Dare to Take (Dare to Love 6)

They stowed the bags and climbed into the cab, and the driver, a chatty man, explained that the island had escaped the worst of the hurricane, experiencing some power outages and minimal damage.

They just weren’t equipped for heavy outages, and the hotel, a place with only thirty-eight rooms, had lost phone service. And the help had left to head to their homes, Tyler thought, his stomach growling.

“Hungry?” Ella asked with a grin.

“Starving. I hope Ian has the plane well stocked because I could eat a horse,” he muttered.

“Ahh, to be rich and famous,” she said with a laugh.

“Rich. Thank God I’m not the famous one in the family.” He shuddered at the thought. “My father brought enough notoriety on us as kids to last a lifetime.” A mistress, a second family … the kids at school had had a field day bullying the Dares. Until Ian, Scott, and Tyler had stood up for themselves and their sisters. Nobody had bothered the Dares ever again.

“I’m sorry. That was a tactless joke.”

“You don’t have to censor your words around me. It is what it is. Or was. We’ve all come to terms with it.”

“Have you?” she asked, staring too perceptively into his eyes with understanding that made him want to confide in her.

He’d just run through all his faults hours earlier. He had no desire to do it again. “Not really,” he heard himself saying, admitting it because she’d asked and he wanted her to know. “But it’s too long to discuss on a short cab ride.”

“If you ever want to talk about it, I’m here.” And with that, she respected his wishes and closed her eyes, shutting out him and the world.

Ella leaned her head back, resting, but he could tell from the strain around her mouth she was in more pain than she let on. Unable to help himself, he slid his hand over hers, meaning to comfort. The spark of desire he felt on touching her was undeniable, and his cock jerked in response to the heated feel of her soft skin.

Her lashes fluttered open, and she turned her head, meeting his gaze, the flow of awareness between them strong.

“We’re here,” the cab driver said, breaking the sensual spell.

Tyler glanced out the window as he pulled into the large area of the airport where private planes were stowed.

Another cab pulled up close behind them. Too close, and hit the cab’s back bumper. Their taxi driver let out a string of curses. “He’s been following too close ever since we left the hotel, the bastard.”

Tyler narrowed his gaze. He wasn’t one for coincidences, and between Ella’s mugging, her hotel room break-in, and now this, he wanted to get her off the island immediately. Even if this incident had nothing to do with her, and it probably didn’t, his senses were tingling and everything felt off. He’d be happier when they were back in the U.S. and this island and her nightmare were behind them.

The driver hopped out of the car and confronted the other driver.

“Wait here,” Tyler said. He exited the vehicle and looked around, assuring himself that it seemed to be just an accident before returning to help Ella out of the car.

“We need our bags,” he said to the driver, interrupting his angry tirade. The bumper tap was just that, no damage, and it was easy to pop the trunk and get their luggage. Tyler paid, tipped the man, and left him to his issues.

They entered a small building, where they checked in and were surrounded by more people than Tyler had expected. He clasped Ella’s hand and held on tight, keeping her by his side, all the while his gut twisting uncomfortably.

“Tyler?”

“It’s fine. Just stick close,” he said, unwilling to explain the unexplainable.

Finally, they headed out onto the tarmac, where a

man in a golf cart drove them to Ian’s fueled and waiting plane. They boarded and headed home, but Tyler remained uneasy.

* * *

The private jet was a luxury unknown to Ella. From the discreet flight attendant catering to their every need to the plush seats and room to walk around, she was overwhelmed and out of her element. Add the concussion and events of the last forty-eight hours, and no sooner had she settled into the comfy chair and buckled in than she tipped her head back and fell asleep.

She woke up to find Tyler studying her intently.

“I hope I wasn’t snoring,” she said, uncomfortably aware of how alone they were in the cabin. How alone they’d been in the hotel room, and what had almost happened between them. What she still wanted to happen, despite knowing better.

He grinned. “That’s my secret to keep.”