Commit If You Dare
Part of the Carly Phillips Kindle World
It's summer vacation and it's going to be a memorable one for Jacklynn Holmes. She's just gotten out of a bad relationship, and all she wants is a hot, sexy fling or two.
Sports reporter to the Miami Thunders, Emmett Woods has sworn to never again spend the night with a woman, but Jacklynn has him questioning if he should throw that motto out the window.
Both Jacklynn and Emmett aren’t looking for a relationship, but after one steamy night between the sheets, they can’t seem to get enough of one another. They aren’t the only ones pining away for each other however, as a flirty neighbor and cheating ex-boyfriend butt their noses into the relationship Jacklynn and Emmett are trying to pretend doesn’t exist.
Sports reporter to the Miami Thunders, Emmett Woods has sworn to never again spend the night with a woman, but Jacklynn has him questioning if he should throw that motto out the window.
Both Jacklynn and Emmett aren’t looking for a relationship, but after one steamy night between the sheets, they can’t seem to get enough of one another. They aren’t the only ones pining away for each other however, as a flirty neighbor and cheating ex-boyfriend butt their noses into the relationship Jacklynn and Emmett are trying to pretend doesn’t exist.
"What I liked about this book was that it is Emmett, not Jacklynn, who tries to change the rules for their "relationship"." - RomanceReader (Amazon)
"Commit If You Dare is a quick yet sexy read that will peak your interests." - Jennifer S (Amazon)
"This was a fun, hot sexy read that will keep you turning the pages." - Shari B (Amazon)
"Commit If You Dare is a quick yet sexy read that will peak your interests." - Jennifer S (Amazon)
"This was a fun, hot sexy read that will keep you turning the pages." - Shari B (Amazon)
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Chapter One
ONE
Jacklynn Holmes closed her eyes, basking in the heat of the sun. Summer vacation was here—finally. She had just over two months to relax and unwind from the previous school year before it was time to do it all over again.
She enjoyed teaching, but the last month of school was always chaotic. Especially being a fifth grade teacher. The kids thought they were grown since they were top dog at school. Excitement and fear filled the last few weeks as they got ready for their venture to middle school the following year.
She curled her toes into the hot sand of South Beach. This summer she planned to explore her wild side, especially after spending so much time with David. She shuddered, thinking about how much of her life she’d committed to that arrogant asshole, only for him to have been screwing every pretty woman that gave him a second look.
Thank God he never gave her any diseases. She had a way of picking men, all right. At twenty-eight, she’d had a few serious boyfriends, all of whom she learned later were sleezeballs. Why the hell couldn’t she choose a nice guy for once?
Screw that. She didn’t want a commitment. Nope. This summer she wanted to play the field. Hot sex with no strings. This was going to be her perfect summer vacation.
She sat up and pulled her sunglasses away, setting them in her lap. It was hotter than she expected. There was no way she could stay out here too long, not like she’d planned. Sweat dribbled down her nose, a drop landing on her chest. Maybe she’d pack her things up and go over to a sandwich shop off the boardwalk and have an early lunch before she went home or came back out to sun bathe. She’d see how she felt after.
A few minutes later, she headed toward a small bistro table outside the sandwich shop. After ordering, she set her plate down and plopped down in the chair. Two men sat at the table next to her, one looked vaguely familiar with his dark hair. Then it clicked, Ian Dare, president of the Miami Thunder football team. Wow, he was attractive. Much sexier in person than he’d been on TV.
Then she noticed the other guy. Could she dare say he was hotter than Ian with his almost black hair and ice blue eyes? A shiver flowed down her and she averted her gaze toward her food so she wouldn’t be caught staring, but she was drawn to him and had to look back.
He smiled, his gaze on her.
He smiled at me? No way.
She did her best flirty grin but worried she appeared silly. From the corner of her eye, Ian glanced her way. Oh God, whoever the hot guy was probably had Ian looking at her to see her crazy face, but then they stood and came her way.
