Dare to Submit (Dare to Love #4)(5)
Author: Carly Phillips

And he would have. Brad Ritter, her boss and very best friend, could hack with the best. She trusted his findings.

“Okay then. I’m not coming back tonight.”

“You have the jet fueled for when you’re ready. You spend way too much of your life catering to my needs. I’m glad you’re taking time for you.”

She thought of Decklan’s big hands caressing her long-deprived body and sighed happily. “Me too. But don’t worry. It’s still one night only. It’ll just last a little longer, that’s all. I’ll keep it impersonal and leave in the morning.”

“You know I appreciate that you let my father believe we’re together.”

Amanda glanced at the painted ceiling. Even the bathrooms in this club were first class. She sighed. “It’s fine. It’s a win-win for us both. I’m happy with my life the way it is, and you and Keith can stay under the radar.” Or in the closet, as the case might be.

As right wing tea party Senator Stephan Ritter’s son, Brad felt he could never come out and admit his sexual orientation without destroying his father’s career. And though Amanda had thankfully put her bulimic past behind her, she wasn’t all that trusting of men and relationships. It was simpler to get what she needed sexually at this exclusive club. Brad, her tech geek billionaire best friend, paid for her membership. As she’d said, win-win.

“Well, when you get home tomorrow, I want to hear all about the guy who got you to extend your couple of hours and only at the club rule.

No, he would not. What happened in New York would stay in New York. Including how very attracted she was to Decklan and how much she wished she had the normal ability to trust and indulge in relationships. Not that it mattered. Decklan didn’t do relationships either.

“I love you for caring. Now I’ve got to go. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Love you too. Take care and have fun.”

She shut her phone and reentered the club to find Decklan, arms folded across his chest, waiting right outside the hallway. “I thought maybe you found a window through which to escape.”

“Not a chance.” Now that she was in, she was going to enjoy. “I just needed to freshen up and call a friend. Otherwise the cavalry might arrive if I didn’t get home on time.”

“Good to know someone has your back.”

She smiled. “Never doubt it.” If she needed anything, Brad would drop everything. They’d been best friends since bonding in college, and nothing could change that. Now she was his personal assistant, allowing him to focus on code while she kept the rest of his life running smoothly.

Decklan placed a hand against the small of her back, a possessive gesture that had her trembling.

“My place or yours?” he asked.

“I’m in from out of town.” Brad had two apartments, leased and hidden under fake names, where they stayed when in town for business. One for him, the other for her. They were far from the ultra-wealthy area where people would expect Senator Ritter’s son to stay and kept both him and Keith protected. She didn’t want to take Decklan there and raise questions.

He blinked at the revelation. “Actually, that makes sense. It explains why you’re not here more often.”

It was her turn to be surprised. “You really did pay attention?”

“Are we back to whether or not I tell the truth?” he asked in a warning tone.

Her ass still ached from his first punishment, and she wanted to move on to the next part of the night. “No, we’re good.”

“So my place is okay?” he asked.

She nodded.

“I’m just outside of Manhattan. Great Neck,” he said.

“I’m okay with that.” She could always call a cab if she needed to escape.

“Are you hungry?” he asked.

She shrugged. “I suppose.” She’d eaten dinner, but it was getting late, and she could use something to boost her blood sugar. “Are you hungry?”

His eyes darkened. His thumb suddenly pressed against her bottom lip. She sighed, her tongue darting out and licking his salty skin. “Make no mistake, baby. I plan to eat you.”

Her breath left in a whoosh. “Oh.”

He slid his finger back and forth across her lip. Her ni**les puckered at the simple touch, and she felt the pull directly in the apex of her sex.

“You sound like a New Yorker,” she said, trying to find a semblance of sanity.

He nodded. “Born and raised. You?”

“Maryland,” she murmured, her gaze never leaving his. Those almost-navy eyes mesmerized her, making her feel like she could drown in their depths.

“And where do you live today?” he asked.

“Washington, D.C.” She pulled herself out of the spell he wove around her, reminding herself she had someone else’s secrets to protect even more than her own.

A one-night stand didn’t need intimate, get-to-know-you time. But she wanted to learn more about him, and that was a dangerous proposition.

“Are you going to talk all night?” she asked playfully, a tactic to move things along. “Or do you have some moves you want to show me?”

He laughed. “You can be fun,” he said, clearly surprised.

She grinned. “I have my moments.” With the seriousness of Mike behind her, her insulting herself and that punishment over, she was ready to play.

John, the monitor, winked at her as Decklan led her out and onto the street. With Brad’s check, the club staff knowing who she was with, and understanding that Decklan had been vetted and Mike an aberration, Amanda felt safe leaving with him.

He kept his hand protectively on her back as he led her to the lot where he’d parked his car and held open the door for her once the attendant brought the black SUV around. The radio played Top 100, and she settled into the comfortable seat.

“You okay?” he asked.

She nodded. “I am. Thanks.” Surprisingly, she was fine. No, she wasn’t a woman who normally left a club or bar with a stranger, but Decklan Dare didn’t feel like someone she’d never met. And she really wanted one night with this dominant, sexy man.

The rest of the car ride passed in comfortable silence. He didn’t push for conversation, and she was still feeling tingly and relaxed from actually reaching subspace with Decklan. Soon he turned off the highway, and after driving through side streets with small homes that were close together, he turned into an apartment complex and parked in a spot out front.