Dare To Love Series: The Marriage Dare (Kindle Worlds Novella) Read online

  “Umm…maybe Mr. I Want To Be Mysterious?”

  His eyes gleamed.

  Azure, Jane suddenly thought. That was the exact way to describe the lovely shade of this man’s eyes.

  “Good suggestion…” He gently maneuvered Jane, causing her to move backwards until her back touched the wall. “But it’s too long.”

  And you’re too close, Jane couldn’t help thinking as the stranger’s arms landed on each side of her face.

  His lean, hard body started closing in on her.

  I should run, Jane thought, but I don’t want to.

  Madison and Riley were right.

  Something interesting was bound to happen as long as she put herself out there.

  She definitely owed her friends a dinner---

  Azure eyes captured hers.

  ---or two.

  “I’ve thought of something,” he whispered.

  She couldn’t help whispering back, “What?”

  His head started to lower, and Jane found herself slowly inhaling.

  “How about…something very American…like baby?”

  Jane choked.

  The stranger smirked.

  “Seriously?”

  “Try it,” he coaxed.

  She tested it out. “B-baby…”

  “That sounds good,” he purred. “Say it again.”

  “Baby.”

  “Again.”

  “Ba---”

  And that was when his lips covered hers.

  Her eyes closed.

  His lips moved over hers, instructing and wooing, seducing and soothing at the same time. Her lips parted, and a soft groan escaped the stranger.

  “Sweet pet…”

  His tongue slid in, and Jane’s body trembled.

  So this was how it was, she thought dazedly, to be penetrated with a kiss.

  When his mouth left her, she almost begged him to kiss her again but managed to swallow the words in time.

  His mouth moved to her ear. “How far do you want to go?”

  Be yourself. Madison and Riley’s advice echoed in her mind, and she didn’t allow herself to think. She just…let herself be.

  One eyebrow lifted as Jane reached for her watch and began pressing some buttons. When she looked back at him, she asked breathlessly, “How much can you do in ten minutes?”

  He didn’t answer, only taking her mouth again, and this time his kiss was so deep and hard that when he raised his head, she had to gasp for breath.

  “Fingers,” he said hoarsely against her lips, “or dick?”

  “H-huh?”

  He bit her lip, gritting out, “Choose, pet.”

  Oh. Her cheeks burned, but even so she managed to say, “Fingers.”

  She had barely finished speaking when she felt his hand moving under the skirt of her dress.

  His mouth trailed back up, and she swallowed back a moan when his tongue traced the line of her ear, just before asking, “Will I get you in trouble if I tear your panties?”

  She shook her head---

  Riiiiiiip.

  “Oh my God.”

  He chuckled. “No, pet.” His fingers found her core. “It’s just me.” And then he started to stroke her.

  Jane’s legs started to tremble.

  One finger slowly slid inside of her, and as it started a thrusting rhythm, pushing in and out of her, it was like having her soul dance with the devil---

  And oh God, she didn’t want it to end.

  Her hands blindly found his shoulders, Jane fearing that her knees would give out any moment---

  His finger started going a little deeper, a little faster and harder---

  She began to pant.

  And then there was no more gentle pushing, his finger now fucking her with the most exquisite force---

  Her lips parted. “Baby.”

  “Yes,” Jane’s British stranger growled, and his mouth captured hers anew just as he shoved his finger into her, rapidly---

  Oh God.

  If she had to imagine how the most wonderful vibrator would feel like---

  This would be it.

  “Oh God.”

  Her body was tightening, and even though she had never experienced anything like it before, Jane knew what it was.

  And oh God, she couldn’t wait.

  He sucked hard on her tongue, and it was just the push she needed, Jane crying out against his mouth as she came.

  Oh, how she came---

  Her eyes rolling back, her body stiffening like it had been electrocuted.

  A moment later, the alarm she had set on her watch went off.

