Dare Me Tonight

by Phillips, Carly

  “You what?” Her voice grew soft, her tone surprised.

  He stood and fished the ring out of his pocket, then knelt down beside the edge of the bed. “I fell in love with you, Sienna Dare. I wasn’t prepared for you. You got under my skin, ripped away all my preconceived notions of what I wanted out of life, and I can’t imagine living without you.”

  She ran her tongue over her lips. “Why didn’t you say anything?” she asked, her voice trembling.

  “Because I didn’t want to make you choose between Miami and your life and family … and me. And I think a part of me was petrified you’d turn me down.”

  She shook her head hard. “Never,” she whispered.

  “In case you’re worried I feel pressured into this or stuck, you should know that I don’t. I’m desperate to make you my wife.”

  He held out the ring he’d picked out, having called her mother and asked for a guesstimation of Sienna’s ring size.

  Once he decided to ask her, he wanted his ring on her finger the minute she said yes.

  The three-carat emerald-cut stone with tiny individual halo diamonds surrounding it and covering the band glittered in his hand. “Sienna, will you marry me? Be my better half for the rest of my life? For better, for worse, in sickness and in health … and in New York,” he added for ultimate clarification.

  She laughed, tears streaming from her eyes as she said, “Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you.”

  He slipped the ring onto her finger, pleased it fit and she could wear it from now on. Then he leaned in and pressed his mouth against hers, tasting the salt on her lips and drinking in her sweet essence.

  “Knock knock.” Sebastian walked into the room. “Sorry to interrupt but I couldn’t stand it a second longer. I’m so damned sorry. I didn’t know you were home when I spoke–”

  “Why don’t you quit while you’re ahead,” Sienna suggested, laughing and holding out her now ringed hand. “Especially since we’re going to be related.”

  God, Ethan loved this woman and her easygoing approach to life. She rolled with the punches, something she’d need if she was going to be married to him. And have his kids.

  “I want more than one kid,” he heard himself say. Unplanned and taking him off guard.

  She grinned. “Good because so do I.”

  “Does this mean I’m forgiven?” Sebastian asked.

  “Yes,” Sienna said.

  “Now get the hell out.” Ethan waved his brother away.

  Taking the hint, Sebastian stepped out and pulled the door closed behind him.

  * * *

  “Mind if I get up?” Ethan asked from his kneeling position. “My knees are cramping.” He rose and climbed into bed with her, pulling her into his arms. “I love you. I just wish I’d said it before and more often.”

  Sienna’s heart beat with pure joy and happiness. “I’m just glad you’re saying it now and will forever. That works for me because I love you too. So much.”

  Ethan loved her. He wanted her to come and live in New York with him. It was everything she’d ever wanted and never thought she’d have.

  He slid her nightshirt up and, from behind, placed his palm against her belly. “I love you, Sienna,” he said again. “You’re giving me you. You’re giving me a family. All things I never thought I’d have. Thank you, sweetheart.”

  He pressed his lips against her neck, his thick erection gliding along her back. She knew what he wanted but his brother was in the other room.

  Good thing they had a lifetime to be together whenever they wanted.

  Epilogue

  Babies, babies, and more babies.

  Sienna held her baby girl in her arms.

  Elizabeth.

  Lizzy, named after Ethan’s mother, was the perfect combination of both her parents, with a head of black hair like her daddy. Sienna had gone back to blonde and she had to admit the upkeep was a lot easier. And though Ethan had fallen in love with her with dark hair, he had a thing for her blonde locks. Her lower body was in no mood to think about his reaction the day he’d first seen her with lighter hair … but if she hadn’t already been pregnant? Yeah, he’d have been potent that day.

  She grinned at her sweet little baby.

  And Ethan snapped another picture with his phone.

  Sienna’s family had flown to New York a few days after she’d given birth and they’d walked through her apartment one by one, each holding Lizzy, cooing at the baby, and to Sienna’s pleasure, making nice with her husband.

