I half wonder if I'm dreaming.
"Let's get out of here," he says against my lips, and a full body shudder decides to happen.
Damn it.
He grins as he pulls back, fully aware of what he does to me. People jerk their gazes away when I glare at them, and I let Dale lead me out, his fingers locking with mine.
I don't speak as we get into his car that is idling by the curb. As he holds the door open for me, I lower myself to the seat and text George, letting him know I won't be needing him today after all, since I'm about to ride a Sterling.
I mean … ride with a Sterling.
Accidentally, my mind strays to the numerous videos that streamed over my computer today.
"So … I need to sort of tell you something," I say, breaking the silence as he cuts down the music.
"Yeah?" he asks as he turns toward his house.
"I'm not a virgin," I quickly blurt out, feeling the weight already lifting from my shoulders.
His entire body visibly relaxes, as though that's the best news ever. I almost laugh. Almost.
I'm still busy trying not to feel mortified.
"Then why-"
"I didn't mean virgin in the anatomical sense," I explain, my cheeks heating fiercely.
Sheesh. I'm a complete nerdy teenager right now!
Where's all my badass?
His brow furrows in confusion as we finally pull up into his driveway. I practically shove the door of the car open, needing to steel this resolve of mine. I mean, life is all about risks, right?
I became successful because I took a risk.
I built my entire world around one gamble that paid off.
Who's to say my personal life couldn't use a little of that fearlessness?
"I'm confused," Dale says as he follows me, but I don't turn around. "And it's pretty damn rare that I'm confused," he adds when I don't answer.
I tap my toe as I wait impatiently on his stoop, and he leans over me, his front brushing my back, as he punches in the code to his front door.
I walk directly to his den like I'm comfortable in his home, and head straight for the liquor. Don't judge me. You'd need a little liquid courage right now too.
"I'm … vanilla, usually," I say before pouring another glass of vodka and drinking it in one quick gulp.
One more.
"Vanilla?" he asks while I pour and gulp down a second shot. His eyebrows up in confusion as I turn around.
Just say it, Harley!
"I mean … I've never done that stuff before."
His eyes widen fractionally before he clears his throat and undoes the button at his collar.
"Harley, I-"
"But I want to try," I tell him, interrupting him before he says something that makes me lose my courage. "Tonight. Now, actually."
He opens and closes his mouth before tugging at another button on his shirt.
"You want to try," he repeats in a slow, almost confused tone.
"Yes," I state matter-of-factly, and drink more vodka.
Sexy. I can be sexy. It seemed like a pipe dream back in high school, but this isn't high school.
Be sexy, Harley. Be seductive!
I trip in my heel when I try to take a step, and Dale rushes to steady me.
That's not sexy, idiot!
I peer up, shuddering in his grip. Every time he touches me it feels like I'm on fire.
His eyes are on me, questioning, wondering, thoughtful …
I'm not chickening out. I came with him for a reason. And let's face, I spent years fantasizing about Dale Sterling even when I was convincing myself to hate him. I'm not squandering my chance now.
I can be sexy. Starting now.
Chapter 16
DALE
I really need to stop touching her, because it's like I become a mindless caveman and only think with my dick whenever there's physical contact. Right now, my hand is sliding lower on her body, finding that supple ass her skirt is hugging just right.
This is not why I wanted to bring her here. We're supposed to be having a conversation right now.
Clearing my throat, I take a step back, studying her.
She's waiting for a response. Right. She wants to try out my lifestyle.
I'm officially killing my cousins. Just as soon as I don't have an erection they'll mock me for.
I'm about to come clean and tell her the truth, when I see her sexy smile turn brittle, and insecurity flashes in her eyes.
"Okay," I stupidly say.
Pretty sure I just agreed to fuck her in my "playroom" with some of that kinky shit that I don't know a thing about using.
When did my life get so twisted? Oh, yeah. When I stopped remembering I'm a motherfucking adult.
That's when.
The excitement and intrigue that heats her gaze spikes my own excitement. But it's quickly followed by a surge of panic.
