Double Dare

by Melissa Whittle

  She plopped down on the bar stool and began to place the icing over the layer of cake. He kept silent as she did it and the quiet gave her time to think of more to say. “And in all honesty, I don’t need you.”

  “That’s creepy anyway.”

  She heard the smile in his voice. “Right.” Emma frowned as she began to cut the excess of the icing to make a perfect square around the cake. “I’ve seen your feet, and I’m not rubbing those things at the end of the day. You come with unspeakable baggage. I’m light and—”

  “Moody.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Stubborn.”

  “Yes.” She stood. “And you’re broody and eighty percent nonverbal. You think giving me coffee is a form of foreplay.”

  “The same as you and your baking.” He’d moved closer to the island, the humor was there in his eyes.

  Turning away from it, she picked up last layer of the cake and placed the icing over it. He kept silent as she moved on to work on the vines and grapes that had been cooling in the refrigerator. Despite the tone of conversation his presence soothed her. No, he wasn’t making any grand gesture of love. That wasn’t who he was and it wasn’t what she needed.

  “Maybe I’ve always known my expectations were a little insane.” Little by little the white chocolate vine started to twine along the cake.

  It could have been minutes or hours, but a bushel of grapes started to take shape. And still Tobias remained silent, waiting to listen to her again. It made Emma’s heart ache because it was what she needed. Emma loved her friends, but this was one of the things they didn’t cover for her. Being the oddball without dramatic flair sometimes meant not being heard.

  “And you don’t fit not one of them.” Emma sucked in a breath because she held the last grape in her hand. Her eyes started to tingle and she knew soon that pesky emotion she’d been beating back was about to win. “But I want you anyway.”

  “It’s beautiful,” he said.

  Her hands weren’t as steady as they should have been at the comment, so she put down the last grape. “Thanks.”

  “I meant what I said.”

  “About?” Of course, she knew what it was about. She just wanted to hear him say it.

  He shook his head. “Ask me if you don’t know.”

  “Why?”

  His mouth twitched. “Because the woman I fell in love with wouldn’t be scared to ask. The woman I jumped off a platform with had the balls. The same one who did a striptease up my stairs would have. I love Emmaline, but right now I’m talking to Emma.”

  She couldn’t stop the tears and swiped at them. “I cry every time I finish a wedding cake.” He raised a brow, but didn’t correct her. They both knew that’s not why she was sniffling. Finally, she laughed. He grinned back at her.

  Emma took in a deep breath. “How do you feel about me, Tobias?”

  He’d been moving closer to her with every word and now stood a few feet away. “We agreed you being my world is creepy.” He closed more distance. “But I don’t want this world if you’re not in it, Emmaline.”

  The tears were back and she didn’t try to explain them away. “Wow.”

  He bent down and murmured against her ear, “Come be in my world just so I can be in yours. I love you, Emmaline.”

  Emma leaned closer to feel him, because she’d been needing to. His familiar scent, freshly brewed coffee—home and something else all his own, wafted up. “I’m a little speechless right now.”

  “Then show me.” He enveloped her in his arms. “And I’ll know.”

  Emmaline brought a hand up, drawing a line over the curve of his lips. A smile ghosted beneath her fingertips. Finally, she caught the smile and knew why it was there whenever he looked at her.

  Emmaline moved her hand and kissed him then with all the words she needed to say, and the kiss said simply, “I love you.”

  Acknowledgments

  There are a lot of people I’d like to thank and in no particular order. These people keep me grounded, they remind me of life outside of a word document, they’ve taught me more about writing and life, and in one way or another I wouldn’t be able to say this writing gig has paid off.

  Jen …oh, how I love you, hon. You know what you’ve done for me over the years both writing wise and life wise. You continually remind me nice people do exist.

  Kristy, I heart you. And when you become an attorney, because you will, have no doubt I’ll be calling you for free legal advice. lol

  The Southern Fried Chicas. All of ya have pretty much been there since I first started writing and you continue to cheer me on. Nothing but love for all y’all.