Eek!
“What’s a beautiful lady like yourself sitting all alone for?” the hot guy asked.
“Beautiful ladies sit alone all the time, I would think,” she said.
Ian patted his friend—she assumed—on the back. “I’m Ian Dare.”
“Jacklynn Holmes.” She nodded.
“Well, Jacklynn, it was lovely to meet you, but I need to get back to the office. I hope my friend Emmett here is a gentleman and gives you the proper company you deserve.”
Hot guy, or Emmett, playfully punched Ian in the shoulder. “See ya, man. I’ll be in touch.”
Ian made his exit, leaving her alone with Emmett.
“Please, have a seat.” She tugged her long ponytail over her shoulder.
“Sure you don’t mind? I hate to see you all alone. Surely you have a boyfriend around the corner.” He pulled the chair out and sat.
She took a bite of her fry. “Sorry to disappoint, but no boyfriend.”
“That’s hard to believe.”
Like she hadn’t heard that one before. David had been a smooth talker, which was probably why he was a player. He had all the right lines to make the ladies drop their panties, including her, so she never saw the signs. “I don’t pick the right men.”
“Ah, well, I don’t pick the right women either. So I gave up.”
“Oh yeah?” She sipped her water. “Guess we have something in common.”
He chuckled. “Guess so. What do you do for a living?”
“I’m a teacher at a private school. What about you?”
“I’m a sports journalist for the Miami Thunders. I travel with them and report only the good stuff.”
“Sounds fun.”
He shrugged. “It can be when the team doesn’t have much drama following them. They’ve got one player right now that has been causing quite the stir, and I have to try and spin it in a positive light.”
She knew nothing about journalism, so she continued to eat her food.
“What are your summer plans?” he asked, leaning back in the chair.
“Relaxing.” And sex. Lots and lots of sex. Could she tell him that?
“I happen to have some free time myself. How about I take you to dinner tonight?”
She grinned. “I hardly know you.” She couldn’t just accept the date right away, even though she wanted to.
“How else are you going to get to know me?”
She moistened her lips. “All right. Dinner sounds good. Where should I meet you?”
“How about I pick you up?”
“What kind of girl do you think I am, Emmett, letting a strange man come to my house?”
His gaze locked on hers. “I think you’re the kinda girl pretending she isn’t looking for a good time, but that’s the vibe I’m getting. Am I right?”
Damn, he was good. “Guess you’ll have to find out tonight.”
He grinned, a dimple forming in his cheek. “Meet me at Steak 112 at eight PM.”
She nodded. “All right. I’ll see you then.”
Emmett glanced at his watch. “Sorry to leave you all alone, but I have a meeting to get to.”
“I’m pleased to have met you.”
“Likewise.” He stood and left, but she watched his backside the whole way in the khaki slacks he wore.
***
Emmett stood outside the entrance to Steak 112. It was fifteen past eight. Hopefully he wasn’t being stood up. Jacklynn seemed interested, but they didn’t even exchange numbers. That was best, because he wasn’t looking for a relationship, and she didn’t seem as though she was either.
He was coming up on the one year anniversary since his divorce and he wasn’t looking to plant roots again anytime soon, if ever. Just fun, it was easier that way. Less hurt and emotion. He had one rule, he never spent the night because that was when the dynamics changed. Sure, he’d spend a week with the same girl, but after sex he left or sent her home.
He glanced out at the parking lot when a dark haired beauty caught his attention in a bright blue dress that clung to her like a second skin. Fuck, that woman was hot and she was walking toward him.
It was Jacklynn, her dark hair in lose waves.
“I was worried you weren’t going to show up.” He offered his elbow to her.
She took it. “Sorry, there was an accident on the interstate.”
He led her in and gave his name to the hostess, who sat them at the table he’d reserved. Jacklynn’s green eyes sparkled in the candlelight. Eyes he could gaze into and get lost in.
