Page 7 of Sexy Dare (The Sexy 1)

“I’ll take that grin as a yes. So who is she?”

Jason chuckled, then decided to confide in his cousin, after all. “I met her tonight. She had some issues and I helped out. She has a candy shop near the club.”

“So you decided to be a Good Samaritan.”

He nodded.

“And she thanked you with treats. That you like, a lot.”

Jason rolled his eyes. “Can we discuss business?”

Grinning, Gabe gestured into the apartment, and Jason followed him through the huge open design and into his private office, where they settled into wingback chairs. “Drink?” Gabe offered.

Jason shook his head. He wasn’t a big drinker. Not since that night. “No, thank you.”

“So what’s going on?” Gabe had been Jason’s mentor since he’d finished college and decided to stay in New York with his now-partners. He’d helped him find an apartment and funded his venture, Club TEN29, named after the date Levi died. A date the men would never forget.

“Now what did you want to discuss about the future of your club?” Gabe leaned back in his chair and met Jason’s gaze.

“I came here to ask for ideas, but when I was talking to Faith earlier…”

“The candy girl?”

Jason laughed. “Yes. She mentioned wanting to stand out in her area of business and dominate, and I realized that’s what we needed to do and an idea came to me on how. We should expand Club TEN29, utilize our stage, and upgrade our acoustics. Then we bring in live talent. I want a Miami vibe in New York.” His excitement grew as he explained. “I don’t expect big names off the bat, but I know we can get solid people. I can hit up Avery’s husband, the rock star, for help.” Jason had also dated Charlotte Jasper, another recording artist he’d met through his half brother-in-law. He could ask her to perform.

“All of which would require funding.” Gabe steepled his fingers in thought.

Jason nodded. Gabe had his hands in various businesses and had the money to lend should he deem it a worthwhile investment.

“We have the collateral now to go to a bank for a loan.” Which they hadn’t had when they were starting out. Gabe had lent them the money for the start-up, which they were still paying back over time. “But I’d prefer to work directly with you again.”

“Talk to your partners and see if they’re on board. Work up a plan and bring it to me.”

Jason rose to his feet. “Thank you.”

Gabe stood, walked over, and slapped him on the back. “Your success is my success. Besides, we’re family.”

Their grandfathers had been brothers but the Dares remained close despite some living in different states. Even the half-siblings had come to an understanding and had sibling-like relationships now. Some more than others.

“Enjoy your family,” Jason said to Gabe as they walked to the door.

“Thanks. Enjoy your candy girl.”

Jason’s heart gave a kick. “I don’t think I’ll be seeing her again.” She’d made it clear she didn’t think it was a good idea, and if he had to look deep into his soul, the part of him he protected, he had to agree.

But he still couldn’t forget the slashed tire or the troubled look that had crossed her face when he told her about it.

“Letting her go easily doesn’t sound like the Dare way,” Gabe said before saying goodbye and shutting the door.

Jason groaned and headed back to his car, Gabe’s words in his ear.

* * *

After her failed attempt to deliver candy and meeting her dark knight, as she’d come to think of Jason Dare, Faith spent a restless night tossing and turning. She had too much on her mind to relax. From the need to reschedule her candies to a daytime delivery, which meant taking time away from being in the store, to her worry about Colton finding her, to thoughts of the sexy man she’d turned away, she was unsettled, to say the least.

She woke up extra early and made herself a cup of coffee in the Keurig she’d splurged on, poured in some cream, and grabbed a cup of yogurt. No Greek yogurt for her; she liked the tiramisu-flavored kind, sugared and all.

She settled in at the kitchen island that doubled as her table and powered up her laptop. With Jason’s card beside her on the counter, she pulled up the website for Club TEN29, telling herself it was mere curiosity overall that compelled her. That she wasn’t cyberstalking Jason Dare.

At a glance, she was impressed with the interactive website and the wealth of information and rooms available on the premises for events and parties. The website provided music and gave a much more professional impression than the basic site she’d created for Sweet Treats.

Professional website, she jotted down in the notes section of her computer. Another expensive item on her to-do list for her business, she thought with a sigh.

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