When You Dare

by Lori Foster

  It was already familiar, comforting, enticing.

  Her gaze skimmed up to his throat, his shoulders. He had the most remarkable chest, wide, strong, sculpted with obvious strength. Even relaxed, his abs remained defined. And a very sexy trail of dark brown hair led from his navel down into his snug boxers.

  Beneath the soft cotton material she saw the bulge of his sex.

  “Want me to lose the boxers for you?”

  She jerked her gaze up to his. His slow smile showed more satisfaction than humor.

  For Molly, one thought overshadowed the rest. “This should be awkward, but it’s not.”

  “No.”

  “I mean, the crying and being stupid and weak is awkward, but being here with you is just…nice.”

  The smile faded, and his eyes warmed. “You feel better now?”

  “Yes.” And she did. That thrumming panic was no longer a part of her, leaving her at a loss. “I don’t know what happened. I swear I felt fine earlier today.”

  “I know.” He put a hand on her thigh, over the quilt. “But trust me, that sense of well-being is ephemeral at best. After your ordeal, you can’t expect it to last. Not this soon. You need to cut yourself some slack. We’ll get there eventually, I promise.”

  We? Did he mean that?

  No, how could he? Dare barely knew her, and what he did know was shaded by extreme circumstance, not the routine, day-in-and-day-out parts of her life; not the mundane parts that made up the real her.

  All in all, her mostly solitary life of research and writing equated to a very boring existence. Her life revolved around her desk, in her apartment, in a quiet town in Ohio.

  Nothing exciting about that.

  Even the few book signings and speaking appearances she did were low-key, attended by die-hard fans only.

  With this one exception, she was not a woman who gained real enemies, or got kidnapped or abused, and she was definitely not a woman who crumpled under stress.

  What would Dare think of the real Molly Alexander? When she wasn’t so needy, would he still be drawn to her? Or was it his heroic nature that made her seem appealing to him now?

  Soon, when she returned to her normal routine, he would continue on with rescuing those in need, facing off with danger, and making a mint in the bargain. He was a high-stakes player…and she was the girl next door.

  Dare squeezed her thigh. “Molly?”

  “Oh, sorry.” She shook herself. This was no time to go meandering off mentally. “I was just… I’m better now. Thank you.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. But the next time you feel that edginess coming on, don’t wait until it’s full-blown, okay? Just come to me. Let me help.”

  Whatever tomorrow might bring, or next week or next month, she needed to get through tonight first. “Fine. I accept that I need time.” She would regain herself. Somehow, she would.

  “That’s a start.” His hand stilled on her thigh. “What about tonight?”

  “It’s almost over.” She tried to sound accepting instead of wretched. “But for what remains, may I sleep with you?”

  “Yeah.” He turned a little toward her. “I’d like that.”

  Relief robbed her spine of strength. Until he agreed, she hadn’t realized how tense she felt. “Thank you.”

  “You don’t mind sharing with two hounds? Because the girls look settled in for the rest of the night.” He reached over to pat the dogs. “They usually favor the kitchen, but they sense you’re upset, I think, and they want to stay close.”

  Somehow, Dare always took the most bizarre situations and made them feel…normal. Did nothing disconcert him?

  “I don’t mind.” Given how being alone had thrown her, the more the merrier.

  “Good.” He stood and reached out a hand to her. Molly let him pull her to her feet, and then she waited as he turned to the covers. “You won’t need this,” he said, and he took the quilt from her and tossed it to the foot of the bed, half over Tai, who didn’t stir.

  Molly wore one of the big T-shirts and her panties, nothing else, but Dare paid no attention to that.

  “In you go.”

  Trying to be discreet, she crawled into the bed and then scooted over as Dare got in next to her. He turned out the bedside lamp, reached an arm around her and pulled her in close. Her head fit nicely into the space between his hard shoulder and his chest. Already his warmth penetrated her. She felt the prickly hair on his legs and the softer chest hair against her cheek.

  She felt…at peace.

