Page 48 of Sexy Dare (The Sexy 1)

“I told you I’d do everything I could to get it back to you,” he said in a gruff voice.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close, breathing in his masculine scent as she hugged him tight. “Thank you.”

Stepping back, she asked, “Will you put it on for me?” She didn’t want to take the heart necklace off again for a long time.

“Sure.”

She lifted her hair and turned, her back facing him so he could wrap the chain around her neck and hook the clasp. His big hands fumbled a little and he grunted before finally succeeding. “Got it.”

She was about to release her hair when he leaned down and brushed his lips over the sensitive skin on the nape of her neck. She shivered, her nipples puckering and a sudden swell of desire rushing through her veins.

“Jason,” she said softly, dipping her head.

In reply, he swept his mouth over her skin and bit down gently with his teeth.

She shivered, backing against him, feeling his hard body come into contact with hers and the ridge of his erection nudging her back. She turned, cupping his face in her hands, and kissed him, sliding her tongue into his mouth. But she was aware of where they were, and having been caught once before by a customer, she kept it brief, stepping away despite wanting so much more.

She brushed her hair out of her face and glanced at him, his eyes dark with need.

“How do you expect me to go back to work now?” he asked, not so discreetly adjusting himself.

She grinned. “At least I know you’ll be thinking about me.”

“I’m always thinking about you, sweetness.”

She was more affected than she should be by that nickname he’d given her. “Thank you again for my necklace.” She touched the heart that now lay around her neck, a reminder of the mother she loved so deeply.

“You really should be thanking Renault and company. They scoured the shops,” Jason said, deferring the compliment.

She patted his cheek. “But it was your idea to hire him to look for it, so just accept my gratitude and go back to work. I need to help Kelsey in the back.”

“One more thing?” he asked.

“What’s up?”

He blew out a long breath and said, “We’ve hired the first live act for the club and they’re playing a week from Friday.”

“That’s great! Did Grey say yes?” she asked, happy for him.

His frown took her by surprise. “I wish he had. But no. His former bandmate, Lola Corbin, is going to perform instead.”

“From Tangled Royal? I love her!” Faith clapped her hands like the excited fan she was.

“She’ll be singing with Charlotte Jasper,” Jason said, shifting on his feet, his expression taut.

“She’s a big name, too, right? So what’s wrong? You seem uptight about it.” She rubbed at the throbbing in his right temple, a clear indication he was bothered by this whole conversation.

“Charlotte’s my ex,” he said, as if bracing for an argument.

Faith narrowed her gaze. “And?” She hadn’t thought he was celibate before her.

“I just don’t want you to be…” He trailed off and she could only guess at what he had been about to say.

“Jealous?”

“More like uncomfortable with the idea of her being around, I guess.” He shoved his hands into his pants pockets.

Faith was a lot of things, but a clinging female wasn’t one of them. “If she’s an ex, I don’t see the problem. Unless there’s still something between you?” At the thought, jealousy began to seep through her, and she didn’t like the feeling.

“Not for me,” Jason rushed to assure her. “It’s just that she was persistent when I ended things, and I’m worried she’s going to take the opportunity to perform as something more than a professional invitation.”

Faith tipped her head to the side, staring at Jason. She thought about the pop performer, a gorgeous raven-haired beauty who preferred red lips to Faith’s light gloss and who was much thinner than Faith with her curves. Charlotte was famous and seemed to have it all. But Jason had obviously ended their relationship, so he didn’t want the other woman. He was with Faith.

Should she be jealous? Maybe. Was she? Only to the extent that any woman would be.

She and Jason had a solid relationship for what it was. She knew better than to expect a future, but she did require fidelity. Given Robert Dare’s history and Jason’s reaction to his father’s behavior, Faith wasn’t worried Jason was a cheater.

She reached out and grasped his hand. “Will you be coming home to me after she performs? If so, I don’t see a problem.”

He let out a relieved breath. “I just assumed you’d have issues with my ex performing. Just like I’m assuming she’ll still want me when, in all probability, she’s moved on. It’s not like I’ve heard from her recently.”

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