Dare Me Tonight
CARLY PHILLIPS
Copyright © Karen Drogin, CP Publishing 2019
Kindle Edition
Cover Photo: Wander Aguiar Photography
Cover Design: Letitia Hasser, RB Designs
Editor: Amy Knupp, Blue Otter Editing
Developmental Editor: Dana with Danja Tales
* * *
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
About the Book
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Epilogue
About Sexy Dare
Excerpt from Sexy Dare
Keep Up with Carly
About the Author
One virgin, one night, one surprise baby…
For Ethan Knight, managing his empire is his priority. Women, not so much. But when a favor leads to him meeting sexy, driven Sienna Dare at a black tie corporate event, his interest is piqued along with his desire, and his infamous control slips as he joins her for an unforgettable night in bed.
Sienna Dare is trying to figure out the direction of her life when she meets enigmatic Ethan Knight—a strong, confident man so hot and irresistible he’s the one she finally relinquishes her v-card to.
The problem? Ethan has a billion dollar contract with Sienna’s brother at stake. An overly-protective brother who doesn’t take it well when he finds out his business associate bedded his much younger sister. Oh, and she’s pregnant, too . . .
Chapter One
Sienna Dare walked into her half brother Ian’s office in the Miami Thunder Stadium, still in awe of the fact that she had any kind of relationship with Ian at all, given their crazy dynamic. It had taken him years to accept her part of the family in his life, considering Sienna’s mom had been their father’s mistress. In true soap opera tradition, Robert Dare had two families. But they’d been working on making their peace as adults, and here they were now.
Considering how much she needed Ian’s advice on her future, Sienna was grateful. She’d normally ask her older brothers for help, but Alex was away with his wife, Madison, on a business trip, and Jason was in New York City, running his nightclubs.
Her parents? Her father hadn’t been around much lately, and her mother seemed wrapped up in whatever drama followed her father now. Sienna refused to think much about her parents’ personal lives. She had enough to worry about on her own.
She knocked on the door, and knowing Ian was expecting her, she stepped inside.
“What the hell did you do to your hair?”
She’d barely had a foot in the door when Ian raised his voice. And to think, she’d wondered if he’d even notice the change.
“Don’t you like it?” She pulled on the long ponytail, grinning at the dark strands she saw in her peripheral vision.
Ian scowled. “You were blonde last time I saw you.”
“And now I’m not. I dyed it.” She sat down on the couch across the room from his desk, not put off by his typical bluster.
Maybe when she’d first met Ian, he’d frightened her with his gruff exterior, but she’d seen him with his sisters – his full-blooded sisters, Olivia and Avery – and knew there was a heart beneath the brusqueness. And lately, he’d extended that… she wouldn’t call it sweetness… more like caring to her, as well. It helped that Alex worked for Ian at the Thunder team. The family was coming together. Considering she was the reason they’d been torn apart, the rapprochement made Sienna happy.
Ian was still frowning at her dark hair.
“Well, I like it,” she informed him. “It’s part of me finding myself,” she said, not willing to be steamrolled.
He pushed himself to a standing position, looking imposing as ever in his suit and tie, and walked over, joining her on the couch. “Look, I understand you graduated college and you’re confused about what to do with your life.”
She swallowed hard. “You can say that again. I’m twenty-three years old. I lost a year of school when I was sick, so I’m really old enough that I ought to know what I want. But I don’t.”
He tapped a pen on the table in front of him. “You have good choices ahead of you though. You’re an extremely bright woman. You graduated summa cum laude in management and business, and you have an offer for a full scholarship to attend Columbia’s exclusive Digital Business Strategy program. And I happen to know you’ve received an invitation to attend their NYC Weekend Scholars’ Social starting this Saturday.”
She raised an eyebrow at her half brother. “I can see why Avery says you know all and see all.” She’d been avoiding RSVP’ing to the weekend event and she’d let the due date to reply lapse because she’d known then she’d have to make a decision on the program.
He shrugged. “I make it my business to know about my family and those I care about.” He lowered his voice as he said, “You’ve become one of those people, Sienna.”
She shifted uncomfortably. “Because I was the sick one? The baby with childhood leukemia?” She’d been in remission since she was seven thanks to the generosity of Avery’s bone marrow donation.
Her dad, Robert Dare, had gone to his legitimate family, told them about his mistress and family on the side, blown their worlds and his marriage sky-high, and asked the kids to be tested to save Sienna. Her mother had known about the other wife and family all along. The kids had learned when the fallout happened. Not so for Ian and his side of the family.
“No, not because you were once sick,” Ian said with a definitive shake of his head. “Because you’re you and you’ve been nothing but good and kind to my siblings. And to me even when I was a jerk.” His lips twitched, as much of a smile as Ian Dare gave. “So about the weekend in New York. I think you should go. It will give you good perspective on what to expect from the school and an idea about whether you’d like living in Manhattan.”
