Page 78 of Safe and Sound

“That’s what one of my brothers thought.”

My stomach clenched. “You talked about me to your brothers?”

“You talked about me to your nephew and nieces.”

“That doesn’t count. You’d already met them.”

“Yeah, well, I met your family the first night we met.”

I groaned in frustration. “You know. Fine. I’ll go with you to Boston.” As Dare’s blue eyes lit up, I held up a finger. “But not to the birthday party.”

“Why the fuck not?”

“Because it’s too soon for me to be hanging out with your family. Until then, I’m happy to hang out with you.”

“Can I show you the casino?”

“I’d love that.”

“And you won’t mind hanging out at my place for the afternoon while I’m at the party?”

“Nope. I could also meet you there.”

Dare shook his head. “Oh no. I don’t want you driving by yourself.”

“Please don’t think you’re assigning me a bodyguard.”

“What would be wrong with that?”

“That’s a big love bombing.”

“Okay, okay,” he grumbled.

“Since you have somewhere to be, you can have the shower first if you want,” I suggested.

Dare’s hands came to encircle my waist. “I think we can make use of it at the same time.”

“But I need to find something to wear.”

“And I need to get rid of my morning wood.”

“Considering I have a sore pussy, that sounds like a you problem,” I teased.

“If I make you come, will you at least give me a hand job?”

“You drive a hard bargain but okay.”

Chapter Eighteen: Ava

Days melted into weeks, and before I knew it, Dare and I had been seeing each other for almost three months. Despite my initial reservations, everything between us was so effortless. We rarely fought unless it was over where to eat dinner.

We even made the distance work between us. Since my job was virtual, I spent the majority of my time working from Dare’s penthouse. Even though he was slammed working to get the Celtic Grand opened, he always made time for me.

I’d become great friends with his sister-in-law, Isla, who lived two floors down from him. While I was still slightly intimidated by her husband, I enjoyed being with him as well. I’d also gotten to know Caterina and Callum, and despite not being a huge baby fan, Julianna had managed to win me over.

I loved that Callum’s family was so much like my own. We also spent time with Nick and the girls. Although Dare had been nothing but charming and respectful, my parents hadn’t warmed up to him. Any time he was around, they appeared on edge, which I couldn’t possibly understand why.

Whenever I asked, they claimed it was because they worried I was devoting too much to a rebound relationship after my divorce.

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