A Tempting Dare

by Cathryn Fox

  Once clean, he tossed the towel into the garbage and tuned her around. He drew her to his chest, needing to hold her just a little longer. Jesus, she felt so good in his arms. If he had it his way, he’d take her to his bed so he could sleep with her, but more importantly, wake up with her. He pinched his eyes shut, and worked to keep the things he felt for her under wraps. He’d always been opposed to sleepovers, but with Kat, he wanted it all—which meant he had to end this right here, right now. She snuggled into him, her cheek nestled against his pounding heart.

  He blew out a shaky breath and smoothed her hair down her back. “Kat,” he began, unable to move his legs beneath him.

  “Yeah.”

  “I want to see you again. I want more of this.” Shit, what was he saying? He should be running. Danny was going to fucking kill him. But he didn’t care about that right now. He’d take the beating…try to find a way to salvage their friendship. Right now he needed Kat in ways that frightened the living hell out of him. She made everything feel so good, so right, it overrode his reasons for staying away.

  She drew a deep breath and let it out slowly. “That’s probably not a good idea, Sebastian.”

  His stomach lurched and he gripped her shoulders, inching her back. Expression weary, she blinked up at him, and he cupped her face. His pulse leapt as she gazed at him. The things this woman did to him without even trying was beyond his comprehension. He paused to shake his head before resuming. “Why not?”

  “I just… I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

  She moistened her lips, and once again need surged inside him. He dipped his head and even though she seemed to be pushing him away, he pressed his lips to hers. She went stiff in his arms, but he plunged hungrily, the sweetness of her mouth unlike anything he’d ever tasted. He groaned, a riot of emotions warring inside him. “Fuck, you taste good.”

  He deepened the kiss, found her tongue, and her body relaxed. Her arms snaked around her neck to hold on. He lifted her and set her on the counter, angling his mouth for a deeper taste of her. A soft moan caught in her throat.

  “Sebastian,” she murmured, her cheeks tinged a soft pink.

  “Say yes, Kat. Give me a couple more weeks. I’m not ready to let you go just yet.” She went quiet, a bevy of emotions playing over her face as she swiped her tongue over her bottom lip. He had no idea what was going through her mind, but she couldn’t deny there was a sexual pull between them, that she wanted this as much as he did. She’d come to him last night for sex—maybe she was worried he wanted more. Needing to clarify and ease her mind, he said, “Two weeks of sex after we fly back home tomorrow. You and me exclusive for that time. That’s all I’m asking for.”

  She hesitated for a moment, then said, “Well, when you put it that way…”

  Chapter Five

  Shifting from one foot to the other outside the airport, Kat glanced at Sebastian as he hiked his backpack over one shoulder and grabbed her suitcase from the trunk of the taxi. Her heart fluttered, everything about him messing with her body and brain. Honestly, she never should have let him kiss her last night. Kissing had changed everything—made it personal. She briefly pinched her eyes shut and repeated her mantra.

  He is not the love of my life. He is not my one true soul mate.

  God, if only that were true.

  No matter how many times she chanted those words, it still didn’t change the outcome. She was in love with Sebastian—had been for the last ten years—and she never, ever should have seduced him. He was a playboy who had no desire to settle down, and even though she was a divorce lawyer who saw relationships fail every day, deep down, she wanted the fairy tale, wanted Sebastian to sweep her off her feet.

  You are in so much trouble, girl.

  Cripes, at first, Sebastian hadn’t even wanted her as a fuck buddy. Which was good, because she didn’t want that, either. Nope, she wanted so much more. But then that hot encounter up against the counter had changed his mind. And why exactly had he come at her like a raging junkie in need of a fix after telling her it was over? Oh, she knew why, and she had no one to blame but herself. She was the one who’d teased him at the water balloon toss. The one who’d acted like a stupid, juvenile girl out for revenge. But earlier that morning, when he’d told her they couldn’t have sex again, she’d felt jilted. The man was a known player, and it hurt when he said he didn’t so much as want her as a fuck buddy. Payback was to tease him, let him know what he was missing out on.

