A Very Dare Christmas Read online

  “We’re getting a live-in nanny. You need someone to take the burden off you so you have time for everything else in your life.”

  His words took her off guard. They’d discussed this. He knew her feelings. She wanted to raise her children herself. Have Rainey and Jack know their mommy woke them up and put them to bed.

  “But –”

  He shook his head. “But nothing. What’s money if we can’t use it to help make life a little easier? And we need time together as a couple as much as we need it as a family.”

  As if to punctuate his statement, he gripped his cock and pumped his hand up and down with his hand, come glistening at the tip. Then, not playing fair, he glided the hard length along her clit.

  “Oh,” she said moaning at the delicious sensation. But she knew he was distracting her, assuming he’d get his way if she was too sex-drunk to care.

  “I respect you want to do it all yourself, but there are ways to manage things so you can have it all.”

  She bit her lip. Yes, she’d always argued against help in the house, wanting to take care of her husband and her kids, on her own. She’d given up work after Jack was born, not an easy decision but her desire to stay home with the kids outweighed the desire to go to the office. And she was lucky enough to be able to make that choice.

  She knew they were fortunate but she wanted to raise her own kids. She also knew her husband wouldn’t give up.

  And he continued to tease her clit with his erection.

  She swallowed hard, digging into her reserves to negotiate. “I’ll take a live-in housekeeper,” she managed to counter. “I can still be the one who handles the kids.”

  “Uh uh. A mix of both. You need flexibility,” he said, his tone insistent.

  She processed it quickly. With that kind of situation, she could control what was her domain and what wasn’t, so decided not to argue. “Agreed.”

  “See? I can compromise.” He grinned and slid his thick cock into her sex.

  Finally. She arched, pulling him deeper so he pulsed deliciously bare inside her. And then reality intruded. “Ian, you’re not using protection.” A slight panic took hold.

  She’d gone off the pill before having Rainey and he’d used condoms afterwards because she hadn’t wanted to keep playing with her hormones. But they hadn’t talked about more kids just yet and they really did have their hands full with two. Still, the thought of another infant had her heart filling already.

  He stilled, his hands on her thighs. “I’m good with another baby… now that you’ve agreed to my terms and will allow help,” he said with a knowing grin.

  Terms. As if her agreeing to support around the house and with their children was such a hardship. He was such a silly, controlling man. If he’d come to her and had the conversation like a rational human, she’d have agreed. But that wasn’t Ian’s way. He liked to impose his will when he thought he was doing what was best for her or his family.

  He arched his back and thrust forward, grinding his hips against hers. “Need an answer,” he reminded her through clenched teeth. “Am I pulling out?”

  “No,” she groaned, completely okay with rolling the dice on another baby. As long as he kept going. “Fuck me, Ian.”

  He didn’t make her wait. He pounded into her, his eyes on hers the entire time. With Ian, it didn’t matter how fast or slow, how hard or soft, each time was special. Each was making love. Each cemented the bond they had between them.

  He knew how to make her soar.

  He knew how to love her.

  And when she climaxed, he came with her on a shout and full body shudder that triggered a second orgasm for her before he eased down on top of her.

  * * *

  Ian made sure the rest of the weekend passed in an orgasm induced haze for his wife. A butler arrived at the house to cater to their every meal, cocktail, whim and need. They had all the time in the world to focus on each other… to talk, walk on the beach, lay in the sun, soak in the pool, catch up, make love and call home.

  Often.

  Because at the end of the day, they had a little girl and a baby boy they adored and were worried about and they were a family. And, Ian thought, with a little luck that family was about to grow. He was so damned lucky and he would never take his good fortune for granted.

  * * *

  A few weeks later, Riley had purchased all the presents for the family and her house was decorated for Christmas. In a little while, Ian’s family was set to descend en masse. She wasn’t nervous, she just anticipated being overwhelmed and if she was going to feel crazed, she was worried Rainey might react as well.

  “Come here, princess.”

  “What, mommy?” Rainey walked up to her and crawled onto the couch seat beside her.

  Riley wrapped an arm around her daughter’s little shoulder. “So remember I told you we have a lot of people coming over today?”

  “Yes. All my aunts and uncles and cousins.”

  Riley smiled, brushing Rainey’s brown curls, so similar to her own, out of her face. “That’s right. I just want you to know you can come find me for a break any time you want.”

  “Are they bringing presents?” Rainey asked.

  Riley sighed, doing her best not to laugh. “I don’t know and it’s rude to ask, right?”

  Rainey bobbed her head. “Yep. But it’s Christmas so they’re probably bringing me toys!”

