Dare Me Tonight

by Phillips, Carly

  It wasn’t easy to admit she affected him deeply.

  Her self-deprecating smile disarmed him as she said, “I wasn’t prepared for you, either.”

  He chuckled, ready to lighten the mood. “Most people aren’t.”

  She leaned an elbow against the back cushion of the sofa. “Well, Ian Dare is my half brother. He didn’t want anything to do with my part of the family after finding out about us. Trust me when I say if I can deal with him, I knew when I heard about you that I could handle you.”

  Ethan cocked his head to one side. This was the first he’d heard that she’d been warned about him. “When you heard about me?”

  “Sierra mentioned that you might be … difficult,” she admitted. “But I wasn’t worried.”

  And that was why he was so drawn to her. Where other people ran away, she ran toward him. “You blew me away with your openness and your inviting smile. And I couldn’t stop staring at you because you were so fucking beautiful. I kept running through a list of reasons why I needed to keep my hands to myself, but I couldn’t do it.”

  “Considering I propositioned you, I obviously couldn’t stay away from you, either.”

  He knew that wasn’t an invitation now. She’d made her feelings clear, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t going to show her what he wanted from her. He leaned in, close to those damp lips he wanted to suck into his mouth and taste.

  She lifted a hand, placed her palm on his chest, and held him at bay. “Nope. Not happening.” But her gaze flickered with disappointment, and he knew it wasn’t any easier for her to keep her distance than it was for him.

  But he’d hurt her and she clearly wasn’t ready to open herself up to him again. Not that he blamed her. “I’ll just continue with my apology, then.”

  “You were apologizing?” she teased him, her lips lifting in a grin.

  “I was getting there.” He paused, then said, “Here’s the thing. During our weekend, what I felt for you, I’ve never experienced anything like it and it scared me. After what happened with Mandy? I didn’t want to get involved with anyone ever again.”

  She nodded in understanding. “We’re good, Ethan. I’m not the type to hold a grudge. We’ll get through this pregnancy and co-parent like two adults.”

  He narrowed his gaze. “Is that what you took from this conversation? Because I want more, Sienna. I want to be more than just two people who happen to share a baby.”

  “Something you decided after finding out I was pregnant.” She braced her hands on her thighs and pushed herself to a standing position. “Forgive me if it feels too convenient.”

  He knew she was about to end the conversation and perhaps even ask him to leave. Rising, he strode over to her, tipped her head up with his finger, and asked, “What are you afraid of, Sienna Dare?”

  “You already asked me to hide the relationship once, and though I completely understand why now, it doesn’t take away the sting. And it’s hard for me to believe you would have come to this decision without the baby as the reason.”

  He inclined his head, conceding her point. “Let’s say the baby woke me up. Made me face my fears. Are you going to hold that against me?”

  She blew out a long breath. “I have too many hormones running through my body for me to answer that,” she said honestly.

  “Fair enough.” He took a step back, gratified by the disappointment in her gaze. She might be pushing him away, but she didn’t like it when he complied with her request.

  Good to know.

  “I’ll go. I’ve left you with enough to think about, but I’ll be back at nine thirty tomorrow to take you to the doctor. Do you want to go get something to eat first?” he asked.

  She shook her head. “Mornings are hard for me. I’m pretty nauseous and I can’t eat until later in the day.

  He hated hearing that she was suffering. “Okay. See you in the morning.” He was tempted to kiss her but he didn’t want to push his luck.

  She was talking to him now and not throwing things. He’d take it as a win.

  * * *

  Sienna sat in the exam room at the ob-gyn. After she’d changed into a gown, she’d texted Ethan and told him he could come in. He’d been adamant about not wanting to miss anything and she couldn’t deny his request. She was using Riley’s doctor and she’d already gotten her records from her general practitioner, who was well-versed in her past. Despite her frustration, Ian had had Riley call and explain Sienna’s situation, and at Dr. Finley’s request, Sienna had faxed everything over ahead of time. Suffice it to say, the doctor was prepared for Sienna.

