Dare to Surrender Read online

  With one hand on the steering wheel of his fully loaded Dodge truck, Ash tried to keep his other hand off Joy.

  She sat beside him, cozy in her heated seat, looking totally content to do whatever he wanted, to ride along wherever he took her. Hands behind her back, she obviously trusted him to take care of her.

  Many women had, but for some reason this was different. He liked to control everything, even his environment. But Joy made him crazy, made him do things he’d never done—or wanted to do. He’d never even asked if she’d wanted to be tied, and that was something totally new to him. But earlier, out of lust or frustration he didn’t know, he’d experienced a sudden, powerful desire to own her. To have her belong to him.

  Only him.

  During the entire drive to her car, he’d been out of his fucking head with worry. His Joy, alone on the side of the road, in the dark with some guy named Dan. If even one hair on her head had been hurt, Ash would have killed him.

  Ash had nearly collapsed with relief when he’d discovered her, safe, sound, and alone in her car.

  And he’d wanted to kill her as much as he’d wanted to hold her, to reassure himself that she was okay.

  Get a grip, Hunter. It was a flat tire, not a rescue mission!

  Still, she was lucky she had only blown a tire; something so much worse could have happened. The thought made his chest tighten.

  He had to feel her, couldn’t wait another second.

  Reaching over, he cupped her thigh. He felt her muscles tense under his palm. “Open your legs for me, Joy.”

  She barely hesitated before spreading her thighs apart, and he slipped his hand up the inside of her leg. Then he was slipping his fingers beyond the elastic band of her panties, and the feel of her, the warm, welcoming feel of her pussy, nearly undid him.

  He cleared his throat. “So wet already?”

  “You tell me.”

  He dug deeper, pushing two fingers inside her until she satisfied him with a sharp gasp. His other hand clenched the steering wheel, his knuckles going white. Fuck, he wanted to feel her warm pussy around his cock, not his hand. But not now. Not like this. Now he wanted to pleasure her, and as he continued to work her with his fingers, she arched off the seat, her breasts thrust forward due to her hands being tied behind her back.

  “Oh my God, Ash, keep going… so close…”

  He plunged inside her again, and he felt her body slacken around his hand, as if she were sinking into the plush seat.

  “That’s right, baby. Come for me.” Only me.

  She flung her head back, and he felt her climax as she shuddered, clenching around his hand. He stifled a groan. His cock was so tight, throbbing so hard….

  Slowly he pulled out of her, and she collapsed back on the seat, a tiny smile on her pretty little mouth, her lids half lowered. “Mmmm,” she murmured.

  He brought his fingers to her lips, and her tongue darted out to lick him, suck him. He was about to lose control and pull the car over when he heard a soft rumble.

  Joy froze.

  Pulling his hand back and steadying the truck, he sighed. “When was the last time you ate, Joy?”

  “Um, dinnertime?”

  “And when was that?”

  “I had a salad with nonfat dressing around six.”

  He knew Joy well enough to know she needed to eat some real food. “Well, I’m taking you to your favorite place.”

  “Cha Cha Cha?” she said hopefully.

  “Okay, your second-favorite.”

  “In-N-Out?”

  “Yup.”

  She gave him a brilliant smile. “Ash?”

  “Yeah?”

  “You really are the best.” She winked. “At everything.”

  He couldn’t help it; his male pride swelled. And so did other, more physical parts of his body. But he contained himself.

  For now.

  At the first big red arrow flashing brightly right off the freeway, Ash pulled the truck onto an off-ramp. Sexual tension hung heavy in the air; Joy was still tied, and she knew he had something up his sleeve. The question was, what?

  He pulled into the drive-through and spoke into the fuzzy-sounding speaker. He seemed to remember exactly what she liked, and he didn’t even ask her before placing their order. Then they were driving forward to the restaurant window.

  “Ash,” Joy hissed. “They’ll see me.” She realized the cashier would have a bird’s-eye view into the truck’s cab, where she sat with her hands tied behind her back.