  Riley rolled her eyes. With the big Christmas tree already loaded with wrapped presents on display in the living room, was it any wonder her daughter expected more gifts? Which was just one reason they were going together to drop off toys at the women’s shelter tomorrow. So her daughter didn’t grow up unaware of what it meant to give to others.

  And when her son was old enough, he’d join them on those trips. Right now, he still napped, thank goodness, which was where he was right now. Sleeping in his crib.

  “How are my girls?” Ian asked, joining them in the den.

  “Daddy!” Rainey ran for him and he scooped her into his arms. “Ready for a big day?” he asked.

  Before she could answer, the doorbell rang, indicating the gang had started to arrive.

  He carried her to the door and opened it. Riley came up behind him. His step-brother, Alex and his wife Madison were first to arrive. Madison had a casserole dish in her hands and Alex had a huge box with a big red bow. Looks like her daughter was, in fact, going to be loaded up with presents.

  “Alex!” she said to the man who’d been her best friend even before she’d met Ian. “Madison! It’s so good to see you. Right?” Riley nudged Ian with her elbow as he put Rainey down.

  “Good to see you, man.” Ian shook Alex’s hand. Their truce had come at a hard-won cost thanks to their father’s behavior, but they’d managed it and now got along. Even if they occasionally pretended it was still a hardship.

  “Come on in,” Ian said.

  Alex paused though, and knelt down to get eye to eye with Rainey. “Someone’s gotten to be a big girl!”

  “You just saw her last week,” Riley reminded him.

  He laughed and handed her the present. “Think you can add this to your pile under the tree?” he asked.

  “For me!?” she screamed, causing Alex to wince.

  “Better get used to the decibels,” Madison said with a grin.

  Riley glanced at her. “Why? Are you…?”

  “She’s pregnant!” Alex said with a proud grin.

  “Great way to ring in the holidays. Congratulations,” Ian said.

  Riley was already too busy hugging Madison and congratulating her. She was thrilled her sister in law and friend was pregnant because now she didn’t have to do her own nine months alone.

  Yes, she had news for Ian. He’d gotten her pregnant that weekend on the island.

  “Oops more company,” Alex said, glancing over his shoulder. “Let’s get inside.”

  Alex’s siblings came next, Jason and Sienna, the only two single ones left in the family
. They also loaded up Rainey with presents. Rainey was in heaven.

  Riley was about to shut the door when another two car loads of family arrived. The New York contingent showed up straight from their hotel. Gabe, Izzy and their son Noah, who was a little younger than Rainey, walked in.

  Rainey greeted them, grabbed her cousin’s hand and off they went, according to Rainey, to find cookies.

  “Gotta love these kids,” Izzy said. “Good to see you but I need to make sure Noah doesn’t eat the whole plate full!” She blew a kiss and followed after the kids.

  “Good thing our new nanny runs the kitchen as well as the kids,” Ian said, laughing.

  As usual, when Ian made a decision, he implemented it with speed and thoroughness. He had Loretta vetted and hired within a week of returning from their vacation. Riley had to admit she adored the older woman.

  Gabe grinned. “It’s the best, isn’t it?” He stared after his wife and child, a loving look on his face.

  Ian slapped his oldest cousin on the back. “Nothing better,” he agreed. “Let’s go have a drink. The others can find us when they make their way inside.”

  Riley waited by the door, greeting Amanda and Decklan and their daughter, Hannah, along with Max and Lucy. Finally, Ian’s last siblings trickled in, Dylan and Olivia and their toddler daughter Annie, and Scott and Meg, and their son Cole. Last but not least, Avery and her rock star husband, Grey arrived. Riley’s stepmom was traveling with her husband and couldn’t make it, and Ian’s mom was home with the flu, her husband Michael taking care of her.

  After hugs and kisses and directions to the tree for all the gifts, Riley finally closed the front door behind all her guests.

  Nobody had mentioned or invited Robert Dare. Even if Ian and his siblings wanted to forgive him for living a double life and having another family, the current rumors of him cheating on Alex and his siblings’ mother, Savannah, killed any good will some of the children had left. It was sad, but he reaped what he sowed. And as for Savannah, well, she’d known he had a wife when she’d had her initial affair with him, so it shouldn’t be a surprise he’d repeat patterns now.

  The entire Dare family was under one roof and Riley, who’d grown up with an angry man as her father, knew how lucky she was that fate had given her Ian along with his big clan. So she did the smart thing now. She headed inside to enjoy her family. The ones who mattered.

