HazardsDare

by Frances Stockton

  “It’s nice to know you don’t see me from his perspective anymore.”

  Taking her by the shoulders to gently coax her around to face him, Hazard looked her square in the eye. “I thought you were beautiful when I met you. I denied how jealous I’d been of Timothy.”

  “You know now he wasn’t my fiancé.”

  “Still doesn’t explain how you managed to get under my skin so fast or why you were always on my mind whenever I tried to go on dates. It felt like I was cheating on you.”

  “I had a crush on you before we met. Once we did, I was a goner.”

  “I’m still sorry I upset you by dealing with the hotel bill. I should have discussed it with you first.”

  She grinned up at him. “It’s okay. You meant well.”

  “So you won’t object when I pay for your spa visit tomorrow?”

  “It’s kind of you. After all, I’m going to need the distraction. A day here without you won’t be the same. I’m considering rearranging my plans to go home tomorrow night.”

  Hazard shook his head. “Stick with your plans. Relax in Dare for as long as you intended. I’ll call you tomorrow night and we’ll have phone sex.”

  “We did that already.”

  “We’ll do it frequently. Ever try Skype?”

  “If you think I’ll get naked for you on cam, you’d better be prepared to be naked too.”

  “Is that a dare, Ms. Grant?”

  “Oh, yes,” she declared. “If you don’t, I might misbehave.”

  “Naughty girls get themselves tied up and fucked,” he warned.

  “Hmm, we’ll see which one ends up tied tonight. If I win, expect to be at my mercy.” Boldly, she placed her arms around his neck, moving up nice and close.

  She smelled like a tropical island and sunshine. It was great because it was getting chillier in Dare and snow would soon close access to Jax’s mountain retreat. Fortunately, the house wasn’t so high up that it was a treacherous climb and there was a decent access road that led to more houses farther up the mountainside.

  “You’re on. Later tonight, at Jax’s, I’m getting the key to playroom three.”

  “Dungeon three, why?”

  “You’ll see.” Playroom three was all about bondage, without being as dark and frightening as the more hardcore dungeons in the house.

  Not once in his lifetime had he permitted a woman to tie him up. As a gift to Avery, he’d switch things up and present his body for whatever she had in mind tonight.

  The other four dungeons were a lot more dangerous and not for the faint of heart. There were some serious machines, everything from torture devices to water training, pony or animal harnesses, whips and chains, cages and tables, chairs and humiliation-slave training.

  The next time he and Avery visited Jax’s house, he’d take her to the Kama Sutra or the Tantric sex rooms. What he’d never do or contemplate was using whips or crops or anything that would sting because he wasn’t trained and dominating her was not his goal. Giving her pleasure would be first and foremost in all things.

  “Ready to go?” he asked.

  “Now I am. Thank you for helping me with my hair.” She went up on her toes, kissed his lips.

  “You’re welcome,” he said, catching her about the waist to hold her still for a much longer, deeper kiss. Freeing her afterward, he watched her zip off in a hunt for black-and-white pumps.

  Hazard loved the tiger print on her. She looked classy, pretty, vivacious and sexy; knowing what she wore underneath the outfit made her even more tempting.

  Gathering up his car keys and their coats, he placed hers around her shoulders and led her out to the hallway. He smiled when he heard the click-clack of tiny mints, the same kind she’d nervously spilled all over the floor that first night.

  It seemed as if a lifetime had gone by since she’d laid her red dress dare before him. A lot had changed since that night and more was to come.

  Shrugging into his coat, he took Avery’s hand and they made their way to the hotel parking lot. It was getting dark out and cold.

  He got the engine started on the rental SUV, cranked up the heat and they were soon heading toward Jaxon’s place. Avery turned up the music, a mixture of pop rock and some country music that’d become contemporary hits.

  Conversation was easy during the drive. It was nice, though he sensed some sadness in her voice when she spoke.

  “You okay, baby?”

  Avery reached across the console and took his right hand. “I don’t want this to end. I feel free to be myself with you. Back home, I have to go back to being good girl Avery.”

