Dare to Succeed (The Dare 2)

She gulped. He was so damn forceful and demanding. Why did that arouse her? She should fear that control. Then there was Monroe, who remained close-lipped as the sheriff opened the door to her apartment above the garage at Dr. Anders’s place.

“Set her down on the couch,” the sheriff ordered in that tone of his.

“Where did you say that first aid kit was?” he asked.

“I said I can get it and take care of it myself.”

Monroe squatted down by the couch and caressed her hair from her cheek. She froze in place. Why did he have to touch her? God, he’s so good looking and he smells incredible. Shit. I probably smell. I was running and sweating. Oh God. She was suddenly embarrassed and didn’t know how she could sniff herself without making it obvious, but then the sheriff returned to the living room with other things besides a first aid kit. They were going to stay and help her. Oh God.

* * * *

Monroe took every opportunity to take in the sight of Alicia. She was so damn sexy and beautiful. The short shorts she wore were tight and small. Her thighs muscular and toned, and the tank top she wore barely confined her abundant breasts. In this position on the couch, on her side, her breasts were pouring from the top, revealing way more cleavage than he ever had the opportunity to see on Alicia.

His brother Max was getting the supplies ready to clean out the cut and ensure she didn’t get an infection.

“I can do this. Really, you both don’t need to waste your time. I’m sure you have better things to do,” she said but Max ignored her.

“Lay still, this may sting a little.”

“Max knows what he’s doing, baby,” Monroe said to her then placed his hand on her hip, where skin was exposed as she shifted the moment the water collided against the cuts and scrapes on her thigh.

“Ouch. Oh damn that hurts,” she said and maneuvered her face into the pillow. The move caused her ass to push out nearly off the couch and gave them a perfect view of her backside.

“Stay still,” Monroe told her and glanced at his brother. Max looked so serious. He probably felt responsible for her injuries. He couldn’t help himself. As Max continued to wash out the wound while Alicia moaned and shivered, he caressed her arm. Her shoulder then to her hip. She was so sexy and beautiful. He thought about her all the time. When his brother texted today he thought perhaps Max made a move, Alicia accepted it, and wanted Monroe and Caldwell, too. Maybe not.

* * * *

Alicia felt her heart racing and damn it her pussy ached more than the damn cuts and scratches on her thigh. These men were so attractive, and she liked them, Caldwell, too, even though he wasn’t here. God, she hoped they didn’t call him to come over, too, or she was done for. They were playing with her. They had to be. They could get any woman they wanted. Why would they waste time with the likes of her?

“Thank you for doing this, but it really wasn’t necessary,” she said, tilting her head to the side to lock gazes with

Max and Monroe.

“You never would have been able to do this on your own. You’re squirming and cringing even now. I had to make sure all that dirt and bad stuff was out of it,” Max said then placed his hands on her thigh and calf at each end from where the cuts and scratches began and ended. He moved her leg slightly.

“I think I got it all out. Now for the ointment,” he said.

She turned toward him. “You don’t have to do that. I can get it,” she said, taking in the sight of his uniform, the badge, and that older, more seasoned expression he always had. She was angering him. He was complicated. Her life was way too complicated already.

She felt the hand on her shoulder then fingers touch her chin and tilt it upward. Her eyes locked gazes with Monroe.

“It’s our responsibility to protect you and watch out for you. We don’t want to ever see you hurt, or in pain. Got that?” he asked.

Her core tightened and in her mind she wished she were different, stronger, capable of having men like Monroe, Caldwell, and Max, but she wasn’t. She was weak, palpable to the point where their control, their good looks, their attraction she felt for them would overrule her rational mind and make her succumb to hurt and sadness once again. Like the books she read all said. You must first admit to the problem, agree that you have a problem before you can make changes to alleviate the problem and make it disappear. She’d been trying to do that for the better part of a year now. No such luck.

“I am not your responsibility. It isn’t your job to protect me and watch over me. You had to do that for a week while Marlena was in danger. We’re months past that. Listen, I’m not going to argue with you. I appreciate the help with this, but I think I’ll be okay.”

She felt Max press the ointment to her raw skin and she flinched. “Oh God,” she whispered.

“Easy, baby. I know it burns. I’ll be quick,” Max said. The fact that he called her “baby” was one thing, but the way it made her feel was completely another. Her pussy clenched, her breasts felt full, and she wished for things she stopped wishing for once Tony screwed her over.

Monroe stood up and walked toward the wall with her displays of stained glass panels she made. Then he looked at the one she was working on. A custom order.

“These are amazing, Alicia. You should open up your own storefront.”

Max wiped his hands after he closed up the tube.

“I don’t know. It’s risky.”