The Daring Doms

by Isabella Kole

  "Sure, baby, some chips and beer would be great," Dane said as he leaned over and gave her a peck on the cheek.

  "I'll help you," Angela said, glad to have an excuse to talk to Annie alone. She stood up and followed her friend to the kitchen.

  Once they were out of earshot, Annie asked, "So, how's it going so far? Are you having a good time?"

  "Too good of a time, I'm afraid," she replied as she opened the refrigerator and took out four bottles of beer.

  "Oh, Angela, lighten up. If you're having a good time, go with it."

  "I just know that if I let myself get too close, Dax will break my heart into a million pieces."

  "What makes you so sure of that? Maybe you're the one," Annie replied. "Dane told me Dax was pretty excited about being with you tonight. He even called Dane to tell him."

  "Maybe, but I can't let my guard down."

  Annie looked at her friend but didn't say anything else. She opened a bag of chips and poured them into a bowl then followed Angela back to the living room.

  As they walked back into the room, the Daring brothers were deep in conversation. They stopped talking when they saw the girls approaching. Dax grinned as he took a beer from Angela. "Thanks."

  They played two more games of Euchre, with the guys declared as the official champions. They had won two games, and the girls had taken one. When the last hand had been played, Dane leaned over and kissed his wife. "Good game, baby."

  Annie looked into her husband's eyes and smiled.

  "I think that's our cue to leave. Are you ready, Angela?" Dax asked as he stood up.

  "Yes, we'd better go. It's late." She turned to the other couple and said, "Thanks for inviting us. I've definitely seen a whole new way to play Euchre tonight. And I think we should have a rematch soon."

  "We'll definitely have to do it again sometime, then," Dane said as he stood up. "I'll walk you guys out."

  When they got outside, Dax put his arm around her as they walked to his truck. "Did we come on too strong with the game?"

  "Oh, no, you guys are hilarious," she replied with a giggle.

  "Well, sometime you'll have to go over to the folks' with us and see Dad and Uncle Tom in action."

  Angela's heart skipped a beat at the thought of actually being taken to his parents' house. Now, wouldn't that be a step in the right direction?

  Dax helped her into the truck and drove to her apartment. "I guess I should have asked if you were ready to go home. We could have gone to a club and danced or caught the late show at the cinema."

  "It's late; home is fine," she replied. "I… had a good time, Dax."

  He looked at her as he turned off the engine. "So did I. Let me walk you to the door."

  When they stood outside her door, he leaned in for a goodnight kiss. Angela panicked and quickly turned so his kiss caught her cheek.

  Stunned, he looked at her for several minutes. "Angela?"

  She looked up at him and mumbled, "Dax—" Before she could finish, he leaned in again and this time, she parted her lips in invitation. He kissed her sweetly at first, before his tongue grazed her teeth and found its way inside. He pulled her close and deepened the kiss. When he finally released her, he said in a husky voice, "You'd better go in. I promised to behave."

  She turned to unlock the door. When he was sure she was safely inside, he asked, "Go out with me again? I owe you a movie."

  "Sure, Dax, call me." She kissed her finger and touched it to his lips before saying goodnight.

  'I will. You can count on it. Have a good night."

  Chapter 8

  The next day, Dax watched the NASCAR race on television and relaxed at home alone. Several times, he almost picked up the phone to call Angela. He was going to ask her to join him. But, on second thought, he stopped himself every time. This is crazy. What the hell am I doing? Never had a date made such an impression on him as the one he'd had with Annie's dark-haired friend the night before. He couldn't get the vision of her beautiful face after he'd kissed her out of his mind. The dazed eyes, sweet smile and slight flush to her cheeks had really gotten to him. He had driven home imagining her face in the throes of passion.

  "Pull it together, Dax, old boy, or you're going to be in big trouble. It was just a date. She's just a girl. A very pretty, funny, nice girl, but just a girl," he told himself as he popped the tab on a can of beer and settled in to watch the rest of the race. Damn, that kiss was hot!

  The week that followed, he was kept busy on the construction site and in the office, so only occasionally could he give in to the delightful thoughts of Angela that popped randomly into his head.

