Page 62 of Dare You to See Me
I was secretly hoping she’d invite me to stay. I want every minute with them as she’ll allow. To soak up every moment, every laugh, every smile. It’s become my new and greatest obsession.
“Why don’t you ask your mom about the gift I gave her.” I tap Dahlia on the nose and face Soleil. “Happy birthday. Have a great night.”
I flinch, wanting to reach out and kiss her, but stop myself when her face pales. I give her a tight smile and wave goodbye to the three of them.
I tug my helmet on, start up my bike, and stare at the three of them before speeding off. Now that Soleil has agreed to be mine, I’ll never take my eyes off of her.
The end credits of the movie plays out but we don’t move. Dahlia is snoring, sleeping with her head on my chest, and Soleil lays right next to me.
The night was perfect.When they arrived, we started with a tour of the house –avoiding my boring office, as I told Dahlia– then sat down for dinner. My cooking skills are very basic, so I ordered dinner for us to ensure that I didn’t poison us with anything I may have tried to cook. I made sure that Dahlia’s meal was full of her favorite things –no broccoli– and that mine and Soleil’s was more on the gourmet side.
After dinner, we took the fun outside to the backyard where I had an air mattress set up with pillows and blankets. Kinsley helped me string lights from trees to the back porch, and I bought a blow up movie screen and projector just for tonight. And who knows, maybe there will be many more nights like this.
I hope.
Dahlia was singing and dancing to much of the movie but as it neared the end, her energy dwindled. The s’mores, the candy, the popcorn; the high was wearing off and her little body was slowing down. Dressed in her pajamas that she brought with her and the DARE sweatshirt I gave them, she crawled closer to me and laid her head on my shoulder. I looked to Soleil to make sure this was okay, and when she gave me a smile and a nod, I opened my arm and let Dahlia snuggle in.
Shortly after that, little snores echoed in my ear. Soleil offered to take her, but I only squeezed her tighter to me. At school I’m Mr. Dare, her favorite teacher. But outside of that I can be so much more. Eventually I extended my arm, grasped at Soleil and pulled her into our little snuggle cocoon. I was happy, content. I felt like I was holding the world in my hands.
The screen fades to black and the only sound is the chirping of the crickets. We lay there, still holding hands and looking at one another in a peaceful silence.
“Why don’t you two spend the night,” I tell her.
Immediately my hand is released and she springs up. “Malik…we can’t do that. What will Dahlia say?”
Gingerly, I slide my arm out from underneath Dahlia and she rolls up into a little ball. I make my way off of the air mattress –which isn’t easy– and cover her with the blanket. Walking over to where Soleil sits, I take her hands in mine and pull her with me to the round sun lounger.
“Dahlia will probably wake up ecstatic that she got to have a sleepover at Mr. Dare’s. And all you have to say is that it was really late and you didn’t want to drive home when you were so tired.” Her eyes search mine, then wander around the yard, worry deep in her brows. “Soleil. It’ll be fine. I have the adjoining rooms you two can stay in. You’ll be close so she won’t wake up scared. But if it truly makes you uncomfortable, I’ll simply follow you home to make sure you’re safe and leave it at that.”
She yanks one hand away and starts chewing on her nail. I can see the cogs in her brain working overtime and I really don’t want it to be a decision that causes her this much anxiety.
“Soleil, you–”
“Okay. We’ll stay.”
My body warms, from my heart to my fingertips, and my smile definitely reflects that.
“Okay,” I repeat.
“Okay.” Her body shivers just as a cool breeze blows through.
I wrap myself around her and slam my lips to hers. I’ve been dying to kiss her since the other night when Kyle interrupted what could’ve been a hot and heavy makeout session. All night long, I was looking for my opening to do so, but Dahlia stuck by my side like a magnet kept her attached to me. And now…now I finally have her to myself.
“Let me take Dahlia upstairs and we can have a little alone time.” I expect her to put up an argument, but she nods her head with a sexy smile.
I leap off the lounger and scoop Dahlia in my arms. I take the steps two at a time, and practically break the door off the hinges when I kick it open. With one hand, I pull the covers back and nestle her inside the fluffy bed. When I flick on the bedside lamp, she briefly opens her eyes and looks at me.
“You’re like Flynn Rider, Mr. Dare. Auntie Kyle says you smolder.” I choke out a laugh and she buries herself further under the warm comforter.
I smooth her wayward hairs away from her face, and kiss her forehead. She’s not just my favorite student, she’s my favorite little girl and I want to spoil her and her mom in the way that they should be, every day.
Flying back downstairs and outside, I find Soleil still laying in the spot where I left her. I no longer have any shame, and lay my body on hers. She gasps when I take her by surprise, but returns the kiss that I greet her with.
I rest my weight on one arm, my hand cupping the back of her head, and hitch her leg around my waist. Her leggings block my ability to feel her creamy skin on my palm. When she digs her nails into my scalp, I groan. I rock into her, my hard cock meeting her core, and she arches her back.
I nip at her lips, swiping my tongue across them and savoring the taste that is all Soleil. A trace of chocolate from the candy she ate and her tongue cool from the water. When I move to kissing her neck, she presses her head back and lets out a breathy moan.
“You’re so fucking sexy,” I whisper into her ear. “I can barely control myself. I’ve never held a woman like you in my arms and I so desperately want to consume you. I want you to be the sustenance that keeps my body alive.”
