The Date Dare Read online

  I can’t argue with that and, to be honest, I don’t really want to. “If you insist,” I say with a fake sigh.

  He snorts at my response, but if I’d thought I had the last word in that discussion, the joke was on me because I have two more orgasms and my underwear is long gone before he pulls away and helps me get back on the bed.

  He’s completely naked by this point and though I’m sated from all those orgasms, he’s the complete opposite. His cock juts up, clearly in need of attention. I’d love nothing more than to return the favor and take him in my mouth. He’s long and thick, and I think it’s only fair for me to have my turn.

  Either he’s reading minds now or else I’m licking my lips, but I catch Elliott’s eyes when I’m able to tear my gaze from his erection, and he’s shaking his head. “Not this time.”

  He’s also ripping a condom open and I’m not about to argue with what that means. I settle back on the bed and watch as he gives himself a few jerks and rolls the condom on. He looks up and gives me a lopsided smile. “Enjoying yourself?”

  It’s then I realize my legs are spread and I’m teasing myself with my fingertips. “Not really. It’d be better if you were over here with me and helping.”

  Two heartbeats later, maybe three, and I’m in his arms and he’s kissing me. “I love you, Darcy,” he says between them. His words are soft and sure, and when I look into his eyes, I see the truth of his words.

  I run my fingers over his mouth. If I could, I would grab those precious words and hold them in my heart for always, for I will never tire of hearing them. “I love you, Elliott.” I lift my hips because his cock is driving me to the brink.

  Seriously, it’s right there and I want it so bad. “Please don’t make me wait any longer.”

  He relents and positions himself at my entrance. “Look at me.” His voice is rough, yet when I meet his gaze, everything falls into place.

  We had talked about needing more from our dates and as he pushes inside me, I realize I only needed more from Elliott. I needed this. Him. As more than my best friend. More than the guy I’ve known forever. The doubts I had with Tate are not present in Elliott’s arms. Everything finally feels right.

  “That’s because it is,” Elliott says, he’s holding back, hardly moving at all.

  “I didn’t know I said that out loud.”

  “You didn’t.” He flexes his hips and enters me fully with a hard thrust that takes my breath. “I just know.”

  I’m too far gone to think anymore. For now, my world exists only as me and Elliott. There is no hesitation, no awkwardness. It’s as if our bodies have known all along what it took us years to figure out.

  * * *

  Hours later, my head is on his chest and he’s running his fingers through my hair. We’re nowhere near being finished with each other for the night, we’re simply resting. The white lights in the tree sway gently. It’s the most perfect night I’ve ever had and it’s hard to imagine that this is only the beginning.

  “I wish we had realized sooner that we were supposed to be together,” I say. “Think of all that time we wasted.”

  He’s thinking and drops his head down to kiss my forehead. “I don’t think we were meant to know it until now. I think all our past experiences brought us here. I’m not sure it would have worked out if we tried in college or something.” He pauses for a minute. “I didn’t know then that I was in love with you.”

  I prop myself up on an elbow. “When did you know?”

  He talks about last year’s Charity Ball and the little girl with the sweet laugh that I played peek-a-boo with. I’m stunned.

  “I can’t believe you knew this entire last year and didn’t tell me,” I say.

  “I had to come to the point where not telling you was the worst thing I could do and realizing that telling you might be a risk, but that it would be worth it.”

  “Would you still think it worth it if I hadn’t felt the same?”

  “Yes, because my love isn’t dependent on you loving me. It’s only dependent on you. And loving you is everything.”

  The sincerity in his expression is so real, I feel it in my soul. I reach up to pull him to me. I need him again. Need to show him without words how much I love him and that love is always worth the risk.

  But he doesn’t allow me to pull him. “Wait,” he says. “I forgot I had one more thing I wanted to do today.”

  “Elliott, I love you, but you are out of your mind if you think I’m getting out of this bed to go somewhere right now.”

  “Lucky for you, you can stay right where you are.”

  I cock my head. “I’m not overly thrilled about you leaving, either.”