She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. “I, umm, let the RSVP lapse.”
He rolled his broad shoulders, dismissing her concern. “And I took care of that for you. I told the school you’d be coming and I did you one better. I called an acquaintance of mine who is going to be your escort for the weekend.”
“Ian!” He was so presumptuous and pushy. But wasn’t that why she was here? So he’d help her make decisions?
“The school would have assigned you to someone anyway. This way you get someone I trust. Ethan Knight’s company gives major donations to the school and to this program in particular,” he went on, ignoring her outburst. “He’ll take you to the formal the first night and give you an upscale tour of Manhattan the next day. By the time you leave, you’ll have a good idea of whether the program is right for you. No pressure. And I know you’ll be in good hands,” he said, sounding very pleased with himself.
She sighed. She’d grown used to Ian’s dominating personality. All the Dare siblings had, legitimate and illegitimate alike. “Fine. But can I get a flight to New York this late in the week?” Today was Thursday. She’d have to be there on Saturday.
“The corporate jet is fueled and ready for you. Any other concerns?” Ian asked.
>
A broad smile pulled at her lips. Now that he’d laid it out for her so simply, the weekend seemed more like an adventure than a chore or something that would make her feel coerced.
“I suppose I ought to go pack!” She bounced up from her seat, suddenly eager to check out Manhattan and experience this weekend, starting with the private jet. Her father, the hotel magnate, didn’t fly them that way despite his wealth.
Sienna was all about new experiences. She supposed it had to do with nearly losing her life at such a young age. Although making permanent decisions about her future felt overwhelming, the easy things, like changing her hair, which she knew what it was like to lose, or going to check out New York City by herself, were exciting.
And she was looking forward to meeting the donor who would be her escort for the weekend.
* * *
Ethan Knight needed a break. Hell, after the year he’d had, he deserved one. But as luck would have it lately, shit was piling up in every way.
His billion-dollar project for the Miami Thunder Football Stadium was a pain in the ass. The schematics for the deliverables had changed several times, and if a situation could go wrong, it did. His company, Knight Time Technology, KTT for short, supplied high-tech security for smart buildings and state-of-the-art corporate parks, and now, thanks to Ian Dare, a brand-new stadium. If they nailed this project, many more sports complexes and technology projects could come their way.
Needless to say, keeping Ian Dare happy had become a full-time job. The man was as hands-on as Ethan. Two demanding CEOs and Ethan had to do his best to accommodate the other man, not butt heads with him.
“What’s up?” Sebastian, Ethan’s brother, who also worked for KTT, asked.
“You wouldn’t believe it if I told you.” Ethan strode to the window in his office overlooking Manhattan and groaned.
“Try me,” his youngest brother said.
Ethan shrugged. “Ian Dare’s youngest sister is coming to New York this weekend. You know the Weekend Scholars’ Social that Columbia hosts and we send a representative to in order to induce the brightest to attend their business school?”
“So we can hire them after? Sure do. I used to be the guy who attended on the company’s behalf, remember? I was more than happy to turn that job over to people on our management team.”
Sebastian shuddered at the memory, which didn’t do much to make Ethan feel better about the upcoming event.
“Ian wants me to escort her personally,” Ethan said.
Sebastian burst out laughing. “Oh, that’s rich. Mr. Antisocial is going to make small talk with a graduate student-to-be.”
Ethan turned around and faced Sebastian, leaning against the window, annoyed by his brother’s obvious amusement at Ethan’s expense. “She’s twenty-three, almost twenty-four according to Ian. Not that much of a child.” Just enough to get on his nerves with chatter, compared to his ripe old age of thirty-one. Lord knew, after all he’d been through, he felt ancient.
Still smirking, Sebastian said, “Maybe it’ll be good for you. You know, get you out of the apartment and mingling with actual human beings. People who aren’t family or minions that you can’t yell at all the time?”
“Wiseass.” Ethan ran a hand through his overly long hair.
“Well, the Thunder Stadium is priority one, so make sure you show this woman a good time. Smile a little. Maybe cut your hair?” Sebastian cocked an eyebrow.
Ethan scowled, annoyed. His brothers had been giving him shit about the length of his hair for a while now. Almost a year, to be precise. He used to be so meticulous, suits and ties pressed just so, hair cut every month by a ridiculously expensive guy at a salon, and he thought he was pleasing his wife.
Well, considering the wife had died of a self-induced accidental drug overdose and had also been undermining and stealing from his company, working with a supplier on a huge project to use substandard material and pocket the difference so she could support her drug habit, Ethan figured it was time for a lot of changes.
He was no longer going to twist himself inside out for a woman who wouldn’t appreciate anything he did or gave to her anyway. Been there, done that.
He’d get through this weekend and go back to his happy hermit life.
