Dare to Love (Dare to Love 1)

She was changing.

Learning to accept things from others, from small items and gifts to larger, more significant offers, like a new job and a place to live, she was slowly bending. Giving up her hard-won and fought-for independence. And the scariest of all, coming to count on having Ian in her life.

But she was also realizing that relying on others didn’t make her weak…it made her human. Nor did it escape her notice that Ian was changing too, and that made her own transformation somewhat easier to accept. She couldn’t demand he alter who he was to accommodate her and not do the same for him.

She was growing up, she thought with a laugh. Ironic, since before meeting Ian, she’d believed her independence defined her and was the most important thing in her life.

“Something funny?” Ian slid beside her on the bed and pulled her into his arms.

“Not really. Just thinking about how different things are for me lately.”

“Good different or bad different?” he asked, nuzzling her neck with his lips.

“Are you searching for compliments?” she asked.

He nipped her collarbone in reply, and she groaned. Every nerve ending tingled, her nipples puckered, her body on high alert, ready for him. Another thing that had changed. She was always sexually charged now.

“Get showered and ready; we’re going out for dinner tonight with another couple,” he told her.

She bolted up in bed. “What? Who?”

He yanked her down and back into his arms, where she immediately felt safe and secure. “Your stepmother and her husband.”

She rolled so she could look at his handsome face. “I don’t get it.”

“What’s not to get? You love her, I haven’t met her…. It’s time.”

“Does my father resurfacing have anything to do with this sudden invitation?” she asked him.

Ian shrugged. “I won’t deny it put the idea in my head. Maybe she’s heard from him too.”

“She would have told me,” Riley said.

“Why? Have you told her?” he pointedly asked.

She winced. “Score,” she muttered under her breath.

He chuckled and kissed the tip of her nose. “Maybe she doesn’t want to worry you, same reason you haven’t told her. Or maybe he’s only focu

sed on you. We need to know. And she needs to be prepared, just in case.”

“You’re right.”

An arrogant grin edged his mouth. “Say that again.”

“No.”

He cupped her sex with his big hand, and she arched up, immediately seeking more pressure. She’d shed her skirt when she climbed into bed, and he brushed one finger over her mound, drawing small circles over her clit, causing an exquisite pressure to build inside her.

“Mmm.”

“Like that, do you?” he asked, nibbling on her neck at the same time he continued his sensual assault.

“Yes. Harder,” she said, eyes half-mast as she focused on the pleasure slowly mounting.

He stopped all movement. “First, say it again. ‘Ian, you were right.’”

She opened her eyes wide to find him above her, grinning like a fool. Hmm. Give him the words he sought or suffer orgasm deprivation—because she had no doubt he’d stop completely. Controlling bastard, she thought, not really meaning it. Not anymore.