Double Dare

An eRedSage Publishing Publication This book is a work of complete fiction. Any names, places, incidents, characters are products of the author’s imagination and creativity or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is fully coincidental. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or any portion thereof in any form whatsoever in any country whatsoever is forbidden. Information: Red Sage Publishing, Inc. P.O. Box 4844 Seminole, FL 33775 727-391-3847 eRedSage.com

Double Dare An eRed Sage Publication All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2011 eRedSage is a registered trademark of Red Sage Publishing, Inc. Visit us on the World Wide Web: http://www.eRedSage.com ISBN: ISBN: ISBN: ISBN:

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Published by arrangement with the authors and copyright holders of the individual works as follows: Double Dare © 2011 by Sky Robinson Cover © 2011 by Fiona Jayde Printed in the U.S.A. ebook layout and conversion by jimandzetta.com

Double Dare ***

Men good with their hands, willing to help out a woman in distress, bodies solid from hard work…what’s not to love? I have a passion for the outdoors and for those hard working mountain men, so this story about Logan and Jack Ford was a fun one to write. It is set in one of my favorite places in the world, the Black Hills of South Dakota with two sexy loggers alone in the woods and the two women who have the good fortune of running into them. I hope you enjoy reading Double Dare as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Sexy, muscle bound loggers, a little voyeurism and exhibition, and plenty of mind blowing orgasms in the woods will leave you in need of a cold shower…or a warm bed.

5

Chapter One Sydney James straddled the hard-bodied, sun-bronzed working man on the bed beneath her. He was fresh out of the shower with only a white towel and her legs wrapped around him. “Where are you going to be working tomorrow?” She leaned down and sucked at Logan’s earlobe, then flicked the tip of it with her tongue. He smelled like soap and man and the heat rushing to her crotch made Sydney almost forget her mission. “Somewhere close to my cabin, I hope?” His cock came to attention between her legs. Long and hard, its heat pressed against the skin of her inner thigh and her pussy clenched in response. This was one of the best things about dating a twenty-six year old. He was up anytime she even suggested sex. Logan Ford was a good match for exactly what she needed. Smoking sex, and lots of it. “Why? You want to come out for a nooner?” Logan slid a hand up Sydney’s shirt and rubbed a thumb across her nipple. The nipple came to attention, but she held back the moan that wanted to follow. “What do you think?” But a nooner wasn’t the only reason she wanted to see him tomorrow. “Good.” Logan smiled and moved his hands to grasp the edges of the t-shirt and pull it over her head. As her eyes half-closed with anticipation, Sydney glimpsed the open window. Pine trees and mountains were the only things out there, not a neighbor within sight, so no reason to shut the curtain and block out the gorgeous scenery. Not that she was going to be admiring the view outside anytime soon. She had an even better view directly beneath her. Sydney slithered down his legs, just far enough to release the towel from his waist and let it fall flat beneath him on the bed. She 6

Double Dare ran her tongue from the base of his cock to the tip. His skin was soft and smooth, and with her touch, his cock strained toward the ceiling. But Sydney had to take her focus off his thick cock for just a little bit longer. She forced herself to move back up to face him, though her hands lingered on the flexed muscles of his chest. The benefits of dating a logger, a man who worked hard with his hands every day, were evident to anyone lucky enough to look in his direction. He was hard-bodied, lean and strong, six foot tall, and a little bit mean looking, always in need of a shave. But that made him fit the expectations of his profession. Once you got to know Logan, it was easy to see him for the gentle giant he was. As long as you didn’t piss him off, anyway. She had a feeling he would be willing to fight for anything important to him. “Is your brother going to be working with you?” she murmured. Logan unhooked her bra and tossed it to the floor. His mouth latched onto a nipple, sucking it hard into his mouth. His hand gripped her other breast, his thumb rubbing circles around that nipple. Her crotch started to hum. He knew exactly how to touch her, how to turn her body to fire. “Jack?” When he slipped a finger into her shorts and against her clit, a shiver vibrated through her. “Yeah, but I’m sure we can find a private spot in the woods.” “That won’t be necessary.” He raised an eyebrow in question but didn’t stop touching her. “What exactly do you have in mind?” “I’m bringing a friend I want to set him up with. He’s still single?” “Jack works from before the sun comes up until dark. When he’s not out in the forest, he’s looking over the books. That’s where he is right now. Making sure our company keeps going in this horseshit economy. Poor bastard probably hasn’t been laid in a year.” Logan pulled her shorts and panties down. He arched his hips upward, rubbing the length of his cock against her pussy. 7

“Mmmmmm. That’s why he’s a perfect match for my friend.” Her words came out in a breathy whisper. She wanted his cock inside her now, but first she wanted him to agree with her plan. “Emma lost her husband five years ago, and she still isn’t interested in dating.” “Yeah, well they’ve both got some serious issues… if that makes them a perfect match.” He grunted, and she could tell he wasn’t exactly excited about her idea. But for Emma’s sake, she would convince him. The girl needed to get laid. “You don’t offer to help Jack with the books so he has time to get some?” They had only been dating for a month, so she didn’t know a lot about his brother and their logging company. Logan was definitely smart enough to work on the business side. He wasn’t what she’d expected when she came upon him in the woods, but she was lucky she had. When her pickup broke down, he stopped and took an hour trying to fix it on his way home from work. When he came back the next day with the part she needed and fixed it, he wouldn’t take any money. But that was what Sydney’d been hoping for. There was an even better way to thank him. “Jack’s such a perfectionist. I can’t even touch the damn books. I have a degree in economics, for God’s sake. I made a lot of money as a stock trader. It’s not like the finances of a logging company are above my pay grade.” Logan gritted his teeth, but then he let his gaze drift slowly down her naked body. “That’s okay.” He slid a finger into her hot wetness. She sucked in a sharp breath and her walls clenched around it before he slipped the finger back out leaving her empty. “I’ve got better things to do,” he said. “Like you.” “I can’t argue with that.” She ground her hips against him. His cock was close to her opening, close to where she needed him. Her pussy throbbed for his touch, but she restrained herself, inching down his body again. “So, can we do a little covert setup” —she left a trail of kisses down his abs—“of my friend and your brother?” Strands of her long brown hair brushed over his cock and he 8

Double Dare sucked in a breath. She knew he had a thing for her hair, knew that letting it float across him was a turn-on. “I’ll make sure you’re well rewarded.” She opened her lips over his cock and circled her tongue around his crown. His shaft strained toward her and he groaned. “You know I can’t say no to you. Not when you do that.” “Yeah. I know.” She grinned. Men were easy. They would do anything for sex and good food, and she was more than happy to provide both for this man. In return, he met all of her needs in the bedroom and provided the adult conversation she lacked because she chose to live in the middle of nowhere. It was the perfect situation for a woman needing time and space to heal her heart. Logan didn’t ask for anything more. “Your brother’s never seen me, so when Emma and I drive up tomorrow, pretend you don’t know who I am.” She grabbed a condom from the drawer in her nightstand, ripped it open and slid it over the tip of his cock. Slowly, she rolled it down the length of his thick shaft. Logan relaxed against the pillow and laced his fingers behind his head. “Okay. I can do that. Anything else I need to know?” “Just follow my lead.” She straddled him, taking his length into her wetness in one slow motion. Her whole body tingled as his cock stretched and filled her pussy. “I love following your lead.” He reached up, grabbed one of her breasts and pinched the nipple. His hips arched upward, urging her to move. “Mmmmmmm.” She moved up, hovered for a second, and moved down hard and fast, taking all of him into her heat and wetness. Her walls clung to him, and pleasure surged through her body. Having Logan around was good for her body and soul. She increased her pace, taking his cock in and out in a relaxed, steady rhythm, her breasts bouncing and his hand hot as it grasped her hip. She watched his face, his eyes narrowed and focused on hers, his lips holding the hint of a smile at the corners. 9

His chest rose and fell rapidly. “God, you’re beautiful.” He growled the words. Sydney was thirty-three, so those words coming from a twentysix-year-old man meant something. It might be lust induced blur affecting his sight, but she was still going to appreciate the compliment. She was in shape, ate healthy, and looked good for her age. But she wasn’t twenty anymore. “And you are too sweet.” Logan pulled her down and kissed her hard. His tongue invaded her mouth, wrestled with hers, and an electric jolt surged to her crotch. “Don’t let that whole sweet rumor get around. I don’t want to ruin my reputation.” He groaned the last words as she sped up, taking him into her wetness again and again. “Don’t worry. I plan on keeping it my little secret. I don’t need any competition for your attention.” Her words were breathy, and she increased her pace even more, riding his cock hard and fast. Orgasm was near. The room, the iron-and-wood cabin decor she’d thought necessary to a house in the mountains, all started to go blurry. Sydney rode him hard, pleasure shooting through her every time she took him in deep, bringing her to the edge. He squeezed her nipple again, and the pleasure shot to her core. “Aaaaaahhhhhh.” Her pussy clenched around him, and her body spasmed. When Logan thrust up into her one more time, her entire body jolted again. His mouth dropped open and eyes went shut as he groaned his release. His chest, his biceps, every muscle she could see, convulsed and slowly relaxed. God, sex with Logan was amazing every time. She let out a long breath and leaned forward onto his chest. Her head rested against Logan’s sweat and muscle, and she listened as his speeding heartbeat returned to its normal pace beneath her ear. He wrapped his arms around her loosely and didn’t move. “So, do I need to leave tonight?” he asked groggily. “No. Stay.” She didn’t want him to leave. As much as she 10

Double Dare claimed to be independent, she liked having a man in the house, and in her bed all night long. “Emma won’t be here until midmorning, long after you leave for work.” Snuggling in his strong arms felt too good, too right. Logan had to be at the cutting site before sunrise, so she wouldn’t wake up next to him. But she liked sleeping in the arms of a strong man for as long as she could keep him. “Good.” He relaxed under her. It wouldn’t be long before he went sound asleep. The man worked long hard hours. He needed his rest. “I’ll make you a lunch and leave it in the fridge.” “Thank you.” He pulled her down for a kiss, and his fingers lingered on her jaw as he grinned up at her sleepily. “You’re too good to me.” “I know.” She winked at him, grinned, and tore herself away from his body. Sydney slipped on her shorts and t-shirt and went into the kitchen. She didn’t need to sleep just yet, and her mind was racing with the plan she was going to pull off tomorrow. If Sydney had her way, Emma was going to get laid by Logan’s older and just-assexy brother. Not that she had seen the man, but Logan had been complaining last week about someone thinking they were twins. That meant his brother had to be sexy. In the kitchen, she was met by the soft sound of her sink dripping in a regular quick patter. There would be no more putting off that repair. She’d have to call a plumber on Monday, and that was going to be a pain in the ass. A downfall to living in the middle of nowhere was the amount of time and effort it took to find people willing to come all the way out to her cabin and fix anything that went wrong. It took her two months to get a guy to deliver gravel for the driveway last summer, and a plumber probably wasn’t going to be any easier. Better get used to the dripping sound for now and put her name on the list. She turned on the burner under her teapot and then retrieved lettuce, red peppers and pickles from her fridge. Cooking was what she did when she was nervous, or excited, or sad. It was her stress 11

relief. Running was the necessary added activity she’d adopted two years earlier when she hit two hundred and fifty pounds at the bottom of her marriage. It was at that point she knew she had to find a new way to deal with her stress, or significantly reduce the amount of it. She’d done both with running and a divorce. Never again would she let a man control her life, or let her health spiral downhill. She would stay in control of both at all costs.

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Chapter Two Sydney rolled over and the soft warmth of her comforter wrapped even tighter around her, but she cracked one eye open to check the time. Sunshine filtered through the window, and that meant Logan was already gone. She flopped her arm across the bed to make sure. Empty. She hated the little ache in the back of her heart that wanted Logan to remain beside her in the morning, but that wasn’t their relationship. It wasn’t what either of them said they wanted when this whole thing started, and she wasn’t about to change plans now. Emma, her best friend from college days, would be here before long. The girl had been alone for too long, and every attempt to set her up on blind dates and take her out to meet men had been completely unsuccessful. This time, Sydney wasn’t going to fail. Emma was driving an hour from Newcastle, Wyoming, but she always got an early start. Just another reason Emma would be the perfect match for Logan’s brother. They were both early birds, both responsible, conservative, salt-of-the-earth people. Though Sydney hadn’t met Logan’s older brother, she was sure of that. The brothers might not see eye to eye on all things, but she could feel Logan’s respect for the man. Sydney slipped on some jeans and a tight, low cut, pink t-shirt. She was going to look good when she saw her man today. The wood floor was cold and hard against her bare feet as she padded to the kitchen to make coffee. The machine had just started to drip when she spotted Emma’s car pulling up the long, gravel driveway. Sydney pushed open the sliding glass door, almost spilled her coffee, and walked onto the deck. The smell of pine filled the warm August morning. Every day in the Black Hills was a great day, and today was going to be even better because she was going to spend 13

it with a good friend and get to see her man. She and Emma had been roommates, sharing everything, all four years of college. First drinks, first loves, stories of first sex. Together they had gone from naïve girls to women, but for the past ten years, distance and Sydney’s ex-husband had kept them from seeing each other more than once a year. Not anymore. “Hey, babe! How was the drive?” Sydney skipped down the stairs. It was great to be free to hang out with the people she loved. She would never again take that for granted. “Gorgeous as always. Must be rough living in God’s country like this,” Emma teased. “It’s so good to see you.” Sydney gave out a little squeal and hugged Emma. “Have you had breakfast?” “Yeah. Coffee and a granola bar on the drive. I’m all set. What adventures do you have planned for us today?” “I thought we could go for a little Ranger ride. Maybe do some hiking if we find a good spot.” There was going to be a good spot, and the hiking was going to be right into the arms of hot loggers, but Sydney didn’t intend to share that information. “Sounds good to me.” “Come in and grab some more coffee while I throw our lunch into a cooler.” Sydney went to the sink to fill a water bottle. No more dripping. Logan must have fixed it this morning. She didn’t even have to ask. If he saw something that needed to be dealt with at her house, he jumped in and did it. She was lucky to have him around for oh-so-many reasons. “You already made lunch?” Emma raised an eyebrow doubtfully. “I put it together last night.” “Ahhh. That sounds more like you.” Emma smiled and poured coffee into her metallic travel mug. Sydney took a cooler from the closet, set it on the table, and turned to face Emma. “So, how’s your love life?” It was a blunt question, but Emma didn’t flinch. She’d probably seen it coming. That was Sydney’s style, and Emma wouldn’t still be a friend if she couldn’t handle it. 14

Double Dare Emma wasn’t a person who liked sitting around and talking about the weather. She liked to have discussions of depth or not talk at all. “Same as ever. Not dating anyone, not sleeping with anyone. How about you?” Emma’s fingers clenched around the coffee cup tightly as she returned the question. She knew Emma didn’t like talking about dating or men. It wasn’t a comfortable subject for her, but that wouldn’t stop Sydney. Emma needed a man to kiss her, touch her, and to love her. She wasn’t willing to admit it, though. Not yet. “I could use a little more excitement in that area,” Sydney answered strategically. It wasn’t exactly a lie. She could always use a little more excitement in that area. There was no such thing as too much sex. “Maybe we should go man hunting instead of hiking?” Sydney threw the sandwiches, fruit, and homemade veggie chips into the cooler, ignoring the dirty look she was pretty sure Emma was shooting in her direction. “Yeah, right. We’d have to drive at least an hour to even see a man, and I really don’t have the time for dating.” Same answer Emma gave whenever the discussion turned to pursuing men. “Who said anything about dating? I’m talking about using one for a night of satisfaction and then going back to our miserable lonely lives. There are forest service guys, loggers, dudes on fourwheeling vacations. You never know when you’ll run into someone.” “I’ve been out driving around and hiking with you four times this summer, and we haven’t seen another person. You start taking some new trails lately?” “I take new trails almost every time, and yes, the chances aren’t great of running into good-looking men. But it could happen.” It was going to happen today. Sydney zipped up the cooler and threw the strap over her shoulder. “How about making a little dare? If we run into a group of two or more hot guys, we each choose one and offer up a night of sex.” “Yeah, right. Like that’s going to happen.” Emma rolled her 15

eyes. “Come on. Live a little. You can’t stay celibate for the rest of your life.” Sydney walked out the door and Emma followed right behind her. “I think you’ve been spending too much time up here alone if you think that we’ll trip over sexy men in the middle of nowhere.” “Yeah.” Sydney chuckled. “I’m probably spending too much time alone.” She took a deep breath, but she wasn’t going to drop the topic. “So, you want to make it a dare?” “Are you serious?” Emma rolled her eyes again. “Sure. If you can find us two hot guys in the middle of the woods, I’ll sleep with one of them and you can have the other.” Doubt ran thick in her words. In a few hours, she was going to be in for one heck of a surprise. **** “Why the hell are you quitting now?” Jack stood on the ground eight feet below Logan’s perch in the loader, but his voice rang up the distance loud and clear. Logan had turned off the engine and was ready to stop for his scheduled lunch break. It was going to be a break for enjoying more than food, and his dick went halfway hard just thinking about Sydney. “We’re almost done with this load.” Jack growled up at him, looking ready to spit fire. Then again, lately he’d looked like that a lot. “Twenty more minutes of loading and I could be on my way to the mill.” “Settle down. It’s lunchtime. We already got two loads to the mill. We’re ahead of schedule. You can’t work me to death and starve me.” Logan opened the door and climbed out. He was going to keep his brother right here because Sydney wanted him to, and because maybe Jack wouldn’t be so goddamn grumpy all the time if he got laid. “Sit down and eat with me. We’ll get you off in less than an hour.” Logan smiled to himself at the double entendre. Seriously, 16