  Jane’s eyes flew open, and she wrenched her mouth away from the stranger. “M-my----”

  “Ssh.” He brushed his lips against hers. “Just a few moments more won’t hurt, pet.” His finger was still inside of her, and he withdrew it almost all the way out before pushing it back in, causing Jane to gasp.

  “Savor it, pet.” The words made up the most seductive command, its power cemented with the touch of his mouth against the side of her neck.

  He started to suck, and Jane was lost.

  After, the stranger silently helped Jane smooth the skirt of her dress down, even tucking loose strands behind her ears.

  Stepping back, she suddenly found herself thinking---

  I can’t believe I did that.

  And Jane could no longer meet the stranger’s gaze as she mumbled, “Thank you…sir…baby.”

  Her face went up in flames.

  She was making such a cake of herself!

  “Happy to help, pet.”

  She mumbled, the words incoherent even to her ears, and she turned and hurried away without looking back.

  When she made it back to the ballroom, the lush, throbbing haze embracing her senses still hadn’t left Jane, and she practically floated to the stage, unaware of the sexual aura she was emitting.

  She took her place behind Vince as her boss, who had been assigned as tonight’s host, thanked everyone for coming. When he finished his speech, everyone applauded even though most of their gazes – both men and women’s – were drawn to Jane.

  Her clouded expression could only mean one thing, but…this was Jane Cooper.

  Jane Cooper was the most responsible, practical goody-two-shoes in the company.

  Surely it couldn’t be that?

  When the party came to an end, Jane dutifully stationed herself at the north exit while her boss went to the south exit, both of them tasked to say goodbye and wish everyone a happy Labor Day weekend.

  “Oh, Jane. I almost didn’t see you.”

  The familiar voice caused a shiver of uneasy awareness to run down Jane’s spine, and the sound caused her to crash back to reality.

  Merry.

  The beautiful news anchor stood in front of Jane, her already-tall frame made even more statuesque by her four-inch heels, the glorious slit of her gown making Merry’s legs look endless.

  “Happy Labor Day, darling.”

  Merry had finished kissing the air around her cheeks before Jane realized what was happening.

  “Any plans for the weekend?”

  She tried to answer, but Merry cut her off.

  “No, wait, the right question should be – are you going to be alone or not?” Merry’s laugh was playful, but the look in her green eyes was hard.

  Jane started to answer, but Merry interrupted her again, saying with a sigh, “It’s been tiring, hasn’t it?”

  By this time, Jane knew there was no point to even thinking she could get a word in edgewise. She simply waited for the other woman to speak again, and Merry didn’t prove her wrong.

  “Why don’t we bury the hatchet between us?”

  And what, Jane wondered even as she allowed herself a cautious nod. There had to be more. There always was with women like Merry.

  “Great. Let’s make it official, too. How do you feel about swinging by my party?”

  And what, Jane wondered again.

  “I could m
aybe find you a nice guy?”

  And there it was.

  The look and sound of pity---

  Which even Jane knew was somewhat deserved because she was one of those rare pathetic breeds who, at her grand old age of twenty-seven, had yet to have a boyfriend, much less a lover.

  That was the problem with Facebook, Jane thought. Everything about the past could no longer be hidden.

  And that was when she had the craziest idea.

  Facebook exposed the past, Jane thought almost feverishly, but the present could still be manipulated.

  If she could find the guts to hit on a beautiful stranger and make out with him, then surely she could do this, too?

  Be yourself. It was the whisper of the devils again, aka Riley and Madison.

  Jane met Merry’s gaze. “Thank you, but I have a date for the weekend.” And as she spoke, she casually gathered her hair to place it over one shoulder, revealing at the same time the huge-as-ass hickey that the British stranger had gifted her with.

  Thank you, baby, she thought again.

  Merry’s green eyes hardened.

  “I’ll ask him, though. It’s just that he’s always busy with his job…” Jane let her voice trail off, the words a subtle dig at Merry’s aspiring actor boyfriend. The guy was pretty, but he also had no job to speak of, and his only acting credit had been a supporting role in a franchise film…five years ago.

