Dare to Take (Dare to Love 6)

Apparently a concussion didn’t prevent desire from kicking in, because headache or no headache, her nipples pulled into hardened peaks, and slickness coated her panties. She couldn’t imagine a more inappropriate response considering he was here to rescue her, not be seduced. Again.

Bathroom time, she thought, seeking an escape. She rolled to the side, groaning at the unexpected pounding in her head.

“Still in pain?” he asked in a gruff voice.

“Only when I move.”

“Then don’t,” he suggested, laughter in his tone.

She closed her eyes tighter and said, “I need the bathroom.”

He was up in an instant, coming around her side of the bed. “Let’s go. I’ll help you.”

She managed not to shake her head, catching herself in time. “I’m okay. I just need to brace myself for the movement.”

He waited for her to push into a sitting position before bending down and wrapping an arm around her, pulling her slowly to standing. Between his lifting and her shifting, her tank top pulled down beneath one breast, exposing her to the cool air. And she’d been in such a rush to leave the hospital, she hadn’t put her bra back on.

“Shit.” Tyler quickly yanked her top back in place, but her cheeks burned with embarrassment.

“I can go myself. Please,” she said in a small voice.

“Call me if you need me. Don’t be a martyr.”

At least he’d left her with a tiny bit of dignity, she thought, and made her way across the room. She took care of business and washed up, splashing cold water on her cheeks and cleaning herself up as best she could. She was surprised to find a travel-sized toothpaste on the counter along with a small deodorant and figured he’d called down to the front desk and asked for whatever toiletries they had on hand. She used those too, then ran her fingers through her tangled hair.

One look in the mirror told her she was a mess, but Tyler had already seen … well, everything. It wasn’t like she was going to impress him. He was here to do his sister a favor and rescue her best friend. Nothing more.

She groaned and headed back out to face him.

“So I called downstairs while you were sleeping, and apparently the chef took off for the night. Everyone’s in a panic, trying to make sure their families are safe. I had them bring up what they could. We have fruit, crackers, chips, and cookies. The best the hotel has to offer,” he said wryly.

She hadn’t thought she’d be hungry, but her stomach grumbled loudly and he grinned.

“Take your pick.” He pointed to the table of food.

Outside, through the one window in the room, the wind whistled through the trees. It was dark and impossible to see what was going on there. “Is it bad?” she asked.

He shrugged. “I’m hoping it’ll blow over by morning. The pilot can get us out of here once the winds die down and the runway is clear.”

She nodded and settled into a chair at the table. “Thank you again for coming.”

He waved off her comment as if his appearance on the island meant nothing. “You’re family.”

“You’re a liar.” She looked up at him and caught the flush highlighting his cheekbones.

“You’re right,” he admitted.

She winced but knew she deserved that comment. She’d stopped being family the night she’d snuck into his room.

Forcing herself to do it, she met his gaze. “I’m sorry. I climbed into your bed and that was stupid. Wrong.” Of course, she’d been in love with him for years, and had spent the evening prior to that drinking schnapps with his sister. She’d been tipsy and gotten her bravery from alcohol. All idiotic and childish.

“I appreciate that, but I didn’t handle things much better.”

She forced a smile. “Maybe not, but when the sex su

cks, can’t really blame a guy for saying so.” Of course, she’d been in heaven up until that point.

True, he’d tried to push her away, but she’d plastered herself against him, her flimsy shirt no barrier against his warm, hard chest. And he’d smelled so good she’d buried her face against his cheek for a minute before kissing him … and he’d kissed her back. Especially once her sex slid over his boxer briefs. There’d been no going back then.