Page 53 of Sexy Dare (The Sexy 1)

She smiled at the compliment. “I’m trying to convince her we should record a song together.”

“I expect it would be a hit.”

“So…” She flipped her hair over her shoulder, her gaze steady on his. “You looked quite … domesticated with your girlfriend.”

“So what?” he asked, knowing both the description of his relationship and the fact that Faith was his girlfriend were true.

Here he was, celebrating his biggest success, and he’d wanted her by his side. Brought her to live with him. Introduced her to his family. Made her a part of his life, all the while proclaiming he didn’t want anything serious.

He’d been such a dense asshole, but he had his head on straight now.

“So I thought you didn’t do serious.” Charlotte set her hands on her hips, clearly wanting an answer.

Jason wasn’t surprised Charlotte wanted to discuss his relationship with Faith. At a glance, it was obvious what he had with Faith was deeper than anything he’d shared with the beautiful raven-haired beauty in front of him now. She might be gorgeous, but she didn’t do it for him the way Faith did, and what he and Charlotte had shared? It had been fun but superficial, like all his prior relationships.

He’d always thought she’d been on the same page, as she’d been busy building her career and traveling. Until he’d broken up with her and then she’d cried like they’d been engaged or something. Yet he prided himself on always being honest with the women in his life, Charlotte included.

“Look, people change. Circumstances change.” He’d met the right woman by chance on the side of the road, and his entire life had spun upside down.

She stared at him, hurt in her expression, something he’d never ever intended to do to her.

He shoved his hands into the pockets of his pants. “I’m sorry. But I was honest. I never lied to you.”

“Except about what you were capable of giving.”

The truth was he hadn’t known what he was capable of until he met Faith. He rolled his shoulders. “When you meet the right person, you know.” He pulled a deep breath. “Thank you for performing tonight and I wish you the best,” he said, wanting to end this conversation.

“Right. You, too,” she begrudgingly said.

Because there was nothing more to say, he turned and came face-to-face with Tanner. “Hey,” Jason said.

“Hey.” Tanner grinned. “We did it.”

Jason nodded. “That we did. I–” Before he could get the next word out, the sound of a piercing scream echoed throughout the room, and his stomach plummeted because he recognized the person behind the sound.

“Faith. She went to the bathroom,” Jason said, his heart pounding hard in his chest. He’d sent Renault home because the only people left were family, friends, and workers who’d been vetted. Because he’d had her back, the way he had for the last couple of months.

The hallway with the restrooms had an entry on either side of an island-like wall. “I’m going that way.” He pointed to the nearest way to the ladies’ room hall. “You take the back. Call 911,” he yelled out to everyone who was suddenly panicking.

Tanner nodded and they took off at a run.

* * *

Faith washed her hands in the sink, then fixed her makeup, cleaning the dark smudges from beneath her eyes and freshening her lipstick. Her feet hurt in her shoes. She didn’t know how much longer Jason needed to stay, but she was more than ready to go home.

With a last look in the mirror, she strode out of the powder room and walked right into a wiry male body she recognized immediately.

“Colton.” Her mouth ran dry at the sight of him. He’d never looked worse. His hair was stringy and greasy, hanging limply over his face, his eyes were glazed, and his skin tinged yellow.

“You are one hard woman to get alone.”

“How did you find me to begin with?” she asked, eyeing either side of her, hoping someone would come by.

“My friend’s sister works at the police station. Not that it matters. Just that I found you.” He raised a shaky hand and grabbed her wrist.

She knew immediately he wasn’t strong enough to hold her, and she yanked her hand away. Instead of being able to run, she teetered on her heels and twisted her foot, her ankle wrenching hard.

“You bitch.” He swung his hand, slapping her hard across the face. She’d never been hit before, and the move dazed her for a precious second, and in that instant, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a pocketknife, releasing the blade.

Needing to get someone’s attention, Faith screamed, because even if Colton wasn’t strong and able-bodied, he certainly was deranged and determined.

“Shut up, bitch. You’ve been nothing but a pain in the ass,” he said as he roughly yanked her to him, pulling her up against his thin body, the his body odor overpowering.

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