  But Sienna wasn’t prepared for Ethan’s nervousness, his pacing, and his constant glances, as if he was afraid she’d pass out any second.

  “Sit down,” she said, frustrated with him. “I’m fine. I haven’t had another fainting incident since I started eating every two hours. And just because we’re at the doctor doesn’t mean you need to lose your mind. You’re going to make me crazy.”

  “Sorry,” he muttered and lowered himself into the chair by the table where she sat. She had to admit it was kind of endearing the way he worried.

  A knock sounded on the exam room door and a middle-age woman walked in with a large smile on her face. “Sienna Dare?”

  “Hi.” She instinctively placed her hand over her stomach, something she’d been doing more and more lately.

  “And you are the baby’s father, I assume?”

  Ethan nodded, rising from his seat. “Ethan Knight.”

  “I’m Dr. Finley and it’s nice to meet you both.” She walked over to a computer screen and pulled up what Sienna assumed was her file. “So I’ve been through your records and before we start, I’d like to reassure you about a few things.”

  To her surprise, Ethan stepped over and clasped Sienna’s hand in his. The comfort she took from both his touch and presence was immeasurable. Ethan’s hand squeezed hers so hard she feared for her bones.

  “Just because you had childhood leukemia, pregnancy does not raise the risk of your cancer coming back or your child getting the disease,” the doctor said.

  “Thank God.” As if his legs gave out, Ethan practically fell back into the chair beside her, and her relief was as palpable as his. She’d been reading about these things all weekend, but to hear a professional say it made her feel so much better.

  “We’re going to monitor your heart and your vital organs extra carefully, but it’s been so many years since your treatments that I’m not overly concerned. I just want you to be aware of anything unusual that you feel and don’t feel funny calling me to ask.” Dr. Finley smiled at them, and for the first time since finding out she was pregnant, Sienna found herself truly at ease.

  “You have no idea how grateful I am that you started out with that,” she told the doctor. “Now I can focus on the baby.”

  “And that is what we’re going to do. My nurse will draw blood after I examine you. Normally we’d only do a sonogram if there was a question on your due date? As in, do you know when you conceived?”

  Blushing, Sienna nodded.

  “Oh, we’re sure,” Ethan said in a gruff voice. “Three weeks ago.” He had risen again and stood by her side, a solid, calming presence.

  The doctor chuckled. “Okay. Normally we wait until eight weeks for a sonogram, but given the circumstances, I’m going to do one now and calm everyone’s nerves.”

  “Okay,” Sienna said, her excitement building, at last.

  The nurse rolled the machine into the room and the doctor readied everything including pulling up Sienna’s gown and prepping her for a vaginal ultrasound, the only type they could do this early in the pregnancy. She glanced at Ethan.

  His gaze was on hers, his eyes warm. She couldn’t help it. Her mind went back to last night and his confession about his past. She’d spent the night tossing and turning, going over what he’d said, all he’d endured, and how it had impacted the man he was today. And her heart went out to him, it really did.

&n
bsp; But in the end, she kept thinking about one sentence in particular. What I felt for you, I’ve never experienced anything like it. She told herself not to read too much into those words but how could she not?

  She was torn between the conflicting facts she knew. He hadn’t wanted a real relationship until finding out about the baby. But he said his feelings for her were unique. And he claimed to desire more than co-parenting with her now. Her head spinning, she didn’t know what to think or feel.

  But when she looked at his handsome face, strong jaw, full lips, eyes that sometimes hid his feelings but too often now seemed to reveal more and more, she couldn’t deny she wanted more too.

  * * *

  Ethan was dizzy with anticipation. He held Sienna’s hand, his heart beating hard as his gaze settled on the black-and-white screen where he hoped to catch a glimpse of their child.

  The doctor palpated Sienna’s belly, then said, “It’s too early to hear the heartbeat, so we’ll have you back in a couple of weeks for a Doppler and another sonogram.” Dr. Finley’s hand moved the wand around. “You won’t see much today, but we’ll know he or she is in there. Week three is when fertilization really begins.”

