Page 13 of Sexy Dare (The Sexy 1)

He shook his head, and when things came back into focus, he realized Faith had tears in her eyes.

“You have a big heart,” she murmured.

“It just made sense,” he said, uncomfortable with the praise for something so minor. “Sienna went through the same experience and I knew she could help them. And now Sam will help you. This place will be back to itself in no time.”

“I don’t know how to thank you,” she murmured.

“I do. Go on a date with me,” he said, back to his pushy, what he hoped was charming, self. Was he playing fair? No. did he care?

Not one bit.

He started to rise before she could answer him, deciding that he’d effectively backed her into doing something she wanted to do anyway.

“Jason–” she said, warning him with her tone she didn’t like being pushed into a corner.

“I know. It’s not a good idea.” He met her gaze. “I’m just waiting for you to explain why the hell not?”

“Fine. Sit back down.”

He did as she said and waited patiently, understanding whatever she had to explain was obviously difficult for her.

“My mom passed away without warning a little over a year ago.” Tears filled her eyes and he reached out, clasping her hand in his.

“I’m sorry.”

She sniffed. “Thank you. Me, too. Anyway, I lived in Iowa, where I grew up. My dad left when I was almost eleven. I have no idea what happened to him, but Mom somehow made it okay. She worked to make ends meet, and I went to a local college, worked in a store in town. It was my brother who was the problem. He acted out after Dad left, and eventually he was doing drugs, selling with a local dealer. Mom threw him out.”

He listened, sad for the little girl who’d lost her dad and whose brother hadn’t manned up. “What happened?”

“After Mom died, Colton showed up, demanding his share of the inheritance. There wasn’t much, but Mom had saved money from her parents, and she’d taken out a life insurance policy. Everything went to me.”

“She disinherited him,” Jason said and Faith nodded.

“She had no choice. He would have spent it all on drugs. Where he lived, who he hung out with … he was strung out all the time…”

With a shake of his head, Jason reassured her. “I’m not judging her. Go on.”

She swallowed hard. “I was sleeping one night and he broke in.” Closing her eyes, her entire body shuddered under the weight of the obviously painful memory. “He tried to cajole me into splitting the money, and when that didn’t work, he got angry. So angry.”

Jason listened, knowing he wasn’t going to like what came next. Knowing, too, he couldn’t go back and prevent whatever it was she’d lived through.

She wrapped her arms around herself, rocking as she spoke. “He shook me and then his hands were around my neck, squeezing–” She forced her eyes open wide. “When he released me, I screamed. He said he’d be back for what was his and he took off.”

A possessive fury took hold, that anyone would hurt this sweet woman whose smiles came so easily despite everything she’d been through.

“So what did you do?” he asked, his jaw clenched so his own anger didn’t spill out and scare her. Because at this point he wanted to kill her brother.

“I ran. I packed up everything I could take with me overnight and disappeared. I figured New York City was the largest, easiest place to get lost. I started in a hotel, found a lawyer, changed my last name … and here I am.”

He blinked, knowing it couldn’t have been that simple. “A name change is public record.”

“Not when it’s sealed because you can show the judge the fading bruises on your neck,” she said, her hands coming up to clasp herself there.

Yep. He was going to fucking kill her sibling.

“So somehow he found you?” Jason asked, managing not to clench his fists and scare her away from him.

She nodded. “I’m guessing the slashed tire was a warning, though I have to admit, I’d hoped that was a freak neighborhood kid incident. But the vandalism and the brick? He wants me scared so by the time he comes in person, I’ll give him whatever he wants.” She’d lowered her hands from her neck, leaving red marks from where she’d made her point.

Jason had had enough. He stood up and walked over, pulling her into his arms because he needed the connection and felt certain she did, too.

She relaxed into him, her soft curves easing against his. He breathed in her sweet scent and held her as the trembling in her body eased. Too quickly, she pulled away.

“You aren’t alone anymore. Got that?” he asked.

She glanced up at him. “I appreciate you helping me get things fixed here at the shop, but make no mistake. I’m very much alone.”

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