Dare to Tease (Dare Nation 4.5)

“I hear you rescued a damsel in distress.” Before they could react, the door swung open and Braden stepped inside, his astute gaze sweeping the room and landing on first Hudson, then Bri.

And Hudson had no doubt they both looked guilty as hell.

Chapter Two

“What the hell did I just walk in on?” Braden’s glare flickered over Bri, settling directly on Hudson.

“What does it look like?” Bri asked. “And before you go all big brother on me, I’m an adult, and I can kiss whoever I want.”

She obviously wasn’t about to let her twin push her around, and Hudson admired her spunk.

“You’re in a public place,” Braden said, sounding still pissed off.

“We’re behind closed doors, and you didn’t knock.” Hudson stepped forward and put himself front and center. “Lay off your sister, Braden. We didn’t do a damn thing wrong,” he said, folding his arms across his chest. Braden might be his best friend, but he wasn’t about to let him harass Bri over something that was none of his business.

Braden raised both hands in defeat. “Fine. I’ll back off. You just took me by surprise. I don’t want to see my sister lip locked with anyone, let alone my best friend.” His frown epitomized every brother’s reaction to walking in the way he had.

Bri walked over and placed her hand on Braden’s shoulder. “Don’t walk in when a door’s shut and you won’t see anything that might make you want to scrub your eyeballs.”

His gaze fell to her hands, his eyes opening wide, obviously noticing her bandages for the first time. “What the hell happened? Are you okay?”

“I’m glad you realized what’s important.” She laughed and nodded. “I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

“Jimmy asked her for money, and when she opened her purse, he went to grab it,” Hudson said.

“I pulled back and fell. Just a little road rash.” She waved her hands in the air. “I’ll live.”

“The man’s a hazard,” Braden muttered.

“He didn’t mean to hurt her, and you know it. We’ve treated him enough to know that his intentions are always good. That said, we should put installing cameras outside on our list of to-do things when we get the money to renovate this place.”

“What kind of renovations?” Bri glanced from her brother to Hudson. Their eyes met, and sizzling awareness flashed between them, that kiss still very much on his mind and obviously on hers.

“Hudson and I have plans for this clinic if we can raise the funds we need. I’m going to talk to Uncle Paul this weekend.” Braden’s pseudo uncle/father was wealthy enough to fund his half of their plan.

Hudson’s grandfather had left him a trust fund, but his father, Martin, was the trustee, and the chances of him giving him the money without strings were slim to none. Hence his upcoming trip to New York this coming weekend. Ever since Evan’s death, his father’s notion of continuing the family lineage with a grandchild had fallen on Hudson, and it was suffocating enough to prevent him from going home to New York after he left Doctors Without Borders. Now that he needed something from the man, Hudson was sure his parent would make him pay one way or another to get what he wanted.

“Well, you know I want details, but I’m too tired to focus on them now.” Bri glanced at her hands. “Something tells me I’m going to have a tough few days getting any work done.”

“You don’t need to keep the gauze on. Just for a day or two. If you come back, I can rewrap it for you. Or if it’s easier, I’ll stop by,” Hudson offered.

“Ooh, making house calls, Dr. Northfield?” She deliberately batted her eyelashes at him, and he grinned.

He liked that she could keep her sense of humor in the face of pain and problems. He liked that she could tease him even more.

Braden fake coughed loudly. “I’m still in the room.”

With a roll of her eyes, she walked over and kissed Braden on the cheek. “Willow’s dress is with Nikki out front. Tell her I said thank you and I’ll call her soon.”

“I will. Are you sure you can drive?” He gestured to the bandages around her palms and wrist.

She nodded. “I’ll manage.”

“Call me and let me know how you’re doing, or I will track you down and hound you, and I know you don’t want that.” Leaning forward, he kissed her cheek.

“I’ll walk you to your car.” Hudson stepped forward and grasped her elbow.

Braden opened his mouth, probably to argue that he’d do it, but he took one look at Bri’s face and caved. “Drive carefully,” Braden said instead.

“I will,” she promised her twin, no joking in her tone.

Glancing over his shoulder, Hudson met Braden’s gaze. “We’ll talk when I come back inside.”

Hand on Bri’s lower back, he led her out of the room, down the hall, and into the waiting area. “I’ll be back,” he told Nikki.