Dare Me Forever (A Solana Beach Book)

by Paige Edward

  He came closer. The sweat on his chest had dried, and he smelled that amazing mix of masculinity and deodorant. He leaned in closer and gave me a tender kiss on the lips. On one hand, I didn’t want him to get too close since I was still a mess, but on the other, I almost couldn’t stop myself from jumping on him, wrapping my legs around him and letting him have me right then, right there. Fortunately, he pulled back slowly. The dirt that I thought I’d gotten off my face was now dusting his nose. I laughed.

  “What?” he said. I licked my thumb, and used it to wipe the smudge off his nose. He grabbed my hand before it left his face, and gently kissed the inside of my palm and wrist. It was so sensual. I felt myself melt against him. I wished we were in private.

  He put my hand down, and put his lips to mine.

  “Till tonight then, love,” he said.

  He walked me over to Cat who was sitting in the lotus position, pretending to mediate with a few overly loud ‘om’s. I tapped her on the shoulder and she sprung up—a little too fast for anyone to believe she had been deep in meditation.

  “Great to meet you Cat.” Ryan put his hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “See you tonight, Amy. I’m going up the next hill.”

  We waved goodbye. Cat whistled low. As he took off at a jog to the next level, Cat turned to me. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

  “Keep your voice down.”

  “That man isn’t hot--he’s beyond classification. You didn’t say he had those incredible eyes, and what a body.” She slowly exhaled. “Do you think he has a brother?”

  I giggled. At least she recognized how incredible he was too. It made me feel a little less crazy. Because seriously, I hadn’t been able to get him off my mind since I set eyes on him. I didn’t believe in love at first sight, but this was making me start to doubt that. How else could I explain this fierce and fireworks connection I felt whenever I saw him? Maybe it was just lust, but I’d never felt this kind of physical attraction before, and this was much more than that. I could just tell.

  We turned around and went back down the path, this time at a brisk walk, and started to head towards the car. I guess I was chewing on my lip, which is my telltale sign for worrying besides the babbling, because Cat reprimanded me. “Stop it, just enjoy this. How often do you meet someone like him?”

  That was exactly what had me worried. I hadn’t met anyone like him in all my life. It felt like a rare chance at something unbelievably special. Like a dare from the universe, telling me to take that leap.

  CHAPTER 16

  Amy

  Ryan picked me up exactly on time. Just before the clock struck 7:00, I heard a car driving down my street. The doorbell rang, and hoping not to appear too eager for the night out, I sauntered towards the front of the house. After I heard a few more soft raps on the door, I opened it.

  “Hi.” I smiled. Ryan was dressed to the nines in a black suit and a thin paisley tie. The suit must have been custom made—it fit him so well. I never thought I would see him look any better than the other times we’d met, but here he was, proving me wrong again. There was something about a man in a suit. Although I hadn’t minded seeing him shirtless either.

  “Wow, Amy.” Ryan paused. I could feel his eyes running over me. “You look amazing. Thank you so much for coming with me. It might be a bit of a long evening. These dinners tend to go on and on.” I liked the way he said my name, the lilting accent plus his deep voice. It made me think of what it would sound like if he called my name in bed. I shivered just thinking of it.

  Thankfully I’d had Jamie’s help to pick out this shimmery black number—it made me feel sexy and since I’d only had half an hour to get ready after I closed the shop for the day, I was glad I hadn’t had to agonize about what to wear. Especially after my muddy face and sweaty body that morning. Ryan seemed to like what he saw, which made it all the better.

  My cell rang--I quickly looked at the ID. Luke. “Ryan, come in. I just need to answer this call. I won’t be a minute.” I gestured toward the couch, encouraging Ryan to take a seat. I hoped everything was okay with my brother. I walked towards my bedroom. I still needed to put earrings on, and my heels, but I could talk to Luke at the same time.

  “What’s up, Luke?” I asked.

  “Is angry but intensely sexy businessman there?” he asked in a breathy sex-operator voice. I giggled. Leave it to my bro to make me sound like a little girl. I slipped some dangly silver earrings into my ears.

