Dare to Stay (Dare Nation 4)

“Do you miss being away?” she asked.

He immediately shook his head. “No. I’m happy to be back with my family.” He paused, waiting for her to meet his gaze before continuing. “And with you.”

She slid her tongue over her lips and put the spoon down on the makeshift table. “I think we should call it a night. We have to be up early.” Things had gotten carried away and deep enough for one night. At least for her.

He took the hint and stood. “Let’s pull this outside,” he said of the room-service cart.

She opened the hall door for him, and he eased the cart outside before returning.

“About the kiss…” she began.

He leaned against the entry leading to his room, looking extremely sexy as his intent gaze met hers. “You’re going to say it shouldn’t have happened, but I disagree. And I’m sure when you’re lying in bed tonight thinking of my mouth on yours, you’ll feel differently. Even if it kills you to admit it.”

He leaned in and briefly touched his lips to hers before walking into his room and closing the door behind him.

And as she shut her side of the connecting doors, her lips weren’t the only part of her body tingling.

* * *

Braden sat down on his bed and groaned, adjusting his cock behind his sweats. Walking out of Willow’s room hadn’t been easy, but it had definitely been the right thing to do. Though he’d allowed himself to get lost in the kiss, he’d remained attuned to her feelings every step of the way and sensed the minute she mentally and emotionally disconnected. Her body had stiffened, and before she could stop kissing him, he’d broken contact and backed away first.

She didn’t trust him, and to push harder or to sleep with her would only lead to her having regrets. He wanted to build something solid, not have things break down even further. So here he was, alone in his hotel room, with the woman he wanted on the other side of the wall.

Besides, she might not be in a serious relationship with another man, but there was something between Willow and Cole, and it needed to end before they progressed sexually. She wasn’t the type of woman to cheat on a man, and he had a feeling once the adrenaline from their kiss wore off, she wouldn’t be happy with herself. Braden could only hope that kiss showed her what was missing in her life and push her to end things with Cole.

The night passed, and before he knew it, they were on the field for the game the next day. They worked as a team through injuries—one concussion, a high ankle sprain, and myriad of other issues—and after a win, they were back on the plane and headed home.

No sooner had he walked into his apartment than his phone rang. He glanced down to see his mother calling. Christine Prescott was a good parent who’d done her best despite a challenging marriage to a tough man, and Braden didn’t hold his father’s behavior against her. She knew his schedule so he wasn’t concerned about her calling so late.

He hit reply. “Hey, Mom,” he said as he locked up and headed straight to his bedroom.

“Welcome home.”

He chuckled. “Do you have radar? I just got here.” He dropped his bag on the floor of his bedroom, leaving the unpacking for another time.

“I figured as much. Did you have a good trip?” she asked.

“It’s a whirlwind,” he said of his time in Denver. “I can’t believe they play, turn around, and return on the same night only to practice again first thing Monday morning. It’s crazy.”

“You sound like it was fun, though.”

He grinned, thinking of the rush of standing on the field, sprinting to someone’s aid, watching Willow tape up an injury and send the player back out to play. “It was exhilarating.”

“I must say I’m relieved to hear that,” she murmured.

“Relieved? Why?” He kicked off his shoes and stretched out on the bed.

“Because it means you’re really home to stay. Your family is here and you belong with us. And speaking of family, I wanted to talk to you about Thanksgiving.”

He blinked up at the ceiling. “Wow. I hadn’t thought about the holiday. It’s in what? Two weeks?”

“Exactly,” his mom said. “Now the Thunder isn’t playing on Thursday, and Damon’s lucky enough to be in the same city as his family. He’s bringing some of the players home with him. We’re going to be a huge crowd this year. So feel free to bring anyone you want.”

He grinned at his mom’s generous heart. “Hudson will be there for sure.” His best friend’s family was on the East Coast, and given that he was avoiding going home, Braden assumed Hudson would rather remain in Miami and work.

“He’s more than welcome, but I was thinking of a certain blonde I saw standing beside you on the sidelines.”