Page 47 of Sexy Dare (The Sexy 1)

Faith grinned. “We’ll see. But you have a lot more to worry about than Jason and me.”

“Yes. Yes, I do. But I believe I’ve taken the right first step.”

Faith smiled as Jason walked into the room. He’d been taking a shower. His hair damp, he wore a pair of jeans and a tee shirt, his standard outfit for daytime at the club. He changed there for the nighttime shift. They’d agreed to stick to the same work schedule with Renault as her bodyguard.

He really did need to be at work and she understood. Now that they’d discussed it like rational adults, without him just pulling away, she had no problem with the change. In fact, she was so grateful he was going out of his way to help her like this. The only way she could think of to repay him was to let him go easily and the way he wanted when this nightmare with her brother was over.

“Are you all packed to go to Sienna’s?” Jason asked his mother.

“Yes. I can’t thank you enough for letting me intrude on you two.”

Waving away the comment, Jason grasped his mother’s hand. “Just be happy.”

Once again, Faith found herself with tears in her eyes. This was a man capable of deep love, affection, and understanding. If only he would extend those same things to himself, he, too, could be what he wanted for his mother.

Happy.

* * *

A week after his mom moved out, Jason sensed Faith’s restlessness. She wanted her brother caught and she wanted it yesterday. Jason sensed the man was merely biding his time, waiting for the right moment to strike. He probably hoped to find Faith alone, something that wouldn’t happen under Jason’s watch.

Jason, on the other hand, hoped to prolong their situation as long as possible. It wasn’t that he thought Faith desired to leave him; no, she just wanted her life and her freedom back. Sadly, they were both aware that came with the end of their relationship as it existed now. She would move out. She’d work days. He’d work his long hours day and night. And he’d have to let her go … to find what he’d heard her telling his mother she wanted. A husband and kids.

Before he could delve deeper, his phone rang and he saw it was Jack Renault. “Hey. What’s up?” Jason asked.

“We got a break,” Renault said in his always deadpan voice. “I’d sent out pictures of the necklace to other PIs and friends of mine and someone found it. They’re going to drop it off at the club, because believe it or not? The pawnshop was right around the corner. We’d checked the place once before, so we’re thinking it was pawned off more than once. Either way, it’s in our hands. And we’re tracking it backwards. Hope to have more soon.”

Jason’s heart beat harder. Faith was going to be so happy she’d have this piece of her mother back. “Thanks. That’s great news.”

“I love results,” Renault said. “And your girl is fine. I’ve got eyes on her now. So everything’s good. Check in with you later.” He disconnected the call.

Your girl.

The words stayed with him, even as he collected the necklace from Renault’s associate and headed over to return it to Faith.

* * *

Faith had just finished a batch of strawberry lemonade truffles and placed them in the front case when the bell over the front door rang and Jason walked in. Whenever she looked at him, it was like seeing him for the first time, and that ripple inside her was just as potent.

Kelsey came out from the back to see if she could help and stepped close to Faith. “You’re one lucky woman,” she whispered, eyeing Jason, then returned to the kitchen in the back.

They’d just had a busy spurt and now things at the shop had died down, so she headed out from behind the counter and strode up to him. “So what brings you by?”

“Good news.” His eyes sparkled with a happiness she hadn’t seen there before.

“What is it?”

He grasped her elbow and led her to a set of chairs, nowhere near where Renault lingered in his own corner. The man acknowledged Jason with a tip of his head and gestured toward the door. Since Jason was here, he was obviously going outside. As much as Faith appreciated the security, she was beginning to feel smothered by people constantly being in her space.

Not Jason, though. “So are you going to tell me?” she asked.

“Look what turned up.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulled something out. She noticed a flash of gold, and then he dangled a very familiar necklace in front of her.

“Oh my God!” She held out her hand and he dropped the piece into her palm. Tears welled in her eyes as she curled her hands around the cool piece of jewelry. “This means everything to me.” She looked up at him in disbelief.

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