Dare to Trust (The Dare 1)

Danny held her cheeks between his hands and didn’t look to see who it was. It was like he knew.

“Looks like we’re having dessert before dinner,” Jack teased and sat down on the couch next to her head.

“Don’t let us stop you. We’ll wait our turn,” Mike said, and then walked toward the kitchen. He started talking about the cabinets but she couldn’t concentrate. Not with Danny kissing her again and then rolling her to her side so he could lift up her top and explore her breasts.

“Danny.” She said his name and he stopped what he was doing. He held her gaze and then gave her another peck on the mouth.

“You taste too good,” he said.

“Dinner is here. We should eat. I have to be up early for work,” she said and she could see the disappointment on his face as well as on the others. She sat up with his help and then Mike reached for her hand and pulled her up and into his arms.

“Hey, gorgeous. Miss me?” he asked and she nodded her head without thinking first. He smiled and then he kissed her.

She f

elt his hand massage over her ass and give it a squeeze. When he released her lips, Jack was there to take his place. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight.

“You tired, baby?” he asked and she nodded her head.

“We’ll eat, then get you cleaned up and ready for bed.”

“I don’t think so,” she said and pulled back as Danny opened up the boxes of pizza and two bottles of beer.

She swallowed hard as she watched them eat and guzzle down a couple of bottles of beer. They were big men. How may did they have to drink before they felt buzzed? She tried not to think about Peter and how he got drunk. He always went after the hard stuff then would come after her and insult her no matter who was there.

She put down the pizza.

“What’s wrong? You don’t like pizza?” Mike asked.

“Do you guys like to drink a lot? I mean alcohol?” she asked and then wished she hadn’t. She was embarrassed. What was she going to do, ask them if they ever got drunk and said hurtful things then hit a woman?

“Baby, what kind of question is that?” Jack asked then took another slug of beer.

She stepped away from the counter and threw her paper plate into the garbage.

“Honey, does this have something to do with your fears and maybe someone who hurt you?” Danny asked her.

She swallowed hard.

“I just don’t like overdrinking, or being around people who overdrink,” she said and started to walk toward the living room, but Mike grabbed her and pulled her in front of him. He pressed her back against the counter so she couldn’t move.

“Was the person who hurt you drunk when they did it?” he asked.

“What?” Danny asked.

“Mike, please.”

Mike shook his head. “In order for this relationship to work, we have to be honest with one another. Talk to us. Explain your fears. Who was this guy that hurt you?” Mike asked as he cupped her cheek then pressed the loose strand of hair away from her face.

She lowered her eyes. “I don’t want to talk about it. I’m not ready to.”

“But this guy hurt you? He was an alcoholic?” Danny asked.

She nodded her head.

Jack stood up and walked closer. He rubbed her back trying to soothe her.

“I won’t drink around you ever if it reminds you of him.”