Dare To Love Series: A Kissing Dare (Kindle Worlds Novella)

by Yvette Hines

  Hearing those words made him light-headed, dizzy. He still recalled being a child and seeing how sick his sister had gotten. Not complying with her diabetes regimen she’d done some serious damn to her body. Somethings that still caused her complications to this day.

  “You all right, Tank?”

  “Where’s the phone?” He wanted to yell ‘Hell, no, he wasn’t all right.’ However, he leashed his emotions.

  In a small office, the call was transferred so Tank could have privacy. The attending physician had explained that his sister was very ill and had passed out. She eventual slipped into a coma.

  “It’s important that you or another family member comes,” The internal medicine doctor said.

  “There is no other family,” Tank forced out. “I’m on my way.” He hung up then picked up the phone again and dialed another number.

  “Jo’el Gifford.” Hearing her voice was like a cool shower raining down on him.

  “My sister’s been admitted to the hospital,” he collapsed on the edge of the desk feeling as if thunder clouds were rolling in over his head making it pound.

  “Oh, Donovan, no. What happened?” her words were filled with true concern.

  “I only have a few of the details. She’s in a coma and I’m leaving on the next flight out.”

  “Of course you are.” She knew what Kylie meant to him. “What do you need from me?”

  “I want you to come with me.” The words tumbled out of his mouth. He’d never asked another woman to go to Iowa. That part of himself and his life he’d kept close to his chest and no other woman before Jo’el had gotten that close to his heart.

  She didn’t even hesitate. “Give me the details of the flight and I’ll meet you at the airport.”

  He let out a sigh and a little of the weight lifted. “Thanks.”

  “None needed. I’m here for you.”

  After they got off the line, Tank went to talk to Coach Carter. Not being able to showcase in the last pre-season game would probably snatch away his chance of getting his first string position back, but he wasn’t concerned with that at the moment.

  ~YH~

  “Mr. Clay, Dr. Malone. We spoke on the phone.” A gray haired man approached Donovan and Jo’el as they entered the ICU floor.

  “Yes, sir, how’s my sister?” He shook the doctor’s hand and introduced Jo’el.

  The doctor led them to a waiting room across from his sister’s room. “Better, but she is still not out of the woods. As a lifelong Type-1 diabetic she’s is always at risk because it is an autoimmune disease.”

  “All this I know.” Donovan clenched his fists at his side as his emotions got the best of him. “I’ve been dealing with my sister’s illness for as long as I can remember, what happened now?”

  Jo’el wrapped her soft hands around one of his big ones.

  Donovan calmed.

  “You’re sister has had a case of walking pneumonia for several weeks. It was untreated. We assume that at some point during the night her blood sugar spiked to a critical level, she seized and eventual went into a coma. She was found by her neighbor late afternoon yesterday, but Kylie was still in bed. I’m not going to lie to you. The situation is serious. By the time she got in some of her organs had started to fail.”

  “Am I going to lo-se my sister, Doc?” Donovan couldn’t imagine it. He’d lost everything else in his life and Kylie was all he’d had for so long.

  “We’ve stabilized her and if her body starts to respond favorably to the treatment she can survive this. However, she will need around the clock care. The MRI showed some damage to her brain from the untreated seizure.” Dr. Malone placed a hand on Donovan’s shoulder. “I’m going to do everything I can to see your sister pulls through this.”

  The only thing Donovan could do was nod.

  “Can he go in and see her?” Jo’el asked as she leaned into him, still holding his hand.

  It amazed Donovan that she was smaller and weaker than him, but she was his strength right now.

  “Yes, both of you can. Two visitors at a time, so if anyone else comes you all will have to choose.”

  She thanked him.

  The doctor walked away.

  “Do you want to sit down for a moment, Donovan or go in?”

  He glanced at the door where his sister lay fighting for her life. Kylie had always been the fighter for him, now it was time for him to do the same for her.

  “I’ll go.” He gazed down at the woman by his side. “I love you, Jo’el, thank you for being here with me.”

