Dare To Resist (Dare Nation 1)

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With a great babysitter in Amy, the next few days passed in a blur of Quinn catching up on work and things getting back to normal at the office. If she missed the baby’s sweet smell and adorable face, she refused to admit it to anyone, especially herself. And her nights were spent, as agreed, in Austin’s bed, which wasn’t a hardship.

He was seductive and completely attentive to her needs. The man knew his way around her body, and she’d had more orgasms than she’d had in a lifetime combined. She’d spent the last week living a life she’d sworn she didn’t want, taking care of an infant, and the last three nights in bed with a man she couldn’t resist.

As if she’d conjured him with her thoughts, Austin stepped out of his office. Although she’d just seen him this morning, she was struck anew at how handsome he was. In his normal slacks and dress shirt, sleeves rolled up, exposing his forearms, and with the sexy light beard on his face, she was reminded of what that scruff felt like against her skin. Rubbing her face, scratching her thighs. When she breathed in, the scent of him overwhelmed her in the best possible way.

“Quinn?”

“Yes?” She blinked, realizing she’d been staring and then daydreaming, and in that time, he’d sat down on the edge of her desk.

A knowing smile lifted his lips, showing her a small dimple in his cheek she only noticed up close. “I asked you if Amy can babysit tomorrow night. Paul was supposed to attend the sports journalist banquet, but he asked if I’d handle this one, and I’d like you to go with me.”

As his date or as his assistant, she wondered, unable to judge by the hot look in his eyes as he met her gaze. She had no intention of asking. “Of course I will. Amy already works for you during the weekend days. I’m sure she won’t mind staying, but I’ll call her now. Dress code?” she asked.

“Black tie.”

She nodded. “Got it. I’ll have to go home and pick up an outfit.” She had a handful of dresses she’d bought in the time she’d been working for Austin for occasions such as these. And then it dawned on her. “Actually, your mom is coming home today, isn’t she? I’ll be back in my own home by tomorrow.”

His hand froze midway to his face. This was a discussion they hadn’t had. A topic they’d deftly avoided. Her because she really did like the time she’d spent with Austin, and him probably because it meant he’d have to handle the baby more by himself, unless his mother moved in.

He actually looked hurt by the notion, yet that was the agreement.

“In that case, I’ll pick you up on the way,” he said abruptly and rose from his seat. “I’ll let you get back to work.” He walked back into his office and shut the door without looking back.

She told herself she was relieved her time as a pseudo-nanny was coming to an end, and a part of her even believed it. Just not all of her and that truth really concerned her. Worst of all, she couldn’t help feeling like she’d disappointed him somehow.

She swallowed hard and put the thought out of her head, getting back to work.

The rest of the day passed quietly. Austin took calls in his office, and she handled the phone and clients from her desk.

Then, knowing she had to make a good impression on Saturday, she decided to treat herself but she didn’t want to go alone. Picking up her cell, she pulled up her best friend’s number. A friend whose calls she’d been avoiding since Friday night, because how did she explain her current situation and have it make sense?

Evie Wolfe was a private investigator, and like Quinn, she came from a large family. Unlike Quinn, Evie was the only girl with four brothers who drove her insane and vice versa. Because how could her macho brothers keep up their overprotective behavior with a sister who was a PI, had self-defense skills, and could take care of herself?

At the thought, Quinn grinned. She missed seeing her best friend. She pressed Evie’s name.

After one ring, her friend’s voice sounded loud and clear. “Where the hell have you been?”

Quinn sighed. “You wouldn’t believe it if I told you.”

“Well, you’re going to. It isn’t like you not to call me back. Why have you been avoiding me?” Evie asked.

She was going to have to explain to her friend eventually. “Can you spend the day with me tomorrow and I’ll tell you everything? Hair, mani-pedi, and for me, makeup because I have an event that night.”

“Ooh, sounds like fun! I’ll pick you up. Let me know what time.”

Quinn smiled. “I’m looking forward to it, too. I’ll make the appointments and get back to you.”