  “You’re always going to be my girl, Avery. All versions of you, the good, the naughty, the seductress and the best friend I’ve had since meeting Jax when I was a little kid. Once the playoffs are done, we’ll be able to see each other.”

  “You live in Nevada in the off-season. I live in Massachusetts.”

  “There’s no reason why I can’t find a place to live near you…or with you.”

  “You’d move for me?”

  “Sure I would, although I need to be in Virginia during football season. In the off-season, I’m free to go wherever I want. What would you like to do?”

  “If I hadn’t recently moved to work with Ryan Hathaway, it’d be a slam dunk, I’d move to Dare or come to Virginia. Ryan and Alexander are my family. I love them and my job.”

  “There’s nothing wrong in that. I’m not going to ask you to abandon your work or leave your family. What we could do is compromise and vacation in Dare when possible. We have time to figure out how to be together when football practice starts up again.”

  Avery squeezed his hand. “I’d love that. I’m already attached to the friends I’ve made here. There’s also the fact that in Dare we’re free from the watchful eyes of my brother.”

  “Now see, once we talk to Alex, I’m not going to hide how I feel about you. What we do behind closed doors is none of his business.”

  “I agree. I guess I’m a little paranoid.”

  “Can I suggest something?”

  “Please,” she agreed, clutching his fingers.

  “You’ve got Morgan, Eve, Sam and Cassie to confide in when you go home.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “Go out on ladies’ nights when you’re feeling lonely. I’ll be there for you as much as I can by phone, Skype, whatever, but your girlfriends seem like great ladies. I know Morgan fairly well, ditto for Cassie and Sam from her telethon and Dallas’ wedding.”

  “Morgan’s the one who told me I was destined to find my soul mate here in Dare. She believed it was someone I knew, but wasn’t ready to see. I think she meant you.”

  “Her abilities freak me out at times. She told me pretty much the same thing,” he said. “She also warned that there was some danger here for you, but later believed it passed because of me.”

  “She did? When was that?”

  “The first night, by text,” he answered. “She must have contacted Alex, who contacted me.”

  “Alexander texted you about me? When was that?”

  “A few times that first night,” he answered.

  “Before or after we met up?”

  He couldn’t lie to her. “Both. He was worried about you because of Morgan’s concern. He’d tried to get ahold of you. He knew I was in Dare and decided to reach out to me. It’s one of the reasons I had Sawyer look into John.”

  “My brother asked you to watch over me, didn’t he?”

  “He was being a brother,” Hazard answered.

  “Sounds like he wanted you to be my bodyguard,” she commented.

  Knowing what happened with the secret bodyguard her father hired when she went to college, Hazard wanted to kick his own ass for not telling her about the texts days ago.

  “No, baby,” he said, trying to reassure her. “I never thought of myself as your bodyguard. I can’t say what Alex thought at the time, other than he was worried. I promised I’d look after you and tha
t’s what I’ve done.”

  “That explains why my safety net back home was easy to appease when I texted to let them know I was fine.”

  “Are you mad that I didn’t tell you sooner? It wasn’t deliberate, but I should have and I’m sorry.”

  “If you didn’t sound so sincere, I might have gotten really angry at you. If I did flip out without trying to talk it out with you, we wouldn’t have after our vacation. I’ve learned a lot about you, Hazard.”

  “What was that?”

  “On the football field and to your fans, you are hazardous to any team’s offense. When it comes to your friends or those you love, you are genuine and confident.”

  “Thank you,” he said, taking a moment to look over at her. Something was wrong. She might not be angry at him, but she was upset with someone. “I’m sensing that you’re stewing about something.

  She shook her head. “Not about you, at my brother.”

  Hazard refocused on the road. “In his defense, if I’d thought my sister was in danger, you better believe I’d find a way to protect her.”

  “Just tell me one thing,” she requested.

  “Anything,” he promised.

  “Did you know I was coming to the Truth or Dare Club before I arrived?”