After they ordered their food and the waitress delivered the bottle of wine he’d requested, he relaxed. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d been nervous and his palms sweat so much over a woman.
“Jacklynn, I wanted to ask if you worked at the same private school Meg Thomas teaches at.” Or taught at. She was currently on a leave of absence.
“I do, and Meg is a darling. I feel so bad for her. The school didn’t handle her situation right at all.” She lifted her glass of wine.
“I agree.” He set his wine down. “Tell me more about you.”
“What would you like to know?”
Everything. Usually he wanted to know minimal details about the woman he intended to sleep with, but Jacklynn stirred something in him—and he didn’t even know her yet. “Just the basics are fine.”
“Okay.” She grinned. “I’m twenty-eight, never been married, no kids. In my spare time I like to read hot romance books and one day I hope to have a family. You?”
“I’m thirty-four, divorced, no kids. I don’t read hot romance books, but I have some pretty spicy movies.”
“Spicy movies, huh?”
“Hot romance books, huh?”
They both laughed. He was surprised how much he liked her as a person. Talking with her was easy and not awkward.
“How long have you been writing for the Miami Thunders?”
“Years, I guess. I was born and raised here in Miami. I went to school with the Dares. After I got my degree, I was approached by Ian and doors started to open. The rest is history.”
“Nothing wrong with that.”
“Did you always want to be a teacher?”
“No.” She licked her lips. “Let’s see, first I wanted my own salon as a little girl, then I dreamt about having a bakery. When it came down to choosing a degree when I started college, I went with how I felt that day and it was teaching. I wanted to make a difference in the world and I felt like teaching was my calling.”
Through the rest of dinner, the conversation flowed. Emmett had never listened so much to what a woman said, but as she shared things about her past, he found himself creating a notebook in his head with all the details so he wouldn’t forget them.
He led her out of the restaurant. Even though dinner had gone well and he really wanted to see what was under her dress, he also didn’t feel the need to push her to an evening getting hot and sweaty between the sheets. Jacklynn didn’t feel like the type of girl he could just fuck and go home.
“I had a nice time.” He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles.
“I did too. I’m glad I took a chance coming out with you.”
“Me too.”
“The evening doesn’t have to end.” She stepped closer, her floral scent circling him until he felt dizzy with need.
“I’m trying to be a gentleman.”
“Too bad that isn’t what I’m looking for.”
A lump formed in his throat. “I want to please you. Your place or mine?”
She ran a finger softly down his face. “Let’s keep this simple and get a hotel.”
Taking her hand in his, he led her across the parking lot toward his car. Once there, he spun her around, pressing her against the passenger door, nudging her legs apart. Without a second thought, he kissed her hard. A sweet sigh escaped her lips before her tongue met his. Holy hell, this woman was out of his league and from the intensity of this kiss, he was playing with fire.
But fuck, he didn’t care. Maybe just for tonight, he could break his one rule.
Jacklynn Holmes closed her eyes, basking in the heat of the sun. Summer vacation was here—finally. She had just over two months to relax and unwind from the previous school year before it was time to do it all over again.
She enjoyed teaching, but the last month of school was always chaotic. Especially being a fifth grade teacher. The kids thought they were grown since they were top dog at school. Excitement and fear filled the last few weeks as they got ready for their venture to middle school the following year.
She curled her toes into the hot sand of South Beach. This summer she planned to explore her wild side, especially after spending so much time with David. She shuddered, thinking about how much of her life she’d committed to that arrogant asshole, only for him to have been screwing every pretty woman that gave him a second look.
Thank God he never gave her any diseases. She had a way of picking men, all right. At twenty-eight, she’d had a few serious boyfriends, all of whom she learned later were sleezeballs. Why the hell couldn’t she choose a nice guy for once?
Screw that. She didn’t want a commitment. Nope. This summer she wanted to play the field. Hot sex with no strings. This was going to be her perfect summer vacation.