  Talk about a plan backfiring.

  Now they were going to be bed partners, for two weeks only. Honest to God, becoming his fuck buddy for the next fourteen days was emotional suicide at best. When he had his fill and left for the next shiny thing—and he always left—it would hit harder than Thunder’s entire defensive end.

  “All set?” he asked.

  She reached for her bag, but he tugged it away. “I can carry my own luggage,” she said.

  “I know.” He nudged her with his shoulder and set her into motion. “But for the next two weeks, you’re mine, and I plan to take care of you, so get used to it.”

  Her heart wobbled and her hand brushed his free one as they walked up to check in. He quickly pulled it back and shot a nervous glance around. He might want her in his bed for the next two weeks, but he obviously didn’t want anyone to know about it. Was he protecting her or himself? Either way, it stung a bit, considering he’d never had a problem showcasing his women in the past.

  He walked up to the counter, and she took her suitcase from him and put it on the belt, having checked in online. A few minutes later, he met up with her and they walked to their gate. She was looking forward to getting on the plane and having a few hours to herself to get her head back on straight. Hopefully, by the time they landed in Miami, she would have summoned enough strength to tell Sebastian they were done.

  Sebastian grabbed them both a coffee as they waited, and she was a little surprised that he knew how she liked hers. When the boarding call sounded, they both made their way to the line. She followed the crowd onto the plane and found her seat. Sebastian slid in beside her.

  “What are you doing?” No way could this be a coincidence.

  “I got us seated together.”

  “Why would you do that?”

  “Why wouldn’t I?”

  Oh, because he only wanted to be seen with her behind closed doors. She buckled in, and tucked her purse under the seat in front of her. She held the armrests and prepared for take off. As soon as they were airborne, she reached for her tablet and powered it up. Maybe work would take her mind off Sebastian and the way his thigh was pressing against hers.

  Sebastian sat quietly for a long time, then he finally broke the silence between them. “Kat.”

  “Yeah.”

  “You’re wrong, you know.”

  “Wrong about what?”

  “Loyal, supportive guys do exist.”

  She laughed. “Says the guy who is with a different girl every week.” As soon as the words left her mouth, a wounded look crossed his face. Her heart slammed. Jesus, she hadn’t meant to hurt him. “Sebastian—” she began and put her hand over his.

  “Maybe there’s a reason for that,” he said, his voice low.

  “What kind of reason?”

  Turmoil backlit his eyes and he glanced down. A beat passed, then he shook his head, and said, “What Zoe said about you being a man hater… I know that’s not true.”

  “How do you know that?”

  His blue eyes met hers, and she was sure he could see deep into her soul, see how much she loved him. “Because I know you, Kat.”

  She swallowed. It was true. He did know her. Just like she knew him. Growing up, he’d been so sweet to her, always made time for her when it annoyed the hell out of Danny. Played games, puzzles, and let her hang out whenever she wanted. Everything had changed on her sixteenth birthday, however.

  “Sebastian?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Why did you disappe
ar on my birthday?”

  He shifted, suddenly uncomfortable. He raked his hair back. It fell forward again. She read his body language, took in the rapid-fire tapping of his foot. He opened his mouth, only to shut it again.

  “Sebastian?”

  “Can I get you a drink?” the flight attendant asked, leaning over Sebastian. A wide smile split her face when Sebastian lifted his gaze to hers. The woman’s demeanor instantly changed, becoming flirtatious.

  Kat turned her attention to her tablet and swallowed the jealousy rising in her throat. Sebastian wasn’t hers. And why wouldn’t the flight attendant be interested? They guy was gorgeous, smart, and successful. Real romance material. Except for the whole playboy thing. A noise sounded in her throat. Maybe Emery should write a book about him. Who would she match him up with? What kind of heroine would it take to for him to fall madly in love and change his ways? A jaded divorce lawyer who’d been in love with him for ten years, maybe?

