She wanted to feel his hard, naked body against her. To be consumed by his overwhelming masculinity.
He led her to his room and ordered her out of her clothes, but when he took her in his arms again, he kissed her with tenderness. When they joined it was a passionate, joyful union, sending her heart soaring.
But when she lay in his arms afterward, his warm body wrapped around her, she wondered if she’d made a mistake. Not that she wanted to give up Dare. The mere thought sent her cascading to depression. But she’d had an opportunity to start a relationship with Adam, a man she’d been longing for for a long time. A man she believed she could forge a long-term relationship with. And she’d blown him off, insisting she wouldn’t give up Dare.
But Dare only wanted her for now. They had no future.
“It doesn’t have to be over, you know.”
“What?” Her heart thudded in her chest at Dare’s words.
“Your friendship with him. From what you’ve told me, you two are very close, and I don’t believe he’ll give you up that easily.”
“He seemed pretty convincing.”
“Just give him time.” He nuzzled her ear. “Now go to sleep. Everything will look better in the morning.”
* * *
Ashley awoke to the sun shining brightly and the smell of bacon wafting around her. Her eyelids popped open and she sat up.
A moment later, the door opened and Dare smiled from the doorway. He was heart-stoppingly gorgeous in just his jeans and bare chest. A broad, sculpted chest that she knew was rock hard, with muscles that rippled when he moved his arms.
A ridiculously hot guy and bacon. Could this morning get any better?
“Come down and have breakfast,” he said.
“I need to shower and change first.”
“Nonsense. Relax and come join me.” He walked to his closet and pulled out a robe, then tossed it on the bed. “It’ll be a bit big, but I like the idea of you wrapped up in my robe.”
She picked it up, luxuriating in the feel of the soft silk. She glanced at him, waiting for him to turn away while she pulled on the garment, but he didn’t. He just smiled at her. So she pushed back the covers, exposing her nakedness, then stood up and pulled on the robe. Knowing he was watching her sent heat through her and she wanted to entice him to join her in bed again.
But the bacon beckoned, and there was always after breakfast.
She followed him down the stairs then into the dining room. She sat down and poured herself a coffee from the thermos on the table while he returned to the kitchen. He appeared a moment later with two plates of bacon and scrambled eggs.
She ate a strip of bacon and then took a bite of the eggs. “Mmm. These are delicious.”
“I add some herbs to the eggs to make them a bit more exciting.”
She couldn’t believe Dare could cook. She’d imagined he’d have someone do that for him. Like a maid, or one of his subs. In fact, she was surprised he hadn’t ordered her out of bed to make breakfast for him.
A knock sounded at the door.
He continued eating.
“Aren’t you going to answer that?” she asked.
“I’m not expecting anyone at this time of the morning, and I see no reason to interrupt a nice breakfast for in impolite stranger.”
But the knock sounded again. On the third one, he sighed and pushed himself to his feet. He walked to the door and pulled it open.
“Daddy, it’s so good to see you.”
Ashley froze at that voice. She pulled the robe tighter around her as she glanced at the door. She wanted to run. To hide. Anything to prevent being seen by the newcomer.
Helen threw herself into Dare’s arms and his arms reluctantly slid around her.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
“Can’t I come and visit my dad?”
“I’m not your dad.”
Helen fluttered her hand in the air dismissively. “Okay, my stepdad.” She glanced toward the dining room. “Oh, I see you have a guest. Anyone I know?”
“Helen, another time would be better.”
But Helen dodged past him and marched toward the dining room. As she marched toward Ashley, her expression suddenly switched from determination to one of confusion. Then she clenched her jaw and looked even more solemn. She stopped beside the table and glared at Ashley.
“I thought it was Jessica fucking my stepfather,” she muttered loud enough for just Ashley to hear. “But it seems you’re the little slut doing him.” Her eyes narrowed. “Well, believe me, I’ll make sure you pay for this.”
About the Author
Opal Carew is the award-winning author of seventeen previous erotic romances for St. Martin’s Press. To learn more, visit her on the Web at www.opalcarew.com. Or sign up for email updates here.
Also by Opal Carew
Bliss
Forbidden Heat
Secret Ties
Six
Blush
Swing
Twin Fantasies
Pleasure Bound
Total Abandon
Secret Weapon
Insatiable
Illicit
His to Command
His to Possess
His to Claim
Riding Steele
Hard Ride
Stepbrother, Mine
Don’t miss the latest serial erotic romance from Opal Carew
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Begin Reading
About the Author
Also by Opal Carew
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
MY BEST FRIEND’S STEPFATHER: PART ONE. Copyright © 2015 by Opal Carew. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
www.stmartins.com
Cover design by Danielle Fiorella
Cover photographs: man © S Photos / Shutterstock
e-ISBN 9781250091000
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First Edition: November 2015