Dare Me Tonight

by Phillips, Carly

  “A couple of reasons, to be honest. Sienna needed a break from some family drama, for one thing. I needed to get her alone and receptive to seeing I’m a decent guy, for another.”

  Parker narrowed his gaze. “What did you do?” he asked, sounding resigned.

  “Sebastian didn’t tell you?”

  Parker shrugged. “Maybe I wanted to hear your version, too.”

  “Won’t get any better in the second telling,” Ethan muttered.

  Parker shook his head. “Look, I know you were dealt a shit hand but it’s time to get over it.”

  “And I have. Mostly.” Ethan couldn’t quite wrap his head around the idea of having a wife and kid, but he didn’t have to make that leap yet. “I’m working on it.”

  Parker slapped his knee. “Well, whatever the reason, I’m happy to have you here. I took a couple of days off so we can show you around and have some fun. Sound good?”

  Ethan nodded. Sounded good.

  Having Sienna to himself sounded even better.

  * * *

  Colorado provided a soothing balm to Sienna’s heart and soul. The fresh air, the green grass, the lack of humidity common to her home state, all made for a refreshing change. One she hadn’t realized she needed. She loved Ethan’s brother Parker and his wife, Emily, as much as she’d liked Sierra. She hadn’t had a chance to get to know Sebastian, but she assumed he was as amiable as the rest of the Knight clan. She could see what a shock Ethan’s behavior this past year must have been to the family. Parker was thrilled, in his words, to have his brother back. He’d even called it a new and improved version.

  Sienna liked all parts of Ethan, even the dark, surly man she’d first met. She wouldn’t have slept with him otherwise. There was something about him that she’d been drawn to from the beginning, and now that he was smiling and enjoying life, she felt like she had the best of him.

  They ate dinner at Parker and Emily’s favorite restaurant and made plans to drive around tomorrow, see Parker’s new ski shop and Emily and her best friend Harper’s Bake and Brew. But today had been a long travel day, and after dinner, Sienna was exhausted, something Ethan seemed to pick up on.

  “Do you want us to come back to the inn?” Parker asked as they walked out of the restaurant.

  Ethan shook his head. “I think Sienna needs sleep.” He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her against him.

  It was all she could do not to lay her head on his shoulder and fall asleep right here.

  They said their good nights, Parker and Emily promising to come over around ten tomorrow morning. Good, Sienna thought. She could sleep in.

  They walked into the inn, James having left the door unlocked for them. He told them he turned in early and instructed them to lock up when they got home. No sooner had Ethan turned the dead bolt than he picked up Sienna in his arms and began carrying her up the stairs.

  “What are you doing?” she asked.

  “Putting you to bed. You’re dead on your feet,” he said in a gruff voice. “I appreciate you pushing through dinner with my brother, but I can see you’re exhausted.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding on as he walked them up the stairs and into their shared bedroom. He laid her down on the bed.

  She rolled over and closed her eyes for a minute and the next thing she knew, she woke up to a pitch-black room. She’d obviously fallen fast asleep. As she inventoried herself and her surroundings, she realized that Ethan had undressed her, leaving her in her underwear alone. She wasn’t even wearing her bra.

  Beside her, under the covers, Ethan slept, facing the other direction. A quick check and she realized he wore boxer briefs and nothing more.

  She bit down on her lower lip, now completely awake. What were her options? She could attempt to fall back to sleep … or she could wake him up and indulge. She had to admit she was horny, a state she hadn’t let herself think about since there was nothing to be done about it … nothing but her trusty vibrator, anyway. But now?

  She hesitated for just a second before deciding. Indulging it was. She slid closer to where he slept, his body moving in even cadence with his breathing, and placed her lips against his warm back. When he didn’t move, she slid her lips over his skin, alternately licking and kissing his flesh.

  Without warning, he groaned, and suddenly he flipped over, trapping her between his big body and the mattress. “Do you want something?” he asked in a sleep-roughened voice.