  A sound hissed from her lips. Yeah, right. She was not going to get her hopes up and go down that path. Sebastian didn’t even want to been seen in public with her.

  She buried herself in her work for the remainder of the flight and, despite her protest, they shared a cab into the city. The driver dropped her off first, and she climbed from the car, needing a reprieve from Sebastian and the things he made her feel. She stepped onto the sidewalk and was about to dart up the steps to her condo when a warm hand moved to the center of her back. Her entire body melted from the inside out just from his touch. He took her bag from her and she spun to face him. She opened her mouth to tell him she couldn’t do this. Except her words turned into a soft moan when he drew her into his arms.

  His mouth went to her ear, and his whisper sent a tingle to the tips of her toes. “Invite me in.”

  “Sebastian,” she murmured, as he seduced all her senses. “I’m not sure—”

  “It’s not up for debate. Now invite me in. We have some unfinished business,” he said, his voice loaded with promise. A need unlike anything she’d ever felt before gathered in the pit of her stomach.

  As her heart crashed, loving this take-charge side of him more than she would have liked, she nodded and fished her keys from her purse. Why the hell couldn’t she say no to him? She should send him away. End it before she was in over her head. Ha! Who the hell was she kidding? She was ten feet in over her head already. She opened the door and he followed her in. The sound of the lock clicking into place behind them sent shivers skittering through her.

  Sebastian captured her hand and gave a tug. “Come with me.” She thought he’d make straight for the bedroom, but instead, he took her to the living room. He guided her to the middle of the floor. “Don’t move.”

  She stood there, unable to move even if she wanted to, her gaze latched onto his back as he walked over to her stereo. He looked over her disc collection, then pulled her latest Adele from the shelf. He slipped it into the tray and turned to her. He took three steps, moving into her personal space.

  When the soft music started, he gathered her into his arms. Her throat tightened. “Sebastian,” she managed to get out as he turned the clock back ten years, taking her back to the night he’d promised her a dance.

  Her body pressed against his, and one hand splayed over the small of her back. “I’m sorry, Kat. I never should have walked out on you that night.”

  “Why did you? I never understood.”

  He inched back, and his gaze roamed over her face as he brushed his thumb over her cheek. “I couldn’t dance with you that night, Kat. You were my best friend’s kid sister, and I was too old for you.”

  She gulped. “So you knew. Knew I had a crush on you.”

  “Yeah, and that’s why I couldn’t dance with you.” He briefly pinched his eyes shut, like he was traveling back to that night. A tortured sound rumbled in his throat. “You see, Kat, if I had taken you in my arms that night, there wouldn’t have been a person in the room who wouldn’t know how much I wanted you.”

  A bone-deep warmth moved through her as her heart sped up. “You wanted me?”

  “Yeah, and you were too young.”

  “And now I’m not.”

  “No, you’re not, but you’re still my best friend’s sister. I love him, Kat. He knows my reputation, and if he knew I was having sex with you…”

  “He’d kill you.”

  “So would your folks.” His voice hitched. “They’ve been so good to me. Been there when I had no one.”

  The love she felt for him swept through her, and she put her hand on his chest. She’d never stopped to consider his situation before or what was at risk. He could lose everything, everyone important to him. She couldn’t allow that to happen. She loved him too much for that. She needed to put a stop to this now. “Sebastian—”

  “Two weeks, Kat.” He pressed his forehead to hers and exhaled. His warm breath on her cheek seeped under her skin, and the need to lose herself in him became so intense it was almost painful. “Two weeks for us to get this out of our system.” His eyes fixed on her mouth, and his voice was filled with such need her blood pulsed faster.

  “Two weeks,” she whispered.

