Page 62 of Dare
Zoeand Frannie come in weighed down with shopping bags about an hour before Aydais due back. “Damn, did you buy the whole store?” I exclaim, taking some of thebags.
“Juststand back and let us work, Bruiser,” Frannie says, and Zoe cracks up.
“Bruiser.It’s perfect.”
“Yougirls are pushing it,” I warn.
“Saysthe man who calls LandonRaisin.”
“Whyraisin?” Frannie asks, tossing her fire red hair over her shoulder.
“Shrivelsin the sun?” Zoe says, and Frannie turns to look at me, her mouth open.
Ihold up my hands. “Justus came up with that one.”
“Uh-huh.”Zoe gives me a wave of dismissal. “Now, go away and let us work our magic.”
God,how did I go from being a loner with a few guy friends to be surrounded bycocky women? They’re turning our little group on its head. I can’t imagine howthings will be if Justus and Jeremy settle down. Someday, we’re going to beoutnumbered.
Whilethey decorate the dining room, I call to order our dinner from Ayda’s favoriteItalian restaurant. By the time they leave, everything is ready. They’vemanaged to turn my dining room into a romantic restaurant, complete withcandles and flowers. A soft linen tablecloth covers the table, with two placesettings arranged.
Zoeand Frannie both whistled with approval at the lingerie set I bought Ayda. Paleblue lace panties with a matching bra that leaves little to the imaginationwith a matching lace robe which ends mid-thigh.
Ituck it inside the gift bag and add tissue paper on top. See, this is why Ineeded female help. I never would’ve bought a gift bag, tissue, or ribbons. I’dhave handed it to her, or maybe laid it out on the bed. Fancy frilly shit justisn’t something I understand, but for Ayda, I’ll try anything.
Thefood delivery shows up just as Leah texts that they’re fifteen minutes away,and it quickly gets shoved into the oven to keep it warm. I’ve showered andshaved, and I’m dressed in the only suit I own.
Fuck,I feel like an idiot standing in my living room all dressed up, waiting for herto come through the door. What the hell was I thinking? I don’t do shit likethis. Hell, the women I’ve been with were lucky to get a drink and cab farehome after. This woman has me by the balls, and worse, I have no desire toescape.
“TellDare I’ll call him tomorrow,” I hear Leah say as Ayda opens the door.
“Iwill. I had fun!” Ayda calls to her, stepping inside.
Herjaw drops at the sight of me standing there in a suit, holding a rose andfeeling like a dumbass. Her bags get forgotten in the entryway. “What’s goingon?” she asks, a cautious smile on her face.
“I’mtaking you on an official date.”
Herforehead crumples. “You can’t leave the house.” She takes the rose and sniffsit, giving me a shy smile.
“Wedon’t need to leave.” I hold out my arm and she giggles, taking it. “We havethe best table in the place.”
Sheallows me to lead her to the dining room, then freezes in the doorway, stunned.“You did all this?”
“Ihad some help.” Spinning to face me, she leaps into my arms, and I catch her,backing her up against the wall. Her lips land on mine and her tongue wastes notime sliding in to rub and tease. Screw dinner. I just want to fuck her brainsout, but I didn’t do all this for nothing. “You smell amazing,” I mumble,running my tongue over her collarbone.
“Iwas buffed and dipped and coated in every kind of cream and lotion imaginable.”I set her down carefully and walk her to the table, pulling out her chair. “Youmade dinner?” she asks as I’m returning from the kitchen with the tray holdingthe aluminum takeout containers.
“Somethinglike that.”
Shegiggles at the sight of them, then leans across the table and kisses my cheek.“This is the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me.”
“Youdeserve it.”
“Andyou deserve what I have for you, but it’ll have to wait until later. I’mstarving.” Her smile shifts something inside me. It always does. Seeing herhappy feels like a weight has been lifted from my chest.
Wespend the evening eating, talking, and laughing. For once, the shadow that’sdarkened our lives fades a little, letting us forget for a while that I have acourt date less than a week away. When we finish, I pull a blue rectangular boxfrom my pocket and place it in front of her.
“Dare,you’ve done enough. The spa, the dinner, you didn’t have to get me anything.”Her soft hand slips into mine.
