HazardsDare Read online

  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.

  “Sometimes,” she agreed, finishing up her text. “There, texted Ryan. He’ll handle Alexander. Frankly, I’m not going to worry about my brother for the remainder of the week.”

  “Why’s that, baby?”

  Avery’s blue eyes rose, homing in on his face. “I’ve got Hazard Osbourne in my bed. You are my fantasy come true. Alexander represents reality.”

  Hazard liked being Avery’s fantasy. “Hand over the phone. Let’s tell reality to fuck off. What do you say we break a few rules together? Better yet, that we have no rules between us?”

  Her phone landed in his hand. He turned the thing off and gently tossed it to the table on his side of the bed.

  “Should we order a bottle of tequila and toast to no rules?”

  “Not necessary,” he said, turning to his side so he could appreciate her freely. “You do need to get rid of that towel.”

  “If I don’t?”

  “Then I’ll remove it,” he answered, grabbing the edge of her towel.

  “Hazard!” she shouted when he did exactly what he said he would. The terrycloth went flying off the bed.

  Naked Avery was a treat for a man to take his time to appreciate. She was gorgeous and built to fuck. Her skin was soft and naturally tanned. Her muscle was subtle, evidence that PT work required strength. She had real nice hands and smelled great.

  Her breasts were firm and round, tipped with rosy areolas and taut nipples meant for a man to suck. Her mouth was exactly what he’d told her before, fuckable.

  “Are you up for some adventure before room service is delivered?” he asked.

  “What do you have in mind?”

  Hazard would fuck her mouth sometime soon. As much as he wanted to see his cock disappear between her soft, full lips, he wanted to give her something first.

  Easing back on the super-comfy bed, he rested his head on a pillow. “Ride my face, baby,” he dared, grabbing her hand when she made a cute little squeal.

  “You can’t be serious.” Avery’s eyes got as huge as saucers.

  “Not a lot of time to hedge,” he countered. “Come on, double dog dare you.”

  “Careful there, Hazard, I might take you up on it.”

  “Dare’s been made. You gonna be a chicken and back out?”

  “Consequences if I do?”

  “Yo
u have to be naked when room service arrives.”

  “No way!”

  “Want to bet?”

  “No, no, if you want me to do this, I’ll do it.”

  Hazard laughed out loud. “It’s not like I’m sending you to the gallows. Get up here and present your gorgeous pussy to me. I want to eat you up.”

  For a second, Sensible Avery came out when she got up on her knees and tried to hide her bare breasts with her hands. She did a poor job of it, succeeding only in drawing more attention to herself.

  “Be Daring Avery again. You’re free to be yourself with me,” he told her, placing his hand at her hip to help guide her up to the pillow.

  “All right, we do this my way,” she stated, moving around so that she straddled him as told, except she faced the footboard. “I’m going to eat you up while you eat me.”

  “Oh hell,” he grumbled, thinking he might not taste so good after wearing a condom. Fortunately, Avery didn’t seem to mind.

  Nah, she bent gracefully at the waist, her flexibility taking his breath away as she presented her nearly nude pussy to his point of view.

  Pretty as a flower, pink, glistening with female arousal, her slit looked edible. Her clit was fully erect, protruding from its protective hood, throbbing.

  “Never did this to a real man before,” she admitted as her hand surrounded his girth with a practiced grip.

  “What the hell does that mean?”

  “Sometimes a girl has to teach herself how to give blowjobs by using a dildo or something that resembles the thickness of a penis. Men aren’t the only ones who use sex toys and masturbation devices.”

  “True, the way you’re stroking my cock isn’t the touch of a novice,” he admitted, loving the way her fingers wrapped around him and began jerking his happy, erect cock with confident assurance.

  Her strokes were practiced, as strong and certain as if it were his hand applying the right tension and grip. “I’m used to working on muscles. I’m a physical therapist. I’ve also trained in massage therapy, but that’s a whole other story.”