Double Dare though, his brother needed a lesson about why all work and no play wasn’t the way to spend his entire life. If Sydney’s friend was anything like Sydney, she would give him an effective lesson. Very effective. “Fine.” Jack took his cooler from the truck and huffed over to a shady spot. He yanked open the lid and pulled out his food. Logan grabbed his own lunch and walked over beside his bother. “Mind if I join you?” “You don’t have to ask to join me. Just sit your scrawny ass down and eat. We gotta make some money today. Supposed to rain tomorrow afternoon.” Jack took a big bite of his sandwich. “That mean we’re not working tomorrow?” Logan already knew the answer to that one. They would work until it started raining heavily enough to make things difficult or too dangerous. “Yeah, right.” Jack snorted. Logan pulled out the sandwich Sydney had made for him and took a big bite. Man, it was good. It was a tuna sandwich, but she’d put chunks of red pepper and chopped-up pickles and a thick slice of Colby Jack cheese on top, and the bread was definitely homemade. Sydney was a damn good cook. “What the hell kind of sandwich is that?” Jack eyed up his brother’s meal. “Tuna.” “You got a girlfriend doing your cooking for you?” “Nope.” Sydney had made it clear she didn’t want a boyfriend, so he wasn’t lying to Jack. They were more like fuck buddies. That’s what she wanted, and hell, he wasn’t going to complain. “You’ve been coming up with some pretty interesting lunches lately.” Jack stared at his own sandwich and took another bite. “Anything would be interesting compared to your old standby of bologna and cheese every day. Wanna trade?” Logan got fed well all the time now, so he could sacrifice a good sandwich for his brother. It would probably be a few days before he got another meal from Sydney, what with her friend there for the weekend, but he had to offer. Jack was practically drooling over his food. 17

“I’m fine. Thanks.” The guy didn’t like change. Not even when it was obviously better than what he had going. “Maybe you should get yourself a woman to cook you a decent meal every once in a while.” Logan thought he would prime Jack up a little, get him thinking about a woman, because hopefully one would be dropping in real soon. “That’s the last thing I need. Goddamn woman calling me all the time, whining about how I’m not home enough, or how she’s lonely, how she’s going to leave me for someone who’ll actually pay attention to her. Yeah. I think I’ll pass on that.” Logan chuckled. Sydney was going to have her work cut out for her, but he had no doubt the woman would find a way to work around Jack and his issues. Once she had her mind set on something, she wasn’t the type to let anything slow her down.

18

Chapter Three Sydney and Emma spent the first three hours driving back roads, admiring pine trees, waterfalls, rock cliffs, and all the beauty and peace the Black Hills had to offer. Now it was time to set Sydney’s plan into action. She turned down the road where she knew Logan and Jack should be having lunch, pressing down the gas excitedly. The road was bumpy, forcing her to hold on tight, but within a couple of minutes she saw the trucks and spotted the men sitting under the shade of a huge pine tree. Her heart started beating faster and heat pooled between her legs at the sight of her sexy man. The heat she could handle. That was what she was in the relationship for. That annoying beating of her heart, well, she was just going to have to ignore it for now. “What do we have here?” she said, as if surprised. “Looks like men.” “You’re not going to stop, are you?” Emma’s eyes were big, and Sydney knew she wouldn’t be comfortable with stopping. “Why not?” She wasn’t going to let Emma’s discomfort stop her. The girl was always uncomfortable around strangers. Emma wasn’t going to find a man without venturing out of her comfort zone. “Why not? Because we don’t know them,” Emma rambled nervously. “We’re out in the middle of nowhere, no one knows where we are, and they could be serial killers.” “You watch too much TV.” Sydney kept driving toward the trucks. “At the very least, they could be pissed that we came into their work area.” Emma’s jaw was tight, and Sydney started feeling a little guilty about causing her this distress. “Well, then we’ll ask. If they look pissed, we’ll leave.” Sydney pulled up alongside the men and stopped. In the long run, Emma 19

would thank her for this. If she’d loosen her death grip on the metal door handle and try to socialize a bit, she’d be just fine. “Hi. Can we join you guys for lunch?” Sydney didn’t have to fake a smile when she saw Logan. In fact, she couldn’t stop the one that formed on her lips if she had wanted to. Emma leaned toward her and whispered through clenched teeth. “You can’t be serious?” “Looks like you’re going to have to take that dare,” Sydney whispered back, and Emma’s cheeks turned bright pink. “Sure, you can eat with us,” Logan agreed readily as Sydney climbed out of the Ranger. “I’m Logan, and this is my brother Jack.” “It’s nice to meet you.” Sydney shook each of their hands. “I’m Sydney, and this is my friend Emma.” Emma was still sitting in the Ranger, her whole body tense, looking like she wanted to run into the woods and hide. Logan’s brother did look a lot like Logan, tall, dark haired, muscular, and a little bit mean- looking as he sat and stared at her like she was crazy. Probably did seem crazy to approach two guys in the woods and ask to join them for lunch. Sydney didn’t really care what he thought of her approach. She had to do something to get these two together. “Thanks for letting us join you.” Sydney smiled at the men and went to collect the cooler from the back of the Ranger. She carried it over to the guys and sat right next to Logan. Emma followed close behind, probably thinking Sydney had lost it, but she sat without saying anything. “What are you ladies doing way out here by yourselves?” Logan, the perfect partner in crime, asked with just the right amount of innocence in his voice. “I have a cabin not far down the road, and we were going for a ride, doing a little exploring.” Sydney popped a piece of melon into her mouth. Emma took a big bite of her sandwich, probably to avoid having to be part of the conversation. She wasn’t comfortable around strangers, but these guys wouldn’t be strangers for long. 20

Double Dare “Do you live up here too?” Logan asked Emma. She swallowed quickly before answering. “No. I live in Newcastle.” “What do you do there?” Jack perked up from his somber state and joined in the conversation. Sydney grinned. Her plan was starting to take shape. “I teach special ed.” Emma looked at Jack as she answered, but her focus returned quickly to her sandwich and then to the ground. “That’s perfect. Jack could use a little extra help.” Logan teased. “Do you offer private tutoring?” Emma looked up and smiled at both the men. “I’d consider it.” Yes, Emma was starting to have some fun, starting to loosen up a little. She was smart and sweet and Jack was going to fall in love if Emma would let him see her personality. “Thanks a lot, smart ass,” Jack said, and then looked embarrassed. “Pardon my language. We don’t see many women up here. I guess I’m out of practice on how to speak to a lady.” “It’s okay. I hear a lot worse than that from my students now that I got moved to the high school.” “You must be a very patient woman,” Jack said. “Not everyone can do that job.” “Thank you. I don’t know about the patient part, but I love what I do.” Emma grinned at Jack. The girl was flirting! Emma and Jack were actually hitting it off. Sydney wanted to squeal, but she worked hard to keep a neutral face. “I sure couldn’t do it.” Jack shook his head. “Waiting on Logan to get here most mornings takes all my patience.” “Waiting for me?” Logan faked offence at Jack’s comment. “Yeah, for some reason you have to fix your hair and check yourself out in the mirror before we go spend the day with trees. I guess it paid off today.” “I keep telling you that a man never knows when beautiful women are going to show up. Looks like today was our lucky day.” Logan grinned at Sydney. 21

“So, how long have you been working in the logging industry?” Sydney asked Logan, needing to fill the air with small talk to increase Emma’s comfort level and give her friend a glimpse of who these men were. “My brother runs the company. I came back a couple of months ago to help out.” “We actually run it together,” Jack corrected. “Well, he does most of the work.” Her man was being honest, and bragging about his brother in front of Emma. Logan was excelling at this game she’d talked him into. Being his partner in crime made her want to be his partner in other ways, the more intimate ways she knew he was even better at. Sydney looked down to see the outline of Logan’s cock straining against his pants. She was quickly losing every ounce of self control. Not that she had much self control when it came to Logan. She had to get this plan moving along. Emma and Jack were getting on well, and she was going to give them some time alone to talk or do… whatever. And before time ran out, she needed to give her man a lunch to remember. She knew Jack was a time-conscious, hard-working man, or as Logan put it, “a goddamn slave driver” who wouldn’t let this lunch chatter go on for very long. “I need to pee,” Sydney announced. “Emma, would you accompany me to that fabulous restroom over there.” She waved her hand toward a heavily wooded area a little past the trucks. “Sure.” Emma looked at her funny. “I didn’t know you were the type who needed her hand held while peeing.” “Well, I am a woman, and you know that women must go in packs.” “Okay, okay, I’m coming.” Emma stood but continued to search for some answer from Sydney about her strange behavior. She wasn’t going to get one. If Emma knew this was a set-up, she wouldn’t give Jack a chance. Probably she’d insist on leaving. Sydney couldn’t let that happen, not when Emma and Jack were already starting to hit it off. Jack and Logan both chuckled at Sydney’s comment as the 22

Double Dare women walked away. When they got to an area out of sight from the boys, Sydney slipped her hand into her pocket and pulled out a condom. “You’re probably going to need this.” Emma looked at her with a shocked expression, holding the condom out as she would if were some sort of venomous animal. “Are you kidding?” She stared at Sydney and then at the package in her hand. “No, I’m not kidding. The dare is on, and I plan to fulfill my end of the deal. We somehow found two gorgeous loggers in the middle of nowhere. It’s fate.” Or really good planning on someone’s part. “You take the older, responsible one,” she said. He seems like your type. The other one is definitely someone I could wrap my legs around.” Her pussy started to pulse at the thought of having Logan’s cock inside her again. Emma stared with her mouth open at Sydney. “You’re not really going to have sex with some man we just happened upon in the woods.” Emma’s words were a whispered hiss. “It’s crazy, and dangerous, and… and….” “And it’s going to be fun. Something you haven’t had much of lately. You should give it a try.” “Give it a try? Sydney, you have lost your mind.” “Nah. I just made a pact with myself to live life to the fullest, and when life throws fun my way to jump on it. The two men over there”—Sydney waggled her finger in the direction of the men— “they look like a whole lot of fun just waiting to be jumped on. Literally.” Aware from firsthand experience just how much fun a Ford brother could be, she didn’t want Emma to miss out on her chance with one. Sydney was being even more aggressive than she had planned, but subtle wasn’t going to work. It hadn’t in the past, and there was no sense in making the same mistakes over and over again. She was going to show Emma how much fun living on the edge could be. She started walking back toward Logan and Jack, and after a 23

couple of seconds she could hear Emma’s footsteps behind her. Sydney smiled. Yeah, what she was doing was drastic, but she had to do something to get Emma to live a little. Time for phase two of her plan.

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Chapter Four Sydney gave her hips some serious wiggle as she took the lead and sauntered over to where the two men were sitting. Emma followed hesitantly. Was Sydney really going to follow through on this? Emma had agreed to the dare, but only because she didn’t think that there was any chance of it actually happening. Both men stared as she and Sydney approached. They were really good-looking, and Sydney was even right about Jack being her type. It seemed odd how they happened to run into two hot guys in the middle of nowhere. Maybe fate was finally on her side again. Now she was either going to have sex with a man she’d just met or break her word. Probably going to have to break her word, because she wasn’t the kind of girl who was into one night stands. She was responsible. Cautious. She had two little boys to think about. She couldn’t go running around with her pants down just because her kids weren’t in her charge for a couple of days. Sydney had always been more outgoing than Emma, but this was extreme even for her. Maybe freedom after being married to a dirt-bag had changed her more than she let on. “So, boys, my friend and I have a little dare going.” Sydney approached Logan and took him by the arm. “I was wondering if you might help me complete it.” Emma stared at Sydney. She was actually going to go through with it. She was going to have sex with a complete stranger. He was deliciously sexy, but still a complete stranger. Sydney had balls of steel. Logan grinned. “Sure, I’ll help you out. What do you need me to do?” “Take a little walk with me and I’ll show you.” Sydney led him toward the vehicles, and then turned back to face Emma and Jack. “I’ll let Emma decide how much to tell you about the dare, Jack.” 25

Sydney winked at Emma and tugged Logan’s arm. They walked arm-in-arm away from the trucks and she watched her friend saunter off into the trees with a complete stranger and disappear into the woods. Emma sat down beside Jack. She wasn’t going to offer herself to him, but she would be friendly. He seemed nice, and she didn’t have anyone else to talk to while Sydney was out rolling in the moss with his brother. “I’m curious. What’s this bet?” Jack asked with a smile. “Sydney talked me into agreeing to a stupid dare that I didn’t think would have any chance of happening.” She looked at the ground, not sure if she wanted to share all the details. “You want some fruit?” “Sure.” He reached into the bowl, took a couple of grapes and popped them in his mouth. “What was the dare?” he asked when he finished chewing. Jack wasn’t going to let her off easy. “She dared us to… um, if we met any good-looking guys while out driving around in the middle of nowhere, we would have sex with them.” Jack raised his eyebrows. “And you think we’re good-looking?” “You’re definitely good-looking.” She gazed down at the ground again, embarrassed by her own words. He was good-looking, with thick dark hair and brown eyes that sparkled when he smiled. He had a shadow of facial hair that made him look unkempt, but it was in a sexy way, and muscles rippled beneath his black t-shirt. He was, in fact, a gorgeous man. But Emma wasn’t normally so forward. “So, are you going to accept the dare?” His words were low, sexy, almost tempting enough to make her reconsider. And he sounded interested. “I can’t. I’m just not the one-night-stand kind of girl.” “I didn’t think you were.” He smiled. “Really? You could tell by looking at me?” She definitely didn’t dress sexy like Sydney. Is that how he made his judgment? “You seemed more conservative, the kind of girl who deserves more than a quickie in the woods. You deserve a man who will 26

Double Dare treat you right. Respect you.” He was observant and sweet. Fate was definitely on her side today. Even if she didn’t sleep with him, she would at least get to spend some time with an attractive man. It had been a long time since she had done even that much in male company. “Thank you.” She accepted his statement with more enthusiasm than she should have, but it had been a while since a man had complimented her. “What about your friend? Is she the one-night-stand kind of girl?” He looked in the direction that Sydney and Logan had gone, but there was nothing to be seen from here. Her friend and his brother had disappeared into the trees. “She’s always been more open about her, uh, sexuality than me. I didn’t think she was really into one-night stands, or quickies in the woods, but she’s been through a lot in life.” “Oh, yeah?” Talking about Sydney was safer than talking about herself to this man. “She was in a pretty crappy marriage for a long time, and then her husband cheated on her, wouldn’t stop even when Sydney caught him with his secretary. Sydney moved out here this spring to regroup.” “Why didn’t she just walk out? She doesn’t seem the type to be afraid to stand up for herself.” “He threatened her, told her that no one else would want her, and I think a little part of her believed him. She gained a lot of weight and lost a lot of self-esteem in that marriage. Stayed with the guy for ten years. Sydney finally did divorce him a year ago and she’s definitely back on her feet now.” Emma didn’t feel right telling her friend’s entire story, even though she knew Sydney wouldn’t care. In fact, she’s probably have given Jack a much more detailed version. “Tell me more about yourself, Jack,” she said to change the subject. “I leave in Lead. I’ve lived there my whole life. My brother and I run this logging company, and I work a lot.” “How did you get into logging?” His work was a safe topic. Now 27

if she could keep herself from staring every time he flexed his arm muscles. “Our dad started the company, and we helped out as soon as we were old enough. Logan left to go to college, and for the last couple of years worked as a stock trader in New York City.” He said the name of the city with disgust. Did he not like New York, or not like the fact that his brother had lived there? She didn’t ask, and Jack continued talking. “I stayed here to help dad out and eventually took over some of the business. Dad was in a motorcycle accident a couple of months ago, so Logan quit his job and came back to help out the family.” “You’ve never left this area?” “No reason to. I love it here.” It was as simple as that for him. He knew what he liked, was happy here, and had no reason to explore the world. She was the same way. When Sydney moved to Minneapolis after college, she asked Emma to go with her, to explore the world and see what life was like in the big city. Emma didn’t go, knew she had everything she needed right here. “You’re not married?” She looked at his left hand and the lack of a ring, but that wasn’t definitive. “No. Never been married. Too busy running the business to even come close. I guess I could chase women in the winter, but I’m not really interested in that.” “Not interested in women?” “Whoa. Not like that. I like women. Just don’t have any room in life for the drama right now. I don’t exactly live a lifestyle that’s conducive to a decent relationship. We come out here before the sun comes up and don’t stop working until it’s dark. Makes for some very long days, and not much time to meet the needs of a woman.” “How old are you?” He didn’t look old enough to be so cynical about love, about relationships. “Twenty-eight,” he said. A young pup. Well, he was only four years younger than she was. But twenty-eight was pretty young to have already given up on love, given up on the prospect of ever having a family. Not that 28

Double Dare she had any room to judge on that topic. She had done the exact same thing. Given up on love, anyway. “Can I ask how old you are?” He scratched the top of his head. “I know it’s inappropriate to ask a woman her age, so you don’t have to answer.” “I’m thirty-two.” She wasn’t ashamed of her age, and she looked younger than she was. She liked that he was interested enough in her to ask. “What do you think about older women?” Emma almost choked at the sound of her own words. Why the hell was she flirting with this man? It had obviously been too long since she’d dated, and way too long since she’d felt the touch of a man. She shouldn’t even be thinking about Jack that way. They couldn’t have a future together. Emma could have a little fun, though. Do the dare Sydney talked her into. She could let Jack know that sex was all she expected from him. It wasn’t appropriate, but the rest of her life was a long time to go without sex. That was the track she was on now. There had to be some sort of a suitable compromise. “I don’t know about older women in general, but I think you are very attractive.” Jack let his eyes drift down her body and heat shot straight to her crotch. Emma would need to find that compromise very soon, if Jack kept looking at her like that.