  “I knew from the text that you were in Dare. I zipped back a reply to Alex, thinking I’d find you after my set. Blew me away when you walked through the door two seconds later,” he admitted.

  “Our attraction to each other is mutual, right?”

  “I’d say it started at the hospital. I just wasn’t ready to act on it until I found out Timothy was no longer part your life. Thankfully, the danger went away and we were able to be together without problems.”

  “Then you’re not with me because Alexander put you up to it when he called.”

  “Avery, I fell in love with you because of who you are, not because of your brother or your family connections.”

  He didn’t take his eyes off the road again, but heard her expel a breath. “Thank you for being honest.”

  “I can’t promise not to screw up in the future, just don’t doubt that my feelings are real.”

  “I’m glad you told me about the texts. When we sit down with Alexander, I’m going to tell him to butt out.”

  “He won’t, baby. If he sensed something happened to you or that you were in danger, he’d rightfully pull out all the stops to help you.”

  Avery chuckled softly. “You’re right. Alexander doesn’t know how to back down if he wants his way. He’s tenacious as a bull terrier.”

  “Why do you think I chose him to be my agent? He fights for the rights of his athletes, not only while they are playing, but for when they retire.”

  “You are fortunate to have him on your side.”

  “So are you,” he pointed out.

  They drove on, heading toward the mountains. About thirty-five minutes later, he turned onto the narrow drive that wound up to Jax’s home. It took fifteen minutes to make it without scraping the brush lining the one-lane rocky road.

  Dark as it was by that time, he could make out the headlights of a car cresting the top of the drive. A couple minutes later, Hazard drew up beside a posh SUV-type limousine that was as big as a passenger bus.

  The driver, a tall woman dressed in a black tux, with a white shirt and chauffeur’s hat atop what appeared to be vivid red hair tucked beneath, got out and opened the big door to allow her passengers to exit.

  Four people popped out, three women, one Gabriel Krystiyan.

  “Am I seeing triple?” Avery asked, apparently taking note of the similar size, hair and skin coloring of the ladies.

  “Gabriel recently broke things off with the woman he’d been seeing. There’s no reason for him not to bring whoever he wants.”

  “Maybe they’re part of his stage show. Although they don’t look like any I saw that night. Then again, a certain linebacker distracted me with sex halfway through.”

  “You liked being fucked on that balcony.”

  “I did. The possibility that someone may have seen us made it all the better. Still doesn’t answer my question.”

  “Gabriel doesn’t get romantically involved with his assistants. It’d create too much havoc backstage and they need to completely trust him, especially when some illusions can be dangerous. It’s possible that his dates are part of his fan club.”

  “Ah, could be.”

  “Too bad we don’t have our own driver. I could have kept you busy in the backseat during the drive up here.”

  “You certainly could have. That’s something I’m adding to my bucket list.”

  Avery waited for him to walk around and help her out of the SUV. Gabriel’s dates huddled close to him. The limo driver watched the foursome with a frown and tugged her hat low over her eyes.

  “You think she’ll wait here during the party?” Avery asked.

  “She might. If I were Gabriel, I’d want her to stay for her safety.”

  “Does he usually have a driver?”

  “Gabriel has a collection of exotic cars and loves to drive whenever possible. He does keep a chauffeur on staff to pick him up from airports or transport him to Vegas when he’s going to be tied up with conference calls or business. Maybe he chose the Hummer because he didn’t want to get caught up here if it snows.”

  “Perhaps he’s planning on drinking?”

  “First rule for any guest at Jax’s house intending to use one of his dungeons or playrooms is no alcohol, no drugs,” Hazard told Avery. “If guests want to make their way to one of the playrooms or dungeons, all must consent to do so without alcohol or drugs swaying their decisions.”

  Hazard looked over at Gabriel, taking note that his friend was ignoring his dates in favor of the limo driver, who kept shaking her head no in response to something he’d asked of her.

  “Come inside, Ms. Anderson. It’s cold out and feels like it might snow.” Gabriel spoke in a low, emphatic voice and offered his trademark smile.

