Page 17 of Dare to Love

He was a tactile man, something she wasn’t used to but quickly grew accustomed to and even desired. He always reserved them a booth and sat close by her side, his arm stretched behind her head, his big hand tangling in her curls. She felt the pull from her scalp to between her thighs, and it was all she could do not to attack him at the table. Especially when every single night he kissed her long, hot, and deep but ultimately sent her home, leaving her aroused and aching for so much more. She supposed that was his plan, and he was accomplishing it spectacularly.

How could she not want to be with him?

Alex came to mind, as he did when she was alone and not overwhelmed and seduced by Ian. She wanted—needed—to talk to him and make him understand that the job and the relationship or whatever she was having with his half brother wasn’t a betrayal. She couldn’t control her feelings for Ian, nor did she want to. But Alex was in LA on a promotional trip, and this conversation couldn’t happen over the phone. He’d be back on the red-eye Friday night, and she’d tell him on Saturday. As an excuse, it was a legitimate one, and though she didn’t relish the thought of the conversation, a part of her was relieved to put it off.

By the time the weekend rolled around, she was ready for anything, almost wishing he’d take that next step. He pulled up to Prime 112 and left his Porsche with the valet.

The hostess greeted him with a warm smile. “Mr. Dare, it’s wonderful to see you. Your usual table?”

He inclined his head. “Thank you, Maria.”

He’d reserved a table with a view but one that still afforded them privacy. With no booths, he still didn’t sit across from her. Instead, he held out her chair, then sat beside her.

Prime 112 was one of the more exclusive steak restaurants in Miami and not somewhere she’d been to before. “You’re a steak man?” she asked when they were settled.

“I come here for the burgers,” he said without looking at the menu.

She opened a large leather binder and looked through the options, her mouth watering at the array of choices. “Thirty dollars for a burger?” she couldn’t help but ask.

“Kobe beef. It’s the best.”

Oh, really? She folded her arms across her chest and nodded. “Then I’ll have the same.” If the man was that crazy, she figured, why not join him?

He eyed her with an indulgent expression she wasn’t sure she appreciated.

“Order what you like. You don’t have to eat a burger because I am. Or because you think it’s one of the inexpensive options.”

She curled her fingers around the menu. “I like hamburger,” she said, fighting off the blush caused by him having figured her out.

“Good. My siblings agreed to come over on Sunday for dinner, so I’ll put those burgers on the menu.”

“I’m sure they’ll appreciate that.”

“But will you?”

She glanced up at him. “I won’t be there.”

He reached out, and when he covered her hand with his, she was surprised visible sparks didn’t fly from the heat his touch generated.

“Yes, you will.”

She decided it was time to explain a few things to him. “Just because you got your way this whole week and we’ve had dinner together every night doesn’t mean you can say jump and I’ll ask how high.” She met his stare, wanting to him to understand she was serious.

Ian heard the insistence in Riley’s voice and knew immediately she wasn’t kidding. In business or in his personal life, he wasn’t used to not getting his way. His usual MO would be to steamroll over the opposition, but Riley wasn’t his adversary. He wanted to know her inside and out.

She was different from the other women he knew. She was independent. She had spunk. All qualities he appreciated because few women argued with whathewanted. Only his sisters came to mind. Which meant he had to change tactics or she’d bolt. To his shock, he found himself doing a rewind.

“Let me start over. Will you come to dinner on Sunday?” He inched closer. “Please?” He stroked the top of her soft hand with his rougher fingers.

She swallowed hard, her delicate throat moving up and down as she reacted to him.

“Don’t you think the first time you meet with your siblings, you should all be alone?” she asked.

Ian groaned at her accurate assessment. “Yes, you’re probably right. But that doesn’t mean I can do it.” He stopped short of saying he needed her, but she’d be an ideal buffer between them. “I’d appreciate it if you’d come,” he said, managing to hang on to his dignity.

She bit the inside of her cheek, clearly still uncertain. “I think I’d only cause more problems between you and Alex. Not to mention between me and Alex. I still have to tell him about the job.”

Ian grimaced. He didn’t want Alex getting in the way of his affair with this woman but was forced to acknowledge his half brother had been in her life first. Which meant Ian was going to have to give when it came to the other man. Didn’t mean he had to like it.

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