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Chapter Five When Sydney and Logan were about a hundred yards into the woods and out of sight, she stopped and pulled herself against the solid length of her man. She kissed Logan softly, but with the promise of something more. “Thank you for playing along with my plan.” She moved her lips to his ear and circled the lobe with her tongue. “Not a problem. What was the dare you and your friend had?” His hand moved down her back and cupped her butt, pulling her tighter against him. “We agreed that if fate brought us upon two good-looking men, we were going to take advantage of the situation. I happened to have helped fate along a little.” She raised her eyebrows, feigning innocence. “Sounds like a good plan to me.” Logan grinned down at her. “Do you think it will work to get them together? Is it too underhanded? Too sneaky?” She pulled away from Logan a little. The guilt was getting to her and she needed a second opinion. “I think the amount of stealth you used was necessary. They are both adults and fully capable of making their own choices. You shouldn’t worry about which one they make. It’s out of your control now.” He ran his fingers down her arm and took hold of her hand. “I do think you’ll succeed at your own part of the dare.” He pressed her hand against his hard-on. “Oh.” She rubbed her hand down the length of his cock, cupping her fingers around him. “Seems like I already am.” He groaned and pulled her against him for another kiss. This time tongues tangled, tasting, teasing. Heat rushed between her legs. She couldn’t get enough of this man. They had some amazing sexual chemistry. “What do we need to do next?” Logan’s hand slipped into the top of her shirt. He squeezed her nipple between two fingers and 30

Double Dare then grasped her whole breast with his hand and lifted it so the nipple and half her boob poked out the top of her shirt. “We need to….” Logan didn’t wait for her to finish answering, but moved his mouth to her nipple and sucked hard. She gulped in a sharp breath. “…fuck.” “Yes, I think that’s a good plan. Where would you prefer to do that?” “Here is good for me.” They were hidden behind the logging equipment, and behind some trees, but if Emma and Jack decided to go exploring, they wouldn’t have a hard time finding them. It was exciting to do this in the woods where they could easily be caught. Sydney’s pussy started to throb. “Unless you’re afraid of getting caught by your brother,” she teased, knowing it was unlikely that he would say no. The gleam in his eyes told her he was very interested in doing her in the woods. “Anytime, anywhere.” “Good.” She pulled his t-shirt over his head and ran her hands down the warm muscle of his chest before focusing on his zipper. She was going to let Logan know just how much she appreciated his cooperation with her plan. “I promised last night that you would be well rewarded for this.” She pulled his pants and boxers down to his ankles, then moved her tongue to the base of his cock, licking up to the tip and circling it. “I think you’re going to like the reward I have in mind.” “I can already tell I’m going to love it.” His words were low, breathy. Sydney licked the sensitive tip of his cock and it jerked toward her. She liked seeing the effect her touch had on this big sexy man. He tasted like salt and smelled like sex. She wrapped her mouth around his head before responding. “Ummm hummm,” she crooned, knowing how the vibration was going to affect him. His moan told her she didn’t disappoint. She sucked him gently, only the tip, teasing. His hips arched towards her, wanting more, but she was going to draw this out. Tease him until he exploded. 31

“Oh god, Sydney. You’re trying to kill me.” His legs shuddered as she took a little more of him into her mouth, sucked a little harder. Her hands moved to his sac, rolling his balls between her fingers. She wasn’t trying to kill him. Just to make him come real hard. Make sure he knew exactly how much she appreciated him. Logan’s breathing got faster as he came closer to the edge. She circled the head of his cock with her tongue and then flicked her tongue against the tip of him. “Aaaahhhh, Sydney.” She took him deep in her mouth and sucked hard. He groaned even louder. Moving one hand to the base of his cock, she wrapped her fingers solidly around his shaft. His veins stuck out beneath her fingertips, and wetness from him and from her made the skin slick. She held him firmly in her hand and moved it down the length of his cock at the same time as her mouth moved down. One slow, solid stroke. The muscles in his thighs started to twitch. His breaths were pants. She was going to make him come very soon. And knowing that made the wetness rush to her pussy. Her hand and her mouth worked in perfect rhythm, pumping him harder and faster. His breaths came faster and louder, and so did his groans. “I’m going to come, Sydney,” he moaned, and she kept sucking him hard as his hips jolted forward, his cock straining upward as he lost control. She kept her lips wrapped around his head as it pulsed, releasing his cum into her mouth. She sucked lightly as his body jolted one last time and then relaxed. “That was fucking amazing.” He looked at her through halfclosed eyes, still enjoying the effects of the blowjob. Sydney licked lightly across the top of his dick before she released him and stood up. She grinned up at her dazed and relaxed man. “Why, you’re quite welcome.” 32

Double Dare “Anytime you have a job with a possible reward, let me know.” His words were low and lazy. “Oh, don’t worry, I will.” She chuckled. “Do you think we should be going back to check on our friends?” Her pussy throbbed for him, but she could wait until tonight, or whenever the next time she got to see him was. If she had to. “I can’t send you home without returning the favor.” Logan pulled her shirt over her head and with one hand had her bra unhooked and falling to the ground. His tongue flicked against an already hard nipple. She was wet for him, ready. “You can’t?” Sydney played coy, knowing that even though she didn’t ask for anything, he was going to give her the satisfaction she needed. “Oh, no. That wouldn’t be right.” His hands worked to unbutton and unzip her pants as he planted warm kisses down her stomach. He shoved her jeans down. “No underwear?” “I knew they’d be a waste of time today.” She kicked off her shoes and then her jeans, letting them lie in the grass, dirt, and dried-up pine needles of the forest floor. She spread her legs apart as he moved to kneel between her legs. “Smart girl.” He flicked his tongue against her clit and a shock went through her entire body. “Smart, and sexy. I don’t know what the hell I did to deserve you.” “You got lucky.” “You got that right.” Logan’s tongue made slow circles around her clit, and then moved to her opening. “You’re so wet.” His tongue slipped into the wetness of her pussy. “Making you come turns me on,” she admitted. His focus moved from her face down to her pussy. He sucked her nub into his mouth and a jolt shot through her. God, she was close already. “Turning you on turns me on, too.” The fact that his cock was already hard again and pressing against her calf proved his words true, as if she’d had any doubts. She didn’t. “Well, if you’re interested, what I’d really like is your cock inside 33

me. If you’re up for that?” She knew he was. “I can do that.” His tongue flicked her clit again. “Mmmmmm.”He was taking her already primed body closer to the edge. When he stood, she reached down to her pants, removed a condom from the pocket and handed it to him. His cock pointed toward the blue sky. The muscles of his thighs flexed sexily. And he was all hers. “I’d like to bend you over that tree right there,” he said. Her walls clenched at his words. Sydney turned and grabbed the tree with both hands, leaning forward and spreading her legs to give Logan easy access. She could hear him tear open the package and turned her head to see him rolling the condom down his cock. She liked watching him touch himself. She liked the feeling of him touching her even more. She rested her forearms on the rough bark of the tree. It smelled like pine, and that smell turned her on because it was what Logan usually smelled like when he came to her house after work. His fingertips pressed into the skin of her hips, the tip of his cock moved along her ass, and then stopped at the entrance of her sex. The sun beat down, warming her bare skin. Birds chirped in the distance, and a breeze rustled the tops of the tall pine trees around them. Perfect day for a good fuck in the woods. Then again, every day was a great day for that. Logan slid his cock into her wetness hard and fast. Her walls clenched around him, ready for more, ready for release, but he didn’t move. “Fuck me now,” she begged. He moved in and out with one long slow stroke. His hands moved up to her breasts, pinching the nipples of both, and Sydney was about to explode. The trees, the wildflowers, they all started to go blurry. “Hard. Fast.” She moaned. “Please.” He groaned as her pussy walls clenched around him again, 34

Double Dare doing begging of their own. “I like it when you beg.” He moved in and out, another long, torturously slow stroke. Sydney heard a twig snap in the woods behind them, but she didn’t look. Deer, human, it didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered was Logan giving her the release she needed. **** “Do you want to go for a little walk?” Jack offered his hand to Emma and pulled her up from the stump she was sitting on. A little jolt went down her spine at his touch. Probably just nerves. “Sure.” Emma had been sitting and talking with Jack for at least twenty minutes. Sydney must be having some amazing sex right now. She could be doing the same thing if she wasn’t so darn conservative. “Have you spent much time up here in the hills?” Jack asked as they walked away from the trucks. “This is my fourth trip to visit Sydney this summer. It’s a beautiful place.” The woods filled her with the peace and relaxation she needed. When she was here, she could feel the power of nature, the power of God, the power of something she couldn’t explain. “I spend every day out here and I don’t get tired of it.” He started walking in the same direction Logan and Sydney had gone. “I suppose you know your way around pretty well?” She was a little nervous taking off on a hike. Her sense of direction wasn’t all that great. If she went very far, she would be putting herself completely in the trust of Jack getting her back here. This was the kind of thing horror movies were made of. Walking into the forest with a man she just met, and then he takes out his axe and chops her into little pieces. Walking off alone with Jack wasn’t sensible, but for some reason going into the woods with him didn’t make her feel unsafe at all. In fact, he made her feel exactly the opposite, and she had good intuition. 35

“I do know my way around here pretty well.” His words were confident. He would be the same way in the bedroom, confident, in control until he made her scream. Emma moved a little farther from him with her next step. She shouldn’t be thinking that way about a man she just met. She needed to be cautious. Protect herself. After a couple minutes of walking, Emma heard a weird tapping sound. “What’s that?” she whispered to Jack. He stopped moving and pointed to the left. It was Sydney, bent over, holding on tight to a tree with a well endowed Logan shoving his cock into her over and over again. Logan’s legs were slapping against Sydney to make the tapping sound. “Oh, my gosh.” Sydney was going through with the dare all right, and from the look of it, getting even more than she’d bargained for. The man was a hard-bodied specimen of male prowess. Muscles rippled with every movement as he pounded into her. Is that what Jack would look like with his clothes off? He would probably be similar. They were the same height, and from what she could see, Jack was all muscle too. “We better go.” Emma turned to walk away, but Jack grabbed her hand. “Let’s stay and watch.” He motioned to a fallen log a few feet closer to Sydney and Logan. She didn’t move. He couldn’t be serious. A person didn’t just stop and watch a friend, or a brother having sex in the woods. “We shouldn’t.” “If they didn’t want anyone to see them, they wouldn’t be doing it right here.” A part of her wanted to stay and watch. What she had seen so far was a turn-on. Her body was humming between Jack’s touch and seeing Logan thrusting into her friend. “I know Sydney isn’t modest. She used to cook in her underwear when we were roommates.” Emma took one step toward the tree and a branch snapped 36

Double Dare loudly. “Oh, crap,” she whispered. “We better go.” “No, look.” She turned to Sydney and Logan. Logan had spotted them. He looked right at her, grinned, winked, and then returned his attention to Sydney. “See. He doesn’t mind.” She didn’t know which was worse, watching secretly, or the fact that Logan knew they were watching. Her cheeks were hot, undoubtedly turning pink, but she sat on the log next to Jack. Mostly because she was too embarrassed to move, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to move, anyway. She was curious. Her butt cheeks were clenched, her entire body stiff as she sat there and watched, but all the self control she possessed couldn’t stop the wetness that surged to her entrance. Jack put his hand on her elbow, his thumb rubbing slowly up and down her arm, sending jolts of electricity straight to her crotch. She took a deep breath and tried to relax. Sydney held on tight to the tree. Her breasts bounced with every long stroke Logan rammed into her. Their legs slapped together. Watching them made the skin between Emma’s own legs tingle. “Mmmmm.” Sydney’s moan of contentment floated through the air. Emma shouldn’t be watching, and she sure as hell shouldn’t be enjoying watching. But she was. Then Logan sped up his pace, pounding into Sydney harder, faster. Emma bit her bottom lip, hoping the pain would distract her from the need surging between her own legs. It was too tempting, and made Emma feel the need to have the touch of a man. It was a need she had carefully tucked away after her husband died. Sydney’s moans came louder, higher pitched. She was going to have an orgasm right there in front of them. Birds chirped, the pines swayed in the breeze, and Emma couldn’t stop watching. Sydney screamed out his name as her body rocked against him. Logan leaned his head back and closed his eyes as he poured his 37

seed into Sydney. Emma froze, half wanting to beg Jack to do the same thing to her. She wanted him to touch her the way Logan was touching Sydney. She wanted his cock deep inside her, bringing her to orgasm, making her lose control. But Emma was filled with an even stronger urge to run. She couldn’t let Sydney catch her watching, and she couldn’t have sex with a man she’d just met. “Let’s get out of here.” “Okay.” Jack took her hand and they walked silently back to the vehicles. “Are you sure you don’t want to complete that dare?” Oh God, she was tempted. Her body needed release. His touch only made her want it more, but she couldn’t. Her heart wasn’t ready for a man. If she had sex with Jack, she would fall in love with him. She couldn’t put herself through the heartache. Not again. “I’m sorry, but I can’t.” She could say the words, but she couldn’t stop the need. “I understand,” he said. He didn’t understand. But she wasn’t going to explain it to him. “Thank you.” Emma could deal with the lust. She had gone for five years without a man and it hadn’t killed her yet. Today wasn’t going to be any different.

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Chapter Six “Last load of the day?” Logan called out to Jack. It had been about eight hours since the women left, two trips back and forth to the mill. The sun was going down fast, but his cock still ached for Emma. Logan was too damn peppy to even be around. Guess that’s what happened when you got laid by a complete stranger in the middle of the day. “Yeah.” Jack grunted. The truck was almost full, and there wouldn’t be time for another load tonight. “Last fucking load.” “What the hell is wrong with you?” Logan had the nerve to ask him. “I’m sure you’re Mr. Happy-Go-Lucky.” His brother, as always, had got the girl. Jack didn’t mind that Emma hadn’t wanted to fuck him right there, but he was getting tired of his only companionship being his god-damned right hand. “It’s not my fault that you couldn’t seal the deal.” “All I got are god-damned blue balls while I was watching my brother in a live porn show in the woods, fucking his little whore.” Jack walked toward the truck. It was the last load, and that meant he got to go home. He should be happy the day was over. It had been productive, nothing broke down, but he wasn’t happy to be going home alone tonight. “She’s not a whore.” Logan spat the words and looked like he wanted to punch him, so Jack backed off. He didn’t need to get in a fist-fight with his brother over a woman. Maybe there was such a thing as love at first sight. Or at least, love at first fuck. Logan was sure defensive about this woman he’d just met. “Okay, whatever,” Jack said, letting the subject drop. The last thing he needed was to get into a fight with Logan right now. 39

Jack had a good life. It was uncomplicated. But hanging out with Emma today made him want more. He wanted a warm woman in his bed every night, someone to talk to, laugh with. He knew he couldn’t have that. No woman deserved to settle for the life he could offer, but that didn’t stop him from wanting it. “You better not call her that when you’re at her house tonight.” “What?” What the hell made Logan think he would go to her house tonight? “Sydney and Emma invited us over for supper. Something about steak and homemade pie, so get your ass moving with that truck. Go home and take a shower so you don’t smell like shit, and I’ll pick you up at eight.” Logan shut the door to his loader and walked toward the pickup. “Fine.” Jack held back any trace of emotion from his voice. He was going to see Emma again, but he didn’t know whether to be excited or pissed at his brother for getting him into this whole situation. He couldn’t keep Emma. She deserved better than a man who was never home. He should leave her alone. **** Emma sat in the passenger seat of the Ranger holding the bucket of wild blueberries she and Sydney had spent the afternoon picking after leaving Jack and Logan. It had been one heck of a day. Emma gave up the opportunity to have a good-looking man, and it was eating her up inside. What was she waiting for in life? A prince to ride up on a white horse and take her away from all her responsibilities? That wasn’t going to happen. She was the widowed mother of two little boys. Not exactly someone’s dream catch. She was well past the hook-up age, she didn’t get the chance to meet many men, and today one had been thrown at her feet. She’d lived too long to still think playing coy was a good idea. She should be more like Sydney. Sex was a part of human nature, and she wanted it as much as the next girl. She needed to let her 40