  Ms. Anderson spoke back softly, though she had a nice voice that carried. “It would not be proper, sir.” She ended up climbing back into the car and closing the driver’s side door, shutting Gabriel out.

  That was a first. Hazard didn’t think there was a woman alive who couldn’t be charmed by Gabriel.

  Gabriel scowled at the closed door, then turned to his dates. They instantly clustered to his side, giggling when he whispered to them.

  “Interesting, I think the smallest woman standing to Gabriel’s left was on an actual reality TV show,” Avery commented.

  Hazard didn’t watch reality TV, so he wouldn’t know who the smallest woman was.

  The women were Gabriel’s type, petite and femininely curvy. Each had long dark hair, a Latino complexion or salon-tanned skin. Even though they wore winter coats, the lapels were left open so no one could miss seeing their cleavage or chic Hollywood-style dresses.

  Gabriel paused one more time to knock on the driver’s window. The window went down. The driver leaned out, shaking her head.

  Ms. Anderson was the polar opposite in size and complexion of Gabriel’s dates. At a guess, Hazard would say she was Scottish or Irish. Despite the hat and her frown, the she was incredibly pretty, with wholesome facial features and a tall, somewhat boyish figure, likely due to the tuxedo she was wearing.

  Despite Gabriel’s attempt to charm her, she shook her head and closed the window. Hazard took her disappearance as a cue to approach Gabriel.

  “Nice to see you, my man,” Hazard greeted, shaking his friend’s hand. Gabriel’s grip was firm.

  “Back at you,” Gabriel said. “Ladies, this is Trevor and his girlfriend, Avery.”

  “Hi,” the dark-haired woman to Gabriel’s left said. “I’m Marcia Sanchez. I run Gabriel’s online fan club. If I may, you’re as big as football player.”

  “I’m a linebacker for the Alexandria Griffins. Most call me Hazard,” he said.

  “That’s right,” Maria sa
id. “Your team is in the playoffs. What are you doing in Nevada?”

  “Vacationing with Avery,” he answered.

  “Hi, Marcia, nice to meet you,” Avery said in kind. “I hope this doesn’t sound weird, but you look familiar.”

  “I had a brief brush of fame as a runner-up on College Co-Eds, UNLV.”

  “That’s why I recognized you. Glad to know Gabriel’s fan club is in good hands.”

  Gabriel moved forward. “Jacinta and Alicia, meet my friends,” he introduced politely.

  “Hi,” they said in unison. If it weren’t for one having a salon-tan and the other having a naturally dark-olive skin, they could have been sisters.

  “What happened to your usual driver, Gabriel?” Hazard asked.

  “He’s sick. Sent his daughter in his place,” Gabriel answered, looking at his dates. “Excuse us one moment, ladies.”

  Politely, they drew back to talk to each other. They were a little giggly, but seemed nice enough.

  “Is there a problem?” Avery asked. “You didn’t look happy when you spoke to her.”

  “I simply invited her inside. Even though the limo is luxurious and warm, I don’t want her to be bored or have to wait alone out here. She refused, three times.”

  Avery smiled. “You’re concerned about her.”

  “Absolutely,” he stated.

  “Did you explain your concern?”

  “I tried. She’s stubborn as a mule, insisting I’d not have made the same offer to her dad.”

  “Would you have invited her dad inside?” Avery asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Would you have gotten so protective with her father if he’d said he’d wait in the stretched-out Hummer?”

  “I don’t know. It would depend on the circumstances. I meant well, Avery.”

  “Did you tell her that or turn all alpha?”

  “I got a little impatient, but I wasn’t mean. Not sure what’s got her riled. Something was wrong when she arrived. She looked stressed.”

  “Maybe she wanted to put forth a professional image, since she’s a stand-in for her dad. There’s also the fact that you’re famous and you’ve got three dates.”

  “The ladies are friends, nothing more. Can you convince her to come in, Avery?” Gabriel asked.