  “Does that bother you?”

  Slowly, she shook her head. It was insane! But somehow she sat there happy as a clam as Ash paid for their food and took the warm bag and set it between them. The teenage boy glanced at her, then not-so-subtly shook his head as he handed over two drinks, which Ash placed in the truck’s cup holders.

  “Thanks,” Ash said, driving away.

  “Do you think he saw?” Joy asked, and her voice sounded titillated, even to her.

  “Probably.”

  For some reason the thought of someone knowing what they were up to only turned her on.

  What was wrong with her?

  Well, it didn’t matter now. What mattered was her grumbling tummy and the mouthwatering scents coming from the bag of fast food on the seat between them. If only her hands weren’t tied, she could steal a French fry.

  “Where are we going, anyway?” she asked.

  “You’ll see.”

  “So full of secrets.”

  He slanted a grin at her. “Be patient, little one. All will be revealed.”

  “Okay, I’ll just sit here, starving, with my hands tied behind my back while you travel the backwoods of the Bay Area.”

  “It’s not the backwoods. I know of a lookout up here.”

  “The last time you stopped at a lookout, my ass was sore for a week.”

  “And you loved it.”

  “Maybe.”

  He just grinned and continued to drive up a winding road surrounded by huge eucalyptus trees. A few minutes later, they crested the hill. The rain had stopped, and the entire Bay Area sparkled before them, the bridges lit and twinkling over the wide, dark expanse of the peninsula. “It’s beautiful,” Joy said.

  “Worth the wait?”

  “Definitely.”

  He backed the truck up and parked so the rear faced the view. “Hang on.” He jumped out of the driver’s side.

  The scent of the food was torture, and just when Joy was considering nudging her face into the bag to pilfer a fry, the passenger door opened and Ash was there, lifting her down. He carried her to the back of the truck, where he placed her on a blanket he’d laid out on the tailgate. The air was damp, but not particularly cold, and she sat cross-legged on the blanket, facing out.

  “Be right back.”

  He darted off again, this time only to return with the bag of food and two drinks. Climbing onto the tailgate, he spread the food out before them on the blanket and settled next to her.

  She looked at him. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”

  He looked thoughtful. “Hmm. Nope, don’t think so.”

  Shrugging her shoulders, she gave him a look. “I’m still tied up. How am I supposed to eat?”

  Grinning, he lifted out a tray of French fries. “Do you like ketchup?”

  “Yes…”

  He opened several small packets and made a pile of ketchup next to the fries. “Good.” His green eyes sparkled in the moonlight, reflecting the thousands of lights beyond, but she found she’d rather look at him than even the fabulous view.

  He dipped the fry into the ketchup and brought it to her mouth. “Open up.”

  Like a bird she opened her mouth, but he only teased her, taking the French fry, deliciously salty and sweet from the ketchup, and running it over her lips. His eyes missed nothing as he watched her tongue dart out and lick a drop of ketchup off the tip.

  Finally he let her eat, pushing the fry into her mouth.

  “Mmm. That ta
stes amazing.”

  “More?”

  “Of course!” She realized she should be totally embarrassed eating this way, being hand-fed fried, greasy fast food. Grandmother would have a fit if she saw her! But Joy just sat there and let Ash bring the cheeseburger to her lips, and she took a big bite. Closing her eyes, she chewed, savoring the wonderful tastes, so much more filling than the chintzy salad her grandmother had served her.

  Eyes still closed, she felt Ash lean in closer.

  “You have a little something… ,” he said before she felt his tongue on the side of her mouth, licking off a drop of sauce.

  “And here.” He kept kissing her, licking her, tasting her.

  Who knew fast food could be so sexy?

  He continued to feed her, pausing in between to take bites of his own cheeseburger. When they were finished, he took the lid off one of the cups—the chocolate shake—and dipped his finger inside.

  “Dessert?” he asked with a sexy grin.

