HazardsDare (6 page)

Hazard grunted and nipped her throat, his cock thickening.
“Coming, Avery, I’m coming in you,” he whispered hoarsely, the power of those
simple words completing her.

She’d made him come. Proud of herself, she wrapped him close
and held him tight as his cock pulsed within her sheath. For a heartbeat, she
wondered what it’d be like to feel his cum filling her up for real.

That was impossible. They were nowhere near fucking without
protection. To do so would not only be stupid, it would shatter the no-strings-attached
rule they’d established at the club.

Collapsing on top of her, Hazard expelled a harsh breath,
doing his best to keep from crushing her. But she didn’t mind his weight. Right
then, while still entwined in his arms, still caught in the warm glow of
multiple orgasms, she’d found happiness.

And for whatever reason, hormones, a lot of great sex,
relief that she’d climaxed so beautifully, she giggled just before tears
started to fall.

The next thing she knew, Hazard jerked upward. “Shit, Avery,
I hurt you!”

“No, no, you didn’t. If you pull out right now, I swear, I
will do you bodily harm. Don’t you get it? Now I know what it feels like to
have sex and like it.”

“Then don’t cry,” he said, lifting up to swipe away her
tears. “Why the tears, baby?”

“I’m happy.”

“This is happy?”

“Yes, it is. Thank you for giving me such joy.”

He fell back to the floor, turning them so they could lie
side to side, still joined.

“Are we going to go through this each time we fuck?” he
asked, his words spoken against her temple, where he breathed a tender kiss.

“Honestly have no idea. This has never happened to me. I had
no idea sex could be fun!”

“Fucking should be fun. If it’s not, then something is wrong
and it’s time to end things.”

Freezing at the thought that he was already having second
thoughts about the remainder of the week, or God forbid, he’d remember his duty
to her brother, she hoped he didn’t detect how quickly she’d gotten attached to
him.

They’d made a bargain. She’d stick to it. She just wasn’t
ready to give him up yet.

He withdrew then and removed his spent condom and stood up
to walk to the kitchenette and deposit it in the trash, drawing her attention
to the fact that he was still almost fully clothed.

He’d only shoved his jeans to his knees. Her dress was
disheveled, but her breasts were bare and bright red from being sucked and from
his chin stubble. The hem of her dress was up around her hips.

“Hey, what’d I say? You got all tense on me,” he said,
coming back to kneel down beside her and stroke her hair back behind her ear.

“Nothing, Hazard, I’m fine. Are you all right? I pulled your
hair pretty hard.”

He grinned wide, causing her tummy to do a somersault. “I
liked when you got rough with me. Feel free to use my hair as your reins if you
need to or dig your nails in my back. I can take it.”

“You know what? I like you a lot. Don’t panic. Just saying
that I’m really glad you agreed to come here tonight.”

Hazard sat back, freeing her locks to run his fingers
through his tangled hair. “I am too. You sure you’re okay? I didn’t hurt you?”

“I might have a couple of rug burns, but I welcome them. Ha,
who’d have thought little ole’ me would end up with rug burns?”

“Let me see,” he insisted.

“It’s not necessary.”

“That wasn’t a suggestion. Unless you’re prepared to be
dumped over my knees, stand up. Let me make sure you’re all right.”

Feeling more exposed now than when they’d fucked, Avery
stood up on legs that felt suspiciously weak. She tried to hide her
self-consciousness by slipping her dress the rest of the way off and flinging
it to a plush chaise in the suite.

A gigantic California king-sized bed with a decadent duvet
and butter-soft sheets was on the other side of the hotel room in its own
alcove, creating a sense of privacy from the tan loveseat, matching chaise and
entertainment system. Next to the alcove was a kitchenette with a small fridge,
sink, coffeepot, silverware and place settings for two and a microwave.

The bathroom was large enough to have a shower stall and a
bathtub with room enough for two. The whole suite was made for a romantic
getaway. Fresh flowers were on a dresser. A bottle of ice-cold champagne had
been waiting when she checked in that morning.

Concentrating on the décor of the room and the feel of
ultra-soft carpeting beneath her feet, Avery turned around to present her bare
ass for Hazard’s inspection. His hand came up, the touch of his fingers
extremely gentle whenever he pressed or stroked.