  The soft kiss to her temple offered so much comfort.

  “Okay?”

  Molly nodded. “I guess if this was somehow…sexual, it’d be different. But I know it’s not, and that makes it—”

  “Let’s try for a little more sleep before the sun comes up and the birds start singing. But Molly?”

  Her heart pounded so hard, it was a wonder he didn’t mention it. “Yes?”

  “If you need to, wake me.”

  She’d try her best not to do that, but all she said was “Okay. Thank you.”

  In that dark, quiet room, she could hear the dogs breathing, the wind outside the doors leading to a deck and the settling of an unfamiliar house.

  Odd, but it felt more like home than anyplace she’d ever been.

  HAIR STILL DAMP FROM his shower, carrying his shoes in one hand and his belt in the other, Dare came down the steps and across the hall. He paused by his bedroom door, heard nothing from inside and knew Molly still slept.

  Sneaking out on her had been easy. Even when he’d gathered up the clothes he’d need and had ushered out the dogs, she hadn’t stirred. The sight of her there, crowded onto his side of the bed, her dark hair spilling out over the pillows, had moved him in unfamiliar ways.

  He thought again of what she’d said, how holding her in his bed hadn’t been sexual.

  For her.

  For him, it equated to a true test of his control. All night he’d felt her warm breath on his skin, felt the softness of her thigh, her hair, her scent. Awareness of her body against his, separated only by a cotton T-shirt, had tortured him.

  He wanted her. Bad. It had been all kinds of sexual for him.

  Determined to do the right thing, Dare turned away from the bedroom door and went into the kitchen.

  Looking like death, wearing only lounge pants and a wrinkled oversize white T-shirt, Chris slumped at the table, eating cereal. Both dogs sat at the ready near his feet, hoping for a bite.

  Dare helped himself to coffee. “I’m surprised to see you up already.”

  Chris rolled a shoulder. “I wasn’t sure if you were serious about running the dogs or not.”

  “Already done.”

  Chris eyed him. “Then you could have fed them, too.”

  “I did—they just like your cereal. I told you not to start that or you’d regret it.”

  Lip curling in a sneer, Chris mimicked Dare’s words, then gave each dog a piece of cereal. “You know, I detest that super-efficient, do-it-all, know-it-all attitude of yours.”

  Dare saluted him with his cup. Right now, he wished he knew a little more—about Molly.

  As if reading his mind, Chris asked, “Did Molly get any sleep at all last night?”

  “Enough.” He helped himself to the coffee. “But she’s in my bed, so stay out of my room.”

  Eyes widening, Chris froze with the spoon halfway to his mouth.

  “Try to keep it quiet down here, and let her sleep as long as she needs to.” Dare met his gaze. “And shut up.”

  Dropping the spoon back into the bowl, Chris held up his hands and tried to look innocent. “I wasn’t going to say a single word.”

  “Yeah, you were.” Dare threaded the thick leather belt into his jeans. It looked to be a nice day ahead, so he’d only need his light jacket.

  “Okay, I was,” Chris admitted as he scratched his bristly chin. “I mean, you slept with her.”

  “Exactly. We slept.”

  “Ah…
” He looked confused. “So it’s not…?”

  “No, it’s not, and that’s all the explanation you’re getting, so let it go.” Dare joined him at the table. “I’m taking off for most of the day. Without her.”

  “Huh.”

  “I did my own research last night. Her dad is on a golf outing only a few hours from here.”

  Chris’s brows shot up and he said again, “Huh.”

  He didn’t question Dare’s intel, knowing his personal resources were vast and accurate.

  “Don’t tell her what I’m doing.”

  “Easy enough.” Folding his arms over his chest, Chris said, “Because I don’t know what the hell you’re doing.”

  Since he wasn’t sure himself, Dare ignored that. “Just say I’m out on business—which will be true enough. I’ll get back as soon as I can.”

  Rocking the chair back on two legs, Chris considered everything and came to his own conclusions. “You don’t trust dear old dad, and you don’t want Molly walking into a booby trap.”