  Her eyes became wide. He knew he’d shocked her. This had not been the way in which he’d envisioned expressing his feelings for her. In his mind there had been roses filling a room and music playing when he told her, followed by a lot of loving that made up for the time he was in camp and occupied with the pre-season.

  Her lips curled in a small smile that didn’t completely take away the concern for him and his sister in Jo’el’s eyes. “I love you to, Donovan ‘The Tank’ Clay.”

  After kissing her temple he pulled her with him to his sister’s room.

  ~YH~

  Three long days had gone by before his sister started to show signs of recovering. She woke on the second day but had been kept heavily sedated so her body would continue to heal.

  Jo’el watched Donovan stay by his sister’s side during visiting hours. He talked to Kylie and read her favorite book. He told Kylie about Jo’el and how she was there with him and he wanted her to wake up and meet the love of his life.

  At night they slept back at his family home, a house he’d purchased for his sister with his rookie contract. Their parent’s old room had been converted into a trophy room with all of Donovan’s memorabilia from youth and into the NFL. His college degree that he’d completed after his fifth year of being pro was even there.

  Now Jo’el knew why she didn’t find anything at his condo that showed his football career. She also understood now how with all the tragedies and responsibility weighing on his shoulders how he was closed off and only relied on himself. She appreciated him more by walking in his world. Financial she knew how to help him. In the future she’d have to step away from the numbers and get to know each player and their needs.

  The fourth morning they walked into Kylie’s hospital room and were greeted by her smiling face as she sat up in bed. “Morning, baby brother.”

  Donovan paused stunned then let go of Jo’el’s hand and rushed to the bedside. “Kylie…sis, you scared ten years off my life.” He was cupping his sister’s face gently between his two big hands.

  “I’m sorry.” Kylie’s voice was raspy, with a slight slur but still strong. She leaned up and placed a kiss on his cheek. “I know you have enough to worry about without adding me to your burden.”

  “You’re too important, never a burden.” He resumed his height and held her hand. “How long have you been awake? Do I need to get your doctor?”

  Kylie patted his hand. “Since sometime last night. Dr. Malone just left two hours ago. I told them not to call you, so I could surprise you myself.”

  “What did they say?” Donovan asked.

  His sister spoke slow and told him about all the things going on medically with her. She’d have to stop working and would need help around the house and physical therapy.

  Jo’el could see from her position across the room that the seizure must have caused a stroke. The right side of Kylie’s face was drooping and she moved that hand a little slower.

  However, she was alive and that was the best news Donovan had received in a while.

  “I’m going to assume this beautiful woman by the door is Jo’el.” Kylie peered around Donovan’s big body.

  He glanced over his shoulder at her then inclined his head to Jo’el.

  “I’m so glad you’re awake and doing better, Kylie.” Jo’el moved closer and stepped beside.

  “So, you’re the woman who finally broke through all the walls The Tank kept around him.”<
br />
  Feeling a little bashful, Jo’el lowered her eyes. “I guess so.”

  “Good.”

  She met his sister’s gaze. “I love your brother a lot. He’s helped me along the way as much as I’ve done for him.”

  “What are you waiting for to put a ring on it?” Kylie nudged him.

  Now Jo’el was really embarrassed. “Oh, we’ve only been dating a short per—”

  Donovan’s arm coming around her shoulder, broke off Jo’el’s words. “As soon as we get back to Miami. I’d like something during off season and when you’re stronger.”

  “Perfect.” Kylie nodded and smiled.

  “What do you think, beautiful?”

  “I think I’d like to be Mrs. Donovan Clay.” She didn’t have to think about it, the answer was in her heart weeks ago.

  “Maybe you can get out of that sterile condo and look for a real house,” Kylie tossed in.

  “Yeah, we do need one place.” He winked at her, his steel gray eyes darkened.

  Jo’el felt her face flame knowing where his thoughts had landed.

  “What say you my financial manager is buying a house a good investment? To one day build a family in?”

  She smiled hearing his agreement to let her manage him. “It appreciates, so yes. Just no cars, boats or jets.”

  “I’ll remember that.” He leaned down and kissed his sister’s cheek. “I’m going to let you get some rest, we will be back. I want to get somethings set up for when you get sprung.”