  “You.”

  “Somehow, someway … you’ve got me,” he said, and since she didn’t know if he was still half-asleep, she didn’t let herself read too much into his words. And then he began to glide down her body, tasting her as he went, and she stopped thinking at all.

  He kissed and nibbled his way from her mouth, down her neck, to her collarbone, where he bit down lightly, causing her to squirm, before moving on. He licked down her chest, pausing at her breasts.

  He slid a tongue over her nipple and she moaned. He bit down lightly and her hips jerked upward, her sex coming into direct contact with his hard erection.

  “I’m so much more sensitive now,” she whispered in awe.

  “Yeah? Let’s see.” He continued his assault until she couldn’t stand the intensity and she grasped his head and pulled him away.

  Chuckling deep in his throat, he merely switched to the other side and gave it the same sensual treatment. Her body felt electrified. The tiny pulses of need she experienced in her breasts had an equal pulsing of desire in her sex. She writhed beneath him, grinding herself up against him, trying to gain the friction she needed in order to come.

  “Bad girl,” he said gruffly and slipped his hand into her panties. “So hot, so wet.” He slid his fingers back and forth, gathering the moisture and rubbing it over her clit.

  She sucked in a startled breath as the rising sensation began to take over.

  “Don’t stop,” she whispered, rocking her hips in time to the circling of his finger. All she could concentrate on was the perfection of the pad of his finger bringing her higher and higher.

  “Never,” he said, his voice a dark promise. “Not until you come.” He slicked his finger back and forth over the tight bud, moving faster and faster until she exploded, her body a mass of perfect sensation, taking her higher and higher.

  Keeping his promise, he rubbed her clit until she couldn’t handle the feeling anymore and she collapsed against the bed, pulling her body away from the sensation.

  He rose up and yanked off his underwear, coming back over her, his cock poised at her entrance. No sooner had he begun to enter her than her sensitized body reacted and she began that impossible climb once more.

  “No,” she whispered. “No way can I come again.”

  “Yes.” He thrust deep, filling her completely. Without waiting, he picked up a steady rhythm, his cock hitting the right spot inside her that had her seeing stars.

  “Yes,” she agreed, gripping his back with her fingernails. “God, yes.”

  He rocked his body into her and she’d never felt anything better. It was like she was made for him. Everything he did took her higher and closer to climax. He braced his hands on either side of her and picked up his tempo, thrusting faster, harder, deeper.

  “Ethan!” She screamed his name as her body let go for a second time, taking her over, lost in him.

  Lost in them.

  “Jesus,” he said, gritting his teeth, as if waiting for her to finish before letting go.

  And then he did and he slammed into her over and over, owning her completely.

  He collapsed, catching himself before he fell on top of her, and rolled to the side, pulling her into him.

  His warm breath fanned her neck, and she’d never felt so needed as he held her in his arms. But she warned herself not to get used to it. As much as she wanted this forever, it wasn’t in the cards.

  * * *

  Ethan could see why his brother loved the mountains. For a brief stretch of time, he could brea
the. Holding on to Sienna’s hand, they toured Parker’s ski shop, the scale of which impressed him because he knew his brother had expanded since going into business just a few short months ago with a new partner. It was as if Parker had just been existing until Ethan had sent him to Colorado to find a resort for a company retreat. He’d had car trouble, ended up at Emily’s dad’s resort, and rediscovered life.

  Sort of like finding Sienna had caused Ethan to find himself again. He glanced at the woman by his side as they pulled up to Harper and Em’s Bake and Brew, Emily’s new business in town. Sienna watched the scenery pass with interested eyes, her dark hair falling around her face. Although he’d been to town before, he found himself viewing it through her fresh eyes.

  “Emily mentioned this place is new?” Sienna asked, her eyes wide as they took in the huge signage over the shop.