  “Emotional or otherwise.” Dare set his coffee aside and bent to pull on his shoes. “I went ahead and called Trace last night, too.”

  “Is he joining you?”

  “No.” Dare shook his head. “I don’t need him to, and like I said, he needs to be there for Alani. But he did some additional checking for me.”

  “And?”

  “No one has reported Molly missing. Not her dad, not her stepmom and not the sister that she trusts so much.”

  “But she was gone nine days!” The legs of Chris’s chair hit the floor. “And she doesn’t seem the type who disappears without a word.”

  “No, she doesn’t, does she?”

  Indignant on Molly’s behalf, Chris scowled. “That’s fucked up.”

  “Maybe.” Dare straightened again. “I don’t know what it means. Yet. But I want to get a sense of things before I take her back there.”

  “You didn’t want me to map out the trip?”

  “Already did it.” Before Molly had come to him last night, he’d had his own issues trying to sleep. He’d filled the restless hours with plans on her behalf.

  After she’d joined him, his thoughts had been diverted from wanting to protect her, to just…wanting her.

  “Will you confront her dad?”

  “Not sure yet.” Dare wasn’t the type to back himself into a corner by stating his intentions prematurely. “I’m playing it by ear for now.”

  “Dare.” Chris leaned forward and folded his arms on the table. “Whatever is waiting for her back home, she eventually has to go back. You know that.”

  “Yeah. And I’ll be with her.” No way in hell would he let her out of his sight until he could assess the risk. “I don’t like surprises, so I’m going to scope things out first. Do a little surveillance. That sort of thing.”

  Chris looked toward the kitchen doorway. “I hope she sleeps the day away. I suck as a babysitter.”

  “Just keep her safe. Don’t let her off the grounds, but maybe she’d like to check out the lake, explore the woods a little.” Dare stood and fished his keys from his pocket. “Make sure she drinks plenty of fluids, too. Whatever she likes. Order it if we don’t have it. And I want her to eat. She has to build up her—”

  Exasperated, Chris pushed out of his chair to interrupt Dare’s laundry list of instructions. “I was kidding about babysitting, Dare. I can handle it. Just go. The sooner you leave, the sooner you’ll be back, and the sooner I can give up guard duty.”

  Dare slapped him on the shoulder. Once again he appreciated having Chris around. Too many times over the years, trusted friends had been few and far between. “I’ll keep you posted.”

  Dare went to the dogs and told them both that he’d be back soon. They were smart, and they understood the difference between an extended trip that involved his duffel bag, and one that’d last only a few hours. They followed him to the door but showed no signs of anxiety.

  “You girls keep Molly company, okay?” To Sargie he said, “And no shenanigans. I don’t want you to wear her out.” As Dare went out the door, he realized he was already missing her, and it pissed him off.

  Hopefully, once he secured her safety, he could take her to his bed with no intention of sleeping. Once he had her, then he’d be able to get her out of his system. He’d have to.

  There was no room for a romantic relationship in his line of work—and he was a long way from retiring.

  CHAPTER NINE

  DARE SAT IN HIS SUV, waiting. Impatient, but unwavering. He’d done many stakeouts, but this one was different. This time he wasn’t watching for the victim or planning to trail a suspect. This time, he wanted information only.

  And he’d get what he wanted. Already he’d discovered things, and he didn’t like any of it. Now he needed more. He needed a clearer picture of the circumstances.

  Molly’s father could supply that.

  Trace had been invaluable in doing a quick rundown on Bishop Alexander. A more thorough analysis would follow; in fact, Trace was working on that right now. He would scour Bishop’s past, dig into his present and even take apart future plans to get as much intelligence as possible. Very shortly, Dare would know more about Bishop Alexander than he knew of himself.