* * *
Sienna loved the private jet experience, felt like a princess for the two-and-a-half-hour flight, and now she was ready to take on Manhattan. She strode through the airport, looking for a sign with her last name on it. Ian had given her the name of her companion, Ethan Knight, and had assured her the man would be here himself to pick her up.
When she finally caught sight of her last name on a placard, a woman was holding up the card. With a shrug, Sienna headed toward the pretty female with light brown hair and blonde highlights, wearing a summer floral dress and shoes Sienna envied.
As she approached, Sienna waved. “Hi,” she said, coming to a stop. “I’m Sienna Dare.”
The woman flashed a genuine smile. “Nice to meet you. I’m Sierra Hammond, Ethan’s sister. I’m so sorry he couldn’t be here himself but there was an emergency at the office.” Tucking the sign under her arm, she extended her hand, which Sienna shook.
“Sienna and Sierra. Cute,” Sienna said, laughing.
The other woman chuckled. “I noticed the similarities, too.”
“Thank you for picking me up.”
“My brother really wanted to be here,” Sierra said, obviously trying to reassure her.
Sienna waved away the woman’s concerns. “I’m fine. Really.” Sienna wasn’t insulted in the least. If Ethan Knight was anything like Ian, he wouldn’t have the time to be on airport duty.
Sierra seemed to relax at Sienna’s easy attitude. “Okay, good. Well, I thought I’d take you to the apartment where you’ll be staying and show you around. Do you need to wait for luggage?”
“No. I fit everything into my carry on.” Sienna smiled brightly. “We’re not going to a hotel?”
“No, my family owns a building on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. We have an apartment for out-of-town guests and Ethan thought you’d be more comfortable there.”
“Sounds good.”
They chatted on the limousine ride to the apartment. Sierra sat in the back beside Sienna, the driver knowing where to take them. Sienna discovered that Sierra was married to her longtime love, Ryder Hammond, with a baby girl at home. She also ran the Social Media Division at Knight Time Technology.
Listening to how the twenty-five-year-old woman had her life together made Sienna feel wistful that she wasn’t anywhere near doing the same. But that was what this weekend was about, she reminded herself, trying not to feel too bad about herself. She had time to figure it all out.
She was led into a gorgeous apartment that was well decorated, with dark wood furniture and a leather sofa in the family room. She rolled her suitcase into the spacious entry area and set it off to the side.
“So this is it,” Sierra said. “The bedroom is that door over there.” She pointed to a back corner with a closed door. “The refrigerator is stocked, but anything you need, I want you to feel comfortable calling me.”
They exchanged numbers, programming them into their phones.
“There’s an itinerary on the table in the family room, but there will be a limo picking you up tonight for the gala, and my brother will be meeting you there. I promise,” Sierra reassured her with a smile.
“No worries. It’s all good.”
Sierra hesitated. “I hate to just leave you, but I need to get home. We just wanted someone from the family to pick you up and make you feel comfortable, but if you need a tour guide for the afternoon…”
With a shake of her head, Sienna calmed the other woman. “I think I’ll head over to one of the department stores and have my makeup done for tonight,” she said, the idea popping into her head. And since she’d taken an early-morning flight, Sienna had the entire afternoon free. “I’m really used to being on my own. I’m fine.”
“Oh, makeup sounds like fun. I wish I could join you. Do you want to get your hair done, too? Have the whole experience? My stylist is a friend. I’m sure he could fit you in?” Sierra offered. “Not that I’m saying you need your hair done.” She sounded horrified at her choice of words.
Sienna burst out laughing. She really liked Sierra Hammond. “As a matter of fact, I would love to have my hair done for tonight.”
Sierra pulled out her phone and dialed the salon, arranged a time, and ended the call. “All set. I’ll text you the information. The car is at your disposal–”
Sienna shook her head. “I can take an Uber or a taxi, honest. It’ll be fun to explore the city that way.
“No can do.” Sierra shifted her purse higher on her shoulder. “I promised Ethan I’d take good care of you and that means the full chauffeured deal. Enjoy your time in New York,” she said, starting for the door.
Before leaving, she turned back around. “Umm … about my brother.”
“Yes?”
“He can be…” She drew a breath and paused, as if hesitating about what to say. Finally she settled on a word. “Abrasive on a good day.” She winced at her own choice. “I mean–”
“Don’t worry. Ian Dare is my half brother. I know how to deal with gruff, uptight men.”
“I hope you do,” Sierra said before shooting Sienna a hopeful smile and walking out, shutting the door behind her.
* * *
Sienna had a fantastic afternoon getting herself made up for the night’s event. Not only did she splurge, purchasing a ton of makeup and skin-care products after having her face done up at Saks Fifth Avenue, she left the salon with her newly dyed hair now blow-dried and curled.
She called Jason and talked him into meeting her for coffee because she was in town and when else could she see him? He seemed subdued, which was par for the course with her sibling, his life having taken an unexpected turn back in his college days. One event had changed and marked him forever. But she’d made him smile and she called that a win.
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