  “Want to come over Wednesday for dinner?”

  “Let me check my busy social calendar.” He started laughing, but it turned into a cough.

  “Are you getting sick? Do you need me to go get you some medicine from the drugstore?” I couldn’t help but worry about him.

  “No, I’m fine but thanks,” he added begrudgingly. Have a good time. See you Wednesday.” I ended the call and hurriedly walked out of the bedroom. Ryan stood as I came back into the living room, straightening his jacket. I guess chivalry isn’t dead.

  All of a sudden, I got this nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach. I hadn’t been attracted to someone like this in a long time, if ever. And I didn’t even really know Ryan. Sure, I’d opened up to him on the beach in ways that surprised me, and I felt like he really understood me, like I could even tell him the worst thing I ever did, and I’ve never told a soul, not even Jamie. But could I dare to let myself fall this hard if I didn’t know he would be there to catch me?

  “I should have offered you something to drink. Do we have time?”

  Ryan looked at his watch. “I’d love to, but we should probably get going.”

  I got my purse and opened the front door. Ryan stood beside me as I locked it. I could feel his warm breath on the back of my neck. The night had hardly begun and I was already thinking what it would feel like to have his mouth all over my body. I took a deep breath to steady myself.

  As we walked to the car, it was hard not to stare at him. His green eyes, his strong body, the way he put his hand on the small of my back to lead me to the car. And what a stunning car. It was dark—hard to tell in the light if it was black or navy. It was a Mercedes. I’d never driven in one before, but had heard that they were smooth and perfect. And that people who drove them were classy, wealthy but not show-offs, as long as you didn’t think about the price. Opening the passenger side door, Ryan gently helped me in and I immediately missed the delicious pressure of his hand against my body, but the seat of the car was warm and cozy. It must have its own heater. I don’t know much about cars, but the gorgeous leather seats, and sleek design, made it pretty clear that this was by far the nicest one I’d ever been in. Again, I took a deep breath, and looked out the front window towards my house. It relaxed me to look at my small front garden, the sunflowers closed for the night but still regal in the evening light. I could do this. It was a school fundraiser, not a test. I just had to keep myself cool.

  The drive was over before I knew it. Ryan kept me entertained by telling me stories about work. It was surprising to see how relaxed he could be. With his ultra punctual arrival and his business attitude, it was refreshing to hear that he could actually laugh at himself. He asked me questions about my design experience and how I decided to put colors together and patterns. How I developed my “artistic eye.” I loved his interest in what I did and it reminded me how most of the guys I’d dated in the past could only ever talk about themselves, never really giving a shit about what I did. Let alone how I did it. It was the first time in a long time that I felt listened to, that I was really heard by a man.

  We parked and as we walked into the school, Ryan grabbed my waist, and put his mouth close to my ear. Again, I felt his warm breath on my neck and I shivered. “Maybe we’ll have that drink after dinner’s over?” he whispered.

  I smiled, but didn’t want him to know how into him I was, and I definitely didn’t want him to think I was that easily taken. Doing my best parental impression, I replied “We’ll see how you behave.”

&nb
sp; Ryan laughed, picked up our seating cards, and steered me to our table. They’d made the gymnasium look beautiful with white Christmas lights and gorgeous arrangements in the center of each table. As we got closer, I realized the flowers were actually made by the kids—they’d taken their own drawings and folded them into gorgeous origami flowers. Sort of like that blog I’d been reading at the store. How cute and clever.

  Ryan was a good host, introducing me to people at the table, making sure I was comfortable. The other people at the table were a mix, some local business owners, some wealthy couples, school board members, and a few lawyers interested in local politics. Ryan knew all of them.

  After he mentioned my new store, a woman named Violet told me she was interested in invitations to her son’s christening, and promised she’d be in later in the week. The night was already turning out good for business and I couldn’t stop imagining what it would be like for pleasure.

