Page 18 of Sexy Dare (The Sexy 1)

Speaking of Jason, he had created an office for himself in a corner, out of the way but where he had a good view of the entrance and behind the counter. There was a back door leading to the alley off the kitchen, and he’d made sure she locked that tight, not letting her open it up for cool air to come inside. She knew better than to argue when he was right.

He’d set up his laptop, plugged it into the wall, had his iPad, his cell phone, and had been making and taking calls and FaceTiming with his partners all morning long, not seeming concerned in the least that he was doing business out of a candy shop and not his own nightclub.

Faith had called his cousin’s wife, Isabelle, and she was coming over to talk about what she wanted for her son’s birthday party. This would be branching out, another way to get her candy into new people’s hands, and she was excited about the prospect.

This morning, with her new door and clear window, business was brisk, walking traffic bringing people inside, but by lunchtime, things slowed down, which worked for her because she could get off her feet.

Just as she was about to sit down across from Jason, a beautiful brunette walked into the store with a little boy in her arms.

“Uncle Jase!” the little boy yelled, wriggling in his mother’s arms to get down.

She placed him on the floor and he ran to Jason, who swung the boy into his arms.

“Hey, champ!” How are you doing?” Jason asked, lifting the boy into his arms and hefting him up on one hip.

“Good. Mommy said candy for my birfday.”

Jason chuckled while Faith grinned at the adorable child.

“Sorry I’m late,” the woman who must be Isabelle said. “I took him for lunch first, hoping to curb his appetite before we hit the candy store.”

“It’s fine. This is the first lull I’ve had all morning anyway. I’m Faith,” she said.

“Call me Izzy.”

“Tell you what,” Jason said. “How about I take this kid for a tour and we’ll handle any customers who come in while you two talk?”

“Are you sure?” Faith asked.

“It’s fine. We’re going to check out the candy.”

“Candy!” the boy said with a fist pump.

“Not too much, Noah,” Izzy said, eyeing Jason warily. “I have to deal with the sugar rush,” she warned him.

Jason’s grin was not to be trusted and Faith had a vision of him with his own kids one day. Oh, he’d insinuated he wasn’t into bringing women home to his mother, but seeing him with this little boy, she had a hunch he’d want to change his mind one day. A wistful feeling curled inside her belly at the notion and she pushed it away. He was her friend doing her more favors than she had a right to expect. Thinking of him as a sexy man she desired would do nothing helpful in her current situation. Considering him as a potential father was an ovary-exploding way to get into trouble.

“Well, that expression tells me a lot,” Izzy said, breaking into Faith’s thoughts.

She blinked to return herself to the present. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”

Izzy grinned. “Basically that you have it bad for Jason. Not that I blame you. Those Dare genes are potent. I ought to know.”

Faith’s face flamed in embarrassment. “I don’t… I didn’t…”

“Oh, you so do.” Izzy pulled out a chair and sat down at an empty table.

Faith joined her, still mortified she’d been caught daydreaming about and staring at Jason.

“But it looks to me like that attraction goes both ways. He’s basically set up his office here. Gabe told me Jason’s helping you out. No specifics, of course. But I can look at him, see how he keeps checking you out to make sure you’re okay, and put two and two together.”

“You don’t beat around the bush, do you?” Faith asked, liking Jason’s cousin by marriage already.

“I figure life’s too short not to go after what you want. I took the long route to my destiny. I thought maybe I’d help you speed yours up,” Izzy said with a grin.

Faith didn’t want to burst her bubble, but the truth was a lot more boring than whatever Izzy was conjuring up in her mind. Although the chemistry was sizzling and the desire was mutual, he was taking care of her out of pity and a fear that something would happen to her that he’d have been able to prevent. She wanted to be more than an obligation to a man. That is, when her life calmed down enough to allow for her to let people in.

“Jason and I met by chance. He helped me with a slashed tire. It’s been one situation after another since, and he’s been nice enough to help me out. That’s all that’s going on between us.”

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