Dare to Touch (4 page)

She wrinkled her nose, giving her an adorably kissable look. “What exactly did you have in mind?”

What he wanted and what he would get were two different things. He wanted to slide between her silken thighs and fuck her until she couldn’t see straight. But that was his cock talking. His brain, what little gray matter worked, understood patience was his friend.

“Join me for dinner tonight.”

She propped her chin on one elbow, meeting his gaze. “You know, you’re getting awfully bossy.”

He grinned. “And does that turn you on?”

Her breath hitched at the question. He didn’t need a better invitation. He strode behind her desk and swung her chair around to face him, then leaned down, bracing his hands on the arms of her seat. Beautiful deep blue eyes stared up at him.

“What do you want from me?” she asked.

Everything, he thought. “A chance,” he said instead.

She parted her lips, and he had no trouble taking advantage of the opportunity, covering her mouth with his. She stiffened in surprise, but when he nipped at her lower lip, she parted instantly, a soft moan bubbling up from her throat. The sound went straight to his already aching, ready cock.

He glided his tongue over the spot he’d tasted, soothing her before delving deeper, tasting all of her. And she was right there with him, her soft tongue tangling with his. Back and forth, he glided around the wet recesses of her mouth, groaning his approval each time she met him with equal fervor. And though he wanted nothing more than to take this to its inevitable conclusion, she deserved a slow seduction. But, Jesus, the things this woman could do to him with no thought or effort.

He breathed in her floral scent and continued kissing her for all he was worth before finally lifting his head. “So? Dinner?”

She blinked at him, her soft gaze refocusing as awareness returned. She shook her head and wrinkled her nose in obvious distaste. “You smell different.”

“What?” he asked, offended and confused.

Olivia pushed at his shoulders, needing space.

“What the hell?”

*     *     *

Olivia breathed in deep and narrowed her gaze, seriously annoyed with herself for letting one little nip of her lips suck her in and make her forget the change she’d noticed the minute Dylan had come close.

“You smell like another woman’s perfume. I realized it the second you kissed me. Then you overwhelmed me with that kiss … but what the hell, Dylan?”

He muttered a curse. “It’s not what it looks like.” Dylan, obviously upset, met her gaze. “I went to see an ex-girlfriend. We’re
friends
.”

Yeah, Olivia thought. She’d heard all that before. Like when she’d questioned how much time Jeff, her college boyfriend, had spent with his teaching assistant.
We’re friends
. And when she’d caught them huddled together…
It’s not what it seems
. And when she’d gone to tell him that she was pregnant, he’d been with said assistant, legs tangled, clothes off… They obviously hadn’t been doing homework. She’d learned to ask questions much earlier and to look further than what she wanted to believe.

Olivia blew out a long breath. Listen and don’t jump to conclusions, she warned herself, but even years later, it was hard.

“Look, we haven’t really been together since high school. She’s been having some boyfriend problems and asked if we could talk, so when you canceled lunch, I went over there.” He shrugged. “She works at an elementary school nearby. She teaches kindergarten,” he added, unnecessarily, in Olivia’s mind.

“I see.” She bit down on her lower lip, worrying it with her teeth.

“I can tell by your tone of voice that you don’t see. At all.”

She folded her arms across her chest, using any defensive mechanism she could to keep him out. Because he’d gotten to her with that kiss. He’d slid his tongue into her mouth, and she’d forgotten all about that heavy floral fragrance she’d noticed when he’d leaned in—before overwhelming her completely.

“How much of an ex is she?” she asked. “I mean, while you’re trying to pursue me and convince me to give you a chance, just how good a friend is this woman you went to see?”

He held her gaze, telling her either he was a pro at lying or he had nothing to hide.

He rubbed at his goatee. “Like I said, we’ve known each other since high school. We went out back then, split up for college, and when we both moved back here, we thought about getting back together, but it just … wasn’t there anymore. So we’re friends. And that’s it.”

She blew out a long breath. “Right.”

“What’s that mean?”

“It means I’ve heard that ‘we’re just friends’ line before.”

“Hell, Olivia, do you really think I could kiss you that way and still want someone else?”

She blinked and shook her head, forcing herself to be in the present and not the past. She really gave his words thought and blew out a long breath.

“I try not to be the kind of woman who jumps to conclusions.” Although her life experience had given her good reason to do just that.

“Then don’t.” He stepped forward, more hesitantly than he’d done earlier.

She nodded, knowing he was right. But that didn’t mean she liked what had just happened. Or how it made her feel. She had no right to be jealous about Dylan or anyone in his life, but the fact remained, she had been. And that meant what she felt for him, or
could
feel, was more than just casual. The very reason she’d been ignoring his push for more between them. Because the potential for getting serious about him was there. And that heightened the possibility of being hurt.

“So … dinner tonight?” he asked.

She shook her head slowly. “I’m busy,” she lied, forcing the rejection out of the same mouth that wanted to kiss him again.

He eyed her through a narrowed, knowing gaze. “Yeah, right. I’ll be over around seven. I’ll bring the food. See you then.” He turned and headed for the door.

“Dylan!”

“Yes?” He turned and leaned against the doorframe, looking too damned sexy and appealing, making it hard for her to resist him.

She could still feel the scruff from his goatee on the sensitive skin around her mouth. She lifted her fingers to touch her lips, caught herself, and dropped her hand.

“You can’t just tell me what you’re going to do and expect me to do it.”

He cocked his head to one side. “No, under ordinary circumstances, I couldn’t. But you want me. You wouldn’t respond to me so beautifully otherwise. True?”

She opened her mouth, then shut it again.

He nodded, seeming pleased with her non-answer. “See? One of us has to be brave in this situation, and it’s obviously not going to be you. Someone has to push. And that someone is me. I’ll see you tonight.”