  Merry’s lips curved into a sneer masquerading as a smile. “Just let me know.”

  As the other woman walked away, Jane thought, Boom.

  But when she turned around, Jane realized that her legs were shaking badly.

  Oh my God, she had Spoken Up again.

  She had faced her fears.

  And she had survived.

  Boom, Jane thought again, and this time a smile started to wobble on her lips.

  By the time she had gathered her things and she made her way to the elevator, ‘booming’ in her mind, she was happily humming Nicki Minaj’s Super Bass.

  Granted, she had to make up a little lie in order to score a victory but---

  It wasn’t like she’d see her ‘baby’ again.

  But Jane was wrong.

  Chapter Three

  Employee Appreciation Day

  AMC’s Grand Amphitheater

  Life sucks. The words echoed in Jane’s mind even as she kept a smile plastered on her face as she watched Merry ascend the stage to accept her fourth consecutive win of Ms. Beautiful, a crown – literally - that no one had so far been able to steal ever since Merry had started working at AMC.

  “It seems we’re fated to worship her,” the company’s vice-president said with a chuckle.

  A couple of minutes later, and Jane’s name was called out.

  “Congratulations, Jane! You’re this year’s Most Hardworking Employee, and for those who don’t know, this is Jane’s fifth consecutive win. Everyone should learn from her!”

  Jane obediently took her place on the stage and put on a happy face. Ever since Merry had started working for AMC, she couldn’t help comparing her life to the other woman’s, and with every year that passed, she found herself increasingly dismayed.

  Was she being selfish and vain to want more?

  She was already recognized for her diligence. Was it bad that she wanted…was it bad that she wanted to experience, even just once, her own Disney moment? She just wished that there could be a day she would feel more beautiful than any woman---

  The words sounded ludicrous even to her ears.

  Okay, Jane. If you really need an answer then yes, you’re being selfish and vain! So will you please---

  Her thoughts were interrupted by Merry, who had sidled up next to her while the vice-president called out the third awardee.

  “This is just crazy, isn’t it? We’re always winning these awards.”

  As always, the other woman’s striking height made Jane want to shrink even more. “Just lucky, I suppose.” She hated how she had to crane her neck just to meet the other woman’s gaze, but she had no choice. It was that or be at eye-level with Merry’s boobs.

  The vice-president then called out all awardees to move forward for an official photo, and Jane said in relief, “Let’s go.” But she didn’t bother waiting for an answer, instead hurrying away to put as much distance between Merry and her.

  But Merry seemed bent on sticking to Jane like glue, with the other woman standing behind Merry, their positions highlighting the difference between their heights.

  Great. Just great.

  The photographer asked them to make funny faces, and while Jane dutifully contorted her facial expression, she saw Merry simply blow a kiss at the camera---

  She suddenly had an epiphany.

  That was the key to having one’s Disney moment.

  Being one’s self.

  And Merry, for all her flaws, was always herself.

  When the photo session was over and they started descending the stage, Merry caught up with Jane, asking, “Did you bring your plus one with you? I’d love to meet him.”

  In her mind, she could hear Riley and Madison, who had now swapped their horns for halos, advising her piously, Be yourself.

  Jane took a deep breath.

  “He wanted to make it, but he’s tied up at work.”

  Sorry guys.

  “I see.”

  When Merry’s gaze went straight to her neck, Jane’s hand automatically went to that part of her anatomy, as if covering a hickey. “Oh no. Did you see it?” She pinched herself as she spoke. “I told him he should stop it, but…” She lifted her hand. “Is it still visible?”

  Merry stared. “I can’t see anything.”

  Jane’s eyes widened. “Oh my God!”

  Merry turned around, following Jane’s gaze.

  Jane quickly pinched herself again.

  Merry turned back to her. “What?”

  “Sorry,” Jane apologized. “I thought I saw someone giving you the finger.”

  Merry gasped.

  “But actually he was just going to pick his nose, so, umm, yuck.”