  Yep, her husband.

  Sienna and Ethan had married in Miami, with the entire family present. All, that is, but Robert Dare, who had disappeared with his mistress. They thought he’d gone to Barbados, at least that’s what his secretary had let slip, but nobody was sure. Nor did they care.

  What made Sienna’s wedding day even better? Her half siblings had finally embraced her mother. It was like their father’s affair had solidified placing the blame for everything on his shoulders. Had Savannah made a mistake staying involved with Robert once she’d known he was married? Yes, but they were all ready to let past hurts go.

  The Dare and Knight families had babies galore these days. Ethan’s sister had had a little girl they named Jillian, Parker’s wife, Emily, had a boy named Roscoe after her mother, Riley had her girl, Gracie, and now Ashley was pregnant. Added to the rest of the children and Christmas was going to be awesome next year.

  “Can I put her into the bassinette?” Ethan asked, gazing down at his sleeping daughter, a look that had Sienna’s heart melting and her falling in love with her husband all over again.

  “Sure.”

  He carefully lifted his baby girl and placed her down into the bassinette by the bed in their room. Then he slid in beside her.

  “You did it.” He pulled her into his arms.

  “We did it. You got me to the hospital in time, after all.”

  He chuckled. “I’m not sure I could be happier,” he said.

  “Me neither. And you know that question you asked me? What do I want to do now that I’m living in New York?”

  He nodded. “Any business you want, I can get you an interview. Any nonprofit would be lucky to have you.”

  She swallowed hard. “How about our kids? How would they feel about having a stay-at-home mom who ran charitable events when she could carve out the time?”

  He pressed his lips to hers. “I think they’d love it. And as long as you’re happy, I will be, too.”

  * * *

  Ethan glanced at his watch. If Sienna didn’t hurry, they were going to be late. He debated on yelling for her, then decided against it. For one thing, he didn’t want to wake the baby, and for another, he knew better than to rush a woman getting ready to go out for the evening. For the first time since having a baby. A baby they were leaving with a sitter who came highly recommended but was a stranger they’d interviewed twice and called every reference she had.

  Chances were they’d be home within the hour, but he and Sienna agreed they had to go to a happy hour event at her brother Jason’s Club TEN29, the hottest New York City nightclub around. With the lack of sleep they’d endured lately, Ethan was glad this would be an early night.

  Jason Dare, of all the brothers, was an enigma. He kept to himself, rarely went to family events, and was closest to the group of men he owned his club with. Men he called his brothers.

  From Sienna, Ethan knew something had happened to Jason and those other men in college, an incident that had bonded them in a way few could understand. And though Sienna had shared the drama of that time, Ethan never brought it up with Jason. It wasn’t something a person talked about like the weather; rather it defined the kind of man Jason had become.

  He remembered asking Sienna the meaning behind the name of Club TEN29 and she’d replied, it’s the defining date in Jason’s life. Given what he now knew, the name was appropriate. A fitting memorial.

  Ethan glanced at his watch again and groaned. “Sienna!” he called, knowing they
had to leave or else they’d be late.

  “I’m coming! I was just checking on the sitter and the baby.” Mara, the babysitter, was sitting in the rocker with Lizzy in her arms.

  Ethan knew it was going to be difficult for them to leave her. He looked up, his gaze lit on his wife, and his breath left his body in a whoosh, leaving him light-headed.

  “Jesus, you’re gorgeous.”

  “You like?” She stepped into the room wearing a strappy red dress that draped over one shoulder and slid over her body like a caress. The hem ended mid-thigh, revealing her long, sexy legs that were covered in a sandal with a red sole she made sure to show him. “See? I match.”

  He grinned, wrapping an arm around her and dipping her low. “Do you know what tonight is?” he asked.

  “Six weeks,” she whispered through bright red lips that also matched her outfit. Her long hair fell around her shoulders and he raised her to a standing position.

