To Dare A SEAL (Sin City SEALs 2)

Until today.

“That’s your training talking,” she said as he drew to a halt and released her to retrieve his key and open the door. “A SEAL never backs down.”

He held open the door to his suite. “Try me.”

And give him a chance to prove that they might work, not because of a bet, but because they wanted each other? No. She couldn’t step inside. His sexual fantasy for tonight might offer her the illusion of control, allowing her to ride him. But he’d brought her here to stake a claim. Bet or no bet, he wanted her. And he wished to take her on his terms.

I want that, too.

But she was too afraid of the unknown. Where would he put his mouth next? And worse, would it lead to him stealing her heart?

She couldn’t blindly follow him down that path, waiting until she stumbled into hurt at the end of the road. Yes, he wanted her today, but it was only a matter of time before he didn’t want her—or worse, before he left on a mission and didn’t return.

But what if she called the shots? One more night, following her rules, and in the morning, she walked away and returned to her controlled, and yes, lonely life. Before he decided she was too difficult. Too headstrong. Before any more gut-wrenching loss rained down on her.

“Jack.” She ran her tongue over her lower lip. Could she do this? Demand a night with this man on her terms?

“I’m listening,” he said, smiling at her, excitement bright and vibrant in his blue eyes.

“I dare you to let me tell the story tonight,” she said, her voice firm.

His too charming grin widened. “Start talking, darlin’.”

She summoned her courage, allowing her desire to simmer as she stepped into the room. She waited for him to close the door. Standing in the entryway where he’d fallen to his knees and licked her—just yesterday—she turned to face him. “Once upon a time, there was a girl—”

“Princess,” he corrected, his fingers releasing the buttons on his shirt one by one.

“It’s my story.” She kicked off her sandals.

“And you should get to be a princess,” he said, placing his hands on his hips. His shirt hung open, revealing the hard lines of his sculpted chest.

“Once upon a time, there was a girl who kept her fantasies locked away. Sometimes, while alone with her toys…” She let that image linger between them.

“You’re killing me, darlin’.” He stripped off his dress shirt and tossed it aside. “Tell me more.”

“Sometimes she would close her eyes and let the fantasies play out in her mind.” Natalie reached under her dress and hooked her thumbs in her panties. Slowly, she drew them down her legs. “This girl, she pictured a naked warrior, the kind of man with muscles that screamed I never give up lying on her bed. He kept his feet planted on the ground and his back against the mattress. This warrior, he was hard and ready to offer her exactly what she needed.”

She paused and stepped out of her underwear, leaving it on the floor.

“What did she need?” Jack asked, keeping his gaze fixed on her abandoned panties.

“Take off your pants and go sit on the bed,” she ordered. She held tight to her confidence. Would she win this round? Or would he say to hell with the dare and take control of her story?

His hand moved to the button on his dress slacks. Her eyes widened as he removed his shoes, socks, and pants. But on his way to the bed, he took a detour to his rucksack.

“Jack—”

“We need supplies, princess.”

He knelt down and rifled through his bag. When he stood, he held a strip of condoms—smart man—and a blue bandana.

“Just in case your fairytale requires protection,” he added as he tossed the packets onto the bed.

“Or gets messy?” She nodded to the bandana.

He laughed as he sat on the edge of the bed and began to fold the blue fabric. Was he planning to break a sweat tonight?

“You can tell me no,” he said. “But—”