  She nodded, and he brought his finger to her lips. She tasted the icy chocolate and drew his finger deeper into her mouth. Hands tied, she watched his face, watched the way his gaze was locked on her mouth. She swirled her tongue around his finger, sucking and licking until she saw his breath hitch.

  “You give good finger,” he said. “Now come here.”

  Already her body was thrumming with desire, and a fresh wave washed through her as he took her in his arms and kissed her. She wanted to touch him, to keep him just where he was, but her hands were still bound.

  He pulled away and hopped off the tailgate. Then he grabbed her and set her on her feet, facing the truck. “Ash?”

  She felt his hands on the hem of her dress, lifting the fabric high, revealing her ass.

  “Wait… What if someone drives up?” she asked over her shoulder.

  “Don’t worry, sweetheart. Right now you’re mine. I take care of what’s mine. Can you put your trust in me to protect you?”

  She paused. Having her hands tied up while going through a drive-through was one thing, but this? Making love in a public parking lot? Granted, it was empty, but still… someone could arrive at any time.

  But Ash wanted her to trust him. She did trust him—she realized she trusted him more than anyone in her entire life. The realization caused her heart to swell, and she actually felt tears pricking the backs of her eyes.

  She blinked them away. “Yes, Ash. I trust you.”

  “Good girl,” he whispered against her ear as he brushed her hair off her neck. A shiver raced up her back as he gently used her hair to push her forward until she was leaning facedown on the blanket-covered tailgate.

  Her legs trembled when she felt his hands on her thighs, her ass. He pushed her dress around her waist, and then he pulled her panties down over her legs and feet, making her step out of them.

  “Don’t worry, sweetheart. No one’s going to see you, I promise. I’ve got you.”

  “Yes,” she whispered, closing her eyes. It was so nice like this, so lovely to let him take control, to let herself swim in the gorgeous emotions coursing through her.

  She heard him unzip his jeans and put on a condom. Seconds later he was entering her from behind, filling her, and when he was buried deeply, she moaned in bliss.

  “Yes… ,” she whispered.

  She felt his hand on her wrists, holding on to the scarf that restrained her. Pulling her arms tight, he used his other hand to hold her hips still as he retreated and then entered again. Pleasure arrowed into her sex with every lovely thrust.

  “Oh, God. Ah…”

  “That’s right, baby. You love to feel me, don’t you?”

  “So much.” She did love to feel him, everywhere. And she couldn’t deny her feelings for Ash had grown so much since that fateful night at the museum. She’d been physically attracted to him then, but now… now she felt more. So much more.

  And when they were making love, the intensity of this connection—the exchange of power—melted her. Powerful submission; wasn’t that what she’d first thought of when she’d seen his sculpture? She’d wanted to experience that feeling but never imagined it would be possible.

  He plunged into her again, tugged her arms until her back arched before him.

  Yes, she thought. That feeling was possible. And it was sublime.

  Chapter Twenty

  Erica was finishing up the last of the dishes when a soft knock drew her attention to the door. Wiping her hands on a dish towel, she put her eye to the peephole, half expecting to see Joy in the hallway.

  Blaine. Erica’s heart skipped, from shock as well as a tinge of excitement she didn’t have time to suppress before it shot through her. What was he doing here?

  Unsure, Erica opened the door. Why did the man have to be so damn gorgeous? His brown hair was actually a mess, and for once he wasn’t wearing a button-up shirt. Instead he wore a long-sleeved black T-shirt that lovingly clung to a ripped torso.

  So, Preppy Boy spent a lot of time at the gym.

  She cleared her throat. “What are you doing here?”

  He held out his hands, in which he held a large white ramekin.

  “I brought you something.”

  She looked at the dish skeptically. “What is it?”

  “Rat stew.”

  She recoiled.

  He rolled his eyes. “Crème brûlée. Freshly torched.”

  Crossing her arms across her chest, she eyed him. “Why?”

  “Why not?”

  “Because what kind of person shows up at ten o’clock at night with dessert?”

  “A smart one?”