Double Dare guard down a little. Next time, if there ever was a next time, she would do things differently. Sydney drove the ranger up the gravel driveway to her cabin as the sun was setting over the hills. Pine trees cast long shadows across the valley, the deer turned to watched as they drove by, not caring enough about the women’s presence to leave their nightly feeding spot in the valley. Sydney reached up to turn off the engine and suddenly silence surrounded them. “Did you have fun today?” She looked a little nervous. They hadn’t really spoken about the run-in with Jack and Logan, and Emma wasn’t sure she wanted to. “Yeah. Not as much fun as you, but it was a good day in the hills.” Emma unbuckled her seatbelt and climbed out of the Ranger, bucket of blueberries still in hand. “Jack seemed pretty nice.” Sydney grabbed the cooler and water jug out of the back. She never let the subject drop once she got started on something. That wasn’t Sydney’s style. “Yeah, he was nice.” Jack was nice and good-looking and Emma still blew him off. She should take up Sydney’s new style of living life without regrets, have some fun, do all the things she thought about but never had the guts to do. “But not doable?” Sydney walked toward the house. Oh, he was definitely worth having sex with, if she was interested. Who the hell was she trying to kid? She was interested. Too bad for her, she’d realized it a little too late. “He was doable. A big, hard-bodied, sexy logger, and for some reason I turned him down.” Emma finally spilled all the information Sydney was looking for. Maybe Sydney would let the subject drop now, because Emma didn’t want to think about Jack or what might have been. Unhurried, she climbed the steps up the deck behind Sydney. “He offered?” Sydney stopped walking and turned to face Emma. “I told him about the dare. He didn’t exactly jump up and down 41

saying ‘I’ll do it, I’ll do it’, but he made it clear that he would have been willing.” “Why didn’t you?” Sydney’s eyebrows rose like she was surprised at Emma’s action… or lack thereof. “I didn’t feel ready. I didn’t even know him.” Emma let out a frustrated breath. “You don’t go out. How do you ever expect to get to know a man?” Sydney turned and opened the door. Emma followed her into the house. Sydney’s words were a little too honest. But her friend was only trying to help. Sydney wanted her to be happy, and sexually satisfied. She had Emma’s best interests in mind, at least what Sydney thought her best interests should be. And hell, she might be right. “I guess I don’t, but I don’t want to fall in love again. I don’t want to get my heart broken. It’s stupid. I know. It’s not like dating a man would kill me. Maybe I should have given Jack more of a chance.” “You still can,” Sydney said with a devious grin. “He’ll be here tonight.” “Who’ll be here tonight?” Emma didn’t let herself react. She must have mistaken Sydney’s meaning. “Jack.” Sydney waited for a reaction with a little grin on her face. “My Jack?” Emma claimed him without even thinking about it. She wanted him to be her Jack. At least for the weekend. “I didn’t know he was yours, but yes.” “Why? How?” If she was going to get the second chance, this time she wasn’t going to leave with regrets. Every woman deserved to have a well-endowed man once in her lifetime. “I invited them over for supper, so we better get cooking.” Sydney started rummaging through her cupboards and pulled out a couple of mixing bowls. “Supper now? Isn’t it a little late?” It was probably close to eight and she was definitely hungry. Normally Emma and her boys ate at five p.m. on the dot. “Should be here in about a half hour.” Sydney walked up the 42

Double Dare stairs, straight to the grill, and pressed the button to fire it up. “Are you going to invite Jack to stay for desert this time?” “I think I might.” Emma smiled. She would have another chance with him, and this time, she wasn’t going to be shy. She had needs that hadn’t been tended to in a very long time. She was going to take the chance with Jack tonight. No regrets. **** “You ready to go?” Logan stood in the entry of Jack’s house, impatiently waiting for his brother. This house was also his temporary residence, but Logan didn’t know how long he was going to stay in South Dakota, so he hadn’t been looking for a place of his own. Lately, he spent most of his nights at Sydney’s house anyway. “Yeah. I need to drop off a check at the post office before we head out.” Jack licked the envelope, carefully pressed it closed and stood up. For a man who was possibly going to get laid for the first time in a year, he sure was taking his damn sweet time getting ready. “What do you need to drop off?” “You and I are sponsoring the Black Hills Make a Wish Foundation again this year.” “We got the money for that?” “Nope. But they don’t need the money any less, just because the economy’s in the toilet. Probably need it more because other people will be dropping out.” “Yeah, you’re probably right.” Logan had quit his job to come back and make sure this business survived, and money was definitely tight. But he couldn’t say anything against his brother giving money to those kids. If they couldn’t help kids in need, what was the point of making any money? “Let’s get on the road,” Jack said with a hint of enthusiasm. Maybe Sydney was right about these two. Maybe they were a good match. His brother was actually smiling, and Logan hadn’t seen him do that in a while. As much as Jack would disagree, a 43

woman might be exactly what he needed in life.

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Chapter Seven Thirty minutes later, the steaks were almost done cooking on the grill. Two huge juicy porterhouses for Logan and Jack, and two much smaller bacon-wrapped fillet minions for Emma and herself. “Do you need any help?” Emma sat nervously on the deck, watching the deer, watching Sydney cook, legs tucked up to her chest, arms wrapped around her knees. It was obvious she was nervous, but that would hopefully end very soon. Potato salad was waiting in the refrigerator, and they had whipped up a blueberry pie with the wild berries picked this afternoon. Tonight was going to be perfect, and Sydney hoped it would be the first of many weekends she and Emma would spend together with Logan and Jack. “Why don’t you pour us glasses of wine?” Sydney suggested. “Sure.” Emma stood up quickly. She looked like she could use a little liquid courage. “There’s an open bottle of merlot in the wine rack, and the glasses are in the china cabinet.” Emma disappeared into the house. It was a peaceful night. Almost dark and perfectly silent except for the noises they made with their chatting and cooking. Emma came back a couple of minutes later carrying two glasses filled almost to the brim with red wine. She was just sitting down, and Sydney was taking her first sip when Logan’s truck pulled up the driveway. “Hey, guys.” Sydney greeted her hunkalicious man and his brother as the men sauntered toward her house. Not only did they look alike, but they walked alike. She held in a chuckle, knowing Logan wouldn’t appreciate the observation. “Glad you found the place okay.” “Wasn’t too difficult from the directions you gave me.” Logan played along as if he hadn’t driven that exact route many, many 45

nights over the past month. Jack silently followed his brother up the stairs. Sydney wrapped her arms around Logan’s neck and gave him a quick kiss. It was a risky move, looking that comfortable and that excited to see him, but she couldn’t help herself. She had to be near him, had to touch him. “It’s good to see you again,” Sydney whispered in his ear. He grabbed her ass, but she swatted him away and moved over to the grill, pretending to be occupied with tending to the steaks. “Later,” she said with a wink. “Why don’t you take Jack inside, Emma, and show him my beverage selection.” “I’ll take a Coors Light when you come back.” Logan called. “You’re in luck.” She gave him her best fake smile and hoped Emma hadn’t noticed his slipup. “I just happen to have some Coors Light on hand. Emma, will you bring the platter for the steaks?” “Sure,” Emma said with a grin before she shut the sliding glass door behind Jack and herself. “Do you need me to help you with anything?” Logan said as Jack and Emma disappeared into the house. “No. Table’s already set inside, and the steaks are almost done. Just stand there and look pretty for me.” Logan moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, just under her breasts. He moved his thumb up to rub against her nipple. “That’s supposed to be my line, and I’m not that pretty.” She sucked in a breath and her nipple went hard. “Okay, well, then sit there and look ruggedly handsome.” “I’ll do my best.” His breath was warm on her ear, and when he nipped at her lobe, heat shot straight to her core. “You keep touching me like that, I’m not going to be able to wait for my… desert.” They had some damn amazing chemistry. He’d set her pussy to throbbing, needing him already. “That would be horrible.” His growled mock-chagrin made her suck in a breath, and her body clenched in response. Sydney blew out a long breath. She was on a mission to get 46

Double Dare Emma and Jack hooked up. She couldn’t let the fact that she was a raging pile of hormones whenever Logan was around cause her to drop her guard. **** “What would you like to drink?” Emma’s voice came out like a high pitched pre-pubescent girl’s, but he was standing so close, smelling like spicy man soap and driving her undersexed body a little crazy. “I’ll just have a beer.” He leaned back against the counter looking calm, relaxed. Two things she wasn’t normally prone to be, but tonight she was trying something new. She blew out a long breath and forced her shoulders to relax. Tonight she intended to live for the moment. Enjoy life. She took two bottles of Coors Light from the top shelf and handed one to Jack. “I’m glad you guys could come out for supper.” She slowly let her gaze move up to his eyes, half afraid to see his reaction. She had never been so brazen with a man before, but she couldn’t afford to be any other way with him. This was her second chance, and there probably wouldn’t be a third. Fate wasn’t that good to her. Jack looked down at her as he twisted the top off his beer. “Yeah, me too.” He smiled and Emma’s heart skipped a beat. Her gut reaction was to take a step back, protect herself, but that wasn’t what tonight was going to be about. “There’s been something I’ve wanted to do all day.” She took a step closer, needing him to touch her, kiss her. She was doing it, not shying away, not slinking down and hiding, and he was making it easy. There was something about this man. Something that drove her body crazy. “Is it something I could help you with?” He tilted her head up with his hand and waited, giving her the chance to move away. “Umm hmmm.” She didn’t move back, but held her ground 47

close to his lips, waiting for him to make a move. And then he did. Jack pressed his lips against hers, surprisingly gentle for such a big man. But the gentleness of the kiss didn’t keep her body from wanting more. His touch was powerful, sexy, and she parted her lips, inviting him in. His tongue touched hers, explored her mouth sensually, torturously slow, and the skin between her legs started to tingle. Jack ended the kiss and looked into her eyes, a grin teased at the corners of his lips. “Is that what you had in mind?” “Yes, it was,” she replied breathily. His kiss made her legs weak. Her core throbbed for him. Jack’s arm wrapped around her back, pulling Emma against his solid muscled body. “I’ve been thinking about that all afternoon too.” “About kissing me?” “Yeah. Kissing you, touching you, wondering what it would have been like if you had taken that dare.” “It’s not too late, you know.” Emma said as the sound of Sydney laughing out on the deck filtered into the house, causing her sensible side to take control once again. “But we should probably get back out there before the steaks burn.” Emma said the words, but she couldn’t force her body to move out of his hold. Sometimes she was too damn sensible for her own good. “Yeah. We probably should.” Jack kissed her softly on the lips. “So long as I can get a rain-check on this.” He squeezed her and then released Emma from his grip. “I would like that.” She grinned as she grabbed the platter off the table and walked to the door. Jack followed right behind her. She could feel his heat, the power of the massive man so near. The anticipation of having him touch her again, touch her in places that had been neglected for so long, made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. When they made it over to the grilling area of the deck, she handed the beer to Logan and the platter to Sydney before going to 48

Double Dare stand beside Jack. “Are the steaks ready?” Not that she was any big hurry to eat. Her stomach was in a nervous knot. She was, however, excited about the after-dinner activities that would hopefully take place with Jack. “They are done.” Sydney started plopping the steaks onto the platter. “Let’s head inside to eat.” Logan, very gallantly, jumped up to get the door. Jack put his strong hand on Emma’s back as they followed into the house. She liked the feeling of him touching her, supporting her even when she didn’t need it. “I hope you boys like steak and potato salad. And there’s homemade blueberry pie for desert,” Sydney announced proudly. Sydney was a damn good cook and had reason to be proud. But Emma knew that Sydney’s ex-husband had forced her to take classes from his favorite chef and expected her to cook five-course meals every night. Her skills in the kitchen were one of the few good things that came out of the marriage for Sydney. “You can’t go wrong with that menu,” Jack said enthusiastically, winking at Emma. “She made me slave all day picking blueberries in the forest,” Emma teased. It was her best attempt at flirting. Kind of pathetic, but all she had at the moment. “I can’t wait to taste the fruits of your labor.” Jack smiled a smile that spread all the way to his eyes. It was very sexy. Logan slid into the corner bench and Sydney sat beside him, leaving the other bench for Emma and Jack. “The porterhouses are for you guys,” Sydney said as she stabbed one and put it on Logan’s plate. “Looks like good luck has hit me twice today.” Logan scooped up some potato salad and added it to his plate. “Probably going to hit you a third time.” Sydney winked suggestively at Logan. Emma couldn’t be quite as forward as Sydney, but Jack was going to get lucky tonight as well. The guys dug into their food like they were starving. Probably were after working hard all day. But Emma toyed with each bite of 49

steak and had a hard time swallowing her food. It was delicious, but her stomach twisted into a nervous knot. What if she didn’t remember how to have sex with a man? The basics were pretty simple, but she was definitely rusty. God, she hoped he wouldn’t be able to tell. Sydney and Logan carried the dinner conversation with easy small talk, and Emma was glad to not have to participate much. “Is everyone ready for desert?” “Definitely,” Logan said. “It smells delicious,” Jack added. Emma just nodded. She couldn’t even fake excitement over the pie. Sydney dished out the slices, but that meant the meal was ending and there would be no more food as a distraction. Emma was going to need to be sexy and flirt and do all the things she hadn’t done in a very long time. It made her more than a little nervous. She distractedly cut into her pie, her hand slipped, and a forkful of blueberry filling went flying at Jack, landing right on his arm. “Oh my gosh.” Her face heated up, and she knew it was turning bright red. This was a great start to looking sexy. Throw a little food on the man you want. Real smooth. “I’m so sorry.” “It’s no big deal, I’ve had worse thrown at me.” Jack winked at her as he got up from his chair. God, he was sweet and sexy. “Where’s your bathroom?” Jack looked at Sydney. “First door on the right.” Logan and Sydney said at the same time. How the hell does Logan know where Sydney’s bathroom is? What’s going on here? The thought had crossed Emma’s mind a few times that Logan and Sydney were way too comfortable around each other for two people who only just met. The way Sydney’s face turned bright red and she stared down at her plate made it obvious to Emma that her friend was up to something.

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Chapter Eight Shit. Shit. Shit. Sydney took a big bite of her pie and hoped no one would notice the mistake. Jack stopped dead in his tracks and stared at his brother. He narrowed his eyes. “How do you know where the bathroom is?” Logan looked at Sydney. She could tell he was searching her face for a sign, trying to figure out what she wanted him to say. “This isn’t Logan’s first time here.” Sydney spoke into the tension that filled the room. “What?” Emma’s eyes were huge. “You know him?” “We’ve been dating for a while,” she confessed. “This whole thing was a set-up? You’re trying to prostitute me out to your boyfriend’s brother?” Emma’s eyes were big, her cheeks pink. She was definitely shocked and pissed, and the guilt hit Sydney hard. “No. I wanted to set you up with Jack.” Sydney used her fork to toy with her pie crust, avoiding Emma’s glare. She’d known that getting caught was a possibility, the one she wanted so badly to avoid. She had never wanted to hurt Emma, or to piss her off. “By daring me to sleep with him?” Emma shook her head. “You’ve been alone for so long. I wanted you to be happy. I wanted to help you find a man, and I knew you wouldn’t go out on a blind date. I’ve already tried that one. I didn’t know what else to try. I’m sorry.” She looked at Emma, seeking a sign of forgiveness for her deceit. “I need to go for a walk.” Emma stood, tossed her napkin onto the table and walked out the door. Jack wiped the pie off his arm with a paper towel. “You went along with this plan?” He scowled at Logan. “Sydney thought you and Emma would hit it off.” Logan looked straight at his brother. “And she was right.” “No girlfriend, my ass. I knew those fancy sandwiches were 51

coming from a woman. You haven’t been staying at dad’s house either, have you?” “I go there every night, check to see that he had dinner and find out if he needs anything. I leave when he goes to bed. He doesn’t need a nursemaid. He doesn’t want me to stay.” “That doesn’t make what you’ve done here right.” Jack stormed out the door after Emma. **** Emma stood at the railing of the deck, looking out over the valley into the dark nothingness beyond. A million stars dotted the black sky above. From all outward aspects, it was the perfect night for romance. But it couldn’t be, not now. Sydney was her best friend. How could she do something like this? “Are you okay?” Jack came up beside her and put his hand over hers on the railing. Emma jerked her hand away. “Please don’t touch me.” He didn’t touch her, but he didn’t move away, either. “I had nothing to do with this. I’ve never seen your friend before, and just like you, I was tricked.” “You didn’t know?” It was nice to learn she wasn’t the only sucker here. Remembering the look on his face when the truth came out, she was reassured. Jack had been as surprised as she was. She had no right to be mad at him. “I’m sorry I snapped at you.” “I never met Sydney before. I had some suspicion that Logan had a woman, but didn’t know for sure. I knew nothing about the plan to set us up.” Jack paused and looked out into the night sky. “But I’m kind of glad they did it, because I got to meet you.” Emma let out a long breath. “I’m glad I got to meet you, too.” Tricked by her own best friend. She should have known Sydney was up to something. She had been acting strange all day. “I still feel so stupid.” “Don’t. Your friend was doing what she thought was right. No matter how messed up it seems right now.” He stood so close she 52

