Dare to Love (Dare to Love 1)

She turned, only to find her front pressed against his. “That may be true, but it doesn’t make you two right. He hasn’t threatened me.”

“Yet.”

“I need to go home tonight. We have work Monday, I need to get my clothes, and I already told you I can’t be seen coming to work with you in the mornings.” She eyed him warily, really hoping he wasn’t going to turn this into a fight.

He let out a frustrated groan. “Okay, answer this one question for me, and then we’ll decide together. Would you put it past your father to lay a hand on you?”

He had her, and she knew it. She hung her head, her shoulders dropping in defeat. “No.”

He braced his hands on her shoulders. “Listen to me. I’m not trying to run your life. I’m not even trying to get you to move in here just because it’s what I want.”

Her stomach did a flip at the admission.

“I’m doing it for your safety.”

“Never mind that you get what you want in the end.”

He grinned. “That’s just a side benefit. Can you deny that apartment building of yours is too easy to get into?”

“No.” She hated that he was right. Not because being here with Ian didn’t appeal to her but because it did. She wanted them together for the right reasons, when they were both ready.

Riley had spent too many years on her own, rebuilding her ego and her belief in herself after the time her father had spent tearing her down. Giving into Ian was something she’d prefer happened slowly, at her own comfort level. Instead, her bastard father was forcing her hand.

“Let me drive you back to your place. You can pack your things and follow me back here in your own car. Tomorrow morning, nobody will know where you’re arriving from.”

She blinked, startled at his concession. “I really thought—”

“I was pushing my own agenda,” he finished for her.

She averted her gaze, embarrassed. She figured he’d pulled the danger card and then she’d have no choice but to drive to the stadium with him, allowing him to put his stamp all over her at work.

“I may not have given you any reason to trust me, but I said I’d compromise. And I’m doing it.”

She heard the hurt in his tone. “You are. I’m sorry I’m such a bitch,” she said.

“As long as you’re my bitch.” He grinned, swatted her on the ass, and walked away, leaving her with her mouth open in surprise.

THIRTEEN

Riley arrived at work on Monday morning to find Dylan wanted them to take a quick trip to Manhattan to check out a city hotel owned by the same company as the place in Phoenix. Forty-eight hours, in and out. She agreed to head home and pack.

She called Ian first, knowing he’d appreciate the gesture. Although he was in a meeting across town, he took her call immediately. He wasn’t pleased they’d be apart so soon after she’d moved in, but he didn’t ask her not to go or interfere. He couldn’t leave the meeting he was in and instead insisted she take a car service to her apartment, charge it to the company, and make sure the driver walked her up to her door and waited for her to return to the car. He didn’t want her alone.

She didn’t argue, not wanting to add pressure to his day. She already knew how difficult he found it to let her go on these trips, and she understood so much more now, especially since many of his father’s business trips had been a cover for time with Savannah and his other family.

While away, Riley made sure to call him often, and though her room was full of flowers, Dylan had no complaints about phone calls from Ian.

In other words, Ian was living up to his word. In return, she picked up souvenirs, silly things like a miniature Empire State Building and an I Love NY hat just to show Ian she thought of him too.

She arrived home Wednesday morning, heading straight from the airport to work.

Angie greeted her with a smile and her messages.

“You’re amazing,” Riley told the other woman.

“Thanks! Let me know if you need anything.”

“I will.”