“I’m sorry. I left a couple of marks,” he apologized, going
right up on his knees behind her to kiss the upper swell of her right butt
cheek, then the left, before standing up and doing the same to her right
shoulder blade.

“It’s okay. I’m not upset. Umm, I need to use the bathroom,
if you don’t mind.”

His arms came around her waist, keeping her snug against
him. “I don’t mind.”

Odd that he agreed, but he hadn’t really let her go. Rather,
his big hands splayed out, caressing upward to cup her breasts in each palm.

“You have the perfect breasts,” he complimented, weighing
them, squeezing. “C-cup, round and soft, they’re great for sucking and fucking.
I’d like to fuck you like that, to watch you come apart while cum splashes all
over your pretty breasts.”

Promising herself to put that on her sex bucket list, Avery
let her head drop backward to rest against Hazard’s big shoulder. “How do you
know my cup size, much less how to fuck a woman’s breasts and get off?”

“Best not answer that directly,” he murmured.

He was probably right. Hazard was well known for his sexual
exploits. He was a free man. Whatever he wanted to do as long as both parties
were willing were within his right.

So then why did jealousy pop her happiness like an
overinflated balloon?

“You’re thinking too much, baby. I can feel her wanting to
return.”

“Who?”

“Sensible Avery. The one who’ll start questioning everything
we say and do from here on out. Don’t. Don’t regret it now. It’s too late.”

“You don’t like the sensible side of me?”

“Actually, I do. I like you very much or I wouldn’t be here.
But until this week is done, I’d prefer Wild Avery, who just wrestled me to the
floor, demanding to be fucked.”

“Then you enjoyed it too?”

Hazard hummed his yes, his clever hands continuing to play
with her breasts. “I’m curious about something. Did the front desk give you two
keys when you checked in?”

“Yes, the second’s on the nightstand by my bed.”

“You okay if I keep the one I have, then?”

“Sure, but why? Are you planning to leave already?”

His hands caressed her flesh, moving so that his thumbs
skimmed her taut nipples. “Does it feel like I’m leaving?” he asked, tugging a
little and setting up a curious pang of need low in her belly.

“No, but there’s no pressure for you to stay either,” she
said, giving him an out. “The decision of when to call it a night is in your
court, Hazard.”

“I’m not going anywhere tonight. Unfortunately, I have plans
tomorrow morning and I’m not sure how long it’ll take. I’d like to be able to
have access to the room twenty-four/seven while you’re here.”

“If you think I’m the type of person who’s going to sit in
this hotel room waiting on you to show up, you’d be wrong.”

“I don’t expect that at all. It’s easier if I have the key.
We’ll work out a schedule or I’ll stay with you if you’d like. Okay?”

“Okay,” she agreed, refusing to let doubts or regrets about
being with Hazard creep in and ruin everything. She just didn’t like the harsh
pang that tugged on her heart when he admitted he had plans tomorrow.

It was possible his plans included another woman. And there
was nothing Avery could do to prevent him from seeing them to fruition.
No-strings meant no questions and no jealousy.

“Tell you what, how about I order us up some room service
while you’re in the bathroom?” he suggested, lowering his head to begin
whispering kisses up and down the side of her throat.

With the simplest touch of his lips against her skin,
Avery’s doubts fled. They had now. That’s what she would hold on to and hope
she didn’t make the mistake of looking beyond this week in Dare.

“That would be great. Sex and tequila made me hungry.”

“I’ll get us something substantial. We can store the
leftovers in the fridge and nuke them when we’re hungry. It’s a sure bet we’ll
need a midnight snack.”

Hazard freed her to go find the room service menus. “Two
places cater to this hotel,” she told him.

“Roadhouse or Italian?”

“Roadhouse. I’ve nothing against Italian, but I don’t want
to smell garlicky afterward.”

“Done deal. Go on. When a woman’s got to pee as badly as you
do, she shouldn’t hold it too long.”

“Hazard!” she gasped, belatedly realizing she was dancing on
her toes a little.

“Avery, go! Or I’ll do something drastic like turn the water
faucet on at the sink over there.”