Double Dare could smell his aftershave, feel his strength in the inch of air between them. “I know.” She rubbed her hand across her forehead, trying to somehow wipe away the frustration she felt. “Sydney wanted to help and thought sex was the answer.” She turned so she was directly facing Jack. “Hell, maybe she’s right. Maybe sex is the answer.” “Really?” Jack’s voice didn’t hide his surprise even a little bit. Although Sydney had tricked her into this, Emma still wanted Jack. He was a nice guy, and she was attracted to him. How she had been introduced to him didn’t change that. The fact that Sydney was dating his brother and probably knew a lot about his background made her feel even more comfortable doing this. Sydney wouldn’t set her up with a creep or a jerk. She may be conniving, but Emma knew she’d had her best interests at heart. “Yeah, really.” Emma moved closer to Jack, wanting him to hold her, to touch her. Wanting those feelings of lust he’d roused in her when they were in the kitchen. Wanting to feel alive again. “Does that mean you still want to pick up on that rain check?” He grasped both her hands, but his posture was stiff. Keeping a distance between them, as he looked down into Emma’s eyes and waited for her answer. “Yes, I do.” She grinned up at him. This is what she wanted. Sydney’s sneaky involvement didn’t matter. Emma had a connection with Jack that she wanted to explore. And hell, as Sydney would say, she needed to get laid. Jack pulled her against him, kissing her softly at first, then with a need that matched her own. Kissing him felt so good, so right. Their tongues danced and a shiver went down her spine. “Are you cold? We can go inside if you want.” His words were whispered in her ear, causing another lustful shiver. “No, that was a good shiver, and I have no interest in going in now.” She planted her lips against his again, letting her tongue explore his mouth. Letting herself enjoy the touch of a man. Jack put one hand on her butt and pulled her closer. His hardon pressed against her belly, letting her know he was just as 53

affected as she was. “Mmmmmm.” The moan escaped her lips and heat rushed to her core. She wanted him. The house door opened and her head jerked that direction as Sydney came out. Emma pulled back and stiffened, but Jack didn’t loosen his grip around her waist. “I’m just checking to make sure you’re okay.” Sydney stood in the doorway, looking nervous. “Yes.” Emma smiled. “Everything is okay. I’m sorry I overreacted.” Sydney’s eyes moved down to see Jack’s arms wrapped around Emma. “Well, Logan and I are going to go for a little ride. Will you be okay here by yourselves?” She grabbed a surprised Logan and pulled him out the door toward her Ranger. “We’ll be fine.” Emma knew Sydney was leaving for her sake. They would be more than fine, and Sydney was considerate enough to leave them alone, knowing—again—just what she needed. Sometimes it was frustrating how direct Sydney could be when she said and did things, and sometimes it was oh-so-beneficial. “Help yourselves to whatever you need. We’ll be back in a couple of hours.” Sydney pulled Logan by the hand down the steps and toward the Ranger. “Thank you.” Emma hoped Sydney would know that she was thanking her for everything. “Anytime, babe.” Sydney started up the engine. She and Logan backed down the driveway and then turned north. The headlights of the Ranger quickly vanished from sight, and soon the sound of the vehicle was swallowed by the forest. She and Jack were alone. Emma didn’t move, enjoying the experience of being wrapped in Jack’s strong arms under the stars. Enjoying being held by a man again. “What do you want to do now?” he said. “You.” It was simple. She wanted him. Now. Life was too short to put it off any longer. Jack grinned and kissed her again. “Do you want to go in the 54

Double Dare house?” “Yes.” She was actually going to do this. She was going to make love to this sexy man. He took her by the hand and led into the house. In the kitchen he stopped, waiting for her to make the next move. “Are you sure about this?” He held both her hands, looked into her eyes, and gave her the chance to change her mind. The chance to say no. She shifted nervously. She had to let him know she wasn’t offering him more than one weekend. She couldn’t give him any more than that. “So long as we’re clear on future expectations.” “Like?” He looked at her nervously. “There are no future expectations. This is a one-weekend thing. I’m not looking for a serious relationship.” Whether or not she wanted one, she didn’t have the ability to offer that. Her life was full, and the one weekend a month she didn’t have her kids wasn’t enough to sustain any kind of relationship with a man. “I can handle that.” Jack looked relieved at her request. “Anything else?” “Make me feel like a woman again.” She looked up into his eyes and gave him a glimpse of her need, a glimpse of her vulnerability. “I can do that.” His words were low and sexy. And then Jack kissed her. Hard. His hands moved up her shirt, brushing the sides of her breasts sending shocks of lust straight to her crotch. His attention stayed on her breasts, scooping into her bra with one hand and rolling a nipple between two fingers. “You have amazing breasts.” She was blessed with a D cup, but always wore shirts that kept them hidden. Emma didn’t like it when men couldn’t get past them long enough to look her in the eye. She didn’t have that problem with Jack. “Thank you.” It was nice that he appreciated two of her finer attributes. It was even nicer the way he was touching them, and the way his touch sent heat straight to her core. “Where do you want to do this?” He questioned. “My room is down the hall.” She wanted him to take her right 55

there, right now, but she didn’t want to be caught by Sydney and Logan. Probably hypocritical of her, but it was one thing to watch, another to be caught. “Let’s go, then.” He swatted her on the ass to encourage her to move. Not that she needed any encouragement. The only thing she needed was his hard cock between her legs. She moved with all the speed and grace she could muster, down the hall and into the guest room. She closed and locked the door solidly behind them. Jack pulled her to him hard and kissed her as his hands worked to un-tuck her shirt and unclasp her bra. He stopped kissing her just long enough to pull her shirt over her head and let her bra drop to the floor. Then he kissed her neck, and heat sent shudders through her body. His touch felt so good, and she had been denying herself for so long. His attention moved to her breasts as he sucked a hardened nipple into his mouth. His hands unfastened her pants and pushed them to the floor. “I didn’t wear sexy underwear for you. Didn’t think there was any chance of this.” She glanced down at the red cotton panties. At least they matched her bra and were kind of cute, but it wasn’t lacy or sexy. Not what she would have worn, had she planned everything out. “I think they’re sexy. Mostly because you’re wearing them.” His attention moved to the other nipple, sucking into his mouth solidly. “They’re going to get ripped off anyway.” He pulled her panties down with one quick motion. Wetness rushed between her legs. God she needed this man. She had been denying herself the touch of a man, denying herself the basic human instinct of sexual interaction. But she was going to make up for that tonight, and Jack was the man for the job. Emma clutched at his shirt, ripping buttons off as she pulled it open and pushed it off his shoulders. She could feel the heat of his skin through the thin white t-shirt. She pulled it over his head and ran her hands down the smooth muscles of his chest. 56

Double Dare “I’ve never dated a hard-working man.” Her husband had been a banker, never worked a physically hard day in his life. This man was hard in all the right places, thanks to his career choice. She felt her cheeks getting hot. A deceased husband probably wasn’t an appropriate thing to think about, or to talk about with the man you were about to have sex with. “I think I’ll take that as a compliment.” He grinned at her discomfort. “Yes, it’s definitely a compliment.” Emma rubbed her hand down his hard on. She could feel it strain against his jeans. “Now take off your pants. I’m not going to be the only naked one.” “Anything you want.” He unbuttoned and unzipped his jeans and pushed them to the floor, standing in front of her in gray boxer briefs that didn’t leave a whole lot to the imagination. His thick cock pressed against the soft fabric, begging to be released. She wasn’t going to wait for him to do the releasing. Emma pushed his underwear down and let the boxers drop to the floor. She explored the soft skin of his cock, let her fingertips slide down the length of it and back up to the head. She had almost forgotten what a man looked like down there, what he felt like. Jack’s skin was smooth, soft, and warm under her fingers. She felt the blood pumping into his veins with every pulse of his heart. She moved her hand to circle his crown gently and touched the sensitive tip lightly, spreading the wetness that seeped out over the plum-shaped head. Jack watched her face, didn’t breathe, but his cock strained at her touch. “It’s… quite large.” She tore her eyes from his cock to look up to his face. He grinned. “I’ll take that as a compliment, too.” Jack moved his finger slowly up her inner thigh, pausing on her nub, and then slid into the hot wetness that threatened to devour her. She moaned as his finger entered, and then slipped out again to tease her clit. “I want to taste you.” He moved her to the bed and lifted her up as if she weighed nothing, setting her down gently near the edge. 57

Her legs hung off the end, dangling. He spread her legs and kneeled between them. She didn’t respond. Didn’t know what to say. God, she wanted him to do just that. His tongue flicked her clit, sending a shudder of lust all the way to her fingertips. Then he licked her opening, circled her clit, sucked her nub into his mouth, and did it over and over and over again until she was about to explode. “I need your cock inside me,” she begged. She wanted all of him. She needed to feel a man inside her again. “Okay.” He pulled a condom from his jeans pocket. “I stole one from Logan, in case you changed your mind about the dare.” He rolled the condom down his cock, and then he took her ankles in both hands and pulled her legs up. His hands loosened their grip around her ankles as he let them rest on his muscular shoulders. Emma’s toes pointed at the ceiling. She’d never been in a position like this before, but she definitely liked it. His cock rubbed against her swollen sex. “Make me come,” she begged again. She needed completion, needed the satisfaction she’d denied herself for so long. Jack slowly entered her. Her pussy squeezed his cock, loving the sensations of finally having a man inside her again. He moved slowly, letting her adjust to him. She arched her hips upward, wanting more. But he continued his torturously slow entrance, finally filling her, but not moving. Jack took one slow full stroke and groaned as her walls clenched around him. “God, you’re tight.” She was surprised to hear him say that. She did have two kids, but it had also been five years since she had been with a man. Some said that after seven years you become a virgin again, but she wasn’t there yet. Wasn’t going to make it there, thanks to Jack. And Sydney. With another torturously slow stroke, Jack moved in and out of her. She arched toward him, needing more, needing release. He gave in to her needs, moving the solid length of his cock 58

Double Dare steadily in and out. Pleasure was crashing in hard on her. “Oh, Jack.” She focused her vision on the muscles of his arms, his thighs, his stomach, everything flexing as he moved faster, pounding into her, bringing her higher. “That’s right. Come for me, baby.” His words were what she needed to let go completely. Her body convulsed, her core clung to his cock as he pumped into her another time and then groaned his own release. She watched his eyes narrow and turn as black as coal as he came. He stilled, looking down at Emma as the intense sensations started to fade into complete relaxation. “You are beautiful.” “Thank you.” She smiled shyly. She didn’t know if he was saying it because she had sex with him and that was his standard aftersex comment, but she didn’t think so. His eyes focused on hers and his face was relaxed. The read she got from him was “honesty.” Her body jerked in aftershock as he slowly moved his cock out of her. “Now what do we do?” He asked as he removed the condom off and went to the garbage can to dispose of it. “Curl up under the covers with me until you’ve recovered enough to do that again.” She needed to be held by the man who was able to break through her defenses and help her experience pleasure again. She needed to feel his support, and she wanted Jack to make her lose control again and again and again. Now that she’d finally given in to the temptation of a man, she didn’t want it to end. Long-term celibacy wasn’t part of human nature. Sex was as much a part of life as eating and sleeping. It was going to be hard to go back to her celibate ways after this. A short time later, Jack’s fingers ran lightly down Emma’s back, pausing when they hit the curve of her butt. “You’re ready for more?” She purred. “No, but you are.” He moved a hand between her legs and ran a finger along her sex. She wouldn’t deny it. She wanted Jack again. 59

She moaned as his finger circled her clit. Heat and wetness rushed to her opening again. “You don’t happen to have a condom, do you?” His cock moved, pressed against her butt. “Yeah. I’ll get it from my pocket.” When Sydney gave it to her that morning, she didn’t think there was any chance it would get used. Since then, things had drastically changed. She retrieved the little foil packet and handed it to Jack. “If I lie beside you any longer I’ll fall asleep, and I don’t want that. Not yet.” Jack rolled the condom over his cock and then pulled her tight against him, skin against skin. He worked long hours and probably needed the sleep, but he was ignoring his own needs to see to hers. “Thank you,” she said. “For what?” He sucked at her neck, sending vibrations straight to her core. “For being you. For being here.” In one day, he had made her see that she didn’t have to be lonely, didn’t have to be celibate for the rest of her life. She could have a man, and that didn’t mean she had to give up what little remained of her heart. Her heart didn’t have to be involved. It seemed shallow to think of it that way, but it didn’t feel shallow at all. It felt good. Jack lightly rubbed his hand up and down the bare skin of her side. “I’m really glad Sydney and Logan set us up.” He stopped talking, but there was something about how he ended that made her think he wanted to say more. “Me, too.” She moaned as his hand moved down to the front of her sex rubbing lightly against her nub. “Roll onto your stomach.” She did as he asked, and he straddled her. His legs rubbed lightly against her outer thighs as he leaned forward and rubbed his hands solidly up her back. “Mmmmmmmm.” It felt wonderful. He leaned down, kissing her neck, letting his body wrap around hers. His cock pressed against her butt as his lips moved slowly down her back. Her pussy throbbed for him. His touch was like 60

Double Dare fire, and she couldn’t get enough. His teeth nipped at the skin on her back before he lowered himself to cover her body with his, putting his cock to her opening and entering her slowly, steadily. She loved the feeling of his body against her, his warm skin surrounding her, his strength enveloping her. He filled her, moved torturously slowly in and out, again and again. She clung to every movement, every sensation he brought with his slow relaxed thrusting. “I’m glad you changed your mind about the dare.” His words were hot against her skin. “I didn’t change my mind about the dare. I changed my mind about life. About you.” She wasn’t going to hide from life anymore, and the decision was already proving itself to be the right one. On this night, she felt more alive than she had in a long time. Her breaths became pants as he continued his slow, sensual thrusting deep into her core. Tingling warmness swept over her. He was going to make her come again. “More. Faster. Please,” she begged. “Anything you want.” He raised his body above her and brought her ass up into the air, doggy style. Then he moved his hands to her breasts and squeezed. The sensation was something between pleasure and pain and sent tingling sensations through her body. He kept his hands on her breasts, squeezing each nipple as he moved his cock solidly in and out, increasing his pace until he was pounding into her hard and fast. “Ohhhhhhh, Jack.” The pleasure swept over her in waves. “That’s right, baby.” He thrust into her hard, his legs slapping against her ass. “Pleasure jolted through Emma and her entire body convulsed beneath Jack. He pounded into her two more times and then groaned his release. They both collapsed onto the bed. “Jack.” I love you, were the next words on Emma’s mind. But she couldn’t be. She only met him today. It wasn’t possible to fall 61

in love that quickly. Being alone for so long must have warped her mind. “Hmmmmm?” his deep, sleepy voice questioned. “Good night,” she said simply. There was no way she was going to share what was really on her mind. “Good night, beautiful.” He wrapped his arms around her and immediately fell asleep. God. What had she done? She couldn’t be in love. Not yet. Not ever again.

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Chapter Nine Headlights cut through the darkness as Sydney drove down the winding gravel road that led away from her house. It was cold, damn cold with the wind hitting her bare arms. She hadn’t taken the time to grab appropriate clothing, wanting to get out of the house quick so Jack and Emma could finish whatever they were starting without interruption. Even Logan had his arms wrapped around his chest. He didn’t complain, that wasn’t his style, but she had to find something to warm them up a little. She didn’t bother looking for a place to pull off. She stopped in the middle of the road. There wouldn’t be any traffic here tonight. That was one of the things she loved about living here. She could go outside at anytime of the day or night and not hear the sounds of traffic. Instead, she would be surrounded by peace and quiet. When she turned off the engine, they were instantly engulfed by the dark silence of the forest. “I think I have some jackets and a blanket in the storage area.” “You’re cold?” He always played the role of the tough guy, but she knew he was a big teddy bear inside. He was cold, even though he wasn’t going to admit it. Men. “I’m freezing.” Sydney jumped out, twisted open the latch, and grabbed everything she could find in there that could be used to keep warm. Luckily, she hadn’t cleaned it out lately and had two sweatshirts, one that was oversized and might do for Logan. She also had a couple of fleece blankets and a tarp. She shoved the tarp and one of the blankets back in, thinking the sweatshirts and one blanket would be enough. “Try this on.” She tossed the bigger sweatshirt to Logan. “Is it yours?” “Yeah, but it’s from college, back when it was cool to wear 63

everything way too big.” Logan slipped the shirt over his head. “It’s a little snug, but it’ll work so long as I don’t flex.” He grinned and crossed his arms in a bodybuilder pose. Sydney chuckled. “The only muscle you’re going to need to flex tonight is your cock.” He raised his eyebrows. “When is that happening?” “How about a little drive first?” Sydney had the perfect romantic spot in mind. Not that she needed romance, but she was divorced, not dead. Every girl liked a little romance. Even a disillusioned romantic. She got back into the driver’s seat and spread the blanket across both of their laps. “You want me to drive?” Logan asked. “No. I’m fine.” She knew he didn’t like to be in the passenger seat, but she wasn’t going to roll over and let him take control of things. She wasn’t that woman anymore. “You can slide a little closer to keep me warm.” “Sure.” He moved beside her and put his hand on her thigh. “Where are we going?” His hand was hot, matched by a heat surging to her crotch as he rubbed his thumb up and down her inner thigh. “Well, we have to stay away for a couple of hours, so I thought we could go up to cement ridge.” “A couple of hours? I think you’re giving Jack a little too much credit.” “He better keep her in there for at least that long, and I expect the same from you.” “Now that’s not a problem.” He gave her a cocky smile. She turned the key and the Ranger rumbled to life again. “Do you think they’re still mad at me?” She hated that she’d tricked Emma and Jack. She didn’t lie to anyone, but she wasn’t always forthcoming with the details of the truth, and that in itself was definitely in the gray area. “I’m pretty sure they are ready to forgive you. You worry too much.” 64