  A few minutes later, the doctor paused the wand. “There!” She hit a few buttons and captured the image on the screen. “The beginning of your baby.”

  “Oh my God! Ethan, look. Our baby.” Sienna breathed out the words, her cheeks flushed, her face glowing.

  As much as she was pushing him away, she wanted his child. That gave him something to work with, he thought, because he had every intention of keeping them both.

  The doctor hit a key and a printer sent out two small photographs. “Proof positive,” she said, waving the papers in the air before handing them to him.

  With her easy grin, Ethan relaxed even more than he had after she’d reassured them about the cancer risk. He hadn’t let his mind go there, but now that the doctor had negated the chances, he found himself able to breathe.

  And with the pictures in his hand, although he couldn’t decipher a damned thing on them, reality hit him hard.

  He was going to be a father. Sienna was going to be a mother. And he was going to do everything he could not just to bring them together as a couple because of the baby, but to convince her they had a future. Because he wanted a future with this vivacious, gorgeous woman who had brought him back to life.

  After wiping down the wand and replacing it in its holder, Dr. Finley stood. “I’ll give you some time alone. The nurse will be in soon to draw blood, and I’ll give you a call only if there’s something to be concerned about, but from what I’ve seen so far, I’m not worried. Make an appointment for eight weeks and I’ll see you then.

  Left alone, Ethan did what he’d been wanting to do. He leaned over and pressed his lips against Sienna’s, sliding his mouth over hers, licking at the seam, and when she parted her lips, he slid his tongue inside.

  The kiss was brief, but as far as he was concerned, it said everything he couldn’t express in words after the moment they’d just shared. Somehow, someway, he was going to step up his game and undo the damage he’d done by telling her he didn’t want a relationship and asking her to stay in the shadows.

  Today was the beginning. Not just of the life they’d created but the one Ethan was determined to have with this woman by his side.

  Whether she knew it… or not.

  * * *

  Ethan appeared to be a man on a mission. He was in Sienna’s space twenty-four seven, not just working, although plenty of that was accomplished, but he was making himself indispensable to her, bringing her breakfast, taking her to lunch, showing up to drive her to and from work. He was always around. The worst part for Sienna was how much she was coming to enjoy his company and this new, happy Ethan Knight. She even found herself glancing at her clock, anticipating his appearance with lunch in hand.

  She’d done just that when her phone rang and she saw her mother’s number on the screen. “Hi, Mom,” she said as she answered.

  “Hi, honey. I know you’re at work and I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important, but can you come over? Now?” Her voice hitched and Sienna’s heart clenched in her chest.

  “Of course. Mom, what’s wrong?” But even as Sienna asked, she was rising from her seat and grabbing her purse and keys.

  “I’ll talk to you when you get here. Drive safe.”

  She walked quickly out of the office, bumping into Ethan as she rounded the corner to the front doors. “Whoa,” he said, grasping her shoulders. “Where’s the fire?”

  “Family emergency. I have to get to my mother’s.” She’d known something was wrong for a while now. Part of her hadn’t wanted to ask for fear of what she’d learn and another didn’t want to pry.

  “I’ll take you,” he said, grasping her arm and turning around to head back out along with her.

  She shook her head. “I’m fine. Honestly, I can drive myself.”

  “But you don’t have to.”

  She sighed. “What’s in the bag?” She gestured to the sack in his hand.

  “Chicken sandwiches and French fries.”

  “Then you can drive and I’ll eat the food,” she muttered, no longer embarrassed to chow down in front of him. She was always hungry and he knew it.

  He shook his head and laughed. “Fine. Let’s go. You can direct me.”

  Once they were on their way, Sienna glanced at Ethan, taken aback anew by his easy demeanor and the changes in him. They’d started on his return to Florida after his weekend in New York and had only blossomed the more time they spent together, the doctor’s appointment seemingly shattering the rest of his walls. Too bad hers weren’t ready to come down yet, though she had to admit it wasn’t easy to keep her distance.