  His grin is full of mischief. “I’m not going anywhere either.”

  I’m lost and a little confused, but nod. “Okay, then. What was it?”

  He slides out of bed, and completely naked, gets on one knee and holds out a ring box.

  My hands fly to my mouth, because surely he’s not….

  Not while he’s naked.

  While we’re both naked.

  He’s still smiling. “Darcy Patrick, will you marry me?”

  Oh my, God. He is. And I don’t care. “Yes,” I say, pulling him to me and this time he’s letting me. My lips are on his and his are on mine.

  “Wait.” He pulls back. “You haven’t even seen the ring yet.”

  I don’t care what it looks like, but I let him open the box anyway. As soon as I see it, I’m glad I kept quiet because it’s the most perfect ring ever.

  “Elliott,” I say as he slips it on my finger. “It’s gorgeous.”

  “Not as gorgeous as you are.” He’s looking at me and all I see is love. He tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear. “I could sit here and look at you all night.”

  “The bed would be awfully lonely without you.”

  He gets that playful look I know so well and sits down, naked, in a chair. “Let’s see who can last longer before they reach out for the other person.”

  “You’re not going to last long at all.”

  He crosses his arms. “I’m not? You’re the one talking about the bed being lonely. I think you’ll cave first.”

  I laugh because he really doesn’t know me as well as he thinks and I can’t believe I’m able to pull this off a second time. “I need you to come kiss me, Elliott.” He shakes his head. “Come on, I dare you.”

  He’s off the chair and on the bed before I blink. “You’re going to pay for that,” he growls, taking me in his arms.

  I run my hands over the expanse of his back. “I certainly hope so.”

  He’s kissing me the way I’d asked for, and I no longer worry about my future because Elliott will be with me. Together we will be unstoppable.

  Coming in 2019

  Seven years ago, I went from being America’s Golden Son to That Idiot faster than you can say, “Foul ball."

  * * *

  At the time, I thought I was making the right decision by ditching my professional baseball career and today, I know I did. But I’ll admit, being the punchline of every late night comic changed me. The paparazzi no longer follow me and the media’s moved on, but I still live by rules created to ensure I would never be a laughingstock again.

  * * *

  My rules are restrictive and controlling. They dictate what I do and who I do it with.

  * * *

  They do not allow for a free spirit, bound and determined to get a recording deal in Nashville. A woman actively chasing a public life I turned my back on. And they certainly will not accept the little sister of the man who recently married my ex.

  * * *

  Unfortunately, this siren with the voice of an angel, is the only woman I want.

  * * *

  So I made a deal…

  * * *

  THE DATE DEAL

  Also by Tara Sue Me

  THE SUBMISSIVE SERIES:

  The Submissive

  The Dominant

  The T
raining

  The Chalet*

  Seduced by Fire

  The Enticement

  The Collar

  The Exhibitionist

  The Master

  The Exposure

  The Claiming*

  The Flirtation

  Mentor’s Match

  * * *

  RACK ACADEMY SERIES:

  Master Professor

  Headmaster

  * * *

  BACHELOR INTERNATIONAL:

  American Asshole

  * * *

  STAND ALONES:

  Her Last Hello

  * * *

  Writing as Tara Thomas

  * * *

  SONS OF BROAD:

  Shattered Fear*

  Hidden Fate*

  Twisted End*

  Darkest Night

  Deadly Secret

  Broken Promise

  * * *

  *eNovella

  About the Author

  NEW YORK TIMES/USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

  * * *

  Even though she graduated with a degree in science, Tara knew she'd never be happy doing anything other than writing. Specifically, writing love stories.

  * * *

  She started with a racy BDSM story and found she was not quite prepared for the unforeseen impact it would have. Nonetheless, she continued and The Submissive Series novels would go on to be both New York Times and USA Today Bestsellers. One of those, THE MASTER, was a 2017 RITA finalist for Best Erotic Romance.

  * * *

  Now she is focusing on new contemporary romances that allow her the freedom to write and publish on her own schedule.

  www.tarasueme.com