Page 40

“No disagreement from me.”

They moved upstairs, and found another living space that Vero had clearly decked out for parties. There was a wall filled with whips, paddles, gags, and other pieces of gear even Dare didn’t recognize. Several padded benches and circular couches dotted the room.

“Well,” Dakota said.

Well, indeed.

“You really get off on stuff like this?” She lifted up a whip.

“I get off on watching a woman surrender to me for her own pleasure. It has nothing to do with toys.”

She eyed him, looking at him like she was trying to decipher some foreign language.

He held out a hand. “Come on. As much as I’d like to give you an education on this, we need some rest.”

He led her up to the final level. The entire top floor was a giant master bedroom. There was an open bathroom off to the side, with a huge, luxurious shower, and a lake-sized tub made of a rich, blue stone that could fit five or six people. There was a beautiful balcony that once again looked down at the city below. And, of course, there was a massive bed surrounded by gauzy blue hangings, with a silky blue cover.

“Stars, I need to get out of this thing. It is so damned uncomfortable.” Dakota reached up and unclipped her top. As the metal fell away, leaving her breasts bare, Dare sucked in a breath.

She was beautiful. Her breasts weren’t large, but they were perfectly formed and topped by pretty pink nipples.

“That thing has been digging into me since we left the Nomad.” She reached up and cupped her breasts.

He moved over to her, pulling her close. “Nothing can happen between us tonight.”

She frowned. “What?”

He lowered his voice. “Vero offered his home far too readily. He’ll have cameras. He likes to watch.”

Frustration crossed her face. He reached down, because he couldn’t stop himself, and ran his thumbs over her nipples. She made a small sound and pushed into his touch. Damn, she made him want to say to hell with anybody watching.

But he had to take care of her, and he was selfish. “Our first time together…it’ll be just me and you. Only I get to watch your face when I slide my cock inside you.”

She moaned. “You aren’t making this any easier.”

He brushed his hand over her hair. “So tonight, I can’t touch you the way I want to, but will you sleep with me?”

Her brow creased. “I don’t usually sleep with people. I move around a lot and I kick⁠—”

“I think I can protect myself. I want to hold you, Dakota.”

“Okay.” The look on her face had the smallest hint of vulnerability.

He shrugged out of the Sullan version of a shirt and held it up to her. She pulled it on, and because it was too big, she wrapped it around herself and tied it in a knot. They climbed into the bed, and as he settled down on his side, she shifted back into the curve of his arms. They were the perfect fit.

In the darkness, Dare listened to her quiet breathing. He’d shared his bed before—too many times to count. But he’d never held a woman this close. He liked them there, close by, exhausted from good sex, but not impinging on his personal space.

But as he pulled Dakota closer, he realized this felt right.

CHAPTER TEN

Dakota woke up disoriented and choking. What was wrong? She coughed and realized there was thick smoke filling the room.

“Dare?”

She felt his hard body wrapped around hers, but she couldn’t see him through the smoke. She slapped her hand around until she felt his face.

“Dare!” He was still. Motionless. She grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him. “Wake up. We need to get out of here.”