  On Wednesday evening, he finally gave in. He didn't call but sent her a text instead. Have you been polishing up your Euchre skills?

  Her reply came a few minutes later, Now why would I want to do that?

  He chuckled as he typed, I thought you wanted a rematch.

  She answered with, Oh, so I did. You're on, but you owe me a movie first.

  His reply was quick as he said, Done. Friday night, pick you up at seven sharp.

  I'll be waiting.

  Good girl. Goodnight, beautiful.

  Goodnight, handsome.

  He grinned as he set his phone on the bedside table. So, she was interested. He'd wondered if she'd actually agree to go out with him again. After the discussion at the restaurant, he hadn't been sure. Hell, he wasn't sure about a lot of things these days.

  On Friday afternoon, he called her and left a voicemail on her cell. "Want to grab a pizza before the movie?"

  She returned his call an hour later. "I'm sorry I missed your call. I was in a meeting when you called. A pizza sounds fine. Are we still on for seven?"

  "Seven sharp," he said.

  "I'll be ready. I'm leaving here in just a few minutes."

  "Pink."

  "What?"

  "Wear pink again."

  "I don't know if I have anything else that's pink, Dax." She did, a whole closet full, in fact, but she wanted to see what he would say.

  He laughed. "I'm teasing. Wear what you want. I just wanted to see if I could get a rise out of you. But I do like you in pink, so remember that."

  "You're asking for trouble, boy, you know that, don't you?"

  "I hope so. I like trouble."

  "Later, Dax, hang up."

  As he sat back in his chair after the call ended, he chuckled. He wondered how long it would take to get her to follow his orders.

  At seven on the dot, he was standing outside her door. When he rang the bell and she answered, he noticed immediately she was wearing a hot pink blouse. "No more pink clothes, huh?"

  "I found this in the back of my closet. Not that I chose it because you asked for pink, mind you, I just forgot I had it and decided to wear it."

  "Whatever you say, beautiful," he replied as he took her hand. When they touched, a shock went through his body. It was all he could do to stop himself from taking her in his arms right then. If she felt it too, she didn't let on. He walked her outside, helped her into the cab of his truck and silently drove to the nearest Pizza Hut.

  As he helped her out of the truck, he smiled. "I'm glad you said yes."

  "Are you, Dax? We really have to stop making a habit of this."

  "Why?" he asked.

  "You know why," she replied quietly.

  After they'd ordered their pizza, he asked in a serious tone, "Now, tell me, why do we have to stop making a habit of this?"

  "Dax…" she began and stopped.

  "Angela…" he mocked with a grin.

  "You don't want a relationship. I'm ready for one. This is really pointless, other than the fun I have with you."

  "I don't see the problem with just having fun together, then. Why do we have to define it so early on?"

  "There isn't a problem with that, but doesn't it seem pointless for the two of us to spend so much time together if it's not going to go anywhere?"

  "Angela, chill out and give us a chance. Please, do
it for me," he said as he looked at her with puppy-dog eyes.

  She laughed. "Dax, maybe you're right. What's the harm in having a few laughs? We're friends, or at least I think we are. But we're not going to be friends with benefits, so if that's what you have in mind, you can get it out of your mind right now."

  "I guess I deserve that," he said with a grimace. "But, Angela, I respect you. You're fun to be with, and I enjoy spending time with you. Let's just take it slow and see where it leads us. No promises, no pressure, for now."

  "No promises, no pressure, but if I decide I can't continue, I'll let you know."

  "Fair enough," he said with a sexy smile as he caressed her hand.

  "Don't look at me like that," she teased.

  "Like what?" he teased back.

  "You know like what," she said. "Behave yourself, Dax, if you can."

  "Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?"

  "Dax, you're hopeless."

  He chuckled. "I love to get a reaction out of you, Angela. You're like a breath of fresh air."

  After the pizza, they decided on a movie and spent the rest of evening amicably enjoying the show and each other's company. When he took her home, he stood at her door and asked, "Ask me in?"

