Dare to Touch (Dare to Love 3)

Dylan knew he’d fucked up the minute he’d said Meg’s name out loud. He knew his feelings for Meg were purely platonic, but he was beginning to wonder if Olivia believed what he’d told her.

He frowned. He didn’t like to think she didn’t take him at his word. Then again, if she’d gotten a phone call from an ex right before boarding, not long after he’d smelled the other man’s cologne on her shirt, he wouldn’t be a bundle of sane understanding either.

“Shit.”

They’d ascended a little while ago, and Olivia had slept through takeoff. He had a feeling she was avoiding him and any conversation about Meg.

He ran a hand through his hair and glanced over at his sleeping beauty. Olivia’s profile had softened. Her long, loose braid fell over one shoulder, and occasionally, soft little sounds escaped her throat, making him smile.

He had no doubt his feelings for her were different than any he’d ever had before. From the moment they’d been introduced and he’d shaken her hand, he’d felt as if he’d been sucker-punched. When he’d discovered she could talk football plays, he’d fallen even more under her spell. She’d been involved with someone back then, and he’d kept a respectful distance.

He was finished with distance now.

* * *

Olivia awoke with a stiff neck, her head tipped to one side, the pillow beneath her hard. She opened her eyes, took in the backs of the seats in front of her, and realized she was on the plane and she’d laid her head on Dylan’s shoulder in her sleep.

She wanted to jump up, but the crick in her neck prevented quick movement. “Oww,” she said as she slowly straightened her head.

“Hey,” Dylan said. “Are you okay?”

“My neck hurts. Awkward sleeping position.” She forced herself to turn and face him. “I’m sorry I ended up sleeping on you.”

“I’m not.”

She blew out a long breath. “Dylan—”

“Livvy, I’m going to tell you something, and I want you to hear me.”

Uh oh. She curled her leg beneath her.

“It’s about Meg.”

She swallowed hard, her mouth dry. “You don’t owe me an explanation.” While pretending to sleep, before she’d actually dozed off, she’d done some thinking. She might be jealous of this ex-girlfriend, she’d be lying if she didn’t admit to that, but she and Dylan had merely slept together. They didn’t owe each other anything. This was a fun affair, and she had to treat it as such.

“It’s okay. Once again, I owe you an apology.” She hoped to stay any long descriptions of his relationship with the woman. “I don’t have any right to question your friendships.”

“You don’t?”

She shook her head. “No. I mean we’re having an affair. Sex, fun, and now some sunshine added in. It’s all good.”

He narrowed his gaze. “Oh really?”

“Yes. I’m going to have to watch that tendency of mine to forget my place.”

“Your place.” He sounded as if she’d lost her mind, so she rushed to explain.

She nodded again. “We’re not in a relationship, so it won’t happen again.?

?? She held up her hand. “I promise.”

He shook his head. “Did you hit your head in your sleep? Is my shoulder that hard?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m thinking you must have amnesia. Because I distinctly remember telling you we’re going to see where this thing takes us. That’s more than an affair in my book.”

Panic immediately set in. She felt too much for this man in a very short time. She’d been that route before. Young, careless, and suddenly pregnant, while her boyfriend was carrying on behind her back and she ignored the signs.