  Aimee Duffy, you dirty minx. Thank you for reading this book when my spell check went wonky. And all the crap I send your way for a crit.

  Nan Swanson, you took a chance on me way back when and never doubt I am forever grateful for that. Even though you are no longer my editor, you continue to support me and encourage me. That makes you full of awesome. Mwah!

  Shawna Guzman, you make me sound smart, which is hard. Thank you so much for taking the time to not only edit, but teach me grammar. It’s not your fault the lessons bounce off my thick head. :)Love ya!

  Romance Divas…so love this place and I’ve gained great insight into writing and the publishing world. Plus, it’s the place where I can be my full on crazy self.

  Wiffers, you are awesome (drink!) A special shout out to Pimp My Mixer Pam, The Other, Other Mel and Rose.

  Ditterers, I love y’all. Every single one of you crazy folks.

  My readers, you have made this last year in publishing the best. The absolute best. Thank you.

  A special thanks to Linda, Lyric and Danielle who all read this book and offered invaluable insight.

  It did in fact take a village to get me here and I honestly can’t say thank you enough. If there are any flubs or wtfery in general it’s all on me, because as you can see my village tried. They did.

  Bio

  Melissa Blue’s writing career started on a typewriter one month after her son was born. This would have been an idyllic situation for a writer if it had been 1985, not 2004. Eventually she upgraded to a computer. She’s still typing away on the same computer, making imaginary people fall in love.

  Where to find me online or places to sign up for my newsletter to get the latest news:

  My Blog

  My Website

  Other Titles by Melissa Blue

  Everything He Dreamed, Palmer Island Series

  Phoenix Taylor takes one look at Tony Creed and knows she’s in trouble. Everything inside her screams run. If she didn’t need the finishing bonus from Everything You Need, she’d listen to her gut. The company has hired her as project manager to build cabins on Palmer Island and work with Creed Construction. Tony’s the general contractor and there’s no way to avoid him. Just when she has a plan to move on and close the door on a very dark chapter in her life…there he is. Falling for the contractor with the wicked smile and infectious charm doesn’t fit into her plan. She’s not ready for that captivating emerald gaze or the trouble Tony can surely cause her heart.

  Tony Creed has forced his father to draw up a contract that explicitly states this will be his very last job before going on a much needed vacation from the family business. The pressure’s getting to him, and he feels himself turning into his father, a hard and heartless man. He just needs a break, period. He doesn’t have the time or energy to give this simmering attraction between him and the new project manager. All he wants to do is focus on building the cabins for the next six months and be a free man. After all, he’s not looking for anything, but her vivacious personality has his mind wandering back to her much more than he wants to admit.

  They just have to keep things light, which is hard at first, and then just impossible when something just a little supernatural intervenes on their well-laid plans.

  Weekend Lover, Down With Cupid Shorts

  The weekend that started it all…
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br />   Sebastian Clark’s intentions are simply to buy Nicole, a beautiful stranger, a drink, make her laugh and disappear before dawn. As a publicist for Snapshot, his days are long and his moral code is to always keep things light. Until he touches her, and lust fades any lasting hold on common sense. His questionable motives pave a road to unbelievable pleasure.

  Nicole Harrison is on the fast track for a promotion at Limelight, a PR boutique. She’s given up dating, especially handsome men. They tend to suck up time and sometimes common sense. Sebastian has the ability to do both. One single night won’t break her own rules and Nicole gives in to temptation.

  The boundaries are clear—no last names, no shared details. She has only to walk away to end the affair. One night turns into three, and her naughty little weekend becomes more than just sex.

  One night of consenting pleasure sets Sebastian Clark and Nicole Harrison on a course that could ultimately destroy them both, or bring them a love for all time…

  See Megan Run, See Her Fall Series

  All Megan Hazely has to do is stay home for thirty days and attend her mother’s wedding to get the deed to her father’s home. Except there’s Aiden Blake, Megan’s ex-boyfriend. The boy she loved has become a man. Time hasn’t lessened the spark between them, a spark that should have died the day she hitchhiked out of her small town. A rock and a hard place has nothing on Megan.