Double Dare “Yeah, you’re probably right. They did seem to be enjoying the benefits of my mischievous ways when we left.” And he was right that she worried too much about what other people thought, worried too much about things she couldn’t change. She should be more like Logan, easygoing, never sweating the small stuff. Sydney put the Ranger into gear and drove up the gravel roads toward Cement Ridge. In about fifteen minutes she was bumping slowly up the last stretch to the top. “I haven’t been up here in a long time,” Logan said. “I’m glad I brought you then.” He worked too hard, and she loved being the one bringing him out to play a little. “We used to come up here on snowmobiles when I was a kid. We’d pull down the hill a little way to get out of the wind and have a picnic in the snow. I always thought it was so cool to start a little fire in the winter and roast marshmallows and hot dogs. That was before mom got sick.” Sydney knew his mom had cancer and died when he and his brother were in high school. She didn’t say anything, giving him the chance to share more if he wanted, or to drop the subject if he didn’t want to go there. “I’ve never been here at night.” He changed the subject. “Me neither. I thought it would be cool to see.” She drove to the end of the road and was greeted with the most spectacular view. Towns below glowed in clusters of white lights and dotted the prairie for hundreds of miles. The outline of the Black Hills shadowed the area behind them and to both sides of the little gravel parking area. It was even more amazing than she’d expected. The stars were so close, so bright. The moon cast its rays down on them, providing just enough light to see the dips and rocks in the road even now that the headlights were off. “Let’s walk up by the lookout tower, and bring this along just in case.” Emma rolled up the blanket and carried it under her arm. It wasn’t going to be just in case. That blanket was going to get used tonight. Gravel crunched beneath their feet as they walked, interrupting 65

the silence of the forest. Not a breath of wind blew, not a sound of human or creature other than the two of them. It was a perfect night, and she loved sharing this experience with Logan. When they got to the top of the hill, Logan stood behind Sydney, wrapped his arms around her waist, and let his chin rest on the top of her head. “God, it’s gorgeous. I don’t think I could ever leave here again.” “You didn’t like living in the city?” “It was okay, but there were too many people for my taste. I was actually kind of glad when Jack called and told me they needed help. I was making good money in New York, but money isn’t everything. It can’t buy this.” He stood silently for a time, looking out over the darkened landscape. “I think you have to make some mistakes before you can see what’s truly valuable in life. At least, I did.” Sydney said it for the first time without any bitterness. If she hadn’t been married to a cheating jerk, she wouldn’t have put as much importance on integrity. She wouldn’t have appreciated a man who wasn’t trying to use her, trying to control her. “And what’s valuable to you now?” His arms squeezed her gently, rubbing under her breasts. “A good man warming my bed, good friends, fun, enjoying the simple things, loving life.” Hitting rock bottom had given her the chance to really evaluate what she wanted out of life. “I’m glad I can help you with something on your list.” He turned her to face him and kissed the top of her forehead, then ran a finger lightly down her nose. Sydney smiled. “You help me with a few of those things.” “Is there any one in particular you would like me to help you with right now?” “Well, I don’t have a bed, but I could use some help warming up this blanket.” She waved the folded piece of green fleece in front of her. “I think I can do that.” He moved his lips to her neck, to the place he knew sent her pussy vibrating immediately. “Ooohhhh, Logan.” Don’t ever leave me. 66

Double Dare She was falling in love with this man. Shit. She was supposed to be protecting her heart and having a little fun. Not falling in love. This wasn’t what she needed in her life right now. “Is something wrong?” He stopped kissing her and looked at her with concern. He was attentive, didn’t miss the stiffening of her body in reaction to her own stupid thoughts. “Nothing’s wrong,” she lied. “Are you sure?” “Yes. Now, what were we doing?” Sydney pulled his head down to meet hers and kissed him hard. She had no intention of giving up what she had with this man. They had an agreement to ask for nothing more than companionship and sex, and she wasn’t going to. She could keep her silly little desires to herself and enjoy Logan’s touch. There was no need to complicate things between them. “I think you were trying to convince me to give you an orgasm.” Logan slipped a hand into her shirt and under her bra, and finally found the tight bud of her nipple. He squeezed it gently between his fingers and the need came rushing back hard and fast. “I don’t recall you needing much convincing.” She rubbed her hand down his jeans, cupping his hard-on. “Nope.” He grabbed her ass and pulled her against him. “Never do.” “Let’s spread this thing out.” She forced herself away from his grasp to lay the blanket over the nearest flat grassy spot. “Is it too cold to take off all your clothes?” he asked. “I think I’ll be able to handle it.” She was hot from his touch, and the cool night air wasn’t going to stop her from completely enjoying the moment or giving Logan everything he wanted. “Good.” He lifted the sweatshirt over her head and then her tshirt. He unclasped her bra, leaving her nipples exposed to the cool air. The peaks sucked even tighter. Logan pulled his own sweatshirt over his head as she tugged his shirttail out of his pants and unbuttoned them. Sydney let her fingers linger on the warmth of his chest, his sexy washboard abs. 67

He was so virile, so strong. So young. She pushed away the thought and then she pushed away his shirt. His age was one of the things that had attracted her to him. He was young and wild and free. And that was the way he made her feel again. That was what she needed in her life. He pulled her to the ground and moved over her. His large, muscular body made her feel small beneath him. He grinned at her deviously, and then moved his head down to suck at her nipple, the warmth of his mouth a welcome change from the cold night air. She drew in a deep breath and arched her breasts to him, wanting more of the torment his mouth was providing. At the same time, his hands worked quickly at removing her pants, pulling them off and tossing them to the side of the blanket. He pulled away a little and let his eyes drift over her body. “You look beautiful naked in the moonlight.” “That’s because it’s so dark you can’t see my wrinkles.” She hadn’t meant to say out loud what she was thinking. Why was she so self conscious about her age with him tonight? He grinned down at her, unconcerned about her age, or at the least, effectively hiding any concern. “You don’t have any wrinkles.” He moved his mouth to her ear. “You’re better looking than most of the twenty-year-old girls I know, and you’re a hell of a lot more interesting.” “Thank you.” She shouldn’t need him to say the words. He spent every moment of free time he had with her. He wouldn’t do that if he didn’t enjoy her company and her body. Logan stood and took off his pants. His cock pointed towards the stars and the black skies until he knelt down, one knee between her legs, pushing her thighs open for him. He straddled her and leaned forward to kiss her neck. His arms flexed as he held his body above her, warmth radiating from him. She rubbed her hands down the muscles of his back, clutching his ass and pulling him down closer to her. She arched her hips to rub against his cock, her clit aching for his touch. He avoided her overt suggestion and moved down her body, his 68

Double Dare mouth leaving hot kisses on her breasts, her belly, tormenting her further. Finally he flicked her clit with his tongue and a shiver of lust surged through her. He circled it slowly and then sucked her clit into his mouth, and she almost exploded right there. The stars started to disappear, her breath became rapid panting. “More,” she begged. His tongue flicked her softly again, and her hips arched, her body pleading for release. “Do you have a condom? I gave mine to Jack on the drive here.” The vibrations from his words sent surges through her. “Yeah.” She could barely think straight. “In my pocket.” He moved up to straddle her legs as he reached over and took the packet from her jeans, ripped it open, and rolled the condom over his cock. She watched anxiously. Waiting. Needing him to fill her. Logan entered the tip of his cock into her. “Are you okay with this?” he asked, barely pulsing just barely in and out of her. “Fuck me now,” she begged. “You’re going to let me do you missionary style?” He was teasing her, testing her. He knew she had a rule against missionary, and he was determined to get her to break it. “I’ll take your cock any way you want.” It was a stupid rule anyway. She was over her ex-husband now. She no longer wanted him to influence anything she did. “Are you sure?” He took one long stroke in and out of her hot wetness. Her pussy clenched around him, trying to hold onto him, trying to hold on to the sensations that were about to take her over the edge. “Yes.” She arched upward, taking a little more of Logan’s cock, but he moved up to keep her from getting what she wanted. “I’m sure,” she said. She’d only made the rule after having to live with missionary as the only position her husband would ever use. But this was so different. Logan was giving and caring, and he could do her any way he wanted. 69

“Good.” He pumped into her again. “Logan,” she moaned. “Make me come.” “Yes, ma’am.” He moved in and out of her in a hard, steady rhythm. His breathing got faster, his moans got deeper, he was on the verge of coming too as every stroke of his cock brought her closer to the edge. The stars were bright, but seemed to spin slowly as Logan pounded into her. He increased his pace, thrusting in and out of her fast and hard. Everything disappeared except the pleasure coursing through Sydney, about to overwhelm her. He groaned as he slammed into her one last time. Her pussy clenched around him, her entire body tensed and shivered its release. At the same time, Logan’s body shook and he pressed against her, holding his cock deep inside as the pleasure poured out of him. A minute later he leaned down to kiss her on the forehead and then rolled off her onto the blanket. Curling one arm around her naked waist and stomach, he used the other to wrap the blanket around both of them. Naked, lying skin against skin in the moonlight with the man she was falling in love with. It was practically perfect.

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Chapter Ten Emma rolled over in the soft bed that wasn’t her own. She was at Sydney’s house, and last night she had slept with a man. It was the first time in five years, the first time since her husband died. She didn’t move, didn’t want to wake him up, didn’t even know what to say when you woke up beside a man you weren’t married to. Emma turned her head slowly to the right, only to find the bed empty. He was already gone. What did that mean? Did he decide sleeping with her had been a mistake? Was she so rusty at sex that he didn’t want to face her? Last night had been amazing for her, and he’d seemed to be having as much fun as she was. Her thoughts were silly paranoia, but why was he missing? She climbed out of bed and threw on an oversized t-shirt and some black leggings. She didn’t normally sleep naked, but last night she’d been utterly relaxed after the mind-blowing orgasms Jack gave her, and so content in his arms she didn’t bother with a nightshirt. She went into the kitchen. Seven-thirty, the green lights on the stove reported, a late wake-up for her. Sydney was already up drinking a cup of coffee on the deck, watching a herd of deer grazing a hundred yards down the valley. Emma poured herself some black liquid-of-the-morning-gods and went to join her on the deck. “Good morning.” Sydney greeted her with a knowing grin. “When did you start getting up early?” Emma wanted to stay off the topic of men. Not that there was much chance Sydney would go for that. “I do like to sleep in most days, but it’s nice to watch the sunrise over the hills every once in a while.” She took a sip of her coffee. “And I got up with Logan this morning.” 71

“Are they already at work?” That would be the best explanation she could hear. It was Saturday, but she didn’t know him well enough to know if he took Saturdays off. Logging could be a sevendays-a-week job for all she knew. She had slept with a man she barely knew. She should feel extreme guilt, but she didn’t. Sleeping with Jack felt right, felt good. Given the chance, she would go right back and do it again. “Yeah. Logan usually leaves about four. They start working as soon as the sun comes up.” Sydney took another sip of coffee and stretched her feet across the deck. “I didn’t like having an empty bed this morning,” Emma admitted. “I thought you were used to that by now.” Sydney bit her bottom lip as she waited for Emma’s response. “Having a man there for a night made me see how much I missed having one all the time.” She had been denying herself for the past five years, telling herself she didn’t need anyone, but she wanted a man again. Sydney grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “Oh honey. I’m sorry. I just wanted you to be happy, wanted you to have what I have with Logan. I don’t want it to cause you any problems. We don’t have to see them again tonight.” “Tonight?” “Yeah. Logan called on my cell a few minutes ago.” Sydney motioned to the little black phone on the table beside her. “He said Jack wanted us all to go to a Make a Wish fundraising dinner. They thought we might be willing to accompany them.” Sydney stared at her, waiting nervously, giving Emma a chance to consider the offer. “Do you want to go?” She and Jack couldn’t have a long-term relationship. He had a business in Lead, and she had her family in Newcastle. She wouldn’t move them. Not until her boys were done with school, and that meant sixteen more years for her youngest. Even the best long distance relationship couldn’t survive sixteen years that way. That’s not what she wanted, anyway. She wanted to wake up in the same strong arms every morning, wanted the 72

Double Dare man sleeping next to her every night to be her best friend. No matter how much she denied it, she wanted to be married again. “Sure.” Her voice carried more enthusiasm than she felt. Even facing all the facts, she couldn’t deny the feeling she already had for Jack. She was falling for him. Not love. Not yet. But there was something good going on, and she didn’t want to miss the opportunity to see him again tonight. It was stupid. She was only setting herself up for heartbreak. “Great. I’ll call Logan and let him know. We have to go through my closet and find you something to wear. See if I own something you can squeeze that huge rack into.” Sydney was obviously excited about the prospect of dressing up and going out with the boys. And her excitement was contagious. It had been a long time since Emma had the chance to dress up and go on a real date, but nervousness lodged deep in her gut. Could she still do this? He was easy to talk to when they were out in the woods, but mostly because he carried the conversation. Last night, there wasn’t a whole lot of talking going on. She’d never been a great conversationalist, wasn’t confident on a date. She loved being married. Dating… well, dating just plain scared the crap out of her. “Let’s go have a look in your closet.” Emma wasn’t going to let this opportunity pass her by because dating made her nervous. It was too late for that anyway. She’d already had sex with the man. Going on a real date with Jack wasn’t going to kill her. **** After an eight-hour shift, a day cut short by rain, Jack stood in his bathroom trying to make himself presentable for dinner with Emma tonight. He wiped the fog off the tiny bathroom mirror and looked at his clean-shaven reflection. The man in the mirror was a stranger. Would Emma like his new look? He shouldn’t care. He’d only just met the woman, but images of her naked body had filled his mind all day. She was innocent and sweet, but in the bedroom, 73

she was precisely what he needed to be set on fire. Logan was already in the other room. Waiting for him, waiting for the girls to show up, probably dressed in the perfect Italian suit tailored just for him when he worked in the city. Dinners like this were his brother’s thing. Jack had planned on sending Logan to represent the family business at this damn dinner, like usual. He didn’t mind giving money to the charity, but he wasn’t that interested in getting dressed up and pretending to like everyone else in the restaurant. There were going to be pompous blowhards there, only giving to the Make a Wish Foundation so they could look important, not because they gave a damn about the kids. That wasn’t his style, and he wouldn’t pretend to like those guys. Jack didn’t give a damn what anyone thought about him. Anyone but Emma, anyway. That had to be why he came up with the brilliant idea of inviting her to the dinner. He wanted to see her again. He needed to have her soft skin touching him, and he was getting a goddamned hard-on right now just thinking about her. The doorbell rang as he walked across the deep brown hall carpet into his bedroom. The women were here, and he needed to hurry up and get dressed. Jack threw on his boxers, socks, and pants. He wrestled with the buttons of the stiff white shirt he hated. There were normally two reasons he wore this shirt. Weddings and funerals, and neither were something he looked forward to. “Welcome, ladies.” He heard his brother’s voice greet Emma and Sydney. “Come on in. Can I get you something to drink?” Logan could meld into any social situation. He was smart, and he was good at this kind of thing. Mr. Class President. Mr. Popular. Mr. At Ease, talking to anyone and everyone. Jack was better at being alone in the woods. He slipped the suit jacket over his shoulders. The fabric was tight and uncomfortable, but it was worth a little discomfort to spend time with Emma again. 74

Double Dare He left his room and turned down the hallway, greeted by the sight of Emma all dolled up in a dark blue dress, her boobs practically popping out and in turn causing his cock to want to do the same. “Sorry to keep you waiting.” He offered his arm to Emma. “It’s no problem.” Emma grinned and wrapped her arm tightly around his. He liked this, liked being around a woman, being around Emma. She smelled good, and looked good, and made him happy. Now all he had to do was figure out a way to make their relationship last beyond this weekend. Funny, yesterday when she suggested no commitment, he had been relieved. In twenty-four hours, his outlook on what he wanted from life, wanted with Emma, had drastically changed. Hopefully he could change her mind just as quickly. They walked to his pickup, Logan and Sydney following close behind. Jack grabbed the door handle. Crap, his truck was dirty. He couldn’t expect the women to ride in it all dressed up. Logan opened the back door and held Sydney’s hand as she climbed in. “Sorry about the mess,” Jack said. “This is our work truck.” “I had it detailed before I came home tonight.” Logan said. “Great. Thanks.” His brother was always thinking of things like this. He was good with the small things, things that were important to women. Jack needed a lot of practice in that area. He opened the passenger door and held Emma’s hand as she climbed in. “You look amazing tonight,” he said softly, not wanting Sydney or his brother to hear him being so sappy. Emma smiled, blushed, and said, “Thank you.” He shut the door and walked around to the driver’s side. His body was stiff. He could definitely feel the effect of his nervousness. Emma could probably see it. He needed to get a grip before they arrived at the restaurant or he wasn’t going to be any fun, and he wasn’t going to win Emma over this way. He started up the engine and backed out of the driveway. In less 75

than ten minutes he would need to be charming and witty and other things he hadn’t been for a very long time. If ever. Exactly eight minutes later, he pulled into a parking lot with the cars parked so damn close together he could barely get the big pickup into a spot. The lot was built right at the base of a mountain with no extra room even at the far end to park a vehicle without being smashed up next to someone else’s car. “You ready to do this?” He asked Emma, but he was more worried about himself being ready. She smiled and nodded. “Yes, I am.” They piled out of the pickup and started toward the restaurant. The aroma of something delicious cooking teased Jack’s already rumbling stomach as they walked through the parking lot. Logan and Sydney were in the lead, holding hands. He didn’t take Emma’s hand, but maybe he should. Dating was so foreign to him he didn’t know the rules anymore. Did you hold hands on your second date? Were there any rules left if you’d already slept with the woman. They walked into the building and Logan pushed the button of the elevator immediately to the right. Sydney and Logan didn’t seem uncomfortable to be in the little elevator together. Hell, he’d be lucky if they didn’t start screwing right there. His brother’s hand held low on her waist as Sydney pressed the length of her body against him and whispered something into his ear. Women were always throwing themselves at Logan. A ding signaled their arrival on the basement floor, and Jack slipped his fingers around Emma’s as they walked out of the elevator. She gave him a little grin and squeezed his hand. At least he’d gotten something right. Fucking a woman, now that was no problem. He knew how to make them come, make them scream for more. It was the whole romance thing that he was rocky at, always had been. Hopefully Emma would have some patience with him. “Mr. Ford, welcome,” the hostess said to Logan. It made sense, because he was the one who usually came to 76

