Dare to Forgive (The Dare 3)

“Shall we head back to work? I want to get an update on this new project you all have been working on.”

“You mean your sons haven’t been filling you in?”

“Well, maybe a little here and there.” He winked, and Adel knew that Harold stayed on top of things with the company even though he gave complete operations and control over to his sons.

They headed inside and she was feeling a little bit better after the encouragement from both Harold and Mercedes. Then she locked gazes with Hank as she entered the door. He looked pissed off. What else was new? That was Hank’s expression most of the time.

Harold guided her inside, saying hello to some employees as she made her way past Hank. He stopped her, touching her hand. She looked up into his eyes. He towered over her despite the heels she wore.

“Are you okay?” he whispered, his voice, that tone affecting her instantly. She nodded.

“I’m good. I’ll meet you in the meeting room shortly.”

“I saw you talking with my dad, and you disappeared for lunch, not even telling us where you went. Are you sure that you’re okay?” he asked and she could sense his sincerity. Hell, even with her emotions screwed up and her guard on high alert all the time, she sensed his care.

“I’m good. You have a great father. You’re lucky to have him,” she said.

He released her hand, looked perplexed at her comment, and then she headed inside, but not before noticing Levi Holmes watching her. She looked away, but the hairs on the back of her neck stood up and an uneasy feeling filled her belly. She didn’t like that guy. He was definitely creepy.

Chapter 4

“I don’t know about this,” Will stated with his arms crossed as he stood in front of Hank’s desk. Leo was smirking.

“Why not? It’s a good opportunity for Hank to get to know Adel on a more personal level, and to schmooze with the Morrisons. You’ll need as much help as you can get to impress their project manager, Cadence Crowe. What a douche bag that guy is,” Leo added.

“You’re not kidding. Thanks to Dad we found out about this dinner party and got the invite for the fundraiser. I’d better go ask her now to be sure she has enough time to get ready,” Hank said and then cleared his throat and fixed the tie he wore with his dress shirt today.

“Go get her, brother,” Will teased and Hank gave him a dirty look.

His brothers, the little wise-ass bastards, knew that Adel made him nervous. Those nerves came across in orders and barks at everyone including Adel.

He walked out of the office and saw her on the phone. She was writing something down on a pad of paper and stating that she would check Leo’s calendar to see if he were available for a dinner. He wondered who it was and as she disconnected the call she looked sad. His stomach churned. What had gotten her upset?

“Adel?” he said her name as he approached her desk. She turned to look at him and it seemed she had tears in her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Nothing,” she replied and looked him over. She had complimented his tie the other day but had yet to make any compliment today. Maybe she didn’t like green ties. He would have to note that. What was he thinking? She didn’t even say she didn’t like it.

“Hank, is there something you needed?” she asked, interrupting his own idiotic mental conversation.

“Oh, um, I need your assistance with something for tomorrow night. There’s a dinner, a fundraising event in Lancaster. The Morrisons are going to be there and I was wondering. Well, if you weren’t busy, or had any plans, that perhaps you could go with me? As my date?”

“A date, but also business?”

“Well…yes, but a good opportunity for the two of us to spend some alone time together. Well, I mean not completely alone because we’re going to a party but, you know what I mean.”

She smiled at him and it seemed like she was laughing at him. She made him so damn nervous, he acted like a virgin. Fuck, where did that thought come from? Hell, she was gorgeous and had a sexy body of course he would love to explore it.

“I guess I can change my plans. I was just meeting the girls for a movie night. Oh, what is the dress code? Fancy, cocktail dress, gown? I don’t have a lot of things in my wardrobe,” she said and then lowered her eyes as if she were embarrassed for not having a gazillion outfits.

“Surely, you would look stunning in anything. I would say cocktail dress most likely. It’s at a small venue. Invite only. I can pick you up at your place at seven? Will that work for tomorrow night?”

“Sure.”

“Great.”

He stood there watching her, unable to take his eyes off of her. Her big brown doe eyes held his, the thick lashes accentuating them even more so, and the conservative pale pink outfit hugged her figure. He wanted to ask her to get him some coffee or bend over and look in the fi