “What?” Ella shouted, then covered her mouth and looked around guiltily when Vanessa shushed her.

  “Sorry,” she whispered, “But, what?”

  Vanessa giggled at the look on her friend’s face and replied, “Yeah, I can’t believe it either. At the time, I was so caught up that I didn’t care.”

  “Just give me a minute,” her friend said, holding up a finger for emphasis. “Let me get this straight … The last time I had sex, I think I had an orgasm, but I’m not really sure. The guy got up afterwards, said, ‘Thanks, babe,’ and left … But you, the new queen of tying men up and having sex on your desk, got pounded by freakishly hot man on a balcony, while working a club opening. Do I have that right?”

  Vanessa tried not to laugh, but she had to know, “How do you not know if you had an orgasm?”

  Ella rolled her eyes and answered, “It was one of those times where I felt it building, but it just sort of fizzled out. I never had the ‘big bang.’”

  Unable to control it, Vanessa leaned to the side, laughing as Ella glared at her.

  “Not all of us have wild and crazy sex lives,” Ella complained with a pout.

  “Ms. Vaughn?” the attendant called out, indicating that it was time for her appointment.

  “Yes, please get her out of here before I drown her,” Ella said loudly, sticking her tongue out when Vanessa just chuckled.

  “See you at facials,” Vanessa said as she rose from the water, ignoring her friend’s attempts to splash her.

  In the room, Vanessa took off her swimsuit and hung it up to dry in the bathroom, then dried off before putting on a robe to go out into the massage room. Getting massages was one of her favorite things, and this spa had an ambience that she loved. Fountains filled the corners of the room, tinkling as the water coursed through them. The scent of lavender was discreet, but calming, and the lovely earth tones set the stage beautifully. Just being in the room always made her feel more relaxed, but as she disrobed, laid down on the table, and covered herself with the soft terry blanket, she knew the best was yet to come.

  She placed her face in the holder until her head rested comfortably, and closed her eyes. She heard the door open and the soft padding of footsteps, then the slight strains of the violin as the masseuse approached her table.

  “The usual, Ms. Vaughn?”

  “Please,” she stated, then took a deep breath and let it out slowly, prepared to enjoy the next hour immensely.

  The next thing she knew, her masseuse was gently shaking her awake.

  Dammit, I fell asleep and missed the whole thing, she realized as the fog began to clear from her mind. Vanessa knew that falling asleep was the bi-product of an excellent massage, but she always hated it when she did. She wanted to be cognizant of every rub and soothing touch.

  “I’ll leave a water bottle for you on the table. Come out whenever you’re ready.”

  Vanessa waited until the door closed, then got up slowly, grabbing the water as she made her way to the bathroom. Not wanting to put the wet suit back on, she put the robe back on and belted it, then gathered her things and went out to get ready for her next appointment.

  She’d barely made it into the waiting area, which was comfort personified with lush sofas and chairs, tables set with fruits and vegetables, as well as flavored waters, and a brightly crackling fire place in the middle of the room, before an attendant asked her to follow her back to the facial room.

  Ella was already seated in one of the chairs when she entered, head back and eyes closed, but she must have sensed her friend’s arrival, because she perked up and asked,

  “So, Van, this Carlos … Is he single?”

  Eleven

  “Ahhh, hermano,” Carlos sighed as he stretched his legs out in front of him and took a long drink of beer. “It’s good to see you so happy. Vanessa seems like a nice woman … How serious is it?”

  Enrique looked out over the ocean, which seemed to stretch out farther than the sky, and grinned as he thought about his brown-haired beauty.

  “I’ve never been this serious about a woman before,” he admitted to his brother, then he turned his head, worry evident on his face. “But there is a problem…”

  “What’s that?
” Carlos asked, leaning forward to rest his forearms on his thighs.

  “She doesn’t know why I’m really at the firm,” Enrique said as he peeled the label off of his bottle. “She doesn’t know I’m investigating, and I worry what her reaction will be when she finds out the truth.”

  Carlos whistled through his teeth, shaking his head slightly before answering Enrique.

  “You’ve got to come clean. No woman likes to be lied to, especially by the man they’re sleeping with.”

  “I know, but it’s in the contract that I can’t say anything, that’s why I haven’t,” Enrique replied. “I’m meeting with Fine tomorrow to give him the evidence I’ve collected, so once I’m off the job, I’ll tell her the whole story. Still, I know she’s going to be pissed, and I’m not sure if there’s a way I can tell her that will make it easier to take.”

  Carlos leaned back and looked out at the sea contemplatively. His brother was always a big thinker, a planner who’d gotten them out of a lot of scrapes as kids, so Enrique lost himself in his own thoughts, giving his brother the quiet he needed.

  Finally, Carlos looked at him and shrugged.

  “There’s no getting around her anger … She may even be hurt, and you’re going to have to man up and deal with the consequences. But you can soften the blow. Cook her a nice dinner, paired with a good bottle of wine, then tell her how you feel about her. That you’re more serious about her than you’ve ever been, just like you did with me … Let her feel how much she means to you, show her, then tell her about the job. She’s still going to be pissed, but hopefully the knowledge that your relationship is solid will help ease it a little bit.”

  Enrique thought over his brother’s suggestions and gave him an easy grin.

  “Thanks, hermano, that just might work.”

  “Anytime, little brother, I’ve been saving your ass since you were born, it’s practically my job,” Carlos said with a laugh. “Now tell me what else you’ve got going on with your business. Things going good?”