Double Dare these things. But Jack was the Mr. Ford who made the donations, and it annoyed him that his brother was getting the credit right now. He didn’t do this for the credit. He did it for the kids. But he wanted Emma to see him as generous. “Let me show you to your table.” The hostess guided them to a small square table at the front of the room, reserved with a paper sign featuring the Ford Logging logo. Emma and Jack sat on one side of the table and Sydney snuggled beside Logan on the other side. A podium was set up on the small stage area and Sharon, the director for the local Make a Wish Foundation, walked up and took the microphone into her hand. “Thank you all for being here tonight, and more importantly, thank you for being part of the Make a Wish Foundation.” Sharon paused and smiled out at the crowd. “First Gold Hotel and Casino has graciously sponsored this fabulous opportunity for our recipients to get together and thank the sponsors of their wishes. We have had nine children receive wishes this summer. They are here tonight with gratitude and joy in their hearts, thanks to our sponsors.” A waitress was going around taking drinks to tables and Jack got her attention. He whispered to Emma. “What would you like to drink?” “I’ll have a Crown and Coke.” Her words were hot in his ear and his cock started to go hard again. It turned him on that she liked whiskey. Then again, everything she did turned him on. It was like he was in goddamn junior high again. “What does your friend like?” “Red wine.” Jack gave his order to the skinny blonde waitress who was waiting patiently. He needed a little liquor to get through this night, to loosen up a little. Going on a date all dressed up was definitely out of his comfort zone. Hell, just being around a woman was out of his comfort zone. Sharon continued her speech. “Everyone will have a chance to 77

mingle so the children can show their appreciation to their sponsors, and then we will eat. Before all that, I would like to send out a special thank you to Max 106.3 FM for their donation of air time for fundraising auctions, and to Ford Logging for stepping up once again with their generous support of our children.” Emma squeezed his hand under the table and looked like she was proud to be sitting next to him. She’d made it perfectly clear she didn’t want a relationship, but maybe he could convince her otherwise. He hoped that bringing her to this dinner was a step in that direction. The waitress returned to the table with a full tray of drinks. “Now, who had the Coors Lights?” Jack and Logan each raised a hand. “The Crown and Coke goes to this beautiful lady here,” Jack said. Emma smiled at the compliment as she reached out to take her drink from the waitress. “That must mean you have the wine.” The blonde waitress looked at Sydney and gave her an empty smile. “Yes. Thank you.” Sydney took the glass with both hands. “Here’s to new friendships.” Logan raised his beer bottle in toast. They all clanked their drinks together over the center of the table and took a sip. A little boy about seven years old and completely bald approached their table. He was followed closely by a middle-aged woman with short brown hair wearing a plain grey pants suit and fussing over the little boy. “Mr. Ford?” The boy grinned up at their table, looking from Logan to Jack. Logan looked at Jack and motioned with his head for him to answer the boy. “That’s me,” Jack said. “Thank you for the trip to Disney World.” “You’re very welcome, Jimmy.” He’d researched the boy before sponsoring him. Jimmy Jones, seven years old, likes riding his bike and playing baseball. His mother worked as a 78

Double Dare paraprofessional in one of the schools and his dad had worked at the Homestake Mine until it shut down. The boy had leukemia, and the doctors gave him less than a year to live. His dream was to go to Disney World. Jack couldn’t turn that down. “Did you have fun?” “It was awesome, Mr. Ford. I got to ride on a roller coaster, and see how they made movies, and eat cheeseburgers every day. And I brought this for you.” He grinned as he slid the photo across the table to Jack. It was a picture of Jimmy with Mickey and Minnie Mouse, all of them holding up a big sign that said “Thank you.” “That sounds like fun.” Jack’s gut was in a knot as he fought hard not to let emotion get to him. His heart ached for the little boy, fighting for his life when he should be out playing baseball and riding his bike after school without a care in the world. Reading about this little boy had been one thing, but seeing the bald head and his innocent grin made it damn tough for Jack. Tears gathered in his eyes, but he held them back. He didn’t need Emma or anyone else to think he was a sap. “It was the funnest thing I ever did in my whole life.” Jimmy’s smile spread from ear to ear. “I’ve never seen him this happy.” Jimmy’s mother smiled as well, patted her son lovingly on the head, and looked ready to cry. “Thank you for granting his wish. You’ve made a huge difference in his life. In all of our lives.” “You’re very welcome. I’m glad you all had a good time.” They were looking at him like he was some sort of a hero. He wasn’t. Helping out someone who needed it—that’s just what a guy did. Watching Jimmy’s mother lead him back to their table, Jack let out a long breath. He had such a soft spot in his heart for kids. They were his biggest weakness. What the hell would he do if he ever had any of his own? Probably become a complete sap. The waiters set salads in front of Sydney and Logan, then Emma and Jack. “I don’t care what they say about you, Jack. You’re a good guy.” Logan grinned at his brother, and then dug in heartily to his salad. 79

“Yes.” Sydney put down her fork and dabbed the corners of her lips with a napkin. “What you’ve done for that little boy is… amazing. I would like to get involved with an organization again. Do something like this, something that changes the world for the better. You’re a great inspiration.” Emma was still picking at her salad as the waiters came to collect the plates and make room for the main course. She didn’t say anything, but felt as if she was going to cry. “Are you okay?” Jack squeezed her hand under the table. “It’s just hard, seeing that little boy and knowing what he’s going through. He’s got to be about the same age as my oldest.” “You have kids?” Jack looked at her in surprise. She nodded. “Two boys. Five and seven. They’re with their grandparents—my husband’s parents—in Gillette right now.” “You have a husband?” His mouth dropped open. “No.” She chuckled at the shock on his face. “My husband died five years ago. His parents take the boys once a month to help me out, and so his family can stay an integral part of their lives. Seeing that little boy makes me want to run home and hug mine.” She shouldn’t be wasting her time out on a date. She had two little boys to love and take care of. She didn’t need a man interfering with that. The men and Sydney dug into their main course as soon as it was set on the table, but Emma didn’t feel much like eating.

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Chapter Eleven The little restaurant was filled with noise and activity. The clanking of dinner plates being collected and desert being distributed mingled with the low rumble of conversation. It was a little too much noise and activity for a woman who spent most of her time in a much quieter atmosphere. “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Fredrick the Magnificent.” Sharon’s voice echoed in the room through the noise of the crowd. “He is putting on a show later tonight on Main Street and has generously agreed to give us a little sample of his magic.” A man wearing a black top hat and the typical magician’s cape leapt onto the stage. “Thank you, thank you, and please welcome my lovely assistant, Tina.” A gorgeous blonde in a sexy little white dress and black bow tie walked onto the stage. The crowd clapped enthusiastically. Logan ran his hand up Sydney’s leg. He leaned so that his mouth was centimeters from her ear and whispered softly, “Let’s get out of here. There’s something I need more than desert.” His words were hot against her skin and wetness shot straight to her pussy. She smiled coyly up at him, but she was putting her napkin on the table and backing her chair away the moment he suggested it. Emma and Jack were focused on the magician’s card trick and didn’t notice the exchange. “I need to use the restroom. Logan, do you know where it is?” Sydney said loud enough for Jack and Emma to overhear. “It’s upstairs by the bar.” He grinned knowingly. “I’ll walk you up.” Logan stood and offered her his arm. All very romantic, all for show. She knew very well what his real intensions were. Logan wanted her, and she was going to give him exactly what he wanted. Sydney held his arm while they walked down the hallway, but 81

when they got in the elevator he pulled her hard against him. His mouth pressed against hers, his tongue tasting, and her pussy throbbed for him. “You want to get a hotel room?” he said. “No time for that. Let’s go outside, find a secluded spot.” Hotel rooms were for cheating husbands. “Okay with me.” He took her hand as the elevator door opened and pulled her around the corner and out the side door. Cool night air hit the bare skin of her shoulders and arms as they walked past the front of the building. She took a quick right after they passed the neon lights and big windows of the building and into a small parking area on the west side of the casino. Sydney had the perfect spot picked out, a little lot with an old garage roof over it, used mostly by employees. Employees who were smack in the middle of the evening shift. She pulled Logan toward the edge of the brick wall that kept the hillside from falling into the parking lot, the most secluded dark corner of the lot. Her nipples were hard, pressing against the clingy fabric of her dress and finding even more friction against the hardness of Logan’s chest when he pulled her in for another kiss. His lips were hot and wet and held an urgency that mirrored her own. “You want to do it here?” He glanced around the lot. There were two battered pickups, a red four-door sedan and a fancy white convertible, but no sign of another person. “Um hmm,” she purred. “Unless you’re afraid of being caught, that is.” “The risk is well worth the reward.” He growled the words and caught her earlobe between his teeth. Heat shot to her pussy. The thought of doing it in such a public place turned her on almost as much as his touch. Her whole body was already humming. She slipped her hand into Logan’s front pants pocket, where she knew he would have a condom. Her fingers found it right away and she rubbed against his already hard cock before pulling out the packet and ripping it open with her teeth. “I’m glad we agree on this very important point,” Sydney said as 82

Double Dare she undid his pants, freeing his cock. It was long and hard and pointed upward into the darkness of night. She slid the condom down his length. Logan pulled her dress up into a bunch around her waist and knelt on the asphalt in front of her. “Let me get these out of the way for you.” He tugged her panties down and off. Still on his knees, he stuffed the black lacy underwear into his jacket pocket. He kissed her inner thighs, nipping with his teeth and then soothing with the heat of his lips. He flicked his tongue along the length of her sex before he stood up. A shiver shot through her entire body. God, he knew just how to touch her. “I’ll hold your panties in here for safekeeping.” He grinned and patted his pocket, proud of his new treasure. “Why, thank you.” Sydney ran a finger down the length of his cock. She could feel the blood pumping into the veins, and he was hot against her hand. “The pleasure is all mine.” He lifted her up higher and pressed her solidly against the wall. The brick was cool in contrast to her hot skin, but it didn’t matter. Sydney wrapped her legs around him and centered her opening over his cock. “Now fuck me, please.” His hips moved toward her, his cock filling, her pussy clenched around him, and another shiver shot through her body. Logan moved solidly in and out, and then paused. Her pussy walls squeezed, searching for him, needing more, needing him pounding into her hard and fast. “You’re going to have to make this quick.” Her words were breathy. The thrill of doing him out here in the open had her close to coming already. But there was also the fact that Emma and Jack were still inside and would start wondering about them real soon. And any random person could interrupt them. She needed him to make her come before that happened. “However you want it, babe.” He kissed her hard as he moved his cock, steadily increasing the pace until he was pounding into her hard and fast. The lights of cars stabbing through the dark 83

flashed in her peripheral vision, the sounds of their engines drowning out most of the sounds of sex she and Logan were creating. “Ohhhhhhh yes, Logan.” She whispered the words through clenched teeth. Shouldn’t be making any sound, a person could walk by on the sidewalk at any minute and be close enough to hear them, but he felt so damn good she couldn’t help herself. She was at the edge. Logan groaned, about to lose control too. Sydney held on tight to him, meeting every thrust, letting him bring her over the edge. The stars, the sounds of cars moving in the night disappeared. The warmth of orgasm flooded her body and she shuddered her release. Sydney’s pussy clenched around his thick cock again and again. Logan groaned and pounded into her one more time. She watched as his eyes closed, and then he leaned his head back as he found his own release. The outline of his chiseled face, relaxed from orgasm and pointing toward the night sky, was a beautiful sight. Logan’s chest rose and fell quickly, but his warm strong hands held her solidly against the cold brick wall that was suddenly hard against her ass now that she didn’t have the feelings of pleasure overwhelming her. “You are one hell of a man Logan Ford.” She wiggled a little bit to reposition herself against the wall. “Why thank you.” He grinned and then kissed her. “You’re not so bad yourself, Sydney James.” Logan slid his cock out of her wetness and set Sydney back on her feet. Her bunched-up dress settled around her, covering all the important parts instantly, but the cool night air still mingled with the heat of her core. He quickly removed the condom and pulled up his pants and fastened them. “I suppose we better get back in there,” she said. “I’d rather stay out here with you.” Logan pulled her against him for a long, soft kiss, but then he took her hand and started walking back toward the building. 84

Double Dare “Yeah, me too.” The casino, the dinner held nothing for her compared with the touch of this man. When they got inside, Jack and Emma were just stepping off the elevator. “You guys get lost? You missed out on dessert,” Jack teased. “We didn’t get lost. I had to stop and play a hand of poker.” Logan grinned at Sydney as he answered. Sydney snorted at the accuracy of his non-lie. “You ready to go?” Jack looked at Logan, questioning his comment and then at Sydney and her efforts to stifle her giggles, but he didn’t say anything. “Sure.” Logan and Sydney said at the same time. Sydney had no reason to go back into the crowd of people. She had her best friend and her sexy man right here, and that’s all she needed.

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Chapter Twelve Emma and Jack took the lead through the parking lot. She could hear Sydney and Logan chatting and giggling as they walked behind them. They were comfortable with each other, comfortable in their relationship. Emma wanted that experience again. Jack held her hand and she couldn’t stop from feeling, couldn’t keep herself from enjoying the strength and caring his simple gesture provided. “Can we stop at the liquor store on the way home?” Jack asked as he opened the door for Emma and held her arm solidly as she climbed in. “I thought we could pick up some beverages for you ladies. All we have in the house is beer and coffee, and I don’t want to be a bad host.” He looked directly at Emma when he asked the question. “Sure.” Emma said a little too quickly for her own comfort. She should say no, should go straight back to Sydney’s house and start forgetting about this man, but that wasn’t what she wanted. She wanted him to hold her again, touch her again. But it was more than that. Seeing his generosity with the Make a Wish Foundation made him a man worth getting to know. Emma didn’t have the time for a man in her life, but that didn’t make her want him any less. “Great.” Jack drove through the glittering little gambling town and then into the sparsely populated two-mile stretch that separated Deadwood from the mining town of Lead. In a couple of minutes, he was turning into the liquor store at the top of the hill. Jack pulled alongside the drive-up window. “What can I get for you?” said the man at the window. “I’ll take a liter of Crown, a two-liter bottle of Coke, and… what kind of wine do you want, Sydney?” “Yellow Tail Merlot is good and cheap,” she said. “Okay. Anything else?” 86

Double Dare “No. Thank you.” Sydney snuggled into Logan’s arms. They were a cute couple, and Logan sure seemed to make Sydney happy. The few times Emma saw her together with her husband, Sydney had never once smiled. Not a real smile, anyway. She had been stiff and nervous, and Emma should have realized there was something serious wrong. She should have pressed for information, even when Sydney denied that she was having any problems in her life. Sydney deserved a good man like Logan. Did Emma deserve Jack? The liquor store man came back with their order and Jack paid him. “On to the house,” he announced. She liked the soft depth of his voice, the manly growl she hadn’t heard much in the past few years. But there was a good reason for that. She had more important things to do, like raise two little boys. Sydney and Logan were in the back seat, snuggled together. Not talking, simply enjoying each other. Exactly what she wanted to do with Jack, but instead she’d pressed herself against the passengerside door, as far away from him as she could possibly be. Was she nervous because they were just as wrong for each other as Sydney’s relationship with her husband had been? No, it wasn’t that. It was the obviousness of how right he was for her that scared the hell out of Emma. And then, there were all the good reasons it couldn’t work out. A few minutes later, they were pulling into Jack’s driveway and Emma’s pulse quickened. This was her chance to either end this or see where it could take her, and she wasn’t sure which way she would go. Jack came around and opened the door for her. He was a gentleman. One more thing to add to the list of things to like about Jack. Not that she needed any encouragement in that area. The problem was with herself and her own life situation. Jack led into the house carrying the paper bag. He took out the booze and grabbed two glasses, both blue tinted, one short and one tall. “I don’t have any wine glasses. I hope this will do.” Jack 87

held the short glass up for Sydney’s inspection as he dug through a drawer until he came up with a corkscrew. “That’s fine. I’m not picky, and certainly not above wine out of a plastic cup. This is better than plastic.” After pouring drinks for Emma and Sydney, he leaned against the kitchen counter and took a slow, sexy sip from his Coors Light bottle. “Can I give you a tour of the house?” Jack offered Emma. “It’s not much, but its home.” “I would love to see your house.” She set her drink on the table and took the hand he offered. “How about you, Sydney?” Logan asked. “Would you like a tour?” “There’s only one room I want to see in this house.” She smiled suggestively at her man. “Is she always that forward?” Jack asked Emma. “Yes, she is. That’s one of the things I love about her. You never have to guess her true intentions.” Emma winked at Sydney and followed Jack down the hallway. “Bathroom, office, workout room,” Jack said, naming each room as she peeked inside. Each was neat, organized, and minimal. “I think we’ll skip the upstairs tour for now. Only two bedrooms up there, and I suspect one of them may already be occupied. Do you want to step outside for a little bit? I’ve done a lot of landscaping in the back yard this summer.” “Sure.” He held the door and waited as she walked through, but jumped into the lead as soon as they stepped outside. She liked the way he took charge of things. Not in a forceful, demanding manner, but with a silent confidence that made her want to follow him. Jack led her to a wooden bench sitting in a large landscaped octagon. The work he had done was beautiful. Large rocks bordered the area. There was a fire pit in the center and a wrought iron picnic table and chairs on the opposite side of the bench. River rock crunched beneath her feet as she walked. Jack put one hand on the bench and waited for her. “Have a 88

