Chosen Prey (26 page)

He cocked a brow. "Lead the way."

Lyra took him by the hand and led him to the other side of the house and the spare room she'd been using for her artwork. On the table in the corner there were strips of metal and a few creations. But not what she'd hidden away just for him.

They walked toward the closet and she let his hand go. Dare paused at the table and picked up the small, flat tin that she'd created long ago. He smoothed his thumb over the well-worn metal. "You carry this everywhere, don't you." It was a statement.

Lyra gave a sad smile. "It's very precious to me." She moved beside him and took the tin, then carefully opened it. Inside the flat container, nestled in tissue paper, was a policeman's badge.

"Your father's," Dare said.

She lightly stroked the badge with her forefinger and took a deep breath. "Eight years and it still hurts." She closed the tin and Dare wrapped his hands around hers and together they held on to the box.

"I'm sorry, honey."

She reached up and kissed him lightly on his stubbled cheek. She tried to step back.

Dare placed his forehead against hers, and she said, "I'm not sure I'll ever get over the feeling that it was my fault."

"It wasn't your fault," he said with his forehead still against hers. "Let it go."

She sighed, then drew back. "What about you? You blamed yourself for your partner's death. Have you let it go?"

Dare had given it a lot of thought during the week since they'd raided the compound and brought Lyra home. The memory of the day his partner died was still clear. But the guilt… There'd been nothing Dare could have done to save his partner. Just like Lyra wasn't responsible for her father's death, Dare hadn't been responsible for his partner's.

Dare met Lyra's gaze. "I'm working on it."

She cupped his jaw in her hand. "We'll work on it together."

They still held the tin within their clenched hands, his palms warm around hers when their lips met. He slipped his tongue into her mouth, and she danced with him, loving his masculine taste and his scent of desert wind and male.

When he pulled away and released her hands, he brushed his knuckles lightly over her cheek. "I can't stop thinking of what he did to you."

"I'm fine." She smiled. "You can stop treating me like I'm going to break."

"You're precious," he said, and brushed his lips over her forehead.

Lyra set the tin on what had become her worktable, next to a metal windmill created from slices of old soda cans.

He picked up the yellow teddy bear on her worktable. "Was this from your father?"

She shook her head. "From Momma." She took it from him and hugged it before setting it aside. "It was the one thing small enough I could take that she'd given me. I didn't realize just how much I missed her until I saw her again. I wanted to blame her for everything, but inside I knew it wasn't her fault."

Lyra gave a sad smile. "The bear and the tin with my dad's badge were in a small backpack I always wore when Neal took us to the commune. They're small enough that I was able to stuff them into the pockets of my robe before he took everything away from us."

Dare's features tensed, and she tried to brush it away with the back of her hand. "I have something just for you," she said.

She moved away from him and opened the closet door. She withdrew a bouquet-filled vase and turned back to him.

"Roses." Dare swallowed a lump that formed in his throat. "You stopped making them after your father died."

She handed the handmade vase and roses to him and gave him her sweet smile. "Now I'll make roses for you. I hope you like them."

For a moment Dare couldn't find the words to express what her gesture meant to him.

Damn, even the backs of his eyes stung.

Some of the roses were buds, while others were in full bloom. They had been designed from all types of metal, each rose a different color—reds, yellows, blues, pinks. The vase was one of her hodgepodge designs that he loved.

Dare swallowed again and gripped the vase tight in his palms. "They're beautiful."

He set the bouquet on the table and brought her into his embrace. "Thank you," he whispered against her ear. He lightly kissed her from her earlobe to her mouth. For a long time he just held her. She felt so good in his arms, and he was never going to let her go.

Dare raised his head and looked at Lyra. Her face was flushed and her green eyes seemed darker than they usually did.

"
I
have something for
you
," he said, and she gave him a surprised look. He cradled the vase of roses in one arm and took her hand with his free one. He squeezed it, then led her out of the bedroom, down the hall, and into the master bedroom they had shared over the past few days. Where he'd just held her every night, wanting more than that but waiting until she was healed. Until she was ready.

He flicked on the light switch, and two lamps turned on, one on either side of the bed.

After he released her hand, he set the vase of roses on top of the bureau and moved to the nightstand, which was the only place he could think to hide the box until he felt the time was right. This was definitely the right time.

