Page 27 of Dare
“So,you’ll take no for an answer from him?”
“He’snot as sexy as you.”
“You’reso full of shit, your eyes are brown.”
“They’reblue, actually. I’m surprised you didn’t notice.”
“You’reso conceited,” she laughs.
“I’mnot conceited, sweetheart. I’m convinced. I’ll pick you up at noon.”
“Fine,but I’ll make the pie.” She yawns and I hear her T.V. click off. “Good night,Dare.”
“Goodnight, Ayda.”
ChapterSeven
Ayda
Ican’t believe I agreed to go with Dare for Thanksgiving dinner. I’ve managednot to meet him face to face since Halloween, but when he told me what he didfor Tucker, I just couldn’t say no. My hands are shaking with nerves as Istraighten my hair and pull on jeans and a sweater. I have no idea who will beat the dinner, and meeting new people always makes me want to throw up. Theinevitable stares and whispers. Even blatant questions about my scars fromthose who seem to think it’d make a good conversation starter.
Heknocks on the door a few minutes before noon, and the sight of him steals theoxygen from my brain. His midnight blue Henley brings out the color of hiseyes, and clings to his torso, showing off his defined chest and abs. Darkjeans hug his ass, and I may have a slight urge to squeeze it. Just a little.
Hisgaze sweeps down to my feet and up again until his eyes meet mine, making myheart leap forward. He leans and places a soft kiss just below my ear andmurmurs, “You look good enough to eat.”
“Thenmaybe we can just skip this whole Thanksgiving thing,” I suggest. I’m notcompletely joking. I’d much rather spend the day alone with him, but he won’tlet me get away with it.
Chuckling,he steps inside. “No way, darlin’. I want to introduce you to my friends.” Hesniffs. “It smells fantastic in here. Apple pie?”
“Andcherry. I figured chances are someone will have brought pumpkin.”
Ipull the two pies from the fridge and he takes them from me, balancing them onone huge palm as we walk to the parking lot. An icy breeze cuts through myclothes as if they’re made of paper, and it’s a relief to settle into his warmcar.
“Arethere going to be a lot of people there?” I ask, trying not to sound asconcerned as I am.
“Let’ssee, my friends Landon, Justus, and Jeremy. Landon’s girlfriend, Zoe, and herbrother, Ethan. I think maybe Ethan’s boyfriend. I can’t remember his name.” Hetilts his head and knocks me out with that killer smile. “You’ll like Zoe.She’s a smart ass too.”
“Too?”I smack him on the shoulder, grinning.
“Istand by my statement.”
Landon’shouse is huge. I swear, add on a few rooms and you could call it a mansion. Iwonder what he does for a living. I don’t have much time to dwell on it beforeI’m lead into a large bright kitchen crammed full of hot guys. Seriously, it’slike they were plucked from a sexy bad boy warehouse.
“Ayda,this is Landon, Jeremy, and Justus,” Dare announces, gesturing to each as hesays their name while keeping his arm around my shoulder. “Be nice, assholes.”
Landonand Dare could be brothers with their dark hair and blue eyes, althoughLandon’s look a bit green, and Dare’s body is way bulkier. Justus is just ashot with his blond curls and a dimple that shows when he smiles at me. Jeremyis more classically handsome with clean cut brown hair and a lean body.
Afterthe introductions andnice to meet yousare out of the way, Zoe kickseveryone out of the kitchen. It may have had something to do with Dare knockinga bowl of flour to the floor. “All right! Everyone with a penis, out!” sheexclaims, then turns to me. “Stay and chat, Ayda, if you’d like to get awayfrom these brutes for a bit.”
Landongrabs her around the waist and whispers something in her ear while Dare looksdown at me. “Are you okay?”
He’sasking if I’m okay without him and as much as I want to follow him, I don’twant to be the clingy girl. Besides, Zoe seems nice. At least it’s a lotquieter once the crowd of sexy moves to the living room.
“Whatcan I help with?” I ask, hopping onto a stool. Zoe smiles and shoves a cuttingboard full of celery and onions toward me.
“Wouldyou mind chopping them?” She pours a glass of wine and hands it to me. “Trustme, you’ll need it. We’re drowning in testosterone tonight. Five guys and us.”
Laughing,I accept and start chopping the vegetables. “So, how did you and Dare meet?”