Double Dare seat.” “Thank you.” He was sweet, and kind. Why couldn’t he be a jerk? That would make it easy to walk away after this weekend. Jack sat beside her and stared at the ground a minute before focusing his eyes on Emma. He studied her, took a deep breath, and found the words. “I don’t want this to be the last time I see you. Before this weekend, I didn’t want anything to do with a woman, and I still can’t promise you a lot of my time. But I don’t want this to be the end. I’m falling for you. Hard and fast. It scares the hell out of me, but I don’t want it to stop.” The rawness of his emotions hit her. She was feeling the same thing, wanted the same thing. But she had responsibilities. Two little boys to raise. “I don’t want it to end, either.” She also had the responsibility of her own happiness. The two sets of responsibilities didn’t have to be exclusive. She could have it all. At least give herself a chance at having it all. Jack was the man she wanted. Whether it was fate, or Sydney, or both that brought the man to her, she had to hold on to him for as long as she could. “Good.” He smiled and pulled her tight against his solid muscled chest. Loosening his grip, he tilted her chin up to him, lowered his head, and kissed her. Softly, passionately, leaving no doubt in her mind that she had to have more of this man. His rough, strong hands rubbed down her back and her core heated. His fingers were solid against her and warm, even through the fabric of her dress. Emma wanted to let him touch her, let him love her. She could do this. She could let another man into her life. Loving and losing one hadn’t killed her before, and if she lost again, she would survive. Hopefully she wouldn’t lose Jack. “I want you so badly, Emma.” He growled the words into her ear. “Right here? Right now?” she squeaked. “Anytime. Anywhere.” His tongue teased at her earlobe. “But yes. Right here, right now would be good.” He moved his hand into 89

the front of her dress, letting a breast pop out the top, his fingers working to torment her nipple into a stiff peak. He had to have Emma again. She moaned, and his cock pressed hard against his pants. God, the woman had some serious power over him. “I’ve never had sex outside,” she admitted with a hint of embarrassment that was pretty damn cute. “Well, I think it’s about time we changed that.” He bent his head forward to her breast and sucked the nipple into his mouth. “Really?” The word was breathy, and her innocence a huge turn-on. He was more than willing to be the man who brought out her naughty side. He’d already started working on that. If he had to guess, he would say she probably didn’t make a habit of sleeping with men on the first date. “You saw yesterday exactly how it’s done.” Jack moved his hand up her skirt, his fingers teasing against the front of her panties, tugging them away from her skin so he could enter a finger into her hot, wet pussy. Emma moaned, and he knew he had her. “You’re so wet.” He wanted to ram his cock into that wetness, but he had to tease until she begged for it. Begged for him. “You have a way of doing that to me.” She smiled shyly at him and sucked in a breath as he moved his finger in and out of her hot pussy. He slipped her panties down her legs and kneeled in front of her. “Move your butt to the edge of the bench, closer to me.” “Okay.” She did as he said, sliding to the very edge but not spreading her legs for him. He lifted her skirt and opened her legs to get full access. The sweet scent of her sex mingled with the pine in the night air as he kissed his way up her inner thigh, ending with a flick of his tongue against her nub. Her legs trembled in response. “What if someone sees us?” Her words came out as more of a moan, but he could tell she was still holding back a little. “What if they do? We saw Logan and Sydney doing this, and it 90

Double Dare didn’t hurt anything.” Her body stiffened a little and he knew he had to say something to ease her fears. “Logan’s room is on the other side of the house, and it’s unlikely that either of them will leave the bedroom anytime soon.” “Yeah.” She looked around, chuckled and relaxed again. “You’re probably right about that.” He took a long slow stroke with his tongue along the length of her sex and circled her nub once and then again. “Jack,” she moaned quietly. He stopped licking her and softly kissed her inner thighs. She whimpered, wanting more. Emma was just where he needed her. “I’d like to bend you over this bench.” He made sure the vibration of his suggestion was against her clit and she arched her back in response. “Okay.” She stood and turned away from him, pointing her sweet ass in his direction. “Like this?” He gave her ass a little swat. “Yeah. Just like that.” Jack undid his pants and let them drop to the ground. “Rest your arms on the back of the bench and spread your legs a little more.” She followed his orders, and he rubbed his cock against her sex, teasing and pausing at the wetness of her opening. “Oh… I need you, Jack.” she said on a moan. He entered her slowly, her tight walls clinging to his cock. He had to stop and take a slow breath when he was fully inside her. God, she felt good. He slowly moved his cock in and out of her. He stopped again, had to control the pleasure that was starting to flood him. He let out a breath and then thrust into her wetness again, and then again. Emma’s moans were getting high-pitched. She was close to orgasm. Thank God, because he was about to lose it. He found a rhythm, in and out of Emma’s tight pussy solidly, quickly, as the world around him began to disappear. Her soft noises floated through the night air. “That’s right, baby. Come for me.” She was going to enjoy her first experience with having sex outside. He was going to make sure she needed more of this, more of him. Tonight would not be 91

their last time together. “Yes. Yes. Yes.” She tossed her head back as her body convulsed beneath him. Jack pounded into Emma as her pussy clenched around him, then thrust one last time as his seed shot deep inside her. His own body convulsed with the pleasure he’d never felt until he was with Emma. For a minute he didn’t move, wanting to enjoy this feeling, wanting to keep her here forever. But he didn’t want Emma to get cold. He pulled out, noticing the shiver that jolted through her body as he moved. He reached one hand down to deal with the condom. Oh shit. There wasn’t one there. They hadn’t used protection. What the hell was he thinking? It had been so fucking long since he’d been in a relationship. He wasn’t in the habit of carrying condoms around. That was going to have to change. Not that he was completely against ever having babies, but it was something that definitely needed to wait. “Buy condoms” was now on his mental to-do list. One big-assed box of condoms was what he needed, because he was going to find a way to spend a lot more time with Emma.

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Chapter Thirteen “Do you think Jack and Emma are going to get together again? I mean, after this weekend?” Sydney asked Logan as she put away the last clean glass. She was doing their damn dishes. It was only a few glasses sitting in the sink, but she wasn’t anyone’s wife. She didn’t have to do the dishes. She was doing them because she wanted to. “I think they’re both tough nuts to crack.” Logan’s warm lips nipped at her collarbone. Sydney let her head drop forward, giving him access to more skin on her neck. “But when two tough nuts are slammed together, something’s got to give. Right?” Her voice was already breathy because of his touch. Sydney wanted so badly for Emma to find someone to love, or at least someone to fuck regularly. The girl deserved a little compassion from a man. Just because her husband had died, that didn’t mean her need to be touched, to be loved, had died with him. “Yeah. I hope so. Speaking of nuts….” Logan tilted his chin toward the obviousness of his hard-on. “You are so dirty.” She grinned and ran the palm of her hand down the front of his pants. “Do your nuts need some attention?” “Well, not exactly my nuts, but that general area.” He winked at her. “You want that attention right here in the kitchen?” “No. Let’s go to my room.” He led her up the stairs. “Jack and Emma have already seen us once.” “What? When?” Her jaw dropped, but she kept walking. It wasn’t like she cared if she got caught fucking a hot man. She was the one always wanting to do it in risky places, and she wasn’t modest. “In the woods. Yesterday.” 93

“You saw them watching us?” Sydney was turned on by the thought of Emma and Jack sitting in the woods watching, being turned on by seeing Logan thrusting his cock into her. “Yep. They were sitting on a log, holding hands and watching us.” “Did you like that?” she asked. He stopped at the top of the stairs and looked into her eyes. “Being watched, or not, doesn’t matter to me. It is a turn on, but all that matters is that I get to have you.” He opened his bedroom door and waited for her enter. There was only a foot of walkway around the room with a queen bed taking up most of the space and oversized dressers lining the walls. “Well, you’re in luck then.” Sydney pushed him down onto the bed that was too big for the room, then unbuttoned and unzipped his pants. His cock pressed against the soft cotton of his boxers. “I sure as hell am lucky that I found you.” He looked up at her with openness and sincerity. Her heart started up with a warming sensation and quick pattering she hadn’t felt in a long time. She was losing herself to this man. She couldn’t let that happen again. “Yes, you are,” she replied coyly, trying to conceal her discomfort with her own feelings. She should run, get away from him before she lost her identity again, before she lost control of her life. She yanked his boxers down. His cock sprang loose, long and thick, and she wasn’t going anywhere until she had him one more time. She would give him a goodbye fuck to remember her by. She flicked her tongue against the soft crown, tasting the saltiness of him for the last time. His cock strained for more, but she moved her attention upward. The bare skin of her pussy rubbed against his leg, her underwear conveniently stashed in his jacket pocket. She moved up and straddled him. Her fingers slowly unbuttoned his grey dress shirt as she rubbed her clit against his cock in a slow, pulsing, barely noticeable motion. But he noticed. 94

Double Dare His cock throbbing against her told her he did. Wetness rushed to her opening. She meant to feel his passion one more time before she had to leave. God, she didn’t want to give him up. But it was what she had to do. Logan moved his hands to her waist, lifted her dress, and she helped speed up the process by pulling the fabric over her own head. The thin black lacy bra she still wore tormented her nipples. They pressed hard against the fabric, begging to be released. Sydney undid the last button of Logan’s shirt and leaned down to kiss him. But he took advantage of her position, and with his unmatched strength rolled Sydney onto her back in one smooth motion. He settled one knee on each side of her, pinning her down with his weight as he slid his dress shirt from over his shoulders and stripped away his t-shirt. She stared at his stomach muscles as they flexed. God she was going to miss this. Having him on top was not what she had planned, but she wasn’t going to complain. She couldn’t even keep control in the bedroom, yet another sign she needed to get out of this relationship while she could. She brought his hand to her mouth and sucked on one finger. He groaned. “There’s something else of yours I’d like to suck,” she offered, wanting to take control. “Later.” He slowly removed his finger from her mouth. “First I’d like to suck a few things on you.” Logan moved his head to her breast. “Starting with these.” His tongue licked at a nipple that strained at the lace still holding it in. As his tongue moistened and warmed the material, her pussy started to throb. She couldn’t say no to him. Or at least, she didn’t want to. Was there a difference? “I think we need to get rid of this thing so I can have full access to you.” Logan reached a hand under her back and she lifted up, giving him the space he needed to undo her bra. There was a little click, and her breasts finally found their freedom. Logan pulled away the lacy bra and tossed it onto the 95

floor. “That’s much better.” With a predatory gleam in his eye, he moved down again, sucking the stiff peak of her nipple into his mouth. His skin was hot against hers. His touch made her pussy throb. His attention didn’t stay on her breasts, but on running hot kisses down her belly, up her inner thighs. At last, his tongue flitted like a feather against her clit. “Ohhhhh, Logan.” When he chuckled, the vibrations shot straight to her core. She was so close, and the grin on his face told her he knew exactly what he was doing to her. “Make me come,” she begged. “But I’m not even close to done teasing you.” He ran his tongue slowly down from her clit to the wetness of her opening and darted his hot tongue into her once. She needed more, needed his cock pounding into her hard and fast, taking her over the cliff he had brought her to. Logan moved back up, grazing her nipples with his teeth and sucking them into the soothing warmth of his mouth. He seized her arms and pinned them above her head. She should say no, shouldn’t let him control her like this, but it felt too good. His control wasn’t hurting her in any way. In fact, it was doing the opposite. His control made her feel so damn good. “I need your cock.” “I’m ready to bury it inside you.” With his free hand, he took a condom from the nightstand, tore the package open with his teeth, and rolled the condom over his shaft. He entered the tip of his cock into her and rocked barely in and out of her heat and wetness. She arched upward, needing the length of him, needing him to bring the orgasm that was just out of reach. He went a little deeper, and her walls clenched around him. The room started to blur. She heard only her own panting breaths and moans and the pounding of her heart. A high-pitched whimper escaped her lips. 96

Double Dare He pounded into her once, solidly, and that was all it took. Her walls convulsed around his cock. Her entire body thrashed beneath him as he held perfectly still, filling her, completing her. When her body finally relaxed beneath him, and when she could see straight again, she noticed he was smiling down at her. “God, you’re beautiful when you come.” She didn’t respond, didn’t know what to say, but it didn’t matter when he started to move his cock again. Slowly, in and out of her depths. The pleasure built again, quickly this time. Sydney remembered that she was supposed to be giving him a fuck to remember, not letting him make her never want to let go. He moved steadily, increasing his pace with every thrust, about to take her over the edge for a second time. “Oh. Yeeessssss.” She hissed as his cock slammed into her and the world disappeared yet again. Logan groaned and shuddered as he came, her walls clenched around him with even more intensity than the first time. He let his head drop back, face to the ceiling. She watched as the lust jolted through his body and his cock thrust deeper and harder into her as he came. He froze and took a minute to catch his breath before he pulled out. Then, releasing her arms from his grip, he lay down behind her, pulling her naked body against his. Sydney stared at the little room, trying to get some bearing before she said what she needed to say. “You guys are cramped in here pretty tight.” She wasn’t ready to make the break yet, not with the pleasure of double orgasm still tingling through her. “Yeah. It was an old hunting lodge before Jack bought it and fixed it up.” His words were warm and low in her ear and he kissed her shoulder blade. “Now that it looks like I’ll be staying here, I should probably look for a place of my own.” “You should move in with me.” She sucked in a quick breath and clamped her lips shut. What the hell was she doing? She was supposed to be getting rid of him, not asking him to share her house. 97

“Really?” She had been betrayed by her own heart. But all the logic, the need to protect herself from something as harmless as love couldn’t stop what she felt for Logan, what she needed from him. She was falling in love with the man. “Yes, really.” Having a committed relationship didn’t have to mean things would go badly between them. The only time he ever tried to control her was in the bedroom, and that was only for her own pleasure. He never once did it to hurt her, to get something from her. He wasn’t her ex-husband. More than anything, she wanted to see him more often. Every day. What could it hurt to try? He rubbed his brow. “I would love to move in with you.” Reservation tempered his voice. Here she went again, putting her heart on the line, only to have it crushed. He was saying nice things so he wouldn’t hurt her feelings. “But?” she prompted. She wasn’t going waste her time living with a man who didn’t want to live with her. She’d spent ten years doing that. It wasn’t a mistake she would repeat. “I need you to know I’m in love with you, Sydney. Have been for a while now.” His eyes focused on hers, flashing her a glimpse straight into his soul. “I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to scare you away. But I want you to know how I feel about you before we take this relationship any further. Before I move in with you.” A warm, tingling sensation danced through her heart. She felt the same way about him. “I love you too.” There. She’d said it. And it was true. Sydney had fallen in love with Logan Ford, and it wasn’t taking anything away from her to admit that to him. She could love him and still have her independence. With Logan, she could have it all. **** It was midnight when Jack went downstairs to get some work 98

Double Dare done. Emma was sleeping soundly in his bed, but he had some things to catch up on. A few minutes later, Logan came down the stairs. “What are you doing down here? Don’t you have a hot woman in your room, a woman you should be attending to?” “I could ask you the same thing.” Jack went back to filling out the paperwork spread over the table. “What are you working on?” Logan filled a glass of water, took a sip, and carried it over to the table where Jack was sitting. “Just a bid for that job over by Newcastle.” “I thought we weren’t going after that one. Thought it was too far.” “Well, now I have a reason to be in the area. You got a problem with that?” Jack stared up at him, but there was no anger in his eyes. “I sure don’t.” Logan smiled and started toward the stairs. He paused. “I’m glad you like her.” “Yeah. Me, too.” Jack hadn’t been looking for a woman, but he’d found a great one. He wasn’t letting her go without a fight.

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About The Author Much to her own mother’s chagrin, Sky found a love for romance novels when she was a teenager. Fortunately her reading tastes weren’t censored and her passion for romance has turned into a writing career. While there are some days she still can’t believe they pay her to sit in her sun porch with her laptop and dream about sexy men, she’s more than happy to do so. Sky lives in the Midwest and loves to hear from her fans. You can email her at [email protected] or check out her website at SkyRobinson.com.

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