Dare To Resist (Dare Nation 1)

“No need. I’ll look them over eventually. So you like sports?”

She nodded. “I come from a big family on both sides. A lot of siblings, cousins, uncles, everyone’s a sports fan. I learned early.”

He rolled a pen between his palms. “I hear you. My family was and is big on sports as well.”

“You think? Two NFL players, an MLB star, a sports publicist sister … it’s impressive.”

The first candidate who’d truly done her research. He was impressed right back. “So why do you want this job, Quinn? Better yet, what qualifies you over the other equally competent applicants I’ve seen today?” He hoped she’d stutter over her words or in some way give him a reason not to hire her so he could ask her out instead.

A wry smile pulled at those sexy lips. “Well, let’s see. I’m organized, efficient, and I can corral a band of preschoolers, which means I’m certain I can handle arrogant athletes.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Stereotype much?”

A pretty flush rose to her cheeks, but she didn’t duck her head or look away. “If the shoe fits…”

He liked this sassy woman. “So you’re saying because I played football…”

“And were a Heisman Trophy winner, Rookie of the Year, and three-time Super Bowl winner that you’re arrogant? Yes. Or else you wouldn’t be the man sitting behind that desk today.” She folded her hands in her lap and waited for his reply.

Not only had she done her homework, she looked him in the eye and was unafraid to stand up to him. “You’re hired.”

She blinked in surprise. “I’m sorry, what did you just say?”

He rose to his full height. “I said, you’re hired. When can you start? Because I’m having major surgery in two weeks and I need someone to hold down the fort while I’m gone. Keep the clients calm and all that.”

Those red lips he had plenty of uses for, in his imagination anyway, opened and closed twice before she composed herself and stood. “I can start whenever you need me. And thank you, Mr. Prescott.”

“We’re going to be working closely together, so call me Austin.”

“Thank you, Austin.”

He inclined his head. “We’ll see if you’re still thanking me once you’ve dealt with many of the juveniles I call clients. Your assessment of arrogant wasn’t far off the mark.”

She laughed, the sound one that would be a bright light in this office. Jesus, he was in trouble.

He strode around the desk and came up beside her. “You can talk to Bri outside. She’ll take you down to our office manager, who will have you fill out paperwork and get you settled. Can you start the day after tomorrow? That’ll give us time to get you up to speed before I’m out for at least five weeks. Maybe six.” It sucked but his body needed to adapt to having one kidney. The doctors had warned him about exhaustion most of all.

He glanced at her and she was still in shock. Since the salary and benefits had been laid out in the job description, he didn’t need to go over those details.

Finally she nodded, her eyes wide, her expression brimming with excitement. “I’m looking forward to it. Thanks again.” She spun and headed out the door, leaving him behind in a floral haze of lust and need for a woman he wouldn’t be able to touch.

As long as she worked for him, his motto would be hands off. Or hands on his cock, since he had a feeling he’d be jerking off to thoughts of Quinnlyn Stone at least once or twice before he got his inappropriate need for her out of his system.

Austin glanced at his Rolex, one of the first gifts he’d bought for himself once he signed his original NFL contract, and counted down the minutes. It didn’t take long for Bri to let herself in without knocking.

“I thought you were taking Quinn to meet with Lindsay,” he said of their office manager.

“Already handled.” His sister was the fixer of the family, mediating arguments amongst the four Prescott male siblings and occasionally their father, Jesse, when he’d been alive, like a pro. Her becoming a sports publicist was a natural choice after dealing with her family for years.

Bri plopped into the chair Quinn had been seated in earlier. “So that was a fast hire. What did you see in her that was different? Beyond the fact that she’s gorgeous and exactly your type?” Bri waggled her eyebrows. “Since I know you wouldn’t misbehave at work or hire her because you’re attracted to her.”

“Wiseass,” he muttered. “Quinn has the balls to handle the job,” he said bluntly.

“And handle you?”

He grinned. “She called me an arrogant athlete and proceeded to back up her claim. I’d say she’s perfect for the job.”

“Great! Now are you ready for surgery?” Bri leaned forward, resting her elbows on the desk. “We all got tested to be Uncle Paul’s donor but you drew the lucky straw.” She shook her head. “Do we still call him Uncle Paul? It’s all so weird.”