"You're sure about this?" I ask, half hoping she says no, and half begging she says yes.
I can't believe I'm even considering this, let alone feeling painfully hard at the prospect.
"Yes," she says quietly, her voice thick with desire like I've never heard before. "Just be gentle. I'm new to this … but I'll let you know if it's too much. Everything else … make me do it. Make me want it."
Fuuuuck. I only thought I was painfully hard.
Taking a silent, but deep breath, I nod.
Be in charge …
That I can do very well. It's all the following shit that I'm struggling with.
"Go to the room. Get naked," I tell her in a voice of authority that has her shuddering and my cock stirring in response.
She bites down on her lower lip, the universal sign for a woman being turned on.
"Yes, sir," she says on a breath and turns to strut down the hall while I try not to freak out like a little bitch. She turns, and I remain the picture of composure as she peers at me with a flush on her cheeks. "I sort of like the idea of the flogger. Can we do that?"
"We'll see," I tell her, giving nothing away. "But I already gave you an order."
Her eyes widen again, and she turns and heads into the room.
Panicking, I call the first person I think of-Rain. She writes romance. She has to know what to do.
"What's up, Dale?" she chirps, sounding overly chipper, and definitely oblivious to my distress.
"I need to know what to do with a flogger."
Silence.
"Rain?" I prompt, worried the line has gone dead. "What do I do with a flogger? What the fuck does a flogger even look like?"
I glance around the wall, making sure Harley can't overhear me.
"Are you serious?" Rain asks, clearly suspicious. "This sounds like a joke Maverick would pull. Not you. Is he there? Tell him it's too late for calls like this. I have a deadline to meet, and now floggers are on my brain."
"Dale? You okay?" Harley calls, and it's loud enough for Rain to hear.
"She's there?" Rain hisses. "I thought you were going to stay away from her after what Raya told you."
"Yeah. I'll be right there!" I yell to Harley, then lower my voice for Rain once again. "Damn it, Rain. How do you know what Raya told me? And I'll explain later. Blame Maverick and Corbin for getting me into this shit. You write all that dirty stuff. Tell me what to do with a flogger."
"Mav told me what Raya said about Miss Unidentified. As for the rest … .what the hell do you think I write?" she asks, clearly too amused for the dire situation at hand.
"Please, Rain," I groan, glancing around the wall once more to make sure the blonde temptress isn't coming out of the room. I can't believe I got myself into this mess.
It is suspicious that she's so willingly going to do this. I mean … it's insane, right? Our second date is getting tied up and spanked? It's beyond absurd, and I'm completely unprepared.
Maybe she's figured out the truth and now she's fucking with me the way I was going to mess with her. Could I be that lucky?
"Sorry, Dale. You're on your own. I have no clue. I've done some bondage and role playing, but never the painfully pleasuring stuff."
I groan louder, and Rain laughs hard, as though she's enjoying this.
"Are you serious right now? How can you joke when I clearly need your help?" I grumble, eliciting more laughter from her.
"Dale, I'll come bail you out of jail, help you sort out décor, and I'll even hook you up with girls. But I can't give you lessons on floggers. What the hell have you gotten yourself into?"
Cursing, I decide I don't have time for sordid details. "Let's just say my plan of revenge just backfired, and I'm fucked-in the wrong way."
I hang up and call one of the main idiots I trusted to get me into this predicament.
"This better be good. I've just locked that damn cat out and I'm about to get friendly with my hand."
"More information than I needed, Mav," I state dryly.
"Dale?" Harley calls again.
"What's going on?" Mav asks.
"Hang on," I tell him, taking a deep breath and walking into the fucking room of confusing devices.
But I practically stumble over my own feet when I see Harley completely naked, uncertainty and a hint of insecurity in her eyes as she studies me. My eyes rake over her body-soft, curvy, definitely my favorite.
My throat feels dry as my gaze continues to roam over her hips that flare; a body that won't break if I get too rough. And I know for certain, given the never-ending state of arousal I'm in, I'll be rough.