Daniel's Dare

By Sasha Devlin

Daniel Rich and Kaitlyn Dow have been friends for fifteen years, and playing an increasingly outlandish game of Truth or Dare for nearly as long. In love with her friend for longer than she’d like to admit, Kaitlyn prefers to hide in the safety of truths she can guide away from embarrassing secrets. While ladies’ man Daniel can’t help but push Kaitlyn’s boundaries with bolder, sexier dares every chance he gets in hopes that he can finally get his friend to notice how he feels.

With her bed-and-breakfast overbooked, the two are forced to spend the night together. Under the twinkle of Christmas lights and the temptation of mistletoe, Daniel is ready to move their relationship to the next level. Kaitlyn suspects he’s still playing a game, and resigns herself to a one-night stand. But she’ll soon learn that Daniel is willing to risk any dare to get Kaitlyn to see the truth—that they belong together.

This title was previously published.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sasha Devlin
• Release date: Jan 6, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386094388

Book preview

Blurb

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Daniel Rich and Kaitlyn Dow have been friends for fifteen years, and playing an increasingly outlandish game of Truth or Dare for nearly as long. In love with her friend for longer than she’d like to admit, Kaitlyn prefers to hide in the safety of truths she can guide away from embarrassing secrets. While ladies’ man Daniel can’t help but push Kaitlyn’s boundaries with bolder, sexier dares every chance he gets in hopes that he can finally get his friend to notice how he feels.

With her bed-and-breakfast overbooked, the two are forced to spend the night together. Under the twinkle of Christmas lights and the temptation of mistletoe, Daniel is ready to move their relationship to the next level. Kaitlyn suspects he’s still playing a game, and resigns herself to a one-night stand. But she’ll soon learn that Daniel is willing to risk any dare to get Kaitlyn to see the truth—that they belong together.

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Note: This title has previously been published.

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Chapter One

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I can’t believe I’m doing this. Kaitlyn Dow closed her eyes and concentrated on not panicking. Or running. Her costume wouldn’t be able to handle either scenario. The great room looked awesome, but she could barely concentrate on the festive air when she was all but naked in front of her clients. She tugged again at the faux-fur-edged hot pants, careful not to snag her stockings. Still not enough fabric to make her comfortable or decent. Friendship was supposed to uplift you, not make you crazy. Why did she let him bait her?

Well, you don’t have to do it. You can always say no. Daniel Rich sounded helpful, but if that were anywhere near the truth, Kaitlyn would eat the miles of red garland Tina had draped everywhere.

You mean forfeit. She turned, caught him staring at her butt and glared. Her hands smoothed over her thighs, glad for the stockings even if they made her feel like a streetwalker. And have you brag to everyone that you finally won after fifteen years? She shook her finger at him. Don’t think so.

Daniel leaned in close as if he was going to tell her a secret and Kaitlyn nearly leaned into his heat. He smelled edible, like spice and man and Daniel, a scent guaranteed to make a woman think of sex. She blinked slowly, sure people would notice if she tried to creep into Daniel’s sweater while it was still on his body. He spoke and broke the spell.

You know, most people would think two grown adults playing Truth or Dare for this long were crazy.

"Most people who know I’m friends with you accuse me of being crazy," she retorted. She didn’t bother telling him her girlfriends thought she was crazy for not sleeping with him. Some days she thought the same thing.

You cut me deep, Kait. He gave her the look that usually melted her into a puddle and tonight was no exception. What woman could resist it? All puppy brown eyes and crooked smile guaranteed to have you agreeing to whatever foolishness came out of his mouth next. You know what would make me feel better? He reached out a hand and stroked it down the side of her red Mrs. Claus corset. His breath caressed her breasts. If you danced a bit. That would definitely make me feel better.

Kaitlyn’s face flushed and desire clenched low in her belly. Daniel was playing around, but part of her really did want to dance for him. In her imagination he wanted to see her moving, her body flowing from move to move so gracefully he was in awe. So sensually he couldn’t resist reaching for her and giving her what she’d been wanting for as long as she could remember.

Of course she wasn’t the most graceful thing on the planet and would probably crash into the fir. And the reindeer cut-outs and snowflakes hanging from the ceiling didn’t yell seduction. His hand stroked her side and she fought not to arch into his touch. Kaitlyn was the first to look away, but not before she smacked his hand. He was toying with her again—something he’d started doing in the last year or so.

Yeah, anything for the man who always gets what he wants. She crossed her arms beneath her chest which made him look down. Some emotion flashed across his face, so quick she thought she had imagined it until he met her gaze head on and something odd shone in his eyes. Or maybe it was a trick of the string lights that twinkled overhead.

And what if I was serious?

She snorted. Daniel had a history of petite women, the blonder the better. Kaitlyn couldn’t be more different if she’d tried. Most days she embraced her curves, but standing next to any of Daniel’s girlfriends made her feel like a marauding giant. She tucked a dark curl behind her ear, only to have it spring back in her face. The shorter cut made the mornings faster, but by the end of the night she had a funky, curly halo happening. I know how you operate, Rich.

Daniel narrowed his gaze, then mimicked her crossed arms. Definitely a better look on him as his dark-blue Henley stretched over his shoulders. You know what I noticed, Dow? Whenever I say something you don’t want to hear, you start talking tough and calling me Rich. Got news for you, sweetheart. You’re not tough. You’re also not one of the boys. His eyes traveled from her face down to her toes, not missing a stop in between. The corner of his mouth kicked up. I guarantee no one would ever mistake you for one of the boys.

Her nipples peaked as his gaze rested there a moment longer than normal. What she wouldn’t give to tug that dark head down and feed her flesh into his sexy mouth.

Know what I noticed, Rich? You make it sexual when you would lose otherwise. Kaitlyn’s voice sounded breathier than she’d intended. These days it was getting harder and harder to pretend he didn’t affect her.

First, let’s get something straight. It’s always sexual with me. I’m a guy. Second, I’m not going to lose. He took a step forward, his minty breath giving her all sorts of ideas she couldn’t afford to contemplate. It wouldn’t be good for her opening weekend if she jumped her best friend’s bones right in front of everyone. You have thirty seconds to get in there and perform, or you forfeit.

Kaitlyn