  “Harper had a small coffee shop. Emily baked at home and brought her goods here daily for Harper to sell. Their dream was to take over the space next door that was available but Emily couldn’t afford it. Parker insisted she let him help. They’re still arguing over whether or not it’s a loan.” Ethan shook his head and laughed. “I’m sure I know who’ll win that one.”

  “For a quiet guy, I take it Parker can be pretty insistent?”

  Ethan nodded. “Especially when it comes to Emily and keeping her happy. He’ll do anything.”

  Her expression softened as he spoke, and he could see in her eyes how much she wanted that for herself. Before he could think it through, a knock sounded on the window.

  “Hey, you two coming in?” Parker asked through the glass.

  Ethan refrained from shooting his brother the finger for interrupting. Instead he glanced at Sienna. “Are you ready?”

  She nodded, then grinned. “I’m starving.”

  He rolled his eyes and they climbed out of the SUV.

  * * *

  Sienna took in the restaurant with greedy eyes. It was homey, with wood chairs and tables, yet modern, including phone-charging stations and USB ports, and very neighborhood friendly, selling local artisan cups and portraits on the walls. She loved the intimate space on sight, and she envied Emily that she had something all her own.

  Though she hadn’t wanted to admit it to herself, Sienna wasn’t as fulfilled by working for Ian as she wanted to be. She’d been thrilled by his excitement over her ideas, but the execution wasn’t all that satisfying. Getting out of town and having time to herself to think had only brought that truth to the forefront of her mind. Though she was grateful to Ian for the opportunity and she loved contributing to his new stadium, she didn’t want to work in online marketing and merchandising after this project ended.

  Before she could overthink things, a pretty blonde met them as they entered, greeting Parker with a hug and reintroducing herself to Ethan, who she’d apparently met at Parker and Emily’s wedding.

  Then she turned to Sienna, welcoming her with a warm smile. “I’m so excited you all came by! I’m Harper, Emily’s partner and best friend.”

  “So nice to meet you. I love your café.”

  Harper beamed. “Thank you. I’m pretty proud of it myself. Emily and I worked hard getting it ready for opening.”

  “I bet it’s amazing, working with your best friend.” Sienna and Avery had gotten together to do charity work for the hospital where Sienna had had her stem cell transplant, organizing a prom-like party for sick children who couldn’t leave the hospital to attend their own proms. Avery’s now-husband, Grey, head of a huge rock band, had performed, and there’d been nothing more satisfying than seeing the hopeful, happy look on the kids’ faces. They’d gone so far as to find businesses to donate dresses, brought in makeup artists to help them feel beautiful, and the night had been a huge success.

  She sighed at the memory.

  “Sienna?” Ethan’s voice brought her back to the present.

  “Yes?”

  “We’re going to a table. Are you okay?” he asked, sounding worried, his intense gaze focused on hers.

  She smiled. “Yeah. When I thought about Emily working with her best friend, I remembered the time Avery and I put together a charity event. It was amazingly fulfilling.” She shook her head. “Sorry. I got distracted.”

  He gave her a concerned look, then led her to the table, where Emily joined them, apron on and a dusting of flour on her cheek. Parker pulled her onto his lap.

  After another woman served them, they sat around together, talking and laughing, and Sienna almost felt like she and Ethan belonged together … except despite his arm around her shoulder and the sweet way he’d lean into her and include her in conversation, she forced herself to remember they weren’t a permanent couple like Parker and Emily. She and Ethan were temporary.

  Despite the upset that thought caused, Sienna devoured the most delicious banana muffin and took another one for the road when it was time to leave, causing Ethan to chuckle. He found her eating habits more amusing than he should.

  She stuffed the bag with the muffin in her purse and climbed into the car. Ethan shut the door behind her.

  Once he was settled in, he faced her before turning on the ignition. “What was that about in there? The charity project. You never mentioned it before but that look on your face? You were glowing.”

