Dare to Love (7 page)

“What’s going on in that active mind of yours?” Ian asked over dessert.

“I’m thinking about you,” she admitted, deciding straightforward was the way to go.

He raised a brow, obviously surprised at her honest admission.

“I was just thinking about how bossy you can be.”

“Because I insisted you order the Fried Oreos with French vanilla ice cream instead of the warm chocolate chunk cookies?” he asked with an amused smile.

She couldn’t help but grin. “You know what I mean.”

“I’m not going to apologize for who I am.” He lifted her hand and threaded her fingers through his larger ones. “For you, though, I’m willing to…temper those impulses.”

Her heart skipped a beat.

“Certain times, certain places, however, I expect you to let go of your inhibitions and enjoy it.” His tone deepened, leaving no doubt to his meaning.

Just to be sure though… “What sort of places?” she asked.

“I expect you to give yourself over to me completely in bed. To do as I say without hesitation or question.” He raised her hand and pressed a hot, open-mouthed kiss to her palm. “I promise you won’t be disappointed.”

Her breath shot out in one long stream of air, and dizziness assaulted her both at his words and the silken slide of his tongue against her skin. Good God, she wanted to experience Ian just like this, at his most dominant. The thought of submitting to him physically and giving him complete control over her pleasure caused a rush of heated anticipation to fire her blood and crash through every one of her defenses against him.

She swallowed hard. “I—”

“Yes?”

Those mesmerizing eyes bored deeply into hers, filled with the kind of erotic promise she’d only dreamed about. “I want…I mean I need…” She didn’t know what she meant to say. Every available thought was now centered where a throbbing pulse beat between her thighs.

In an instant, he’d focused all her awareness on sleeping with him. On what it would feel like to have him sliding deep inside of her and coaxing multiple orgasms from her sex-deprived body.

God, the man was potent. And completely irresistible.

“What do you say? Come home with me,” he said. Asked.

She wasn’t sure which, nor did she really care.

FIVE

T
rembling with desire, Riley barely remembered the car ride back to Ian’s place. He pulled into the driveway of the Ritz Condominiums. It came as no surprise to her that he lived in a place that offered all hotel amenities while being privately owned. He came around to her side of the car and took her hand, pulling her from the passenger seat. He maneuvered her close to him as they walked into the lobby, held her beside him as they took the elevator to the top floor. She was enveloped in his heady, seductive scent. His body heat spiked her own temperature, the neediness pulsing through her core adding to the anticipation of what was to come.

The ding of the elevator’s arrival on his floor startled her. They stepped directly into his apartment, and the door closed shut behind them. Before she could take in her surroundings, he spun her around until her back hit the wall, and his mouth came down hard on hers.

His lips were firm and demanding, taking what he wanted and making her need everything he had to give. She could only wrap her arms around his neck and go along for the ride. His mouth tackled her with expertise, his tongue gliding over her lips, sliding inside.

She parted willingly, taking him in, and the moment his tongue touched hers, he let out a shuddering groan that told her exactly what she did to him. The ability to have a maddening effect on this tightly controlled man excited her, but the minute she slid her fingers into his hair, he broke the kiss.

Startled, she blinked up at him, wondering if disappointment showed on her face.

His eyes dark and needy, he met her gaze. “I need to see you come apart for me.”

She let out a relieved breath and somehow managed a brief nod, wanting the same thing. Did he think she’d argue?

He took one of her hands and placed her palm against the wall, then did the same with the other. “And I can’t do that if you’re touching me,” he said on a low growl that had her stomach churning with excitement. “Don’t move.”

She swallowed hard, her hands pressed against the wall, her heart threatening to beat out of her chest.

His gaze never leaving hers, he undid her blouse, one button, then the next, and the next, his large, tanned hands an erotic picture against the soft silk of her blouse. He took his time undressing her, the slow anticipation causing her nipples to peak and harden.

“I can’t wait to see you naked,” he said in a deep voice, easing the silk off her shoulders.

Her shirt fell to the floor in a soft whoosh, leaving her in a lacy bra and her black pencil skirt. He stared at her then, his searing gaze taking in her full breasts, so much more than the handful she always imagined most men preferred.

Her sex clenched, moisture soaking her panties.

“So damned hot,” he muttered, staring.

She felt awkward standing before him half dressed, her hands pressed against the wall, waiting for him to make the next move. The urge to touch him, to participate, to undress him and see his magnificent body was strong.

Just as she was about to move, his words from earlier came back to her.
I expect you to give yourself over to me completely in bed. To do as I say without hesitation or question.

So as his eyes dilated with approval, she let him look his fill. And as he did, his erection grew larger, thicker. She did that to him, and the knowledge empowered her, allowing her to remain still and in place.

“I’ve dreamed about the way you might taste. Are you sweet, Riley?” he asked, his voice gruff and sexy.

Her lips parted, but no words came out. She didn’t think he expected an answer, not that she could provide one.

He reached out, pushing the cup of her bra beneath her breast, and tweaked her nipple, beginning a steady massage of one breast that felt so good she arched, pushing herself into his hand.

His touch was molten, branding her, and when he twisted her nipple, her sex pulsed with need, and dampness soaked her even more. Her breath came in short pants, and she squirmed in place, trying to squeeze her legs together to alleviate the empty, aching neediness he effortlessly created.

“No,” he said in a sharp tone that had her obeying while, the throbbing in her clit intensified. “I told you not to move, and when you come, you’re going to know it’s me who brought you there.”

A moan escaped her lips, and she flushed in embarrassment.