  The second the words left her mouth, his lips closed over hers. His tongue coaxed her mouth open and slipped inside. The moan that followed curled her toes. Seriously, there was nothing sexier than hearing Sebastian moan.

  His mouth went to her neck and found the spot that always made her tremble.

  “You like that, huh?”

  “Yeah,” she whispered.

  “Let’s see what else you like.” A gasp sounded in her throat when he scooped her up and carried her to her bedroom. He set her down in front of her bed, and then sat, his eyes trained on her. “I want to go slow tonight, Kat. I want to see and touch every inch of you.”

  “You do?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Why?”

  He chuckled. “I want to learn your body, discover all your likes so I can make this good for you. The last two times were a bit rushed.” A strange noise crawled out of her throat as this man—so sweet and caring—searched her face. She wasn’t sure what he saw there, but it had him jumping to his feet. He ran his knuckles down her arms. “Fuck,” he said, shaking his head.

  Kat wasn’t sure what was going on. Why the quick change of mood? What did he read on her face? “What?”

  “You haven’t been with the right men, Kat.” His fingers curled. “I seriously want to kill them for not treating you properly.”

  If he wasn’t holding her, she would have sank to the floor. Honest to God, he really was hero material. But the fact that he could read her so well worried her. She’d have to work doubly hard to keep her love for him concealed.

  His gaze moved over her face, and needing the attention off her, she asked, “Do I get the same?”

  A low chuckled rumbled in his throat as a slow grin split his mouth. “I’m counting on it.”

  Heat arced between them, and she went up on her toes to press her lips to his. He angled his head and deepened the kiss as he gripped her T-shirt and tugged. He stepped back, and pulled it over her head.

  “Undress for me.”

  With his gaze latched onto her body, she released her bra and reached for the button on her jeans. Her hand paused. “Match me.”

  He grinned, reached over his shoulder, and tugged his shirt over his head. She took a moment to gaze at his beautiful body, then shimmied her pants down her legs, emphasizing her wiggle when she caught the heat in his gaze.

  “Red light,” he said, his voice gruff.

  She stopped moving, her jeans dangling around her knees, her backside in the air as he called on one of their childhood games. Playing innocent, she blinked up at him. “What’s wrong?”

  His gaze caressed her with sultry heat. “Not a goddamn thing. But I want to take you slow tonight, and if you keep moving like that, I’ll lose my shit, big time. So take them off. Fast.” She paused and waited for the signal. He gri
nned and said, “Green light.”

  She pulled her pants off and set them aside. Dressed only in her black lace, and secretly loving the effect she had on him, she pointed to his jeans. “Green light.”

  There was no emphasizing on his part. He tore into his jeans and kicked them away in seconds flat. She chuckled at his enthusiasm.

  His gaze dropped to her panties. “Green light.”

  She slipped her fingers into the band on her panties, and his low growl curled around her, as she slowly, torturously dragged them down her legs.

  “Red light.”

  She stilled. “What?”

  “Stop moving your hips like that.”

  She wiggled, the desire to tease him twisting inside her. “Like this?”

  He glared at her, a warning in his eyes. Would he spank her if she misbehaved? Heat moved through her. Who would have thought such a thing would turn her on?

  “Green light,” he said.

  She lifted one leg, then the other, and bent down to place her panties on top of her jeans, taking a long moment to neatly fold them. Curses sounded behind her, and she bit her lip to stop herself from chuckling. Honestly, though, she loved the way he reacted. It built her confidence, made her feel sexy and wanted.

  She stared at him for a moment, her body quivering all over. “Green light.”

  He tore off his boxers, and her pillowed nipples tightened when she saw just how hard he was. Both naked, they stood there drinking each other in, then she met his darkening eyes.

  “Green light,” she whispered, crooking her finger.

  He stepped into her, scooped her up, and gently tossed her onto her bed. Oh my!

  “Roll over.”

  She hesitated. “What?”