“You wouldn’t dare!”

“Never dare me,” he warned, heading right to the sink.

Before he switched on the faucet, Avery made a dash into the
huge bathroom and slammed the door.

Hazard waited until Avery disappeared in the bathroom before
running his hand over his face. He was half tempted to slap himself, but then
how would he explain that to the woman he’d just fucked?

On the floor no less, with little finesse or care for her
needs. He’d not bothered to take his shirt and pants off. Even though she’d
enjoyed having sex with him, it didn’t excuse the way he’d treated her.

She was a special woman. She deserved better, he was a
better man than what he’d shown her their first time. The next time, he
promised himself to show her how good fucking could be in bed, on the chaise or
anywhere else she wanted to try.

Fucking sonofabitch that he was, he wanted her again
already. He’d come like a sixteen-year-old virgin and his cock was swelling at
the thought of laying her out on that chaise.

Hell, he’d lost his virginity at fifteen to Janet Stillman,
who’d been seventeen. As inexperienced as he’d been at the time, she’d
patiently taught him the ropes. He hadn’t lost it like that since.

“Stop thinking with your dick, Hazard,” he told himself,
standing up and buttoning his jeans before searching for his cellphone.

Striving for calm, cool and rational, Hazard texted his
agent, letting Alex know Avery was fine, that no harm had come to her and
wouldn’t because he’d keep an eye on her.

Hazard didn’t want to think about what would happen if Alex
found out about his temporary fling with Avery. If his agent didn’t kick his
ass, Ryan Hathaway would do it or Alex’s college friends. Kyran Black would put
him through a wall. Phalen Maddox would tear him a new asshole, then rip him
limb from limb.

Yeah, he was as good as dead. In which case, he should enjoy
the time he had in the land of the living with Avery and give her the time of
her life. They were in Dare. Their affair was private and mutually agreed upon.

Perhaps he should take her up on the out she’d provided when
she went into the bathroom. She didn’t have to linger in there while he called
for room service. He thought for sure she was waiting to see whether or not
he’d get cold feet and leave.

God knew, he wouldn’t be the kind of bastard to leave her,
but he was scared out of his fucking mind. Not of Avery or the fantastic
fucking they’d just shared or what could happen if he stayed, but of the
possibility that the week they had together would turn into forever.

He really did not want that kind of commitment, not to her
or anyone.

Commitment sucked. Infidelity was brutal. He’d experienced
the bitter side of heartbreak after his wife’s fourth affair. How many there’d
been before he found out about the other men, he really didn’t know. If Avery
cheated, it was possible he’d kill the bastard who’d dared to touch his woman.

And there it was in a nutshell.

He’d had his heart broken by Marianne. He’d not been tempted
to commit homicide after they separated. Their divorce had been harsh, but
instead of raking her through the coals for her extramarital affairs, he cited
irreconcilable differences as the reason he’d filed.

If he made the mistake of falling in love with Avery, he’d
be crushed if she left. That was all the more reason he should gently separate
himself from her now, before either of them got hurt.

But he wasn’t a coward who ran when life got scary.

Using his phone to call the roadhouse, he made the decision
to see this week through and how long their relationship lasted.

Before tapping the restaurant’s number, he noticed a
voicemail message from his friend Morgan. They hadn’t spoken often since she
married Detective Ethan Maddox.

Curious, he listened to the message. Like Alex’s text
earlier, Morgan was worried that trouble had been shadowing Avery, later coming
to believe the danger had passed because she’d found the right person to
vacation with, him.

Hazard knew very little about psychics. It didn’t matter. He
believed in Morgan’s abilities. Frankly, sometimes she scared the hell out of
him.

But not as much as when he listened to Morgan add that she
sensed he and Avery Grant were destined to happily ever after. Hell, he was
nowhere near ready for happily ever after.

Pacing across the room to sit on the bed, he ended the
message. Unsure what to do, he saw that a drawer in the bedside table wasn’t
properly closed and tried to fix it, requiring him to reopen the drawer.

That was when he saw the gargantuan box of multicolored,
multi-sensation, ribbed condoms. The package included a vibrating condom ring
and a miniature personal massager that fit on someone’s finger.