  "Why would I do that?"

  "So I don't have to kiss you out here and give the neighbors a show."

  "So you think we'd be giving the neighbors a show? What kind of kiss are you planning to give me, Dax?" she asked softly.

  "Ask me in, and you'll find out," he replied in a husky voice.

  She unlocked the door and allowed him to enter. So far, so good, he thought as he pulled her into his arms. As he gazed down at her, he asked in a husky voice, "Angela, what are you doing to me? What kind of spell are you casting on me?"

  "Dax, don't try any of your lines on me. We have an agreement," she replied breathlessly.

  "It's not a line this time, Angela, I swear. There's something different about you. You can't tell me you don't feel it too," he said.

  "I… don't want to feel it, Dax. It scares me," she replied.

  He kissed her forehead and then her eyelids. "Baby girl, don't let it scare you. Let me kiss you. You'll see."

  She tilted her face up and stared into his blue eyes, now dark pools of desire. She put her hand to his cheek timidly and gently caressed his skin. "Dax, I—"

  He stopped her with his lips on hers, pulling her closer. He kissed her passionately, savagely almost. This was no quick peck like before. This time, Dax meant business. As she gave in and relaxed in his arms, he became braver and gently caressed her back. He ended the kiss finally and whispered in her ear, "See, you feel it, too. There's a heat between us. I want you so much, Angela, but I'll go. I made a promise, and I'll keep it, for now. I'll show you, I'm a man of my word."

  She looked up at him with a confused look on her face.

  "It's okay, baby girl. I'll go home and take a cold shower. I'm not going to go pick up some chick when I leave you. I'm going to prove to you that I can be trusted with your heart."

  "Dax, what exactly are you saying?"

  "I think you know." He touched her lips with his index finger and walked out the door without another word.

  After he had sat in his car for a few minutes trying to calm his beating heart and his throbbing, growing dick, Dax drove home and sat in his own driveway for several minutes more before he went inside. I've pretty much admitted to her how I feel. I guess it's up to her now. We can deal with all the rest later.

  He headed for the shower, his thoughts a jumbled mess—Angela's pretty face, her full, kissable lips, her dark hair and skin, her pink shirt, and that damned delectable butt of hers, just asking for a man's hand. Damn it, man. This isn't supposed to happen to me. I gave Dane grief and now… oh damn, I'm in trouble.

  After a brisk, extremely cold shower, he dried himself and flopped onto his bed. Miss Angela Vaccaro, you will be mine. Someday, somehow, I'll make you see that you've changed my mind about having a woman in my life. All along, I thought I wanted a woman like Annie. I was wrong. I've been waiting for a woman like you, not a woman like her. You will be my lover, my submissive, and, maybe someday, my wife; count on it.

  Angela touched her lips. Was he serious? Did Dax want more? Could he be trusted with her heart? Or was it just a ploy to get her into bed? She wished she knew the answers to all those questions that kept playing over and over like a bad sitcom rerun in her head.

  She took a deep breath, finally, and walked into the bedroom to get ready for bed. As she climbed into bed and lay between the cool, pink sheets, her thoughts went back to the evening and all the things Dax had said. Finally, forcing her mind to shut down, she rolled over and attempted to sleep. But even as she slept, Dax invaded her mind in the form of dreams. Dax kissing her, teasing her, making love to her, these were all parts of her dreams. There was even one in which he smacked her on the bottom. Where the hell had that come from?

  When morning arrived, she was understandably tired. The night before had been a rough one and her sleep broken. She lingered in bed before finally throwing her legs over the side and forcing herself to get up. She was just about to head to the kitchen to make coffee when her cell rang. As she grumbled and picked it up, she glanced at the caller ID to see who had the audacity to call her on a Saturday morning. It was Dax! He had invaded her thoughts and dreams all night long, and now he was on the phone. Damn.

  "Hi, Dax," she answered in a sleepy voice.

  "Angela, aren't you awake yet?" he asked in a chipper voice.

  "Barely, why are you calling so early?"