  She couldn’t argue the truth of that. Erica happened to love a late-night treat. Also, she had to admit the man was a god when it came to custard desserts. Especially when he was eating them off her body…

  Don’t even go there!

  “I’ll get the spoons,” she said, spinning on her heel. She heard him following her into the kitchen, and when she grabbed two spoons and faced him, he was there. Too close.

  He plucked one of the spoons from her hand and tossed it into the sink. “We only need one of these.”

  Why was she shaking? Why was her heart racing as he lifted off the foil covering the dish to reveal the amber-coated custard? It was perfect, burnt to the exact shade of ocher that she knew would be neither too bitter nor too soft. Her mouth started to water.

  He handed her the spoon. “Would you like to do the honors?”

  Breaking the burnt sugar on top of crème brûlée was one of her favorite things in the world, and she gratefully took the spoon.

  She tapped it, and a rewarding crack sent a little thrill through her.

  “Nicely done. Now allow me.” He took the spoon and dipped it into the dessert. “Open up.”

  Feeling self-conscious, she did as he said and allowed him to spoon a velvety bite of the dessert into her mouth. She couldn’t help it; she closed her eyes and moaned. Damn, but he was good.

  He spooned another bite, but this time teased her, making her move forward, work for it.

  “You have the most luscious mouth,” he said, and she blushed.

  “You have the most luscious everything.”

  She swallowed. Hard.

  “Fuck this, Erica. I need you.”

  Every nerve in her body was tingling, ready for him. What was it about this guy that set her on fire?

  He picked her up and carried her to the kitchen table. Tossing aside a pile of cookbooks, he laid her before him. Then he lifted her skirt and kissed her right between her legs, on her clit, which was already sensitive and needy.

  “Yes,” she said. “Right there…”

  “I know, baby. Be patient.” Then he stood and slipped out of his T-shirt. Breathing hard, she watched him undress, expecting to see pale, smooth, upper-class skin.

  But what she saw instead made her breath catch.

  “Oh my God.”

  “You look surprised.”

  “I am…” His entire
upper body was covered in tattoos. Gorgeous artwork, obviously done over many years.

  “But…”

  He grinned. “What? I don’t fit into your neat little pretty box?”

  She could just shake her head. “Why do you hide them?”

  “I don’t. I just choose to be judged on who I am, not what I look like.” He leaned over her, the muscles of his shoulders solid-looking above her. “Why do you show yours off?”

  “I don’t.” Did she?

  “You do. It’s your way of telling the world exactly who you are.”

  “And you?” she asked, searching his eyes. “You hide who you are.”

  “Not at all. This is who I am. I wear what I feel comfortable in; I do what I want.”

  She ran a fingertip over the hard ridges of his chest. Dragons, tigers, traditional floral work covered his skin. “It’s so beautiful.”

  “I like beautiful things.”

  The look in his eyes, the tone of his voice—her stomach flipped deep inside.

  Her breath caught. “You even have your nipples pierced.”

  “You have a problem with that?” he asked.

  “No, it’s just…”

  “Maybe you should stop judging people on their looks.”

  She looked up. “I do do that, don’t I?”

  “You sure do. But I have a feeling I know why. I remember what it was like when I was in school. What it was like for the kids from the other side of town.”

  “Does this mean you’re not a rich kid?” she asked, smiling.

  “I’m filthy rich, actually.”

  Speechless, she just stared at him.

  He brushed a strand of hair off her forehead. “You don’t need to think. You just need to let me feel you.”

  And she couldn’t resist him, so she did. She let him pull down her panties and spread her legs. She could see the desire in his eyes, and as he kneeled to kiss the inside of her thigh, she opened for him.

  “So pretty, Erica.” She could feel the words on her damp sex, and her belly quivered.

  “Everywhere.”

  Then she felt his mouth on her, softly tasting her, using his tongue to lick the moist folds between her legs. A sigh escaped her.

  With his teeth he tugged on her clit, biting gently, and the muscles of her thighs tensed. She bit her lip, trying not to cry out.