  See Lynne Chased, See Her Fall Series

  Nathan Craine eats small businesses for breakfast. There’s one store he is dying to buy, but this time it is for very personal reasons. He’s certain the owner will hand over the store; it’s only the matter of naming a price. To his surprise, Lynne Kelley refuses to sell, now or ever… In this battle, someone has to lose. And the cost of winning might be far more than either is willing to pay.

  Twice Smitten, A Modern Fairy Tale: Book 2

  Abigail Johnson would use three words to describe Drew Carter: lush, loafer and womanizer. When he struts into Adtivity, the advertisement she works for, her world tilts on its head. She’s suddenly faced with a man who is a consummate professional, considerate and kind. It’s must be a farce, because he’s there to decide the fate of her career. When things heat up between them she refuses to let those brief glimpses convince her to entangle in a relationship. Her career and heart is on the line. Then again, he’s always known the right buttons to push.

  Drew Carter is fully aware of Abigail trepidation. There's no denying he hasn’t always been the kind of man a woman should trust. But no one is Abigail. Her stubbornness, loyalty and honesty appeals to his secret wish—to be a open, unguarded and challenged by a woman. Abigail fulfills this unspoken need and he refuses to let her walk out of his life without giving them a chance.

  It doesn’t take long for Abigail to suspect Drew just might be the one—the one. But can she trust him with her heart? The more she lets doubt rule her it just might be Drew’s heart that ends up broken.

  Chapter One Excerpt

  Attending her ex-fiancée’s wedding had to take the number one spot of the top ten stupid things Abigail Johnson had done. Since she regularly did dumb things with her two best friends that was saying something. Those partners in crime had their arms looped in hers, and thanks to a daily workout schedule, Abigail managed to drag them a few feet across the church’s parking lot before they stalled.

  “Even for us wedding crashing is a bit too much,” Sasha said.

  Abigail eyed her friend on the right, taking in a full view of the attire. Sasha’s severe black dress ended at the knee, and the sharp vee in the front was tasteful but still displayed a Playboy dream girl’s cleavage. Well, if Sasha had dyed blonde hair instead of siren red. A jagged-heart necklace trailed down the valley of her breasts and was the final touch. Needless to say, the outfit was a show of solidarity.

  “It’s not crashing if you’re invited.” Abigail gave a half-hearted tug on their arms. Neither woman moved. Another show of solidarity. “I was. Plus, it’ll make me stop complaining about possible lay-offs at work.”

  “You would find a loophole,” Emma said. “And please don’t talk about work again.”

  Sasha nodded her head solemnly. “Yet, it’s on the subject. An advertising type job is really like a lawyer if you think about it. Both are trying to sell you bullshit, which you are, by the way.”

  “Is this what irritates you?” Abigail aimed the question at Emma. “You know, when Sasha and I team together to annoy you?”

  Emma grinned, but ignored the question. “The invitation said Abigail Johnson plus guest.”

  Again a show of support with a black pencil shirt and equally black button up shirt. While in the car Sasha had foisted shoes into Emma’s hands—black satin with cherry red broken hearts decorating the material.

  “Greg would have known I wouldn’t come here without you two,” Abigail said.

  “The thing is maybe he thought you wouldn’t come. It’s not customary for…” Emma trailed off and winced.

  “For an ex-fiancée to show up to your wedding.” The end of the sentence went without saying, but Abigail had masochist tendencies so she had to point out the elephant pelting peanuts at her already aching heart. “I don’t want him back.” Both women looked at her in disbelief. “No, really. I don’t, but I had to do this.” And I have to see the woman he fell in love with. “You know, full circle kind of thing.”