  "I have big plans for us. I want to take you to my favorite spot at the beach for a picnic. And later, Mom's having a barbeque. Dane and Annie and my Uncle Tom and Aunt Jo will be there for a big Euchre tournament."

  "What?"

  "Angela, Angela, Angela, get with the program."

  "I haven't even had coffee yet, Dax; slow down."

  "Mom's frying up some of her famous fried chicken for us. I'll run by and pick it up, stop at the deli and get potato salad and some other goodies, while you do whatever you have to do to wake up. I'll even bring you a Starbucks if you say yes. You can't spend this gorgeous Saturday in bed—unless you want company, and I know that's not up for discussion—so what do you say?"

  "Dax, are you nuts?"

  "Just a little, but isn't that one of the things you love… I mean… like about me?"

  She giggled. Actually, it was, but she'd never admit it to him. "Okay, if you bring me a Starbucks, I can't say no. I'll get ready. Do I need to bring anything for the picnic?"

  "Just your beautiful smile," he teased.

  "Goodbye, Dax," she said as she rolled her eyes.

  "I'll see you soon, beautiful baby girl."

  She ran to the shower and let the steamy spray of water work its magic. She was refreshed afterward, and as she pulled her aqua-colored Jags T-shirt and a pair of cutoffs out of the drawer, she decided they would work for the beach with her bikini underneath, but she'd have to come home and change before she went to Dax's parents' house. Dax's parents' house, oh my God! She pulled her still damp hair up into a ponytail and slipped her feet into a pair of flip-flops. Thank God she'd gotten a pedicure earlier in the week!

  Angela had met Mr. and Mrs. Daring during the festivities surrounding Annie's wedding, and they were nice people, but this was altogether different. She was going to their house for dinner as Dax's date. At least Annie and Dane would be there for moral support. She was breathing heavily, her heart beating like crazy; that's how nervous she was. As she walked out of the bedroom, the doorbell rang. "Already?" she muttered under her breath.

  When she opened the door, a smiling Dax greeted her with a large cup of Starbucks coffee. He handed it to her, walked inside and planted a chaste kiss on her cheek. "Good morning, sunshine. I didn't know how you like it, so I brought it black. Figured you could doctor it up the way you wanted in your own kitchen."

  "Than
ks. I'll just go add some cream and sugar to it," she said as she turned to walk to the small kitchen.

  When she came back out, she looked at him, all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, and smiling. Was he one of those damn morning people? She couldn't help but notice how sexy he looked in swim trunks and a Jags T-shirt. He looked at her then, and they both laughed.

  "Great minds think alike," he said.

  "I can change my shirt," she offered as she took a sip of the heavenly brew. "Thanks for the coffee, by the way."

  "No, don't change. I think it's kind of cute that we're dressed alike." He gave her one of his sexy grins again that made her tummy do flip-flops every time she saw it. "Are you ready to go? I've got the food in the truck."

  "Sure, let me grab my bag."

  He waited patiently for her, and soon, they were headed for the beach.

  "What made you come up with this idea, Dax?" she asked.

  "When I woke up, it was such a beautiful day, and we both have the day off, so I couldn't think of a better way to spend a beautiful day than with a beautiful girl. Of course, you immediately came to mind."

  "Oh, Dax, you are such a goofball," she said, blushing.

  "Angela, I meant what I said last night. I'm falling under some kind of spell with you. I'm as shocked as you are, but I'm going to do whatever it takes to convince you I'm not kidding around. I may not be sure where this is going, but what I do know is that I don't want it to end."

  "I just don't know, Dax," she replied as she sipped her coffee and looked out the window.

  "I understand your reluctance where I'm concerned, Angela. I've given you every reason to believe I don't want a relationship. Hell, I've said it enough times. But something's changed. I can't explain it, but I sure as hell want to explore it," he replied as he reached across the seat and took her hand.

  "This is going way too fast for me, Dax."

  "Baby girl, don't say that."

  "I'll try to go with it, but I don't know if I can."

  "That's all I ask, Angela. Give us a chance to find out where this is leading. Actually, I thought you'd be happy that I want more with you than just a few laughs."