Ashley rang Dare’s doorbell, her nerves frayed. The last time they’d spoken—the day he’d inundated her with flowers and told her he wanted a real relationship with her—they’d agreed to talk again today after she’d had a couple of days to think.

Dare opened the door and she found herself caught in his intense blue gaze, feeling outside her league. He was older than her, more experienced in life, and in total control of everything around him. The one exception was Helen, but even there it was clear that she behaved that way on Dare’s indulgence.

He smiled, his eyes glowing, and she felt … filled with sunshine. Like he considered her the most important thing in the world.

“Ashley,” he said in his deep, smooth-as-silk baritone voice. “Come in.”

He took her hand and drew her into the foyer, then closed the door. Before she could say anything she was in his arms gazing up at his heated midnight eyes.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” he said warmly. “I’ve missed you.”

She found herself trembling as she saw the need glowing in his eyes and felt it building inside herself, sweeping away the nervousness about their discussion. He lowered his lips to hers and that first brush of flesh on flesh took her breath away. Then the pressure of his mouth increased and his tongue swept over her lips. She opened and he glided inside and stroked. She melted against him, glad for his strong arms around her as her knees threatened to buckle.

Good God, he’d never kissed her like this before.

He deepened the kiss and she clung to him, giving over her body to his masterful guidance.

When his lips parted from hers, she gazed at him, stunned.

“I thought we were going to talk.”

He chuckled. “There’s plenty of time for that later. Right now…” He dipped and she felt his arm behind her legs, then he swept her up. The world tilted and she felt herself gliding through the air as he carried her toward the bedroom. “… it’s time for action.”

A part of her wanted to protest. She shouldn’t let this happen until she’d sorted out her feelings about the two of them. Until she’d chosen.

But she didn’t want to choose. And Dare’s lips nuzzling her ear as he strode down the hall made it too difficult to think. To resist what she wanted right here. Right now.

His lips grazed her neck and desire trembled through her.

She didn’t want to worry about choosing one of them. Or hurting one of them. She just wanted to be lost in these delicious sensations.