And then he was gone.

Chapter Three

O
livia rushed home from work and hurried to shower and get ready before Dylan arrived. She loosely braided her hair, letting it fall over one shoulder, added minimal but necessary makeup, and changed into the fifth outfit she’d tried on.

She hadn’t planned on putting so much angst into getting ready for Dylan, but she couldn’t decide on what was appropriate. The jeans showed she didn’t care, which just wasn’t true. Same for her cute, favorite pair of sweats. A skirt was too much like what she wore in the office, and she couldn’t feel flirty and sexy in one. She finally chose an easy sundress with thin straps and a floaty feel to the body and where it hit her mid-calf. Casual but pretty. She liked it.

Finally ready with a few minutes to spare, Olivia walked into the kitchen to find her sister standing at the sink, finishing up rinsing off a glass.

Avery turned, looked Olivia over, and grinned. “You look hot.”

“Thanks. And you look comfortable,” Olivia said of her sister’s baggy gray sweats and a light blue tee shirt. She’d pulled her dark hair into a messy ponytail.

“Well, I think you chose well.” Avery, who loved picking out clothes and makeup, looked Olivia over again, approval in her gaze.

“I just picked out something casual.”

“You mean if I went into your closet, there wouldn’t be a pile of tried-on clothing on the floor?” she asked knowingly.

Olivia ignored her and opened the refrigerator, looking to see what kind of white wine they had chilling. She pulled out a chardonnay.

When she turned around, she found her sister hadn’t disappeared. She still stood there grinning like a fool.

“Okay, out with it. What’s put that goofy smile on your face?”

Avery laughed. “I was just thinking about how you told me Dylan insisted he was coming over for dinner and ran roughshod over you when you said no. Almost makes me want to applaud him for not putting up with your shit.”

“What shit would that be?” Olivia asked. “I mean, really. Name one woman who thinks her man smelling like another female is okay.”

“Aha! You called Dylan
your man
.”

She rolled her eyes. “That was just a figure of speech. And you didn’t answer the question.”

Avery grew more serious, her smile gone now. “No sane woman would put up with it.”

They both knew their mother’s experience clouded their judgment in all things.

“That’s true,” Avery said. “
If
the other woman were a threat. He assured you she’s not.”

“Famous last words,” Olivia muttered.

“Maybe not. So what’s he bringing for dinner?” her sister asked.

“Why do you care? You won’t be here, remember?”

Because when she’d come home and explained her evening plans, she’d asked Avery if she’d disappear for a little while. Being a good sister, she’d agreed.

“I know. I just want to be here when he arrives. You know, shake his hand, give him the evil eye, and make sure he brings you home on time. Or in this case, leaves at a decent hour.” She wiggled her eyebrows at her own joke.

“You’re insane.”

She had always been the more lighthearted, easier-going sister. Even after being tapped as a bone marrow transplant for the half sister they’d just learned they had, Avery had never lost her sense of humor. Olivia admired that in her sister. She didn’t let life get to her as much as Olivia did. No, that wasn’t right. Avery didn’t
show
it as much as Olivia. She hadn’t built her walls as high, even though they both had good reason.

“I want the best for you, and I happen to like Dylan.” Avery looked Olivia over from head to toe. “Can I give you some sisterly advice?”

“On dating? You’re younger than me.”

Avery rolled her eyes. “I’m also wiser. Look, go for it. Have fun for once in your life.”

Had Avery been talking to Riley about her? Both of them seemed to feel the same way. Even though the last time Olivia had let loose and had fun, when she hadn’t over-thought, she’d paid a huge price.

“Don’t go there. Just don’t.” Avery touched her hand, bringing her out of her memories. “Enjoy tonight. Enjoy Dylan. I’m sleeping at Ian and Riley’s. I’m going to babysit my niece so the tired parents can spend time alone. In other words, don’t wait up. Or expect me back. I’ll see you after work tomorrow.”

As if on cue, a knock sounded at the door. “Perfect timing!” Avery picked up her packed duffle on her way to the door. “Do you want to make a grand entrance?”

Olivia gritted her teeth. “Go away, little sister.”

Avery grinned and opened the door. “Dylan! What a nice surprise. Oh! Let me take some of those.”

Before Avery could drop her bag, Olivia rushed forward. “I’ve got them.” She took some of the bags out of Dylan’s arms, allowing her sister to finally head out the door.

Leaving her alone with Dylan. He’d changed from his work clothes of pressed pants and collared shirt into a pair of worn jeans and a navy polo tee. She caught a glimpse of his fine ass as he walked to her kitchen with his armful of bags.

He placed them on the counter and turned. “How’s it going, sunshine?”

Her hand immediately went to the pendant and he grinned. “It’s going.”

“You look gorgeous.”

She felt herself blush. “Thank you. You look pretty good yourself.” His arms were muscular from time in the gym, and his skin was tanned a warm golden color. His shirt revealed a sexy hint of hair on his chest and that same tanned flesh. Her mouth watered, and she wondered what he’d taste like if she gave him a slow lick from the end of the V in his shirt up the strong column of his neck.

She shivered at the thought.

“You okay?” He’d caught her staring, and a knowing smirk lifted his lips.

God. She nodded. “What’s for dinner?”

“Arturo’s. The best Italian around.” He proceeded to pull out a variety of tins with aromas that smelled heavenly, transferring them to dishes she provided.

They worked well together in the kitchen and settled in to eat. The meal passed quickly, and they drank a good amount of the chardonnay she’d served. They discussed work and some of the changes to his job since Riley, his assistant, had cut back after the birth of her daughter. They talked about football and how frustrated the entire team and management were that they’d fumbled and lost the final game that would have led them to the Super Bowl.