  She smiled. “I was remembering a project I did with my best friend, Avery. We put on a prom for kids who were undergoing chemo and treatment and couldn’t go to their own proms. It was amazing. That we could take them away from their pain and problems for one night? It was so sweet.”

  He reached out and grasped her hand. “I like that part of you, giving back because you know what it’s like to be in their position.”

  She swallowed hard, sobering, as she said, “You have no idea how lonely it can be. I had my mom. Avery had her mom when she donated. But so many children, their parents work. They can’t be there for them day and night while they’re in the hospital and some are there for months.” She sniffed, her eyes watering. “You’re in pain and alone. It’s awful. So if I could bring them even a minute’s happiness? It’s worth it.”

  He tipped his head to the side. “Can I ask you something?”

  “Sure.”

  “Why did you major in business? Why not in something where you could eventually put your focus into the charity work you love?” He studied her, his gaze warm, as he obviously understood what was in her heart.

  “Because my father was a businessman. My grades were stellar. I did what everyone expected me to do.” She shrugged. “You know college, you have to pick a major, and sometimes it’s easier to do what makes sense. You’re not always old enough to know what it is you really want.” She shook her head. “I didn’t even realize how I was feeling until I was away from it all and came here. And the charity thing didn’t hit me until I saw Harper and Emily working together.”

  He nodded. “I get it. I can’t deny what you suggested for Ian’s stadium is brilliant, but there’s a lot to be said for being happy in life, too.”

  She managed a smile. “I’ll definitely see the stadium project through. What happens after that? We’ll see.”

  Just like she’d see what happened after Ethan’s part in the project was over and he went back to New York. Her heart twisted at the thought.

  “Ready to get back to the inn?” he asked.

  They were going home first thing in the morning, and she planned to enjoy the time they had left because it was starting to feel like the clock for Sienna and Ethan was ticking down.

  Chapter Ten

  Sienna arrived home, knowing she had to deal with her family issues. She called her brothers, Alex and Jason, and read them the riot act about hiding things from her, keeping her in the dark, and treating her like a baby. And while she was at it, she informed them both she expected them to be nice to Ethan. As the father of her baby, they had to accept him. No choice.

  Considering how upset she’d been when she left and how protective they’d seen Ethan be ove
r her well-being, both brothers gave in to her demands. They also apologized and admitted they were wrong. She took the win. It wasn’t often her siblings groveled.

  The rest of the family? Well, Olivia apologized at work. Ian grumbled his I might have been a bit over protective, and everyone else admitted they were wrong. They’d taken their cues from Ian and were sorry.

  With that behind her, she turned her focus to finishing up the stadium project, and on Saturday, she’d called Avery to discuss picking up their charity work again. Avery suggested they go over to the Meridian Hotel, owned by Robert Dare, to talk. Since her father had been scarce, Sienna wasn’t worried about running into him.

  But luck wasn’t on her side. She had just pulled up in her car and climbed out when she caught sight of her father.

  “Sienna!” He called her name and walked over. Wearing his usual suit and tie, his salt-and-pepper hair styled perfectly, he looked like the man who’d raised her. Unfortunately she’d come to discover the father she adored was a duplicitous human being.

  “Hi.”

  He grasped her shoulders and looked her over. “I heard the news.”

  “And yet I haven’t heard from you.”

  He glanced everywhere but at her. “I’ve been busy.”

  She narrowed her gaze. “That seems to be a pattern for you. Get busy with one family, forget about the one you left behind. I understand you’ve moved on again. Best of luck.” She turned and walked away, leaving him stunned and speechless behind her.

  Her heart beat rapidly in her chest as she headed inside, hearing him call her name, but she ignored it, realizing for the first time how her half siblings really must have felt over the years. Betrayed, hurt, devastated… It was a wonder they’d all managed to forge relationships with each other at all. Certainly, it was no thanks to their father.

  She rushed into the hotel, wishing she and her sister had decided to meet anywhere else, and caught sight of Avery at a table outside on the patio.