Dare to Take (Dare to Love 6)

“Oh yes,” she said, pushing her ass back against his hard-as-nails erection.

At her eager response, he pressed her down into the couch. She raised herself up, indicating her readiness. Fuck, but her sweet ass was a sight to look at.

Sweating and on fire, his balls tight, his body ready to come, he took himself in hand and slid the head of his cock through her slick wetness, pushing upward, into her waiting heat, sliding all the way home, as her slick body sucked him in.

After that, it was as quick and dirty as he’d wanted it when he was determined to put all emotion aside and lose himself in sex. Just plain fucking sex. He thrust in and out, fast and hard, each drive harder and in time to her eager cries.

He’d never felt such ultimate perfection as her body, cushioning his, sucked him dry as he jerked his hips back and forth, losing himself in everything that was Ella.

“Oh God, Oh God.” She came, shuddering around him, bringing him nearer to his own climax.

As he drew closer to release, he realized the joke was on him. With Ella, it could never be plain sex. Not when she lit up his world in ways he didn’t deserve.

But his body wasn’t interested in facts, only in sensation. And nothing felt better as he let go, spilling himself inside the woman he sensed could complete him.

Which was why, when everything was said and done, he kissed her good-bye and headed home, punishing himself by not spending the night.

* * *

Ella woke up sore and sexually satisfied. It should have been enough. She wanted it to be enough. After all, she’d come screaming, harder than she ever had in her life. But then he’d dressed, claimed it was late, and left for the night. The same man who’d hooked his leg around hers and slept curled around her so she felt like she was in an oven the night before.

Lesson learned, she thought, ignoring the lump in her throat. Apparently he’d meant what he’d said. He wanted her. He’d replace her bad memories with good. And she could count on him to keep his word. All good to know. She just wouldn’t invest her heart in him again. And how frustrating was it that she needed to constantly remind herself of something she already knew?

Because despite her independent streak, she wanted someone who loved her unconditionally. She’d never experienced that in her life. Not even with family. Especially not with family. Which led her to wonder why Tyler, who, despite his father’s betrayal, had a close-knit family who would never abandon him, couldn’t manage to find it in himself to commit.

Well, she wasn’t the one who was going to change him. So time to move on with her own life. For the next few days, she fell back into a routine. She headed into work early, only to find Angie was already at the studio. Ella had a stack of phone calls to make, including following up with the factory for the spring line and confirming recent orders. Not to mention, Angie had left a stack of magazines on the desk for her to go through.

From Ella’s desk, she heard Angie on the phone, her voice loud and clearly agitated. “Well, I don’t care. You need to find a buyer. You assured me before the purchase it wouldn’t be an issue. Just do it!” she said, slamming down the receiver.

Ella cringed and kept her eyes on her desk, which was a good thing, since Angie stormed out of her office a second later, grumbling about incompetent idiots. Without a word, she slammed paperwork on Ella’s desk and headed back into her office. Angie was prone to blowups when things didn’t go her way, so Ella ignored the tantrum, knowing it wasn’t directed at her. She glanced at the documents, fully understanding what she needed to do, and got back to work.

She worked late the next two days, catching up. The following evening after work, she met up with a friend, Jillian Novak, who was an assistant for a shoe designer, also based out of Miami. They often went to trade shows and fashion exhibitions together. Jillian was in a long-term relationship with her boyfriend from high school, and since he was traveling, she’d asked Ella if she wanted to go out for dinner.

By the time she walked into the Japanese restaurant, Ella’s mood had gone from cautiously optimistic about things with Tyler, despite his quick disappearing act, to feeling completely letdown. She didn’t expect to see him constantly, nor did she think he had to be in touch daily, but three days and she’d received one vague text.

Have to head out of town on business for two days and fully booked with meetings and a dinner the day I return. Will get in touch.

Although it wasn’t fair to Tyler considering he’d lived up to everything he’d promised, she had one word for how she felt.

Used.

The text seemed like a nice blowoff. After she’d gone with him to the hospital to see his brother’s new baby and later he’d bent her over the sofa and fucked her brains out. Then he’d all but disappeared.

“Men,” she muttered, sliding into a chair across from her friend.

Jillian, a pretty redhead with blue eyes and long spiral curls, looked at her with concern. “What happened?”

“Let’s just say I really don’t know how to play the game.” Ella gestured to the waiter and ordered a white wine spritzer, needing a little fortification and buzz to take the edge off her emotions.

“Love isn’t a game.” Jillian took a sip of her vodka tonic, her usual drink of choice.

“No, but sex is, and that’s all I signed up for. I just realized it’s hard for me not to feel disappointed when the guy can’t be bothered to call and sends one line of text instead.” She shrugged and glanced at the hardback menu, not really seeing what was listed before her.

“Don’t sweat it. You’ll find the right guy who will appreciate all you have to offer.”

“I’m really not sure I’d recognize him if I did.”

“Can I take your order?” the waiter stepped up to the table and asked.