Page 17 of Sexy Dare (The Sexy 1)

“And will she get that?” Faith turned to him, looking up at him with those curious, gorgeous green eyes.

“Well, let’s see. My sister went the untraditional route, getting pregnant first, but there’s no question she and her husband, Ethan, are head-over-heels in love. Alex is married to a great woman and they had a baby girl recently.” No point getting into the half-sibling thing now. He hoped she’d end the conversation there.

“And you’re the eternal bachelor?” she asked, dispelling that optimistic thought.

“Something like that.” Winking at her, he grasped her elbow and led her to the far side of the apartment, where the two bedrooms were located. “Come. You can check out your room.”

He led her to the bedroom beside his, one his mother had decorated to her taste, with a – cough – bright floral comforter and matching valence above the window.

“Oooh, it’s so pretty!” she said, grasping her suitcase from his hand and pulling it inside.

“I’ll be sure to let my mother know you like it,” he muttered. He’d never forgiven her for the flowered room, but he loved her anyway.

“Wouldn’t that be admitting you brought a woman to your apartment?” she teased him before sitting down on the bed, her shoulders hunching over as she finally let herself relax.

“I was going to ask if you’re hungry but you look beat.”

She lifted her head. “I’m both. Would you mind if I shut my eyes for half an hour before we eat?”

“Of course not. I’ll order us something. Do you want anything in particular?”

She shook her head as she kicked off her shoes. “You choose.” She swung her feet up onto the bed, closed her eyes, and if he wasn’t mistaken, she was out before she her head hit the pillow.

Jason headed to his bedroom, completely aware of the woman sleeping in the next room. He changed into a pair of sweats and a tee shirt, ordered a large pizza, and settled onto his couch, watching Sports Center on television.

He wasn’t surprised to see a clip of his brother, Alex, on the screen. Once an NFL football player, he had been forced, on doctor’s orders, to retire due to a severe concussion. He couldn’t take the chance of another head injury without risking permanent damage. Seeing an opportunity, their half brother Ian, president of the Miami Thunder, ironically the opposing team to the one Alex had played for in Tampa, had offered him a job teaching players about preparing for the future beyond football. The program had been adopted by the NFL, and Alex did a lot of promotion and training around the country, including television interviews like the one Jason had just seen.

He lifted his glass of soda to his brother. “Go, you,” he said to his sibling on TV.

A few minutes later, dinner arrived. He placed it on the table and walked back to where Faith slept. Cute little snores sounded in the room and he grinned.

Although she’d said to wake her, he didn’t have the heart. She must have been so wiped out to fall asleep so fast, the stress of handling her brother alone for so long catching up with her.

He walked in, picked up an afghan blanket and covered her, standing like a creeper and watching her sleep. What was it about this woman that got to him?

Obviously she was beautiful, but Jason had been with his share of gorgeous women over the years, and he’d let them go when their time together came to an end. But Faith was more than pretty. Clearly she was strong. She’d picked up and left her home, coming to a big city and making her own way without help. She also hadn’t lost her sense of humor during a difficult time, nor was she willing to give up her independence easily. All of which he admired. But there was so much more to Faith than any of that, and now he’d have the chance to see exactly what made her tick.

He’d wanted a date, and instead he had her under his roof, in the room next to his. He didn’t like the reasons for their forced togetherness, but he sure as hell couldn’t say he minded it. And that was a first for Jason Dare.

Chapter Four

Faith made candy in the back of her shop alone since Kelsey had looked dead on her feet and Faith had sent her home early. She finished up and rushed to the counter, where she could be the face of Sweet Treats, selling her candy. She needed to hire another employee, but she had to make sure she could afford the expense. As long as things continued as they were, no more incidents like the vandalism, and she’d be okay.

She and Jason had had a frustrating discussion on the way to work about who would pay for the cleanup. So far she hadn’t won, but she didn’t want to be indebted to him any more than she already was. The man was giving her a place to stay in addition to fixing up her business. She wanted, no, needed to pay her own way.

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