  “Who the hell---”

  “Anyway,” Jane interrupted, “do you see it?” She turned her head to the side.

  “No.” And this time, Merry’s voice was hard.

  “Are you sure?” But Jane was already wondering if she should have pinched herself harder.

  “Not a mark.”

  Well, shit. What the hell did a girl have to do to get a self-made hickey? Stab herself in the neck?

  “You know what?” Merry’s bright red lips formed a sneer. “I think you’re lying.”

  And I think you’re being a bitch, Jane thought. Both of them now knew Jane was lying her ass off. What she didn’t get was why Merry saw the need to rub it in.

  This was almost the same scenario as last year, Jane realized uneasily. Then, she had been unable to understand the need for cruelty and viciousness---

  And she had made the mistake of speaking up.

  Never again.

  Jane faked a vague smile. “I don’t get you.” She stepped back. “I need to go. Happy Employee Appreciation Day.” She turned and walked away.

  And that’s why you don’t get your Disney moment, she heard the Women of Dares sigh inside her mind.

  I know. Jane wanted to sigh herself.

  And she was so busy wallowing in her self-pity that she didn’t see that she was walking straight---

  Bam!

  Oh my God, had she bumped into Iron Man or something? That effing hurt!

  She looked up.

  Her jaw dropped.

  “Baby?”

  Behind her, Merry echoed disbelievingly, “Baby?”

  “Baby.” The British stranger-who-wasn’t-really-a-stranger flashed a heart-stopping, devilish smile at Jane---

  Oh wow.

  ---just before hauling her into his arms for an open-mouthed kiss.

  OH WOW.

  Her toes curled hard, and her mind shut down. His
tongue was moving in the most amazing way inside of her mouth, the strokes familiar and so, so exciting---

  When he lifted his head, she could only say dazedly, “Baby.”

  And then everything came crashing down as she heard Merry say sweetly, “Hello, you must be Jane’s plus one.”

  Jane paled, and she immediately tried pulling away from the British stranger. Unfortunately, this only made him put an arm around her waist before firmly drawing her close to his side.

  Shit.

  “Your girlfriend---” Merry’s hard green eyes bored into Jane’s. “---says you couldn’t make it.”

  SHIT.

  “That’s right.”

  Merry’s jaw dropped ungracefully even as Jane’s head snapped towards the British stranger.

  “I wanted to surprise her.” Her stranger-turned-savior smiled down at her. “And were you surprised, pet?”

  “Quite,” Jane said weakly. And then her mind started working. “But the security---” This was a by-invitation-only party, not to mention the fact that only authorized AMC personnel would be able to get past the amphitheater’s security.

  “I thought you would never ask.” He touched her nose. Jane knew it would look like an affectionate gesture, but the way the man’s azure eyes gleamed told her it was all he could do not to laugh at her.

  He was definitely enjoying seeing her shock.

  Jerk.

  “I’m friends with your CEO.” The words were spoken so casually, it was like he was telling them he had a pet named Jack.

  “Is that so?” The sultry note in Merry’s voice had Jane’s attention snapping back to the other woman. Shit. That calculating look on Merry’s face was bad news.

  “Christian, by the way.” He offered his hand to Merry, but the other woman ignored it with a laugh.

  “Oh, hon, you’re being too formal. If that’s a British thing, it’s really cute, but you should loosen up a little…” Stepping forward, Merry pressed her lips to Christian’s cheek, whispering, “Like this.”

  The damn kiss seemed to last forever.

  I’m right here, Jane wanted to yell.

  Merry finally pulled away, and Jane’s gaze flew to Christian. She feared and prepared herself for the worst, but to her shock, the only thing she saw on his handsome face was contempt.

  “If that was supposed to make me choose you over Jane---” This time, Christian’s British accent was in full force, turning each syllable into a shard of ice. “Don’t hold your breath.” Christian’s gaze moved to her slack jaw. “You’re going to catch flies with that.”