  Six long weeks and his cock had felt every last second. “I’m going to bring you home after this damned event and fuck my wife,” he whispered into her ear.

  She shivered and her nipples puckered beneath the sheath of her dress.

  “Are you not wearing a bra?” he asked on a low growl.

  “You’ll find out later.” She spun away. “Can we go? I want to get there, be seen, and come home so I can check on my baby … and then make love to my sexy husband.”

  If he had to put up with Jason Dare in order to make it back here for the main event, Ethan figured he could deal. Especially since he’d end the night buried deep inside the wife he adored.

  Can’t get enough Dares? SEXY DARE starring Jason Dare is up next. Click HERE to order!

  SEXY DARE

  He’s sexy and brooding … She’s sweetness and light.

  Owning a nightclub has its advantages, and for alpha billionaire Jason Dare, the perks of enjoying a woman’s company without any expectations works perfectly for him . . . until he rescues Faith Lancaster from the side of the road and is tempted by more than just her sweet treats.

  Faith has spent the past year building her candy business, Sweet Treats, into a profitable company. Men and dating haven’t been a priority, but she’s never met anyone like Jason Dare, either. Sexy and irresistible, he awakens desires she didn’t know existed and it doesn’t take her long to succumb to his charms.

  Both of them have their reasons for keeping things casual, but when someone from Faith’s past starts threatening her future, will Jason finally decide to claim the woman meant to be his?

  Photo: Wander Aguiar

  Cover by Lori Jackson Design

  ORDER your copy of SEXY DARE by clicking HERE.

  Chapter One

  With Happy Hour being celebrated loudly around him, Jason Dare stood on a balcony above the bar area and surveyed his domain, Club TEN29, a nightclub in Tribeca, an ode to the past and a reminder that the future wasn’t guaranteed. Despite the fact that his two other partners were here, as were members of his actual family, he still felt very much alone.

  Although solitary was a state of being he chose for reasons only he and his partners – men he considered his brothers – understood, sometimes it wasn’t easy, especially since they were very much in demand. As owners, they were becoming well-known here and had had extremely positive press, and that made him a target – for those who wanted an in with the occasional high-brow guest, and women with dollar signs in their eyes and hopes to snag a wealthy man as their goal. Jason didn’t engage. He was ultra-selective with the females he brought to his bed.

  His life was the club, his partners and his large family. He kept his circle close and minimized his risk of loss as best he could. That mantra defined him, extending into his love life, as well. After his father had blown his family sky high, after he’d almost his sister to cancer when she was a child, after losing his partner, Landon’s twin, and Jason’s best friend, back in college, he didn’t, couldn’t get close to people and risk more loss.

  He didn’t get emotionally involved. Ever. A woman couldn’t expect anything more than the occasional hookup when it was convenient but he enjoyed those moments of connection with the females he did allow into his bed. He had enough darkness in his life that when he let go, he wanted to enjoy and have fun.

  “Jason, this has been an amazing night!” his sister, Sienna, said, throwing her arms around his neck and planting a kiss on his cheek.

  He chuckled and smiled at her glowing face.

  Her husband, Ethan Knight, grinned as he pulled her off him and into his arms. “She’s been liberal with the alcohol.” Ethan explained her exuberant enthusiasm. “Her first time out since having the baby.” He held his wife tight against him.

  “I had fun! And now we’re going home to F–” Ethan placed a hand over Sienna’s mouth, sparing Jason from hearing about his sister’s love life. Jesus.

  He shot the man a grateful look.

  “And on that note, we’re leaving. We just wanted to say goodbye,” Ethan said with a smug grin on his face.

  “Thanks for coming.” Jason extended his arm and shook Ethan’s hand. “And give that little bundle a kiss from her Uncle Jase.”

  Accepting this man as his sister’s husband had been an adjustment, one Jason was still making, considering Ethan had knocked up Sienna before anyone even knew they were together. They now had a baby girl named Lizzy who Jason adored, and Ethan was a member of the family. More people for Jason to worry about. He watched them leave, acknowledging his sister was in good hands with the other man.