  As we waited for our entrees, I felt Ryan’s hand brushing against the side of my leg. At first it seemed like an accident, but when I didn’t move away, he rested his hand on my knee, slowly making his way up my thigh. I knew I should try to stop him, but it felt so good. Slowly, his hand crept forward. I gasped as his fingers came inches from my black silk panties.

  Just then, Congressman Richards walked over to our table to say his hellos. Ryan paused in his advance as he introduced me, but he didn’t move his hand. I put on the most normal and charming smile I could under the current circumstances. My thigh tingled where his fingers lay. I didn’t want Ryan to stop, but I was mortified at the idea of letting out a moan or doing something else equally embarrassing in front of the Congressman and the rest of the table. I’d never been one for secret public nooky, but I had to say, this was really turning me on.

  Ryan continued his slow assault up my thigh as he began speaking to the Congressman. If just his hand making slow circles on my thigh could feel this powerful, I couldn’t imagine what kind of future pleasure awaited me.

  I’d never done anything like this before. The most public I’d ever been was once making-out in a locked room in the library at college. This was something completely different. I tried hard to look interested in the men’s conversation, but Ryan’s fingers were gently teasing my swollen clit through my panties. If I didn’t stop him soon, it would be impossible to stop myself from coming right there at the table. Hard.

  I put my hand over his—I was way too close to the edge. I quickly took a gulp of ice water to calm down and looked up at the two men. Ryan moved his hand a bit down my leg. He must have known without even looking at me, how close I’d been to a release. I took a few deep breaths. But just as soon as I’d steadied myself, I felt Ryan’s fingers gripping my thigh, marking slow circles on the inside flesh. I took my hand and firmly stopped his movement. I couldn’t concentrate and I didn’t want to come off as some dimwitted companion to the others at the table, or worse, some wacko sex-fiend.

  They must know each other well, I thought, as Ryan and Richards bypassed the pleasantries and continued to speak about the development along the shore. I missed the feel of his hand between my legs, pulsing against my wet panties. Ryan focused on the jobs the development would bring, Congressman Richards focused only on the ecological problems of building on the water line. Sure they were still smiling, but there seemed to be some major tension underneath what they were saying.

  “I don’t know why you couldn’t both be right,” I said. They looked at me in surprise. “Remember the fight between developers and the community a few hours north of here last year? They hired a specialist and were able to compromise by building a little bit inland and made plans that included shoring up the seashore. It’s a team that has that new ecological certification, what’s that called, um, something with environmental design. Oh yeah, LEED architecture.”

  Congressman Richards rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “You know, I do remember that project. I’d forgotten all about it. Hold on to this one, Ryan, you don’t deserve her,” he said while gripping the back of my chair.

  Ryan laughed good-naturedly. So unlike any guy I’d ever dated. In fact so different from any guy I’d ever known. I loved that he could let things role off his back.

  When the Congressman had stepped away, Ryan whispered in my ear a sexy promise: “I might not deserve you, but I’m definitely going to hold on to you.” I felt my insides tremble, and felt desire radiating down from in my belly.

  I turned my face slowly towards his, not caring who saw. Just inches from his lips, I looked into his eyes. He stared into mine with a hunger and want that at once made me feel like the only person in the world, but also scared me with its intensity. It was exactly how I felt about him and the charge from seeing his need, identical to my own, astounded me. I had to look away. It was such a private, beautiful thing, and I couldn’t continue to have this moment in public.

  Ryan seemed to understand, and as soon as we could leave without it appearing rude or hasty, we made our escape.

  CHAPTER 17

  Amy

  When we pulled up to the front of my house, Ryan parked, and took my hand helping me out of the car. Holding it tight, he pulled me close.

  “I can’t wait to get inside your house and do all the things I’ve been waiting to do to you all night.”

  I could feel my whole body ready in anticipation of what was about to happen. The fundraiser had been so hot and I craved his body, his skin, rubbing against mine. Ever since seeing his sculpted chest, glistening with sweat, on the hike, I’d fantasized about feeling it against my own.