With his back to her, he withdrew the black velvet jeweler's box and wrapped his palm around it, hiding it. He faced her again and she looked at him with a puzzled expression.

When he strode back to her and they stood but inches apart, he opened the box and raised it so that she could see the ring.

Lyra caught her breath and her heart lurched. She brought her hand to her throat as she stared at the diamond, her eyes wide. It was beautiful. A simple square-cut diamond that must have been at least a carat was in a platinum setting and nestled in black velvet.

Slowly she raised her eyes to meet his. He was smiling and yet there was uncertainty in his eyes, too.

"Will you marry me, Lyra Collins?" His voice was low and husky.

No words would come out of her mouth. She felt dazed, as if it were all a dream.

"I think I fell in love with you the moment you shot me with that pepper spray." He grinned, then his face went serious again as he caught her left hand in his and raised it.

"Say yes."

Lyra opened her mouth. Closed it. His brown eyes locked with hers, and she didn't ever want to look away. When she could finally speak, it came out in a low whisper.

"Yes."

He grinned and took her mouth with a hard, possessive kiss. Her mind swirled. The whole room felt like it was whirling around them. Had Dare just proposed to her? And she'd accepted?

He drew away, smiling, and withdrew the ring from the box. Her heart pumped like mad as he set the box aside and slid the diamond and platinum ring over her ring finger. The diamond caught the light and sparkled. The band was a little loose, but she didn't care.

Dare had told her he loved her. He'd asked her to marry him. She flung her arms around his neck and pressed her cheek against his denim shirt. "I love you, Dare. I don't know when it happened, but it just felt right, like we were meant to be together."

"We are." He pressed his lips against her hair. "Always."

Dare took Lyra's hand and led her to the bed.

Her heart raced and her thoughts spun. She was going to marry Dare. It didn't seem real.

When they reached the side of the bed, he slipped his fingers into her short hair that had now turned a shade of strawberry blond as the dye had faded. He cupped her head, obviously taking care not to touch her wound. His brown eyes captivated her, drawing her in and making her feel as if she were a part of him. The marks on his face from when she'd scratched him were all but gone, and his bruises had faded.

He brought his mouth to hers and gently moved his lips as if taking his time to savor her, like they had all the time in the world. The slight brush of his mouth sent tingles radiating throughout her, even more than when he'd kissed her other times.

The pressure on her mouth increased. Dare gently bit her lower lip and she sighed. A sigh full of longing and love and the thought of a future together with him. To be with him always.

He slipped his tongue into her mouth. She loved the taste of him. Loved the way he explored her, lightly running his tongue along her teeth, then the inside of her cheeks. The texture of his tongue against hers added to the eroticism of the kiss. She'd never felt anything like this before.

She returned his kiss, exploring his mouth as he had explored hers. It was a delicious sensation as their lips and tongues moved together. Her breathing grew heavier and she felt the rise and fall of his chest against hers. With the softest touch that made her shiver, he slid his hands from her hair and moved his fingers down her shoulders, then forearms, up to where she had her arms wrapped around his neck.

He gently took her wrists and brought her hands down and linked his fingers with hers.

The ring on her finger felt good as they squeezed their hands together. He placed his forehead to hers again and pressed their bodies closer. His erection was hard against her belly, and his belt buckle rubbed her skin through the light T-shirt she wore. He kissed her again, just the slightest of kisses.

Dare released Lyra's hands, his gut tightening as he looked down into her green eyes.

She was so sweet, so full of life and surprises. Her gift had touched him so deeply that it magnified his feelings for her. He had never known what it was like to truly love a woman until he met Lyra. He thanked whatever divine powers there might be for bringing her into his life.

He brushed her hair out of her eyes. Her lips were moist and her expression one of need and love for him. "You are so beautiful," he murmured. "From that first moment, I knew you were special."

She gave a mischievous smile. "Even with the pepper spray, huh?"

"Especially with the pepper spray." He rubbed their noses together. "If it wasn't for the fact that deep in my gut I knew that you were the one for me, I would have been more nervous about asking you to marry me. But hell, I wouldn't have taken a no."

Lyra drew away just enough to kiss the end of his nose. "You didn't have to ask me twice."

He skimmed his fingers down her sides and felt her shiver beneath his touch. He gripped the ends of her T-shirt and drew it up and over her head, with her help. He rubbed his palms over her white cotton bra and squeezed, enjoying her soft moan and the puckering of her nipples.