  “Do you know why your mother wants to see you?” Ethan asked.

  She shook her head, digging into the bag with the French fries, chewing and swallowing a few. “God, these are good.”

  He chuckled. “Well, I can wait in the car while you talk.”

  She frowned at him. “Don’t be silly. You can wait in the house. If she wants privacy, I’ll stash you in the kitchen. Bring your food. You can eat lunch.”

  A little while later, he pulled up in front of her mom’s house, an imposing colonial she and her dad had purchased only after the big family reveal. Prior to that they’d lived in a more modest, out-of-the-way home.

  Ethan followed her up the walkway, his hand on her back. She was aware of his touch, the strong palm against her shirt that felt more like he was branding her bare skin. She rang the bell and her mother answered … not looking like her mom.

  Instead of being immaculately dressed in pants and a blouse, her hair done, her eyes alight with laughter and life, she wore a robe, no makeup, and she’d clearly been crying.

  “Mom?” Sienna asked, concerned.

  “I really should wait in the car.” Ethan turned but Sienna caught his hand, realizing she was going to need his support.

  “I know this isn’t the right time, but Mom, Ethan drove me over, so I’ll have him wait in another room while we talk.”

  Her mom nodded. “Nice to see you again, Ethan. I assume we’ll get to know each other well. But right now Sienna’s brothers are waiting in the family room.”

  “I understand,” Ethan said in a gruff voice.

  “Brothers? Jason’s in town?” Sienna asked, realizing how dire things must be if her brother had flown in from New York. She shot Ethan a concerned look.

  He squeezed her shoulder and let her lead him to the kitchen, where she left him and joined her siblings in the family room.

  “Jase!” She jumped into her brother’s arms and he groaned.

  “Did you put on weight?”

  “Rude!” She shot him a raspberry and wriggled down to her feet. “I know you know I’m pregnant.”

  He scowled. “Yes, and I’m going to kick the ass of the man who took advantage of you.”

  Alex nodded beside him. �
��I’ve been good but it hasn’t been easy.”

  “You two will do no such thing. He’s in the kitchen because he drove me here. And you’re going to be nice to him. N.I.C.E.,” she said in case they needed it spelled out.

  “Boys, listen to your sister.”

  At the sound of her mother’s voice, Sienna was reminded of why they were here. She sat down next to Jason, who reached out and held her hand, which she appreciated given the nerves overtaking her.

  “What’s going on, Mom?” Sienna couldn’t stand to be in the dark any longer. “You’re not sick, are you?” Sudden nausea overtook her at the thought.

  “No, no, nothing like that, although you’re going to be upset.” Her mother paced the floor, her silk robe flowing around her. “I know you’ve noticed things with your father have been… different lately. More strained.” She wound her fingers tightly together. “Well, we’re getting divorced,” she said, her voice catching on the last word.

  “What? Why?” Sienna asked, completely caught off guard. Her parents had had a loving marriage. Had they come together in an unconventional and unfortunate way? Yes. But they’d seemed to love each other.

  Her mother glanced from Jason to Alex and an uneasy feeling twisted in Sienna’s stomach. “What is it? And why are you looking at them like they have the answers?”

  Jason squeezed Sienna’s hand tighter. “Dad’s having an affair,” he said, meeting her gaze.

  Sienna blinked. “Wait, you know? Did Mom tell you before I got here?”

  Alex shook his head. “It’s a really long story.”

  She wrenched her hand free of Jason’s. “Well, I have all the time in the world, so talk.”

  Her mother lowered herself into a chair. “Tyler ran into your father at a restaurant with another woman and it was obvious they weren’t just friends or business partners. He told his full siblings.”

  Sienna narrowed her gaze. All her half siblings knew. Of them all, Avery hurt the most that she’d kept the news from Sienna, because they were the closest.