Page 51 of Sexy Dare (The Sexy 1)

Except Jason sensed it did. But he wasn’t going to argue with the man. Only the right woman coming along would change his way of thinking.

“Okay, so for tonight … is security tight?” Jason asked.

Tanner nodded. “Nothing to worry about on that score. I’ve got everything locked down.”

Jason blew out a breath. “And I’ve got a bodyguard on Faith. Which means I guess we’ve done all we can.”

Landon nodded. “I suggest we try to enjoy, too. The talent is downstairs. Lola and Charlotte are doing sound checks.”

Jason sat on the corner of the desk, “Yeah. I ran into them on my way up here.” And he’d wiped Charlotte’s red lipstick marks off his lips soon after. If she’d gotten over him the way he’d hoped, she had a funny way of showing it. Then again, Charlotte liked to be the center of attention and to cause drama. Hopefully that’s all her big hello was all about.

“I need to change my clothes. I’ll meet you guys downstairs,” Jason said.

Landon glanced down at his jeans. “I think we all need to dress.” With the amount of hours they spent at this place, it was their second home, and they chose to be comfortable until it was time to head down to the floor.

“Are you going home to pick up Faith?” Tanner asked, rising to his feet from the chair he’d been sprawled in.

Jason shook his head. “Renault, the bodyguard, is bringing her. Apparently she wanted to get her hair and makeup done with some of the women in my family.”

A dark chuckle came from Tanner’s throat. “You’re in trouble, man. When the family gets involved, it’s harder to end things.”

Jason grinned. “That’s the point, my friend. That’s the point.”

* * *

Faith’s heart beat with excitement as she traveled with Jack Renault to Club TEN29. She’d had a fantastical day with Izzy and Sienna, from having her hair done professionally to visiting with a makeup artist, who made Faith look incredible. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so good about herself. So full of energy to go out, forget her problems, and have fun.

She didn’t even care that she’d put an excessive amount of money on her credit card to make tonight happen. This was a big night for Jason, and it might be the only night they spent together dressed up and enjoying his success. Pushing aside those thoughts, she glanced out the car window in time to see the club.

They were here.

She allowed her bodyguard to escort her inside, past the line that wrapped around the corner, then looked around for someone she knew. She expected Jason to be busy and she didn’t want to be underfoot. She just wanted to experience his big night along with him.

Music blared around her, the thumping of the beat reverberating inside her. She could only imagine the sound and feeling when the entertainment began to play.

Her gaze fell to the bar, where the Dare women were congregated. She joined Izzy and Gabe, who welcomed her warmly. Sienna showed up next with her mother and husband. She introduced Faith to her husband, Ethan Knight, an imposing-looking man who she wouldn’t want to cross. All the men in this family were alpha to the extreme, Faith mused, thinking about how lucky the women were to have found men willing to commit.

She bit down on her cheek. She’d promised herself she wouldn’t go there tonight. She wouldn’t think about endings or things she couldn’t have. She glanced at Savannah Dare, admiring her strength for walking away from a bad situation and not sitting at home and sulking while she pulled herself together after the way her marriage had crumbled.

Not feeling as cheeky as she had last time she was here, Faith ordered a Pinot Grigio and looked around as the club began to fill with people. Since she hadn’t seen any of the partners, she assumed Jason and the other men were busy with last-minute preparations.

All the while, her big bodyguard stood nearby, the only reminder that everything in her life wasn’t as perfect as it seemed at an outside glance.

She was making small talk with Jason’s family when she had the distinct feeling of being watched. She glanced over her shoulder and up to the area that overlooked the expanse of the club floor. Sure enough, Jason stood on the balcony above the bar area, staring down … at her.

She picked up her wineglass and took a sip, her gaze never leaving his, wondering if he could read her mind. If he knew how hard she’d fallen for the man who’d taken her in and looked after her when he hadn’t known her at all. Who’d made her his priority and sole focus.

Did he know that she’d fallen in love with him?

She stared back at him, in his dark slacks, black shirt, and suit jacket, a dark, sexy, protector with eyes only for her. But a man who was willing to let her go. She promised herself she’d make it easy for him, and so she’d never reveal her feelings. Not in words, anyway.

---