Page 51 of Dare
Asmall grin creeps across his face. “Victoria may have some financial troublecoming.”
“Whatdid you do? Charge up her credit card?”
“Imight have maxed them out, plus a few she doesn’t know she applied for. Shealso has recently borrowed a whopping amount of money from different lendersand cash advance companies.”
MaybeI’m evil, but I can’t help the joy I feel knowing she’s getting some kind ofpayback, no matter how trivial. I know people say revenge isn’t the answer, butit feels a fuck of a lot better than the alternative.
“Wheredid the borrowed money go?”
“Randomcharities.”
“AndTalbot and Montgomery?”
“I’mstill looking into them. Playing the long game.” He squeezes my hand. “I don’twant you to worry about any of this, Ayda. I’ve got it handled.”
“Justdon’t get yourself in any more trouble over my problems.”
Hisgrin tells me he has no intention of agreeing with that. “Let’s just hang outtonight, okay? I want to watch TV with you, then fuck you until we both forgeteverything.”
“Whatabout your ankle tracker? How far can you go?”
“Can’teven step out the damn front door. I was hoping my beautiful neighbor would getmy mail for me.”
“Youtell that bitch that’s my job.”
Dareputs our dishes in the dishwasher, then pulls me into his living room. Wesnuggle on the couch, his bulging arms holding me close. “You’re going to needmore than just your mail, you know. If you can’t leave the house, you needgroceries and stuff.”
“Ijust need you.” A rush of warmth spreads through me, and the words fall from mylips before I can stop them.
“Ilove you.” Instant regret fills me, and I scrabble to sit up. “I’m sorry, youdon’t have to say it back, it just…slipped out. It doesn’t have to meananything,” I babble. After all this I’m going to lose him from dropping the Lbomb on him too early.
Softlips find mine in a firm kiss as I’m pulled back and rolled underneath him. Hiswide body barely fits on the couch, and the pressure of his weight on me feelsamazing. When we break apart, his eyes sear into mine. “It means everything.”
Hedoesn’t say it back, but he shows it in every tender, affectionate kiss heleaves on my skin. We don’t last long on the couch before he scoops me up andcarries me to the bedroom for hours of sheet clawing, mind numbing sex.
Idon’t care that he’s a criminal.
Idon’t care that he didn’t tell me he was researching my past.
Idon’t care about anything but being with this hard man who softens at my touch.
* * * *
Asthe days wear on, being cooped up inside takes a toll on Dare. Though he does hisbest not to take it out on me, he wants me with him every minute. I know he’sbored and not used to being alone, so I bring my laptop to his place to work onmy graphic art orders. I also run his errands when I do mine, the grocerystore, post office, and bank. It’s the least I can do for the guy who beat theshit out of my attacker.
Iknow he’s still working on something when it comes to Talbot and Montgomery,but he never gives me a straight answer, so I quit asking. If it’s hackerstuff, I probably wouldn’t understand anyway. I just have to trust him.
“I’mworking at the studio tonight,” I tell him, “so I’ll be back late.”
Lookingup from his computer, he gives me one of his devastating smiles. “I want younaked as soon as you come through the door.”
“Icould just strip in the parking lot and make it quicker,” I tease.
Stalkingover to me, he backs me up against the wall, his hand slipping behind me tosqueeze my ass. “Nobody sees this body but me, darlin’” I tilt my head backgiving him access to my neck, and let out a moan as he takes advantage, suckingand licking. My neck has always been my weak spot and it didn’t take him longto capitalize on it.
Hishuge palm slips between my legs, caressing me. “This is mine.”
“Mmm.”That’s not enough of an agreement for him.
