Dare To Resist (Dare Nation 1)

He winked at her and damned if her panties didn’t grow damp. Damn, the man was potent.

She shot him a mock glare and pulled out a bunch of offers from her purse. Drawing a deep breath, she slid closer until her thigh touched his and his body heat radiated through the soft denim. She swallowed hard, doing her best to ignore his warm masculine scent that smelled so good.

He perused the documents, going over each by athlete, giving her his opinion, and placing the finished ones on his other side. She took notes, offering her own two cents deal by deal, but she saw him fading fast. Bri had told her he’d been warned about the exhaustion part of the recovery, hence his inability to return to work for a total of six full weeks and no heavy lifting at all.

She pulled the papers out of his hand. “You need to rest.”

He frowned. “Dammit. The doctors said the fatigue could last a good three months while my body gets used to filtering through one kidney.”

“Well, behave yourself. Do what the doctors say and you’ll be back in no time.” She glanced across his lap and reached for the papers he’d put aside.

Her arm brushed the bulge in his pants and she sucked in a breath. He stiffened and grabbed her wrist with one hand. Seconds passed with just the sound of their harsh inhales and exhales echoing between them.

“Quinn,” he said in a gruff voice.

She turned her head. Big mistake. Her gaze met his and his lips were way too close.

“You should move away,” he said, not making an effort to shift his own head at all.

“I know,” she whispered. But she was frozen in place, the desire to kiss him, to feel the beard that now covered his face against her skin overwhelming.

His grip on her wrist tightened. And still she didn’t turn away. So he closed the distance between them and sealed his lips over hers. Her lashes fluttered closed and she met him halfway, accepting the kiss. His mouth slid over hers, causing her body to come alive. Flutters took up residence in her stomach, and yearning slid like honey through her veins. He might be lacking stamina but his kiss was strong enough to consume her whole.

He parted his mouth, his facial hair tickling her lips as his tongue speared inside and tangled with hers. She groaned and his free hand came up to her neck, gripping her tight and holding her in place as he continued the delicious onslaught.

If not for the recent surgery, nothing would stop her from climbing into his lap, settling herself over the hard erection that was still pressing into her arm, and grinding against him while he continued the deep, drugging kiss. His lips played with hers, their tongues tangled and teeth clashed, and she knew he wanted more, just as she did.

“Jesus Christ, Austin. You just had major surgery. Can’t this wait?” a male voice asked.

Though Austin released his grip on her neck, he didn’t seem nearly as disturbed as she was, and she jumped back, mortified.

“Calm your shit, Dr. Prescott. I haven’t moved an inch. No violating doctor’s orders,” Austin said in a desire-laden voice.

She closed her eyes, wanting the floor to swallow her whole. She peeked over and saw Braden shaking his head at his brother.

“I’m sorry.” She jumped up, kneeling for the papers that fell to the floor.

“Quinn—”

Austin said her name but she ignored him, gathering the documents.

Braden stepped over and helped her. “Relax,” he said in her ear. “He’s perfectly fine. I’m just making sure he doesn’t pull his Steri-Strips.”

She shook her head. “No. This shouldn’t have happened. I work for him.” She stood and shoved the documents into her purse.

“Braden, give us a minute,” Austin said.

His brother left the room and she forced herself to meet Austin’s concerned gaze.

“I shouldn’t have kissed you. If I made you uncomfortable, I’m sorry,” he said.

“You didn’t. Make me uncomfortable, I mean. I wanted you to kiss me. It just can’t happen again. I need this job.” She had student loans for what her scholarship didn’t cover. Hell, given the way she was raised, taking care of every baby in her family, siblings and cousins, she needed this job to validate who she was as a person. “I love this job. And I’m not going to risk it by getting involved with my boss.”

Especially not with a playboy who could pick up any woman he wanted at any random meal of the day. And she’d certainly seen females be less than circumspect, slipping him their number, rubbing against him, and being outright rude to Quinn, pushing her aside when they were out for business.

“I value you, Quinn. I don’t want to lose you either.”

She managed a nod.

“So we’re good?” he asked.