“You’re so fucking perfect,” he said, his hands moving to her other breast, giving it the same diligent treatment, rolling her nipple between his thumb and forefinger, watching her face as her hips bucked forward.

“I think it’s time I find out if you taste as good as I imagined.” He leaned down and sucked one distended nipple into his mouth.

Stars exploded in front of her eyes, and the ragged sound that escaped from her throat surprised even her. “Ian, please,” she begged, gripping his arm in her hand.

“Back in place,” he snapped, and her hands immediately hit the wall once more.

She wanted to touch him, hoped he’d allow her later. For now? He’d barely played with her breasts, and already she knew she’d do anything he demanded if only he’d give her the orgasm she desperately needed.

“Good girl,” he said, turning his attention to her next breast. “Is this what you need?” He bit gently on her nipple, and a full-body tremor shook her so hard she was surprised her knees didn’t give way.

“Holy shit,” she muttered, eliciting a dark laugh from him before he licked around the throbbing peak.

“I have a question,” she managed to ask.

He stroked her cheek with one hand, his touch so gentle and caring he took her breath away. “Ask away.”

“Do I?”

“Do you what?” Ian asked, surprised by the hesitancy in her tone.

She swallowed, the muscles in her neck moving up and down, making Ian want to growl and mark her there. Something about this woman called to his deepest protective instincts. For all her bravado and independence, there was an innocence inside her that provided a counterbalance to his more jaded personality. From the minute he’d mentioned her giving him control in bed, her blue eyes had dilated and darkened with a need that matched the desire pulsing inside his veins. He’d known she would be the perfect counterpoint to his subtle need for control.

Looking at her now, dark curls wild around her face and shoulders, lips damp from his kisses, eyes wide with wonder, instinct told him he was right.

“You can ask me anything,” he assured her.

“Do I taste as good as you thought?”

That one question nearly brought him to his knees. He swept her into his arms and headed for the bedroom, depositing her squarely in the middle of his king-sized, four-poster bed.

He came down over her, his arms bracketing her surprised face, and pressed a hard, hot kiss over her lips. “You.” He kissed her again, more thoroughly this time. “Taste.” He delved deeper, sweeping his tongue throughout her luscious, hot mouth. “So fucking good.”

She moaned and wrapped herself around his neck, holding him close. And though normally he’d push back and take charge, her arms around him felt too good to worry about maintaining control and distance. He kissed her back, all the while maneuvering his fingers beneath her skirt and panties, pushing the garments down her hips and thighs, until she edged away so she could get rid of the damned annoying barrier herself.

Then he was facing heaven. Her almost-bare pussy, damp with her arousal, beckoned. He leaned in closer, breathing in her heated, feminine scent.

His cock hardened, and desire raced through him. He’d never been so impacted by a woman before.

“I need—” He bit back whatever he’d been about to say, unwilling to lay his feelings out for anyone.

Her lips turned upward, her expression one of pure acceptance.

She arched her lower body, her meaning clear. “Then take.”

She humbled him, and he allowed himself the luxury of stroking the delicate folds with his fingertips before lowering his head for his first taste. One long, leisurely lap of his tongue around her swollen flesh. And with one stroke, he couldn’t stop himself from taking more. With deliberate precision, he licked and soothed her all over. From her bare outer lips to her inner ones coated with desire, he made it his mission to tease and arouse.

She moaned and shifted beneath him until he held her down with his hands and continued to take her higher. He thrust one finger into her wet sheath and curled it forward.

“Ian!” She groaned his name at the same time he pressed hard against just the right spot to send her into ecstasy.

Her body trembled, and he continued the assault, pressing his tongue down hard on her clit. She cried out, her orgasm sweeping through her. She arched into it, rolling her hips against his mouth as she came.

His cock throbbed against his suit, the constriction of his clothing driving him insane. Especially since she didn’t hold back the sounds of her pleasure as he brought her over the edge—and kept her there as long as possible, continuing to lick and caress her as she settled back down.

He released his grip and raised his head. A look down told him his thumbs had left dark imprints on her pale thighs, and damned if a part of him didn’t take pride in the knowledge that he’d marked her.

He rose and stood at the side of the bed, making quick work of his tie, tossing it onto the mattress along with a condom he took from the nightstand drawer. His jacket and shirt hit the floor next, followed by his pants and boxer briefs. He gripped his erection, pumping his cock, wondering how the hell he’d ever take her slowly. He breathed in slowly, controlling a need for this woman that ran so deep he feared it might never go away.

No way in hell could he let her know it though. He might want to slide into her, watch her eyes glaze over with desire, and make long, slow love to her while she screamed his name, her fingertips scratching his back, her arms holding him tight. But he wouldn’t do it. Couldn’t. Not when he knew the cost of that kind of trust.

He eyed the tie on the bed, knowing what he intended to do and determined that she’d enjoy every minute. And so would he.

*     *     *

From her position on the bed, Riley took in Ian’s oh-so-fine masculine form and let out a breathy sigh, not caring if her approval went to his head. He’d just given her the best orgasm of her life and her first with a guy who took his time to make sure she got what
she
needed before worrying about himself. That alone would make him a keeper, at least in her eyes, but she knew better than to put any stock in those kinds of hopes and dreams.

Great sex with Ian?
That
she wanted more of.

He stood at the side of the bed watching, eyes dilated with need.
For her
. He gripped his solid erection and slid his hand up and down, pumping himself from base to head, as if getting ready.

She swallowed hard, suddenly nervous but determined to hold her own with this man. “Are you going to stand there or are you coming back to me?” she asked.