She sat up and pulled her sunglasses away, setting them in her lap. It was hotter than she expected. There was no way she could stay out here too long, not like she’d planned. Sweat dribbled down her nose, a drop landing on her chest. Maybe she’d pack her things up and go over to a sandwich shop off the boardwalk and have an early lunch before she went home or came back out to sun bathe. She’d see how she felt after.
A few minutes later, she headed toward a small bistro table outside the sandwich shop. After ordering, she set her plate down and plopped down in the chair. Two men sat at the table next to her, one looked vaguely familiar with his dark hair. Then it clicked, Ian Dare, president of the Miami Thunder football team. Wow, he was attractive. Much sexier in person than he’d been on TV.
Then she noticed the other guy. Could she dare say he was hotter than Ian with his almost black hair and ice blue eyes? A shiver flowed down her and she averted her gaze toward her food so she wouldn’t be caught staring, but she was drawn to him and had to look back.
He smiled, his gaze on her.
He smiled at me? No way.
She did her best flirty grin but worried she appeared silly. From the corner of her eye, Ian glanced her way. Oh God, whoever the hot guy was probably had Ian looking at her to see her crazy face, but then they stood and came her way.
Eek!
“What’s a beautiful lady like yourself sitting all alone for?” the hot guy asked.
“Beautiful ladies sit alone all the time, I would think,” she said.
Ian patted his friend—she assumed—on the back. “I’m Ian Dare.”
“Jacklynn Holmes.” She nodded.
“Well, Jacklynn, it was lovely to meet you, but I need to get back to the office. I hope my friend Emmett here is a gentleman and gives you the proper company you deserve.”
Hot guy, or Emmett, playfully punched Ian in the shoulder. “See ya, man. I’ll be in touch.”
Ian made his exit, leaving her alone with Emmett.
“Please, have a seat.” She tugged her long ponytail over her shoulder.
“Sure you don’t mind? I hate to see you all alone. Surely you have a boyfriend around the corner.” He pulled the chair out and sat.
She took a bite of her fry. “Sorry to disappoint, but no boyfriend.”
“That’s hard to believe.”
Like she hadn’t heard that one before. David had been a smooth talker, which was probably why he was a player. He had all the right lines to make the ladies drop their panties, including her, so she never saw the signs. “I don’t pick the right men.”
“Ah, well, I don’t pick the right women either. So I gave up.”
“Oh yeah?” She sipped her water. “Guess we have something in common.”
He chuckled. “Guess so. What do you do for a living?”
“I’m a teacher at a private school. What about you?”
“I’m a sports journalist for the Miami Thunders. I travel with them and report only the good stuff.”
“Sounds fun.”
He shrugged. “It can be when the team doesn’t have much drama following them. They’ve got one player right now that has been causing quite the stir, and I have to try and spin it in a positive light.”
She knew nothing about journalism, so she continued to eat her food.
“What are your summer plans?” he asked, leaning back in the chair.
“Relaxing.” And sex. Lots and lots of sex. Could she tell him that?
“I happen to have some free time myself. How about I take you to dinner tonight?”
She grinned. “I hardly know you.” She couldn’t just accept the date right away, even though she wanted to.
“How else are you going to get to know me?”
She moistened her lips. “All right. Dinner sounds good. Where should I meet you?”
“How about I pick you up?”
“What kind of girl do you think I am, Emmett, letting a strange man come to my house?”
His gaze locked on hers. “I think you’re the kinda girl pretending she isn’t looking for a good time, but that’s the vibe I’m getting. Am I right?”
Damn, he was good. “Guess you’ll have to find out tonight.”
He grinned, a dimple forming in his cheek. “Meet me at Steak 112 at eight PM.”
She nodded. “All right. I’ll see you then.”
Emmett glanced at his watch. “Sorry to leave you all alone, but I have a meeting to get to.”
“I’m pleased to have met you.”
“Likewise.” He stood and left, but she watched his backside the whole way in the khaki slacks he wore.