Butterflies zinged through Lyra's belly. Dare lowered his head and caught one of her nipples through the bra with his teeth, then sucked the taut nub into his warm mouth. The wetness between her thighs grew, and if he didn't remove all her clothing soon, even her jeans would be damp.

She tilted her head back and she slipped her fingers into his hair as his mouth moved to her other nipple. The one he captured felt warm and filled her with such desire she didn't know how much more she was going to be able to take, and they'd only just begun. Her abandoned nipple was chilled by cool air on the white bra but was no less sensitive than the other nipple.

He reached around her and unclasped her bra, and she promised herself she was going to buy satin and sexy lingerie from now on. But like the times before, he didn't seem to care what she wore. He was more intent on unwrapping her piece by piece.

When he tossed her bra aside, he took both of her breasts in his hands and pressed them together so that he could flick his tongue across one to the other and back. Lyra couldn't hold back a whimper as she clenched her hands in his hair.

Dare released her breasts and raised his head. "I want to touch you everywhere."

Lyra let her expression show that she agreed by locking her gaze with his. His coffee-colored eyes looked more like a shade of espresso, they were so dark.

He knelt and took one of her shoes in his hands and she released his hair to brace her palms on his shoulders. After untying the laces, he slipped off the shoe and set it aside, before doing the same with the other. Her socks went next. As he took off each sock, he stroked her foot from the heel to the arch, making her shiver. He took them off in such a sexy way that it made her feel like her feet were major erogenous zones.

When he finished with her shoes and socks, he remained kneeling and slid his palms up her thighs to her waist. He hooked his index fingers in her waistband on either side of her, and his fingers caressed her belly as he brought them around to the button of her Levi's.

He unhooked the button, then unzipped her jeans.

He was going so slowly, every movement so sensual, like he wanted to make this moment last forever. Something they would treasure throughout their lives.

Dare slipped her jeans over her hips, down her thighs, and she braced her hands on his shoulders as she stepped out of her Levi's. Still on his knees, he buried his face against her mound and she heard his deep inhale. More moisture wet her folds and her musk was so strong that even she could smell herself. His tongue darted out and she gasped with pleasure when she felt him through the cloth of her white cotton panties. She was definitely buying something sexy for the next time they made love.

Just the realization that they would be making love again and again throughout their lives had her heart thumping harder and heat flushing over her skin.

"I can't believe I'll have you forever," he murmured as if reading her thoughts. He slipped his hands inside her panties and began to draw them down. "To have you, to hold you, to be with you…"

"Always," Lyra said as he pulled her panties all the way down and she kicked them aside. "You're mine, cowboy."

He gripped her thighs and looked up at her. The corner of his mouth turned up in that sexy grin that made her knees weak.

Dare buried his face against the curls of her mound, this time without the barrier of her panties. She clenched her hands in his shirt at his shoulders and cried out when his tongue slipped into her folds. He lapped at them in soft, smooth strokes and her legs quivered.

When he nipped at her clit, the only thing that kept her from falling was the fact that she had her hands braced on his shoulders.

He continued to taste her but moved one of his hands to her folds and slipped two fingers into her core. He gently pumped his fingers in and out of her channel as he continued to lick her folds and suck her clit. Wild sensations built within her, flowing from where he was touching and tasting her and moving down her legs, up to her belly, over her breasts, and straight to the roots of her hair. Her limbs quivered and she knew she was so close to climax that her thoughts began to spin. She could think of nothing but his tongue on her, his fingers inside her, and the burning heat building up within her.

One more swipe of his tongue and she lost it. Her knees buckled and not even her hands on his shoulders could hold her up. Sparks were shooting through her body and she'd never felt so much heat. She was on fire.

Lyra found herself on her knees facing Dare. He clasped her hips as she continued to tremble, and he kissed her. Just the gentleness of his kiss, the taste of herself mixed with his masculine flavor, and the feel of his hands on her hips made her orgasm continue until she finally stopped shaking.

"Dare." She collapsed against him, her head to his chest, his shirt abrading her nipples.

They were still kneeling as he rubbed his hands up and down her bare skin at her sides and her back. "You're even more beautiful when you climax. I wish you could see yourself."

"Mmmmm," was all Lyra could get out at that moment.