  “You don’t do full circles.” Sasha tried to look contrite but still managed sex goddess. “God, we’re such horrible friends. Why did we let her talk herself into this? We should be doing a dare or getting drunk at McNally’s.”

  “We already tried something normal and that didn’t work.” Emma’s grip tightened on Abigail’s arm.

  She knew they were stalling and appreciated the hell out of it. “Stuffing ourselves with sweets is an every day type of thing. We’ve been desensitized,” Abigail said.

  Emma perked up. “Margaritas!”

  “Come on. We can’t say no to margaritas,” Sasha said with a little too much cheer.

  “There’s a free wet bar at the reception.” Abigail stepped forward trying to drag them with the motion. The women didn’t budge and she was jerked back.

  “We are not going to the reception.” Emma shook her head.

  Abigail put the only thing on the bargaining table. “You’ll get to see your competition’s cake.”

  Emma’s golden-hued gaze went hot with anger, turning the shade amber. Greg and his Bride-to-be had actually went to her bakery, Sweet Tooth, first. It’s how all of them found out about the wedding. Of the three, Emma had the least bite. Well, up until she met Tobias she didn’t have any. Yet, her friend had pulled Greg aside and asked if he had lost his damn mind for coming to her to make his wedding cake. Emma had been just as appalled when the invitation had come, and when Abigail RSVPed.

  Another cool breeze slammed at them, fluttering Sasha’s skirt. Abigail barely felt the late summer wind. “We can’t stand out here all day.” She tried for calm she didn’t feel. “We’ll sit and watch the wedding. We’ll get plastered at the reception. I’ll wish him and his bride the best, and this chapter of my life will be over.”

  Abigail squeezed both their arms. “Sasha, I need closure as you pointed out not too long ago.”

  “We can burn the box of all the stuff of his you still have.” Sasha’s lips formed into a sexy pout as she thought on it more. “Naked,” she added. “And dance around the fire. That’ll be closure.”

  “Or, like Sasha suggested, we can do a dare,” Emma said.

  Doing a dare for the broken-hearted was a long held tradition for them. Ten years worth. She should have let go of the torch long ago, but Abigail had begun to suspect he was the one she let get away. The one one. More than once she’d considered looking him up, just to see how he was doing.

  When Abigail found out about the wedding there was, of course, horror. There was also relief. To think she would have put her heart out there to be beaten like a piñata.
He would have been nice and gentle in his rebuff, but the humiliation would have felt the same. The sequence of events solidified one fact—love sucked. If she hadn’t believed this truth before, the gold-leafed wedding invitation would have rammed that last nail in.

  Once again, finding faux inner calm, she said, “You guys can go if that’s what you want.”

  Even her faux calm sounded a little deranged. Abigail unhooked her arms from theirs and marched forward. A sharply whispered argument ensued behind her. A few minutes later, the two women caught up at the church steps. Orange-blushed orchids decorated the rails. Abigail clasped her hands together, not wanting to touch them.

  “We want it noted,” Emma supported her left side, “that this is stupid.”

  “Duly.” Abigail nodded.

  “And we were against it.” Sasha supported the right side. “And we will be getting you drunk at the reception.”

  “No,” Emma corrected. “We’ll all be getting drunk.”

  “Right,” Abigail said. The ache receded, allowing the nerves to take over. “Ready? That’s a dumb question, but I’ve got nothing.”

  Emma stepped up to the plate. “Just FYI, if any of Tobias’ ex-girlfriends show up to our wedding, be ready and willing to kick their ass out the church.”

  “I will do my friendly duty,” Abigail said and meant it.

  They stepped into the heavily decorated church. The one person she never wanted to see again stood guard at the inner doors. Fortunately, neither friend said told you so. Unfortunately, the older woman yelled for security.

  *****

  It shouldn’t have given Drew Carter satisfaction to see the security guards blocking Abigail’s war path into the church. To keep her honest, someone needed to stand in the way of her surefire path, especially when that stubborn line above her brows appeared.