***
Emmett stood outside the entrance to Steak 112. It was fifteen past eight. Hopefully he wasn’t being stood up. Jacklynn seemed interested, but they didn’t even exchange numbers. That was best, because he wasn’t looking for a relationship, and she didn’t seem as though she was either.
He was coming up on the one year anniversary since his divorce and he wasn’t looking to plant roots again anytime soon, if ever. Just fun, it was easier that way. Less hurt and emotion. He had one rule, he never spent the night because that was when the dynamics changed. Sure, he’d spend a week with the same girl, but after sex he left or sent her home.
He glanced out at the parking lot when a dark haired beauty caught his attention in a bright blue dress that clung to her like a second skin. Fuck, that woman was hot and she was walking toward him.
It was Jacklynn, her dark hair in lose waves.
“I was worried you weren’t going to show up.” He offered his elbow to her.
She took it. “Sorry, there was an accident on the interstate.”
He led her in and gave his name to the hostess, who sat them at the table he’d reserved. Jacklynn’s green eyes sparkled in the candlelight. Eyes he could gaze into and get lost in.
After they ordered their food and the waitress delivered the bottle of wine he’d requested, he relaxed. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d been nervous and his palms sweat so much over a woman.
“Jacklynn, I wanted to ask if you worked at the same private school Meg Thomas teaches at.” Or taught at. She was currently on a leave of absence.
“I do, and Meg is a darling. I feel so bad for her. The school didn’t handle her situation right at all.” She lifted her glass of wine.
“I agree.” He set his wine down. “Tell me more about you.”
“What would you like to know?”
Everything. Usually he wanted to know minimal details about the woman he intended to sleep with, but Jacklynn stirred something in him—and he didn’t even know her yet. “Just the basics are fine.”
“Okay.” She grinned. “I’m twenty-eight, never been married, no kids. In my spare time I like to read hot romance books and one day I hope to have a family. You?”
“I’m thirty-four, divorced, no kids. I don’t read hot romance books, but I have some pretty spicy movies.”
“Spicy movies, huh?”
“Hot romance books, huh?”
They both laughed. He was surprised how much he liked her as a person. Talking with her was easy and not awkward.
“How long have you been writing for the Miami Thunders?”
“Years, I guess. I was born and raised here in Miami. I went to school with the Dares. After I got my degree, I was approached by Ian and doors started to open. The rest is history.”
“Nothing wrong with that.”
“Did you always want to be a teacher?”
“No.” She licked her lips. “Let’s see, first I wanted my own salon as a little girl, then I dreamt about having a bakery. When it came down to choosing a degree when I started college, I went with how I felt that day and it was teaching. I wanted to make a difference in the world and I felt like teaching was my calling.”
Through the rest of dinner, the conversation flowed. Emmett had never listened so much to what a woman said, but as she shared things about her past, he found himself creating a notebook in his head with all the details so he wouldn’t forget them.
He led her out of the restaurant. Even though dinner had gone well and he really wanted to see what was under her dress, he also didn’t feel the need to push her to an evening getting hot and sweaty between the sheets. Jacklynn didn’t feel like the type of girl he could just fuck and go home.
“I had a nice time.” He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles.
“I did too. I’m glad I took a chance coming out with you.”
“Me too.”
“The evening doesn’t have to end.” She stepped closer, her floral scent circling him until he felt dizzy with need.
“I’m trying to be a gentleman.”
“Too bad that isn’t what I’m looking for.”
A lump formed in his throat. “I want to please you. Your place or mine?”
She ran a finger softly down his face. “Let’s keep this simple and get a hotel.”
Taking her hand in his, he led her across the parking lot toward his car. Once there, he spun her around, pressing her against the passenger door, nudging her legs apart. Without a second thought, he kissed her hard. A sweet sigh escaped her lips before her tongue met his. Holy hell, this woman was out of his league and from the intensity of this kiss, he was playing with fire.
But fuck, he didn’t care. Maybe just for tonight, he could break his one rule.