Beside the box of Trojans were a rabbit-eared vibrator, butt
plug, lube, massage oil and a glass dildo. What the fuck?

Who’d she plan on being with to need that many condoms? That
did it. There was no way he’d let her fuck anyone but him.

He may not want forever. He sure as hell intended to have
happy right now, especially when he recalled the look of awe and wonder on her
face when she came for him.

She’d been happy. And she’d cried. He hadn’t known his heart
could hurt so much when he’d seen her tears.

Closing the drawer properly, Hazard began dialing the roadhouse.
He phoned in their orders, a couple burgers, a double order of fries, plain and
sweet potato, and some Cokes. Next, he dialed the front desk at the hotel,
requesting the night manager.

The shower was running in the bathroom. Listening for the
moment the water shut off, he waited for the manager to pick up the line.

“Mason, this is Hazard Osbourne…yes, I’m in the romantic
hideaway room. Need a favor, have breakfast for two sent at seven a.m. Make it
special, Belgian waffles with strawberries and whipped cream, bacon and juice,
plenty of hot coffee. And from now on, all expenses made by Avery Grant are to
be billed to me, room costs included.”

The decision to stay for the duration of the week had been
made. Ending the call, he turned off his cellphone. He didn’t want outside
interference while he was with Avery.

The shower shut off. She rustled around a bit, splashing at
the sink. The tap of a toothbrush on the sink was a clue as to what she was
doing. His cock went tent-pole hard in a heartbeat.

Strange how something so ordinary turned him on.

The door opened. Avery stepped out wearing a towel around
her gorgeous, slender body. She had great, slightly curvy, womanly hips, a trim
waist, incredible legs and excellent breasts and an ass meant for copping a
feel.

He didn’t like the towel covering her up, but that was
easily remedied.

“You’re still here,” she said, her eyes on him.

“What did you think I’d do, run?”

“Not run exactly. Thought maybe you’d order something for me
to eat and leave a note on your way out. You were looking a little panicked a
few minutes ago.”

“As you can see, I didn’t panic,” he reassured, honestly
relieved to see the smile on her face. “You’re right about room service. The
roadhouse will send everything over in about a half an hour. We’ve plenty of
time to play.”

“Play?” she asked, her eyes widening at the possibilities of
what they could get up to before food was delivered.

“Yeah, play. Why don’t you join me on this bed?” Patting the
spot next to him, he waited for her to decide.

The Avery she’d been when they first met would have rushed
over and taken a seat as told simply to please him. The new one weighed her
options and came forward on bare feet. The plush towel pulled taut around her
breasts, but didn’t fall open.

Damn! He’d have liked that to happen.

Her hair was still straight and silky. “When did you get
your hair done?”

“Today. When I made reservations to attend a convention in
Reno for work, I asked Ryan for an additional week off and arranged to come
here. Friends of mine told me about Dare and I wanted to check it out. Even set
up early check-in, a day at the spa and this hairstyle.”

“It’s so straight and pretty.”

“Thank you. This is the result of a talented beautician
adding highlights and lowlights and straightening it with a flatiron. It’ll be
straight for a couple of days before it needs washing and go back to its usual
curly fry disarray.”

“Really, I’d not have thought your hair was curly. Last time
I saw you, it was all back in a bun or something.”

“Yeah, I wrestle it into submission daily. When I use a
flatiron, it does look nice, just not this nice.”

Hazard waited for her to reach him. She didn’t. She veered
away, heading for the door. Pacing for a second, she stilled when she saw her
purse on the floor by the door.

“There it is!” she announced, going down on one knee to
scoop up the purse and stand back up. She had such grace when she walked, he
found himself enjoying the gentle sway of her hips and glide of her step.

“What are you doing, baby? We’re wasting time.”

“Playtime can wait,” she said, waving him off.

“No, it can’t. You’ve got something I want behind that
towel, badly.” Standing up briefly, he scrambled out of his jeans. Next, he
whipped off his shirt and toed off his socks. “Join me, please.”

“I need to do something first.” She took her cellphone out
of her purse before setting the red purse on a table and coming over. “I have a
safety net waiting for me to touch base. If I don’t get in touch with my
friends at predetermined intervals, they’ll send in an army.”