  * * *

  Ian wasn’t an easy man. He wasn’t easy to know, to deal with or to love. He knew this. And as much as Riley had changed him, there was much that remained the same. She loved him anyway, thank fuck. It went without saying that she was his world.

  But he loved his family too. It hadn’t been too long ago that in his mind, family had consisted of his two brothers and two sisters, period. He had refused to acknowledge his half-siblings because his father had not only cheated on his mother, he’d had an entire other family he’d hidden from them. Time and Riley had changed that and now Ian had not just accepted them but invited them into his home. And yes, into his heart. His New York cousins were an added blessing.

  As he watched them mingle and interact, he counted those blessings, his gaze drifting to his wife. Riley rushed around to make sure their company was fed and had drinks in hand, despite having help to serve and clean up. All while running after Riley, who managed to find trouble no matter what. White out she showed her cousin, highlighters she’d discovered in the kitchen, and chocolate she wasn’t supposed to have any more of before lunch.

  And she did it all with an indulgent grin on her face.

  He pulled her aside. “Come with me.” He led her into their bedroom and shut the door behind them.

  “Ian, we have company.”

  “That doesn’t mean I can’t have a few minutes alone with my wife,” he said, nuzzling her nose against his.

  She sighed. “I love you,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck.

  “I love you too.”

  She bit down on her lower lip. “I wasn’t going to do this now but… why not? It’s Christmas. I want to give you your present,” she murmured.

  He arched his hips against hers. “Yeah? Right now?” His cock nestled into the vee of her thighs.

  “Not that, your dirty man. Get your mind off of sex for a minute.”

  He laughed. “Okay what’s my present?” he asked.

  She leaned in and whispered in his ear. “You’re going to be a daddy again. Merry Christmas.”

  His heart skipped a beat. “Seriously?”

  She eased back, meeting his gaze. “I wouldn’t joke about that.

  “God, Ri. That’s the best gift you could ever give me. I love you so damned much. And I love our family.”

  “And I love you, Ian Dare.” Her lips found his and locked in a long, wet, sensual kiss… until a loud banging sounded on the door.

  “Mommy! Daddy! I spilt milk on my dress!” Rainey wailed, the loud banging continuing.

  They broke the kiss, laughing. “This is what we asked for,” Ian said with a grin.

  He stepped over to the door and swung it open. “Mr. Dare! I’m sorry. She got away from me.”

  “That’s okay, Loretta. I’ve got her,” Riley said, rushing over to her crying daughter.

  “We’ve got her,” Ian said. He grabbed her and lifted her up into his arms. “Let’s go clean you up, princess. Then you can get back to your cousins.”

  Riley slipped her hand into his and together they took care of their daughter and headed back to enjoy Christmas day with the family. After all, they had a lot to celebrate.

  Dear Readers:

  I hope you enjoyed revisiting Ian and Riley and the rest of the Dare clan. Over the last few years, so many of you have written, asking me for more Dare stories and I hope to bring you just that at the end of next year. In the meantime, happy holidays, happy new year, and thank you for your unwavering support.

  All the best,

  Carly

  Thank you for reading A Very Dare Christmas! I hope you enjoyed Ian and Riley’s short story.

  Want more Dares?

  Below is a list in order of the Dare family series. Each book stands alone.

  Dare to Love Series

  Dare to Love (Ian and Riley from A Very Dare Christmas)

  Dare to Desire

  Dare to Touch

  Dare to Hold

  Dare to Rock

  Dare to Take

  NY Dare Series

  Dare to Surrender

  Dare to Submit

  Dare to Seduce

  The Knight Brothers

  Take Me Again

  Take Me Down

  Dare Me Tonight (A Dare / Knight stand-alone crossover)

  Take Me Now

  The Sexy Series

  Sexy Dare (A Dare / Sexy stand-alone crossover)

  Sexy Hers

  Sexy Mine

  Sexy Love

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  About the Author

  Carly Phillips is the N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of over 50 sexy contemporary romance novels featuring hot men, strong women and the emotionally compelling stories her readers have come to expect and love. Carly’s career spans over a decade and a half with various New York publishing houses, and she is now an Indie author who runs her own business and loves every exciting minute of her publishing journey. Carly is happily married to her college sweetheart, the mother of two nearly adult daughters and three crazy dogs (two wheaten terriers and one mutant Havanese) who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. Carly loves s
ocial media and is always around to interact with her readers. You can find out more about Carly at www.carlyphillips.com.

  Table of Contents

  Cover

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  About the Book

  A Very Dare Christmas

  Author’s Note

  Keep Up with Carly

  About the Author