Page 60 of Dare You to See Me
“Does this mean you’ll be my girlfriend, Soleil Brooks?” His words tickle my lips and send fireworks exploding in my belly.
“Mr. Dare, I've wanted to be yours ever since I saw your sad face when I beat you at pool.”
He spins me around, pinning me to the closest wall and grinding his erection between my legs. My eyes roll so far back I can see them looking back at me in the mirror.
“That night I thought I was going to lose my mind. Every time you bent over that table.” He flicks my top lip with his tongue. “I wanted to lean over you and show you what you were doing to me.” His teeth sink into earlobe. “My body was on fire for you. But even more, my soul was longing to know yours.”
Holy hell, that’s hot.This man has all the right words and all the right moves. I couldn’t say no to him if someone gave me a million bucks. I wouldn’twantto.
Our faces are nose to nose and our eyes can see nothing but each other. “Go for a ride with me.”
“A ride? In your truck? Are you going to take me to lookout point? We’re adults. We don’t have to sneak off to make out.”
With a smile and shake of his head he explains, “No, doll face. Not in my truck. On my bike. I want to show you something.”
I choke, spatting in his face. “Your bike? Oh no no no. Absolutely not. Those are death traps and there is no way you’ll get me on one.”
“They’re not death traps. I’ll be very careful and I’ll have you back before Dahlia gets home. Just a short drive.” I narrow my eyes at him, weary of trusting him. “Please? A slow and short ride.”
He bats his dark, thick lashes –which is totally unfair, by the way– and sticks out his bottom lip in the perfect pout.
I can’t believe I’m going to do this.It’s insane. It’s dangerous. It’s not anything Sunny would ever do, and goes against everything I’ve told Dahlia.
The thoughts roll through my head. All of the reasons I shouldn’t do it. But the why’s become why not’s and before I can argue myself out of it, I say, “Fine. But please be safe. Dahlia needs at least one parent.”
“With you, I’ll always be safe.”
“Soleil, I really love your arms wrapped around me, but do you think you could loosen your hold just a bit? You’re crushing my ribs.” Malik’s voice filters through my helmet and I realize just how strong my hold is on him.
“Sorry,” I yell back, and ease up on the strength of my hold.
I know he’s not driving all that fast but the fact that nothing surrounds us, no protection from other vehicles, shakes me to my core. My eyes were closed for the first part of the drive because I was so terrified. It took a few blocks before Malik convinced me to open up and enjoy the world around us.
And yes, it is pretty amazing. That doesn’t make it any less scary. Even with the helmet and jacket he brought for me. He came prepared in the hopes I would agree, and I am so appreciative for that.
“It’s okay, beautiful. I like you holding on tight to me. I just also like to breathe.” He laughs and the muffled sound strikes a chord with me.
I shake it off and tell him, “I like holding on to you, too, as much as I like you breathing.”
My body moves with his as the road veers to the left as does he. Malik gave me all of the rules before even putting on a helmet, and I’ve done my best to remember and abide by each one. What kind of a mom would I be if it was rules for thee and not for me?
“Think you can handle me opening it up on the freeway?” My jaw clenches, already anticipating the velocity.
“I think so. Just…you’re going to have to deal with my nails digging into you.”
“Oh baby. I can’t wait to have your nails indented all over my skin. Dig all you want.” I shiver with arousal at the thought just as he hits the throttle.
My body is drawn back by the force, and I squeeze him even harder. The wind, the motor, my screams…it all combines for a frightening sound track.
I hear Malik laugh through the speaker and it makes me want to really like to punch him right now. I rest my head on his back, closing my eyes as I face the side, and he tenses. It only takes a moment for him to relax. I feel his hand rub my thigh and it instantly calms me, putting my fears and worries at ease. They aren’t just fears about being on a fast bike. It’s everything.
My fear of never being enough for Dahlia. The worry that I’ll fail at giving her all that she needs. The gripping fear that I’ll be alone forever. Dahlia will grow up and have a family of her own one day, and I’ll be left to spend my days in solitude. But somehow, all of the chaos that lives inside of me just fades away, and warmth and comfort surround me with just a simple touch.
The world around us feels like it moves in slow motion when Malik squeezes my thigh then runs his hand down as far as he can reach, then back up again. I feel the tingle of arousal from my core to my nipples. My fingers splay over his chest and thethump thumpof his heart beats straight through his jacket.
“Soleil,” he yells. “Keep doing that and the promise I made to myself to behave will go out the fucking window.”
I don’t want him to behave. I want him to touch me like I’ve dreamt. The way I touch myself when I think of him, be it when I’m alone or talking with King.