When her breathing and the pounding of her heart slowed, she looked up at Dare.

"Your turn. I want your clothes off."

"So do I." He kissed her, then drew her up so that they were both standing.

She unsnapped his western shirt, forcing herself to take it as slow as Dare had. It was so hard when what she really wanted to do was rip his clothes off and have him inside of her. She moved her hands up his solid chest and lightly traced the wound on his shoulder.

He caught her hand and held it to the scar, and they looked at each other for a long moment.

She moved their hands away from the spot and pressed her lips along the scar. She began to trail her fingers over his chest, loving the feel of his skin beneath her fingertips.

Dare held his breath and his cock ached as the beautiful naked woman before him rubbed her palms over his chest, her hands exploring him. Her eyes were dark and smoky as she raised her head to push his shirt over her shoulders. It slid down his arms, and he let it drop to the floor.

Lyra's palms skimmed his biceps to his forearms and wrists, then back up again until her hands were flat at each of his sides, on his rib cage. She ran her fingers over his abs at the same time she leaned closer and licked his nipple. The sensation of her warm tongue on him went straight through his chest to his groin. She tasted each nipple, and the cool air made the tiny nubs harder when she moved her mouth and tongue away. He'd never realized his own flat nipples could be erogenous zones, but the way Lyra was flicking her tongue over them and sucking—it about made him come unglued.

She kissed her way from his chest, slowly trailing her tongue through the light sprinkling of hair. She licked and nipped at him from his abs to the waist of his Wranglers. She knelt and surprised him by reaching around him, grabbing his ass, and squeezing both cheeks.

"You have such a nice ass," she murmured, and he would have laughed if his erection weren't straining so hard against his jeans that it actually hurt.

Her focus was totally on her task as he watched her lick the skin around his navel. She dipped her tongue inside and he groaned. A rush of pleasure radiated from his navel straight to his cock.

Lyra slid her fingers around his waistband until she reached his belt buckle. She abandoned his navel to lean back just enough to unfasten the buckle and pull the belt from the loops of his Wranglers. She tossed it aside and it clunked on the wooden floor, then slid her palms down one pant leg to his boot.

"We've got to get these off," she said as she looked up at him and their eyes met.

She was so beautiful, especially with her hair tousled, her lips swollen from their kisses, and her body bare of any clothing. She had the prettiest breasts, with large nipples that made him even harder. The light brown curls of her pussy were moist, and he loved her scent of roses combined with her woman's musk.

"Hold on," he said, his voice husky with need for her.

He braced his hands on her shoulders as he toed off each boot, then kicked them aside.

Lyra smiled and pushed up one pant leg and eased his sock down over his heel and then his toes. She tickled the bottom of his foot and grinned up at him when he said, "Lyra…"

Damn, he hadn't even known he was ticklish. She teased him again as she drew off his other sock and threw it on top of the first.

When his boots and socks were off she reached for the button on his Wranglers and fought with it a bit before it came undone. He could breathe again as she unzipped his jeans and his erection was no longer bound by the stiff material.

"I love your thighs," she said as she pushed his pants down his legs to his calves and feet and he kicked them off.

When he was naked, he grasped Lyra by the shoulders and drew her up with him. "I can't get enough of you." He pressed his lips to her hair and held her by her waist as he brought her up with him to stand.

Lyra melted against him and sighed as she slipped her arms around his neck. She tilted her head up and he brushed his lips over hers.

"I'm ready for more, Dare," she said against his mouth. "I want this night to last forever."

He moved his lips from hers as he slid his fingers into her hair and cupped the back of her head. "We have all the time in the world."

Lyra eased one of her hands from his neck, to his abdomen, to his cock and wrapped her hand around it. To her satisfaction, he was so thick and hard.

"When it comes to you," he said as she trailed her fingers up and down his cock, "I can't get enough."

"A little less talk," she said as she flicked her tongue over his nipple again, "and a lot more action."

Dare laughed at her teasing, but it turned into a groan as she caught his nipple with her teeth. He brought his fingers from her hair, pinched her nipples, and she groaned in return.

He took her by the hand and led her to the bed. Lyra eased onto the comforter on her back, her head on a downy soft pillow, her knees slightly bent. Dare gave her a look that made her feel beautiful and wanted… and loved. He climbed onto the bed and moved between her thighs, spreading them wide so that his big body would fit between them.