Dare to Stay (Dare Nation 4)

She arched her hips and rolled her sex against his hand. A glance at her face showed him flushed cheeks and lightly parted lips. So beautiful, he thought, and refusing to disappoint her, he rocked his hand back and forth, taking her higher. His own erection strained against his sweats, but he ignored his need in favor of hers.

Suddenly she cried out, stiffening as she came. He pressed and circled his hand harder as she rode out her orgasm, the satisfaction he gained from watching her come and giving her pleasure beyond anything he could have imagined.

She grew lax against him and sighed, obviously sated as he ran his hand back and forth over her hair. “Your turn,” she said, her fingers walking their way over his shirt, pulling the hem out of the way.

He groaned, and just as her fingers were about to inch beneath his sweats, the sound of keys in the lock jolted them to action. Willow rolled off him and maneuvered into a sitting position while he did the same, pulling a throw pillow from the chair beside them over his lap. No way did he want Aurora getting a view of his dick.

They glanced at each other and grinned. Knowing there was no way to hide what they’d been up to, he braced himself.

“Hi,” Aurora called out as she let herself in. The door slammed and locked behind her, and in a few steps, she caught sight of them on the sofa. “Oh! I didn’t realize you had company. And I’m interrupting. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s fine. You’re fine.” Willow rose to her feet, something much easier for her to do than him. “How was your dinner?”

“Nice. It was good to see Merry.” She glanced at Braden and blushed.

“I’m glad you’re keeping in touch with her,” he said, not wanting Aurora to be uncomfortable.

The young woman smiled. “Umm, I’m going to wash up and get ready for bed,” she said, quickly excusing herself and rushing into the bedroom.

Braden cleared his throat. “I think I should go,” he said, finally rising and getting rid of the pillow.

“Sorry about that.” Willow looked at the bulge in his pants.

He grinned. “I’m not. I got to make you come,” he said in a low voice. “Well worth the discomfort.”

Willow shook her head and walked him to the door. “Thanks again for dinner.”

“Thank you for opening up to me.” It was an amazing start. He stepped closer and kissed her lips. “Come home with me after work tomorrow? You can follow me home, stay over, and leave before me,” he said, before she could come up with a work excuse. Like not wanting to show up at the same time and get people talking.

She hesitated and he wondered if he’d pushed too fast.

“Okay,” she murmured. “I’ll put an overnight bag in my car.”

He felt as if they’d taken a huge step tonight, and he was beyond hopeful for the future.

* * *

After Braden left, Willow convinced Aurora to come out of the bedroom and hang out with her for a little while. Willow hadn’t opened her bed yet, so they could sit on the sofa and relax. They’d done this a couple of times this week, and Willow had begun to enjoy the company. Of course, she had Steffy and their wine nights, though they hadn’t had one of those in a while, but she liked her talks with Aurora, too.

“Before I sit down, I’m going to grab some ice cream. Want some?” Willow asked.

Aurora’s eyes opened wide and she smiled. “Oh my God, yes. I had a big dinner but I’m craving sweets.” She sat down on the couch and placed her hands over her growing belly.

After raiding the freezer, Willow returned with two pints of ice cream and two spoons. “I say we just call dibs and enjoy. Cookie dough or cookies and cream?”

“Cookies and cream.”

She handed over the pint and a spoon, then settled in cross-legged on the cushioned couch. She took off the top, took a huge spoonful, and moaned. “I am so glad you left me the cookie dough.”

Aurora laughed. “You should have just said which one you wanted.”

Willow shrugged. “I like both but I do love cookie dough. So how’s it going at Dare Nation? I know it hasn’t been long, but you’re enjoying it?”

“So much. I finally feel like I might have a normal life. Well, there’s the baby issue but I’ll figure something out.”

In her last trimester without a plan, a permanent place to live, or a daycare lined up, time was running out, Willow thought. She’d done some looking into subsidy programs, and with the money Aurora was making by working at Dare Nation, she probably wouldn’t qualify. But that didn’t mean she could afford everything she needed on her own, either.

“I know that look. Can we not talk about me tonight? How’s Braden?” Aurora asked, changing the subject.