  “I hope it’s soon. I don’t like hospitals.” Kylie shivered.

  When they were walking down the hall hand in hand, Jo’el told him her idea. “Donovan, I think you should get your sister a service dog. Even though she will have live in medical aid, I think the service dog will be added security.”

  “You right. Never even knew they had them for diabetics.” He pushed the button for the elevator.

  “They do. There’s also a charity that is always looking for investors and sponsors that can help needy families purchase them for children with Type-1 like your sister. I think as your FM you should do this. More than a tax right off, it is a cause I think you really could be a part of.”

  He squeezed her tight as they entered the elevator and he selected the parking deck. Holding her against him along the wall of the elevator, he brushed a lock of hair away from her face. “You’re smart as well as pretty and that’s why I love you.”

  “I love you, too. By the way, why did you decide to allow me to manage you all of a sudden?” Her hands rested on his chest as she relaxed into him.

  “Not all of a sudden. Coach Carter called me the morning after the final pre-season game while you were in the shower. He told me when I get back from taking care of my sister the first string spot was mine.”

  She cheered and threw herself into his arms. “That’s wonderful.”

  “I declare you look pretty enough to kiss. But I’m not sure if I’d be able to stop.”

  “Who’s telling you to?” Placing her lips against his, she whispered, “I dare you.”

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  Other Book by Yvette Hines

  Timberon Cat Series:

  Secured Heart

  On the Prowl

  Rescued Mate

  Stalking Nayla

  Erotic Shifter Fairy Tale series

  Bear’s Gold

  Red’s Bear

  Scoorge’s Bear

  Hansel’s Bear

  Full-figured Lingerie Series:

  Love in the Afternoon

  Nightie Night

  Secret Delights

  Exclusive Pleasure

  Stir Sticks and Stilettos Series:

  Bedding the Best Man

  Catering to a Millionaire

  Holiday in Handcuffs

  Nefarious Deeds

  Wedded in Passion

  Constructing Lust

  Passion: Tis the Season

  Strong Blends Series:

  Holiday Fantasy

  A Gentle Christmas

  Submission Under the Mistletoe

  One Reckless Night Series:

  Cinnamon Buns

  By Invitation Only

  Illicit Christmas

  Slightly Sinful

  Single Titles:

  Fast and Furless (Southern Shifter Kindle World)

  A Piece of Me

  The Marriage Clause (Love and Marriage)

  Take this Man (Love and Marriage)

  Santa’s Helper

  Golden Treasure

  His Flight Plan

  Sensual Chocolate

  Haulcon’s Revenge

  Pleasuring the Queen

  To Have and To Hold

  Chelsea’s Somebody

  Ho, Ho, Ho and a Dom

  Wonderland: Rekindling Christmas

  Taken: Stealing the Bride

  Bet on a Mistletoe

  Apprehension: Claremont County

  Bound for Christmas

  Holiday Affair

  Internet Rebound

  Lady Justice

  Making the Man

  Red Hots

  Reignited: Designed for Love

  Sieged by Rym

  Talkin’ Sexy

  The Club

  Trusting St. Nick

  What White Boyz Desire

  Charity Stories (100% Charity Donations)

  Coming Together: At Last V2

  A Shot at Love

  Coming Together: In the Trenches

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  USA Today Bestselling Author, Yvette Hines loves romance and writing it is one of her greatest pleasures in life outside of her husband and two children. Her belief in happily ever after began when she was sixteen and started reading romance books. Now as an erotic romance author, she tries to show that every woman no matter color, age, shape or size deserves a high level of passion in her life. Residing in North Carolina with her family and is a Rom Vet. She loves to hear from her readers: sasseyvettehines@yahoo.com or visit her at yvettehines.com

  Table of Contents

  A Kissing Dare

  A Kissing Dare

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

&
nbsp; Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  ENJOY MORE STORIES IN THE DARE TO LOVE KINDLE WORLDAUTHOR: Carly PhillipsTITLE:

  Other Book by Yvette HinesTimberon Cat Series:Secured Heart

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR