Dare to Hold (Dare to Love 4)

“She’s Dylan’s friend, Meg Thompson.”

“Aah. Liv told me about her. She thought Meg would be a problem when she got involved with Dylan, but they ended up being friends.”

Scott nodded. “That’s her.”

“And I’m guessing you two have history since you can’t take your eyes off of her?” Tyler nudge

d him in the side.

“Yes. No. Shit,” he muttered, wondering how to explain his reaction to Meg.

From the minute Scott had seen her, looking small and defenseless in a hospital bed after nearly losing her baby thanks to her angry ex-boyfriend, Scott had been invested. Not even her pregnancy had put him off. Which, all things considered, should scare the shit out of him. Since Leah, he didn’t get seriously involved.

He’d questioned Meg, taken her statement, and guided her through the restraining order process. And he’d been dumb enough to try and help. To be there for her afterwards, but she wasn’t interested. Not in a helping hand.

Not in him. He’d been forced to see her at occasional get-togethers in the last month at Olivia and Dylan’s, had run into her in the supermarket. He’d offered to take her to dinner, to be her friend. Despite the undeniable chemistry between them, she’d declined.

Two other men joined the first, and soon the women at Meg’s table were paired off. And Scott was pissed. A low growl escaped his throat.

“Easy, bro.” Instead of giving him a hard time, Tyler placed a hand on his shoulder.

Scott blew out a long breath. Logically, he knew he didn’t have a say in what Meg did. Or with whom.

He ordered a Patron. Neat. And settled in to do what he did best. Keep an eye on her from a distance. To his relief, as time passed, she didn’t look at all interested in the guy. Her body language screamed don’t touch, and the asshole didn’t appear to be listening.

“I’m going to bash his head in if this keeps up,” Scott muttered.

Tyler raised an eyebrow. “First Ian, now you. Are you really going to leave me as the only single Dare guy in the family?”

“She’s made it clear she’s not interested in me, and besides, marriage? Been there, have the divorce papers to show for it. Not happening again,” Scott reminded his brother. At twenty-nine, he was finished with that stupid dream. Leah had screwed with his head on so many levels he was lucky he wasn’t still dizzy two years later.

He had no intention of letting his brother in on the fact that Meg was pregnant. His sibling would have a field day with Scott’s interest based on that alone. He’d be wrong. But it wasn’t worth the hassle or discussion.

“Sorry,” Tyler muttered, obviously uncomfortable.

Scott wasn’t sure if he was referring to the divorce, the reason behind it, or Meg’s lack of interest. All were enough to shit on his ego.

Meg shoved her chair back and headed for the back of the restaurant, where the restrooms were located, and Scott breathed easily for the first time since realizing she was here.

“You going after her?” Tyler asked.

“No.”

“It’s not like you to give up when you want something.”

Good point, Scott thought, but he remained seated. Watching but wary.

Meg returned and stopped by one of her friends, whispering something in her ear. The women spoke, and suddenly the guy who’d been inching closer to her all evening walked up to them. They talked. Looked more like an argument.

And then he grabbed Meg’s arm. Scott bolted out of his seat and came up behind Meg. Her soft scent invaded his senses, but his focus was on the asshole who hadn’t released her.

“Let. Go,” Meg said through clenched teeth.

Scott’s hands fisted at his sides. “Touch her again and you’ll answer to me.”

* * *

Meg didn’t know where Scott Dare had come from. She hadn’t noticed him in the bar earlier, and she was always aware when he was near. How could she not be? He was everything that appealed to her in a man. Tall with jet-black hair that always looked as if he’d just run his hand through the inky strands. Full lips. Straight nose. So damned handsome.