Page 15 of Sexy Dare (The Sexy 1)

Looking up at Jason from beneath her lashes, she caught a flush on his cheeks.

“It just so happens I could help you, man. But I’m glad Sienna could do her part. She loves fundraising and doing anything she can for kids who’ve been through what she has.”

Faith would like to help her one day, when there was no danger following her around, she thought sadly. For now, though, she had to fight through her own problems and not bring them into other people’s lives.

“Thanks, Sam.” Jason all but dismissed his friend, who waved and walked back to the other guy helping him.

“So? Still think I’m a serial killer?” Jason asked her.

“I never said–”

“Oh, by the way, my cousin ate one of your marshmallow pops and went crazy for them. She’d like you to contact her about doing the party favors for her son’s birthday party. So now I’m hooking you up with business. I really think you can trust me to keep you safe.” He grinned at his smug proclamation.

She wanted to smack him … and kiss him at the same time. He had her head spinning, and she knew that was his intention. To keep her off-balance and win her over at the same time. So she was too overwhelmed to say no to his proposition about her moving in with him.

But she had to be smart about things. “I’m not questioning your ability to keep me safe, I’m wondering why you’re taking me on as your responsibility?” Her tone along with her emotions sobered.

He grasped her hand and pulled her into the back kitchen area, where they could be alone. Backing her against the prep counter, his big body hovered over hers.

“From the second we met, there was a connection between us. I felt it and so did you. Then I ignored your tire and my gut screaming it was more than vandalism, and this happened. Now I know I should have paid attention.” He drew a deep breath.

So did she and his delicious cologne swept over her. She steeled herself against his appeal because what they were discussing now was deadly serious.

“There’s a lot about me I don’t talk about,” he went on. “I’m not saying never, I’m just saying for now. All you need to understand is that I’ve been in this situation before, being able to possibly prevent something bad from happening and ignoring my gut. I won’t do that again. So when I say you’re coming home with me? I mean it.”

This was the second time he’d mentioned the connection between them, and despite her wariness, she agreed that there was one. But if she went to his home, it had to be about necessity, not desire.

“Thank you.” She appreciated his honesty and felt he deserved hers in return. “I’ll come with you, but connection or not, we’re not sleeping together.”

An amused smirk pulled at that sexy mouth. “I was planning on giving you your own room.”

“Oh.” Now she felt stupid and her cheeks burned with embarrassment.

He brushed his hand down her cheek and her body trembled with awareness. “But if you get scared in the middle of the night, feel free to come sleep with me.”

* * *

Jason gritted his teeth as they walked up the dark stairs to Faith’s apartment so she could pack up her clothing and stay with him. The building was small and narrow, with plenty of dark corners for someone to hide in, and he was glad he was getting her out of here before something worse than building damage happened. Her brother would have to go through Jason in order to get to her.

While she disappeared into the bedroom to gather her things, he dialed Gabe, a man who had a private investigator on retainer. At this point, Jason was going to owe his cousin more than just money for the favors he was accruing, but it couldn’t be helped.

“Gabe? I need a favor. Your private investigator? I have someone I need him to dig into. Colton Holland,” he said, giving Gabe Faith’s former last name. “Start in Cedar Pointe, Iowa, but I think he’s here now. Drug addict, so he isn’t hanging out with the best people in town. Whatever he can find on him, I need.”

He went on to explain what had been happening with Faith so Gabe could give the PI the rundown. At best, Jason wanted her brother behind bars. At the very least, he intended to make sure he was out of Faith’s life for good.

“I’m on it,” Gabe said. “I’ll have Jack Renault contact you personally so you can deal directly with him.”

“Thanks, cousin.”

“So much for not seeing her again,” Gabe said, chuckling as he disconnected the call.

At that moment, Faith walked out of the bedroom, rolling a suitcase behind her. Jason shoved his phone into his back pocket. “Ready?” he asked her.

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