Page 28 of Dare
“Helives next door to me. How did you meet Landon?” I ask, trying to steer theconversation away from me.
“Imet him at a club the first time, but I didn’t get to know him until later. Ianswered an ad for a housekeeper.” She gestures around the room, flour flyingfrom her fingers. “It turned out to be Landon’s house.”
“Wow,so you ended up dating the boss, huh?”
Shegrins at me. “I couldn’t stand him at first. He was so full of himself andbossy, but he grew on me.”
“Daresaid he’s not conceited, he’s convinced.” I roll my eyes.
Zoelaughs and takes the cutting board full of chopped vegetables from me, dumpingthem into the dressing. “Confidence isn’t an issue for any of them. They’re allsweethearts under that cocky exterior though. So, how long have you been seeingeach other?”
I’mnot sure what to say. “Oh, we’re not…really dating or anything. He just invitedme because I didn’t have plans. We’re just neighbors.”
Zoecocks an eyebrow. “Uh-huh.”
“It’strue,” I laugh.
Zoelooks up from stirring a pot of boiling potatoes and points the spoon at me. “Ihaven’t known Dare for too long, but Landon grew up with him, and this is thefirst time he’s ever introduced a woman to his friends.”
Thatmakes me pause. “Really?”
“Really.”She peeks at me. “And don’t even try to tell me you aren’t interested. Thereisn’t a single woman alive who wouldn’t climb all over that man.”
Welaugh, and she pours me another glass of wine. With all the food eitherprepared or finishing up in the oven, she takes a break and sits across fromme. It feels good to laugh and share in some girl talk. Dare was right, I likeZoe.
“Let’sgo bug the guys. Don’t want them getting too comfortable without us,” shegiggles, and we head to the living room.
Dareand Justus sit on either end of the couch while Jeremy and Landon occupy twooversize recliners. Zoe walks over to Landon and he instantly pulls her intohis lap, dropping a kiss on her lips. Dare grins up at me and grabs my wrist,tugging me to sit beside him. His arm slides around me like it’s the mostnatural thing in the world, and Zoe gives me an I-told-you-so smile.
“Havingfun?” he murmurs.
Idon’t get a chance to answer before I feel a warm body on my other side. Likeright by my side. Justus grins at me, a mischievous glint in his eye. His thighis flush with mine when he says, “So, Ayda. How do you feel about maleentertainers?”
Whatthe hell does he mean, entertainers? Justus is obviously trying to rile Dareup, and by the look on Dare’s face, it’s working. Snuggling against Dare’sside, I reply, “If you’re trying to tell me you’re a hooker, I’m notinterested.”
Everyonelaughs, and Dare shoves Justus off the couch with one hand. “I’m a not ahooker, although if I wanted to charge, plenty of women would pay for myservices,” Justus announces, climbing back onto the couch, this time staying onhis side.
“He’sa stripper,” Zoe informs me.
“Exoticdancer!” Justus insists.
Therest of the evening flies by. Dinner is delicious, and everyone is gathered inthe living room when Landon suddenly appears from a back room dressed in athree piece suit and drops to one knee in front of Zoe.
Theroom falls quiet as he professes his love and asks her to marry him. Pure joyshines in her eyes as she accepts, and he slides the ring on her finger.Everyone hugs her, and the guys slap Landon on the back, congratulating him.
Watchingthem all, it hits me how much I’ve been missing out on. The guys torment andtease each other, but there’s a wealth of love in this room. The easy way theytalk and relate to each other, I haven’t had that with anyone but Sadie since Iwas a teenager. There are some things I’ve accepted I can’t have. My scarredbody ruins any chance of a sex life which kills the possibility of love andmarriage, but maybe I can have more than I do now. More friends, closer ties, realrelationships that aren’t romantic. I feel something I haven’t felt for a longtime. Hope.
It’sdark out when Dare and I say our goodbyes and head home. With all the leftoversZoe insisted I take, I won’t have to cook for a week. When I unlock myapartment door, Dare follows me in as if he lives there, kicking off his shoesand getting comfortable on my couch. After putting the leftovers in the fridge,I sit in the chair across from him. “Thanks for inviting me tonight. I had fun.Your friends are great.”
Hisgaze rolls over me. “You’re welcome. Now, get your cute little ass over here.”
“It’slate. I should probably go to bed,” I mumble.
Hescoffs and scoops me out of my seat, putting me on his lap.
Howam I going to get out of this? I know he wants to fuck me and damn do I want tolet him, but he won’t feel the same after he sees me naked. The last guy couldoverlook the facial scars too, but one glance at the rest of me, and he wasdone. All I can see is the look of disgust on his face as he fucked me whiletrying not to look or touch the affected areas. I don’t want to see that lookon Dare’s face.
Dareis one persistent man and I know he won’t give up. Worse, I know I can’t resisthim. Maybe it’s better to just lay the truth out on the table right now and getit over with. I get to my feet before he can stop me and pace the room. “Youdon’t want to fuck me, Dare.”
