Dare To Resist (Dare Nation 1)

In the time she’d spent by Austin’s side, becoming familiar with clients and learning the office, she’d discovered she liked the man she worked for. He was demanding, which she could handle, didn’t put up with shit from his young clients who thought they were God’s gift to whatever sport they excelled in, and was a whiz at negotiating and putting someone in their place. She admired him and could learn a lot from watching him.

That was the professional Quinn.

Quinn the woman still had a huge crush on her employer and admired the fact that he was donating an organ to a family member. But she would never act on her feelings, and the job, as she’d hoped, was perfect for her.

Austin treated her with the utmost respect, and never in the time they’d been together had he crossed any boundaries or treated her like a woman he desired. She had, however, caught him looking at her with a slow simmer in his eyes more than once and convinced herself she was imagining things. It was for the best that they remain professional.

Needing something to hold when she walked in to face him, she’d stopped on the way and found the perfect item along with a package of Tim Tams her friend had brought home from Australia.

She headed up the long driveway filled with cars and across the walkway. The door was partially open, so she pushed the doorbell and walked inside.

Bri greeted her immediately with a warm hug. “It’s so nice of you to stop by.” She glanced at the bag in Quinn’s hand. “Aww, you didn’t have to bring the patient a gift,” she said with a grin. “Come meet everyone.”

Quinn followed Bri through a marble entryway into a hallway filled with people. The men all had a distinct family resemblance, not to mention the same requisite amount of testosterone. Wow, those Prescotts were hot, she mused as Bri pulled her past the guys who’d, for whatever reason, ended up in the hallway and into a big family room, where Damon sat in an oversized reclining chair drinking from a can of soda and watching television while Austin lay on the sofa.

“Your highness, you have a visitor,” Bri said, causing Quinn to chuckle. Bri turned her gaze to Damon. “You. Out. Let them catch up so Austin stops asking what’s going on at the office. I’ll go feed the rest of the crew,” she said.

Damon smirked at Austin, then headed out. Bri’s voice rose as she shepherded the family into the kitchen and the din of voices grew lower.

Austin gestured for her to come farther into the room. He looked good in a pair of gray sweats and a navy tee shirt as he leaned back against a suede oversized sofa that was located in front of the massive large screen. The beard on his face suited him, and those gorgeous indigo eyes stared at her, a slow grin forming on his sensual mouth.

“To what do I owe the pleasure?” he asked.

“I wanted to see for myself how you’re doing. And here. I brought you something.”

She handed him the bag, watching and suddenly embarrassed as he pulled out a stuffed horse, the Thunder mascot, wearing a jersey. “I love it,” he said on a low, sexy laugh.

“I didn’t want to come empty-handed.”

“What’s this?” He held the Tim Tams in his hand.

“You’ve never had Tim Tams? They’re only the best Australian cookie ever. Chocolate biscuits surrounded by a chocolate cream filling.” She moaned at the thought of the cookie she’d had this morning, remembering the taste that had exploded on her tongue.

His eyes dilated at her unintentional sexual sound. Shit. She cleared her throat. “You should try one.”

An amused smile lifted his lips. “I will. And thank you, Quinn,” he said in his rumbling voice. “Have a seat. I can’t stand or I’d be a gentleman and do the right thing my parents taught me.”

Grinning, she sat with a good amount of space between them.

“I’ve never seen you in jeans,” he said.

She blinked in surprise. “No, I guess you haven’t. But I wasn’t going to come here dressed for the office.”

His gaze drank her in. “Well, I like the casual look on you.”

“I … thank you.”

He blinked and shook his head. “Sorry. That was inappropriate. So how have things been at the office? I’ve tried to check in, but my family has been alternating as babysitters, making sure I don’t do much as per doctor’s orders. Another five weeks of doing nothing and I may lose my mind.”

She smiled, knowing how much he thrived on work. “Everything is fine. Quiet. You can relax and heal.”

“Can we go over some of the new endorsements that have come in? I know Bri’s helping you as is Rex King.” He referred to the main agent who was directing her in Austin’s absence. “But I hate being out of the loop. So show me those papers I know you slipped into your bag.”