Dare to Tease (Dare Nation 4.5)

“Guess I’m not going straight home after all,” Bri said to Quinn. “Willow needs the dress for an event this weekend, and I had it cleaned after I wore it.”

She glanced at the garment she’d borrowed from another sister-in-law, hanging on the back of her door. Willow was engaged to Bri’s twin brother, Braden, a doctor at a downtown healthcare clinic and the team physician for the Miami Thunder football organization, where Willow worked as an athletic trainer.

“At least it’s not as far as driving to the stadium to give it to Willow yourself,” Quinn said, obviously looking for the bright side of Bri’s never-ending day.

“True.” Glancing out the window behind her, Bri noticed the sun beginning to set, the orange glow lowering on the horizon. “It’s getting late, and I don’t want to walk through that part of town alone after dark, so I’d better get going.”

“Good point. I heard the clinic isn’t in the best neighborhood, but Braden and Hudson are doing really good work.”

“They are,” Bri agreed. “And they seem happy with their jobs.”

Hudson Northfield, Braden’s best friend, also worked with both the football team and the health clinic. Tonight, Braden was at the clinic, but Bri wasn’t sure if Hudson would be there as well. Hudson, with his dark brown hair, chocolate-colored eyes, and well-groomed beard, had become part of the family since he and Braden returned from a two-year stint for Doctors Without Borders, always at their gatherings and weddings.

But Bri didn’t consider Hudson family. Not when she looked at him and her body parts tingled. All she could think about was how his facial hair would feel if he kissed her lips or started lower and that beard rubbed against her thighs. A tremor took hold, and she crossed her arms over her chest.

“What’s that smile for?” Quinn asked, leaning forward in her seat.

Crap. Bri had been daydreaming about Hudson and probably grinning like a crazy person. “Nothing. Just thinking.”

“About?” Quinn pushed, and when Bri didn’t reply right away, Quinn jumped back in. “Could you be thinking about Hudson and the way he looks at you when he believes your brothers won’t notice?”

“Why would you say that?”

And did Hudson look at her that way? Bri wondered. Yes, they had chemistry, but he’d never acted on it. Never given her any indication that he would, something she’d chalked up to Bro Code. Not making a move on his best friend’s sister.

A broad smile spread over Quinn’s face. “Look at that blush. You want him! I knew it!”

Bri shook her head. It didn’t matter how she felt. “He’s not going to act on whatever it is between us because of Braden, and I’ve come to terms with that.” She pushed herself from her seat and picked up her handbag, determined to head over to the clinic before dark.

“Bri, wait.” Quinn stood. “Look, I know you’ve had a rough time with men and relationships.”

Raising an eyebrow, Bri did her best to withhold sarcasm as she replied. “Because they always want something from me like access to my agent brother or uncle or an introduction to a famous athlete. And once they get what they want, I’m expendable. Yeah, I haven’t had an easy time.” And maybe she was a touch bitter about it, too.

Quinn’s expression softened. “Well, then you need to remember there’s nothing Hudson needs from you, so if he won’t make the first move, then maybe you should. Promise me you’ll think about it?”

Bri walked past Quinn and lifted the dress from the hook behind her door. “I’ll think about it.” It was the best she could do.

A little while later, she was following Waze directions to the clinic, making sure she didn’t get lost, despite the fact that she’d been there before. The farther downtown she drove, the more the buildings grew dilapidated. Graffiti covered much of the exteriors, and boys congregated in groups on street corners. She gripped the wheel tighter, and finally the female voice directed her to turn right and reach her destination.

She pulled her Audi into a gravel-covered parking lot and cut the engine. Braden’s car wasn’t within sight, and she’d kill him if he forgot to wait for her. Key fob in hand and bag slung over her arm, she exited the vehicle, then opened the back door to grab Willow’s dress she’d hung on a hook and held it in one hand.

The moment she stepped onto the gravel, she cursed her high heels that wobbled on the pebbles beneath her.

“Hey, ma’am.”

She spun at the sound of the male voice and nearly fell on her ass, but she managed to right herself. A stooped older man with a tattered jacket, too heavy for this time of year, stains on his tan pants, and ripped sneakers wove his way toward her.