“An army?”

“Yes, in the form of the Maddox brothers, who would bring my
brother and brother-in-law in to rescue me,” she stated. “It’s best not to clue
the guys in on the fact that I hooked up with you, especially Alexander. He can
be a bit overbearing and protective.”

“I could handle one Maddox, maybe two. Add in your brother
and Ryan, I’m history.”

“They won’t do anything unless I ask them to. It’s time they
all realize that I’m more than Alexander Grant’s sister. I’m capable of making
decisions for myself and being certain that as impulsive as it was for me to
come to Dare, I didn’t do so without an exit plan or a safety net.”

“I’ll give you that. Make your calls, baby, but join me
while you’re doing it.”

Hazard watched her walk up to him. Her confidence had
returned. He didn’t know if it was because he hadn’t left or because she’d
cleaned herself up. She smelled like cocoa butter and coconut, causing his
mouth to water.

Reaching out to take her elbow and guide her up onto the
bed, he scooted over so they could stretch out side by side. It was nice, real
nice, which should have sent him running for the nearest exit.

Recalling the contents of her bedside drawer, he stayed,
waiting quietly while Avery texted back and forth to someone. “Who are you
texting?”

“My friend Eve Stratham, she’ll contact Sam Riley and Morgan
Maddox, who will then call Cassie Maddox.”

“I know all except Eve,” he admitted. “Samantha was a
bridesmaid in Dallas McKay’s wedding.”

“That’s right. You also went up to Massachusetts to be in
the telethon to raise money for victims of domestic abuse. Eve and I became
friends soon after I moved to Danvers. She’s part of Morgan’s ghost-hunting
world and a history professor at a community college near Salem.”

“How’s that going for Morgan?”

“How’s what going?”

“The ghost hunting.”

“Extremely well. Morgan’s store burned down right before
Halloween. Now that it’s rebuilt, a lot of what’s sold involves selling
ghost-hunting equipment and tours around Salem. She still does readings, but
less often because she’s taking college courses for an advanced degree.”

“Kyran told me about the fire. We tried to fly up there to
help her out if she needed it, but we were traveling with the team. Morgan
mentioned the last time we talked that she was involved with some kind of
reality TV show. I’m happy for her. She finally got the man she loved.”

Avery paused in mid-text. “How well do you know Morgan?”

“We were paired up for Dallas and Grace’s wedding. She’s a
sweetheart. That’s it. Why? Not getting jealous, are you?”

“No,” she insisted a little too sharply, her gaze focused on
the smartphone. “I know the rules, Hazard. Don’t worry.”

“Not worried. Is your safety net satisfied yet?”

“Yes. I told Eve that I got tired after spending all day at
the spa and turned in early.”

“How about turning off that phone now?” Reaching across the
bed, he waited to see if she’d let go of the cellphone.

“I’d like to. But I’ve two texts from Alex and one from
Ryan. I should call them.”

Fuck! He didn’t need that complication. Not when they had
about fifteen minutes before room service arrived. Thinking about Alex’s
reaction if he found out that Hazard hadn’t kept his pants zipped, his balls
clenched in fear.

Alex was married to a surgeon. Who knew what kind of torture
Ryan could inflict? Castration maybe, hell, he probably deserved it. God
forgive him, he was not ready to give up Avery.

Not when he kept seeing that box of condoms in his mind’s
eye.

“Do it, Avery. Make it a text, though, and make it fast.
I’ve got plans for you.”

Avery closed her fingers around the phone, not giving it up
yet. She glanced up at Hazard, the look in her blue eyes suddenly turning
naughty, much as it’d been at the club when she dared him to be her fuck buddy.

He really fucking hated that phrase. But he really loved
fucking her. One time was not going to be enough to get her out of his system.
That’s what he needed. Lots and lots of fucking, until they were sore and
unable to move. A week should do it.

“Maybe I’ve got plans for you too,” she said, tapping her
fingers over the touch screen of her phone. “Just know that I’ll stick to the
rules.”

“Some rules are meant to be broken,” he heard himself say as
he got caught up in studying her pretty face. She really was a pretty thing,
beautiful, actually.