  Dare grinned, glad that he’d have an opportunity to return Trace’s money to him. Accepting financial compensation from his friend hadn’t felt right, especially when the job involved Alani. Years of hard work, wise investments and good sense had already amassed him a small fortune. He didn’t need Trace’s money. He didn’t really need anyone’s money. More often than not, he continued to accept assignments to keep his edge and to feed his need for excitement.

  Money had little to do with it these days. Thanks to Trace’s incomparable investigative skills, Dare now had the excuse to pay him back in full.

  Dare considered the information Trace had already supplied. By all accounts, Molly’s father felt omnipotent to all the “lesser” people around him, including his daughters and his wife. Other than some shady business dealings, he didn’t even try to conceal his transgressions. Because he hadn’t done a very good job of building a bond with a longstanding assistant, it had been easy to glean info.

  Some people had no idea how to cover their tracks.

  One kernel of data led to another, public records gave clues to private information—and now Dare had enough to accomplish his task today.

  Beneath the shade of an ornamental tree that blocked some of the bright sunshine, Dare had watched Bishop drive up in a shiny black Mercedes. The older man had emerged in GQ golf duds, a cell phone to his ear and a shiny platinum ring glinting on his finger.

  Bishop had paid little enough attention to the valet as the young man took his keys to park the car. Dare heard him laugh, saw him lift a hand to hail other men and then join a small group of distinguished-looking friends or colleagues.

  Bishop Alexander did not act like a man with a missing daughter.

  That had been hours ago. Sooner or later, he had to come back out. Dare checked his watch and considered what his next move would be. Should he confront Bishop here, in front of the others?

  How dare the man play golf anyway? Wasn’t he worried about Molly? Or was it just that he had business responsibilities? Dare well knew the value of cultivating connections; could this be Bishop’s purpose today? Maybe he was putting on a good front to hide the personal troubles in his own family.

  The emotional involvement of this assignment was different for Dare. Usually he hunted for the truth with detached resolve. He did a good job because that’s what he was paid to do.

  Now, for Molly, he wanted to ferret out the truth because keeping her safe mattered to him personally.

  Last night… God almighty, he’d wanted her. He still wanted her. Being away from her hadn’t changed that.

  But last night she’d needed something altogether different from him. She hadn’t even noticed his boner, or the heat pouring off him. She’d held on
to him like a lifeline, and…he’d liked it. He liked her.

  It didn’t matter how hard the circumstances might be on him; until Molly got through this, until she regained some control over her life, he would continue to do what he could for her. If that meant holding her every damn night, then so be it.

  He would damn well keep his hands to himself.

  Until she was ready.

  Dare was thinking of her eventual readiness when Bishop finally emerged from the club. Though he’d been out in the sun for hours, his well-groomed, silver-tipped hair looked like it had just been styled. Aviator sunglasses hid his eyes, but not his smile as he chatted up another, taller man. They laughed together, and Bishop clapped the other fellow on the shoulder as a farewell. The friend veered off in a different direction, leaving Bishop alone, waiting on the valet.

  Fuck it.

  Before the valet noticed him, Dare got out of his car and looked over the roof. “Bishop Alexander?”

  Molly’s father looked up.

  Predatory anticipation filled Dare. “Got a minute?”

  Taking off his glasses, Bishop stared toward Dare. “Do I know you?”

  Dare didn’t move from his relaxed position outside the driver’s side of his SUV. “We haven’t formally met, but your daughter has told me about you.”

  Bishop went still, but only for a second. A calculated expression reshaped his features, and he slunk closer with caution. “Which daughter would that be?”

  Of course the bastard felt safe. They were in front of an exclusive club where only members were allowed. Bishop wouldn’t realize that Dare went where he wanted, when he wanted. Getting past the gate had been child’s play for a man of his means.

  For Bishop, his money and social influence were his strength. But Dare didn’t give a shit about any of that.

  “The daughter who’s been missing.”

  In an instant, Bishop’s jaw firmed, and he surged forward with the confidence of a man used to power and prestige. “What do you know of that?”

  So he realized Molly had been missing. Interesting. “I found Molly, and I thought you might be interested in the…details.”