Just One Dare (The Kingston Family 5)

Despite his fame, Harrison was as down-to-earth as they came. He’d had to be, in order to survive in their big family where everyone was treated equally and open to the same amount of ribbing, no matter their occupation or status. Looking out for one another always came first.

Nick took a sip of tequila, having given in to the need for a drink. No, he wasn’t imbibing in the family vodka. He wanted something harsher.

“Do you remember when I went to visit a friend in Miami Beach after my sophomore year of college?” Nick asked his sibling.

His brother leaned against the high-top table, a puzzled look on his face. “Vaguely.”

“I met a girl there.” Then he went on to explain his night with Aurora, their ‘no last name’ agreement, his falling for her and going back the next morning, only to have to leave the state before catching up with her again. “I never thought I’d see her again but she was here tonight. And you won’t believe who she is.”

Harrison raised his brows. “You gonna tell me?”

“Aurora Kingston.”

He blinked, his surprise etched all over his face. “You’re kidding?”

“No.” Nick wouldn’t make up such a close connection to his family.

“Did you talk to her tonight?”

He groaned. “I tried. She panicked and ran, but we managed to have a brief talk. I got her phone number, so I won’t lose her again.”

“Hmm. Mr. Three Dates and it’s over? What’s your plan with this girl? And before you answer, you’d better think long and hard because she’s Xander’s sister and Sasha’s sister-in-law. My partners, if your brain hasn’t kicked into gear yet,” Harrison reminded him.

Nick rolled his eyes. “I’m not an idiot. I wouldn’t go after her if my intentions weren’t…” Fuck. What were his intentions?

This was a woman he’d met six years ago. He’d barely known her then but he’d wanted to understand more about what made her tick and why they’d clicked. And after one look at her tonight, he still did.

“Don’t worry, okay?”

Harrison studied him, his eyes narrowing. “You said the summer after your sophomore year. That was what? Six years ago?”

Nick nodded. “Why?”

His brother shook his head. “No reason. So, what are your plans, as far as seeing her?”

Nick finished his drink and placed the glass on the table. “I was going to call and set up a date. But the more I think about her reaction to me tonight, the more I realize I can’t give her the chance to refuse. I think I’m going to find her address and simply show up at her house. That way, she’ll have to talk to me.” He leaned closer to his brother. “Any chance you can get me her address from your partners?”

Downing the last of his drink, Harrison shook his head. “What makes you think they’ll share their sister’s address with me?”

“Because you can be the most persuasive human in the world when you want to be.” Nick waited in silence, giving his brother time to think about it. With Harrison, Nick had found it was better to wait him out than annoy him to death.

“Fine. But you owe me.” He pulled out his phone just as his agent strode over.

“Can I have a word?” the man asked.

Harrison nodded. “I’ll call Xander as soon as we’re done,” he said to Nick. “You know, sometimes when you revisit the past, you uncover surprises you don’t expect.”

“Is that another warning, big brother?”

Harrison shook his head. “Just stating a fact. I’ll be in touch.”

“Thanks.” He slapped Harrison on the back.

Knowing his brother would come through, Nick left the party and headed to the Meridian hotel—the place he called home when in New York. Hotel living wasn’t for everyone but Nick didn’t mind. Having room and maid service fit his current bachelor lifestyle and since he traveled so much for work, the situation suited him.

Once in his room, he stripped out of the monkey suit he’d been wearing and crashed in bed. Unfortunately, sleep wouldn’t come. Not while he waited for Harrison to call with the address that, he had a hunch, would change his life.

* * *

“Mommy. Mommy. Mommy. Mommy!”

Aurora woke up to find Leah leaning over her, shaking her shoulders.

“Sorry, honey. I fell asleep late.” She pushed herself up and sat back against the headboard, waiting for her mind to clear.

“You slept in my bed!” Leah clapped her hands and her words brought back last night’s shock. Aurora had seen Nick and now she needed to prepare herself for what came next—dealing with Leah’s father.

She knew nothing about Nick. Did he have a wife? A girlfriend? Someone she’d have to share her daughter with? Nausea filled her, but she pushed it away. She wasn’t a homeless teen anymore, with no money or support. She was an adult with an equally powerful family behind her. And she was far from penniless—she even had a trust fund in her name, thanks to her siblings all agreeing that she deserved to inherit as much as they did from her father’s passing. She possessed more confidence than she had years ago, and was as protective as a mama bear when it came to her daughter.