  His gaze turned to his closest friends since their time together in college, now equal partners in Club TEN29. They stood huddled together around the bar with some of their repeat customers. Tanner Grayson was the Night Manager, and Landon Bennett was the head of Entertainment and Appearances, Brand Deals and Promotions. After Landon’s twin died, he’d pulled into himself, while Tanner had spiraled, and it was only by sheer determination that he’d dragged himself out of the angry place to which he’d gone and the trouble in which he’d gotten himself into.

  Jason held the position of CEO. Together they were a solid mix of personalities and work ethic in a club that was merely two years old but becoming prominent in the club scene. They made sure Club TEN29 provided a memorable experience for everyone who stepped inside. There was no task too menial they wouldn’t handle personally if the need arose.

  But Jason wanted more for their singular club. They had a stage on which customers danced but it wasn’t fully utilized, and although they’d put a lot of money into ads and promotions, they weren’t growing as fast as he would like. He just hadn’t figured out in which direction they needed to go in order to break out the way he wanted. Since Tanner and Landon thought things were fine as they were, Jason needed a fully fleshed out plan before presenting it to them for a vote. Which was why he was meeting his cousin Gabe later on tonight. To hash out some ideas.

  Gabriel Dare owned Elite, a nightclub that operated on a scale Jason couldn’t imagine, one where people paid over five figures for a table and A-list celebrities visited often. They had clubs all over the world, including on the island of Eden, an exclusive, invitation only resort near the Bermuda Triangle.

  He also wanted to pull Gabe in on an issue they were having with another club owner who had begun sabotaging their business. Clearly their success threatened Daniel Sutherland, the owner of Club Rocket, a nearby nightclub. After a series of glitches in software and music that couldn’t be accidental, last night someone had smashed windows of cars in the lot where Club TEN29 customers parked.

  The night employee had miraculously been on a bathroom break when the incident occurred but a customer had run back to the club and informed security. The three partners had accompanied their guard to the lot and found one of the kids with a bat in hand sneaking out. In exchange for not reporting him, they’d discovered a group had been paid well by Club Rocket’s owner to destroy the cars and make people fear for their safety a
nd that of their vehicles at the Club. Gabe had been through a similar issue, so Jason wanted his input.

  He wanted to think things through before he met up with Gabe and he couldn’t make decisions here, where the music blared and people partied. As much as Club TEN29 was home, Jason needed a break.

  After clearing his departure with Tanner and Landon, Jason headed out into the cold air. He pulled his wool jacket around him and headed to his car. Despite it being impractical in the city, he liked having his Jag at his disposal.

  Once he was enclosed in the luxurious interior and the heated seats and warmth began to surround him, he relaxed. He turned on some music and decided to drive around a little before heading to his cousin’s. This area of the city wasn’t the grid of ease that was uptown Manhattan and he wound his way through the smaller streets, taking in the shops that lined them.

  Because it was cold, not many people were out so when he came upon a lone van parked in front of a rundown apartment building, with two women standing alongside it, he slowed down. When one of the women bent over, her cute ass peeking out from beneath the edge of her down jacket, he noticed. And when she kicked what he realized was a flat tire in frustration, he came to a complete stop, then parked his car in front of hers.

  As he climbed out and got a look at the curvy woman with waves of blonde hair, full lips and a startled expression on her pretty face, currently clutching the lug wrench in her hand like a weapon, he realized his night was about to get much more exciting.

  * * *

  Faith Lancaster loaded the last of her marshmallow pops into the back of her company van, adjusting the baskets, taking care to space the items far enough apart that nothing would get ruined or crushed. She’d spent all day in her small apartment kitchen, making and wrapping her treats with the intention of dropping off baskets to nearby stores along with her business cards. She planned to request they leave them on the counter for their customers to sample, hoping to drive business to Sweet Treats, her candy store located off the beaten path.