  I unlocked the door, and Ryan shut it firmly behind us. He turned me towards him, and grabbed my face between his hands.

  “Kiss me.” He didn’t have to ask twice. His tongue played with my own and as he moved his hands down the sides of my body, I moaned. His kiss was fierce and filled with desire. His smell, a mix of mint, citrus, and his own scent, was intoxicating.

  I smiled up at him, and gently pulling on his tie, leading him to my bedroom. He picked me up and threw me up against the wall. I kicked off my shoes as he began hungrily kissing my neck. I could feel his cock hard against me and I wrapped my legs tighter around him. He rubbed himself against me.

  “Amy, I can’t wait to be inside you.”

  Carrying me to my bedroom, he threw me on the bed. Grabbing my legs back towards him, he started at my ankles, slowly made his way, up my leg, kissing the inside of my calf, the back of my knee, trailing his lips all the way up to my sex. Burying his face in my panties, he took a deep breath, nudging my clit with his nose. I felt totally adored, almost as if he was worshipping me.

  He pulled my panties down and off my legs, and then worked his way up my other leg, again kissing, sucking, and licking my skin. Right before he got to my center, he stopped. Looking at me with those bright green eyes, he sat me up and unzipped the back of the dress. I helped him get it over my head, and as he unsnapped my bra, his breath caught in his throat.

  “Amy you are so gorgeous. I could stare at your body for a thousand years, and never get tired of what I see.” No one had ever said anything like that to me. I covered my face with my hands.

  “Take your hands off your face. Don’t be embarrassed. You’re beautiful.”

  I lowered them and stared back at him, into those incredible emerald eyes. His look said it all—the sweet twinkle was replaced by an animalistic desire. He wanted me, and I could see my own tremendous desire reflected back.

  I tore at his tie, and helped him unbutton his shirt. I breathed in a sigh of pure longing. Running my hands up his chest, I couldn’t wait any longer. He had to be inside me.

  “You are incredible.”

  Swiftly taking off his belt and pants, he leaned over me, crushing his chest into my own. My nipples hardened at the touch of his skin against mine. He cupped my breast in his hand and began teasing the nipple with his tongue. Taking it into his mouth, he sucked it hard. It was a delicious pain. He moved to the other brea
st, and again worked his magic. I was so aroused, my skin was burning.

  I grabbed his cock in my hand and began stroking it. It was hard, and throbbing, and the skin of it felt incredible against the palm of my hand.

  “Ryan, please,” I murmured.

  Tilting my hips up, holding my ass in his hands, he entered me. His cock filled me, and I began to squeeze him in deeper. He pulled me to him, sliding all the way in, and then pulling almost all the way out. He thrust in again and again.

  I gasped. It felt so good, it was almost too much.

  He pulled me up so that we were sitting, my legs around his hips, slowly rocking back and forth. He kissed me, his tongue hard and demanding. Taking one hand off my ass, he used his thumb to massage my clit as I rode him back and forth. I felt my thighs tensing, and shocks of pleasure spiraling through my body. I was so near a release.

  He pushed me back down, and slowed his thrusts, until I nearly screamed with anticipation and want.

  “Does that feel good?” he asked teasingly. I could feel the emptiness when he’d pull out and all I wanted was him, deep inside me.

  Grabbing him to me, I panted. “Harder.”

  He could no longer restrain himself. Pulsing into me, over and over, I could see he was about to come. With one final thrust, he exploded inside of me, groaning with satisfaction. I loved that I’d made him feel like that.

  “You need to come.” He slowly pulled out and put his fingers inside of me as he sucked my clit. I was already so close, but the incredible pressure put me over the edge. As he licked me, and finger fucked me, I came, trembling.

  He held me close as I shuddered around him.

  The anticipation in no way compared to the real thing. I’d never been with someone who could make me come so powerfully, or made me filled with a want this potent.

  “Want to do it again?” I asked boldly.

  He grinned at me. “I thought you’d never ask.”