Dare Page 6

  “Oh, hell no.” Olivia leaned forward and grabbed the tub of melted ice cream. “I don’t need any men around me right now. Fuck that.” After scooping up a spoonful of ice cream, she put it in her mouth and savored the minty taste. “You guys got me into this mess. Don’t do me any more favors.”

  “Hey, don’t blame us.” Candy sat up from the corner of the sofa, and steadied her drunk self on the coffee table in front of her. “We didn’t think you’d fall for this guy. You should have picked a stranger. Isn’t that what we said in the dare? Or something like that. I can’t remember now. No, you fuck off and find a dude that you know, someone you’ve had an attraction to for a while.”

  “Thaz right, Livs. Is not our fault,” Holly proclaimed.

  “I’m sorry, you’re right, but dammit.” Olivia laid her head on the back of her La-Z-Boy. “This hurts. I can’t believe anyone would think I’d do something so devious and disgusting. Me of all people! Do people think I’m dishonest, really?”

  “Hell no! Don’t let them bastards make you doubt yourself or feel like shit. They’re a bunch of dickwads who need a boot right in the balls. They don’t know you at all.” Candy was always willing to kick asses and ask questions later.

  Olivia’s throat tightened at hearing her best friends stick up for her against the injustice she’d received. She just wished Dare had believed in her as unconditionally as her girls did. Yes, he hadn’t known her long, or nearly as well. But after the time they’d spent together, the things they’d done, the ways she’d opened her body and soul to him—he should have known better.

  Damn him.

  Damn him for making her fall in love with him.

  Tears ran down her cheeks. Her heart felt as if it had taken a beating with a sledgehammer.

  “Oh, Livs, don’t cry.” Candy and Holly surrounded her, holding her close.

  When no more tears showed, Olivia took a deep breath. She kissed each of her friends’ heads. She was stronger than this. The tears had come, harder than she thought, but she’d survive.

  Dare had made her no promises. She was responsible for her own feelings. She needed to find out who had framed her. Once she uncovered that, both Dare and Malone Senior owed her apologies. A lot of them.

  Hell, maybe some flowers, too.

  “I can’t sit here and pity-party it any longer. I have to find out who’s behind all this.”

  “Yes, we’ll help you,” Candy said adamantly.

  “No, no. I don’t need you getting into any trouble because of me.” Olivia held up her hand before they interrupted. “No, end of discussion. I’ll do this on my own.” She stood, her legs weak and shaky.

  “Maybe you should do that tomorrow, Agatha Christie. Sleuthing at this time of night, and after consuming alcohol, might not be a good idea.” Candy held onto her bicep to keep them both upright.

  Olivia peered at the mantel clock, surprised to see that it was nearly midnight. The afternoon had flown by once the girls—and alcohol—arrived.

  “Yes, a good night’s sleep might help.” She made her way to the hall on her own, using the walls for support. “Both of you make use of the spare room. The futons are always ready, so goodnight.”

  “Everything will be better in the morning, Liv,” Holly said softly, eyes sleepy as she made her way down the hall.

  “Both of you to bed, I’ll lock up and be right behind you,” Candy ordered.

  Olivia wanted to believe what Holly said was true but she didn’t believe in fairytales any more. She was in some deep shit and had to find a way out of this mess.

  Dare would have been the one person she’d turn to in order to clear her name. Why couldn’t he believe her?

  She closed her bedroom door, crawled up the bed and fell into a heap on her stomach.

  Dare’s face, eyes disappointed, was the last thing she saw before her body relaxed and sleep claimed her.

  ****

  Dare knocked on Olivia’s condo door. He wasn’t sure how to make things right with her but he had to try.

  He hadn’t really believed she’d betrayed Presley and Malone, and ultimately him, but the evidence was overwhelming. He had to struggle with his part in everything. She’d left the office the day before thinking he believed she’d betrayed them one hundred percent.

  If anything, he’d been ninety percent sure of her innocence but couldn’t make heads or tails of the rest. It all happened so fast, it took a while for his head to stop spinning. Someone had used her to leak information. He’d needed time to find out who and why. To say he was surprised at what he uncovered was an understatement.

  He knocked again, a little harder this time, and waited. He hoped she wasn’t looking through a window or peephole and refusing to the open the door. He could understand her reasoning, though. Nothing like the man you’d spent hours with—opening up and exploring one another repeatedly from head to toe—believing you’re a dishonest and unethical person.

  He had to hold out hope she’d at least listen to him.

  He heard footfalls on the other side of the door, stood straighter and braced himself for what lay ahead.

  Please, Livvy, let me back in.

  The door swung open. Dare was taken aback by the attractive woman on the other side.

  Her blonde hair was mussed as if she’d spent the last twenty-four hours in the throes of passion, her barely there t-shirt covered her assets and hung off one shoulder. She was positively gorgeous. Her large breasts were more than a handful, and many men would love to find out just how much of one.

  While he could appreciate her beauty, she did nothing for his libido. Olivia was the only woman who made him think of endless nights, rolling naked in bed, on the floor or wherever, and dying in her arms. Plus the fire in this woman’s eyes was enough to kill a man.

  “Who the hell are you?” she demanded.

  “Who are you? I’m here to see Olivia.” He took a step forward, only to find himself pressed against this woman, whose height barely cleared his jawline. He looked down. Her sky-blue eyes fired daggers at him. He didn’t really want to do battle with this woman but would if need be.

  He remembered Livvy mention a few of her friends during their time together—when they had come up for air and talked—and searched his mind for the names.

  Liv’s description of a tough-as-nails and goddess-like beauty filled his mind. She was a model with a stupid name.

  Brandy…Cocoa…Cherry…

  No, Candy. What kind of parents named their daughter such a ridiculous name? It made him think of cotton candy and bubble-headed cheerleaders from high school.

  He stepped back a little and exhaled. “You must be Candy. Livvy told me a lot about you.”

  Hands on her hips, she scrutinized him up and down. Her gaze lingered over the crotch of his jeans and made him want to cover himself, but the smartass smirk on her face had him standing his ground.

  He’d be damned if he’d be intimidated by this little bit of a woman who he suspected had a bigger bark than bite. At least he hoped so.

  “Where’s Olivia?” He crossed the threshold of the condo, not caring that his broad shoulder bumped hers a little harder than was his normal practice around women. He needed to see Olivia and no watchdog would deny him access.

  “Ahh, you must be the douche, Darren. Or should I say, Dare?” She slammed the door behind her. “Your friends must not like you much to give you such an idiotic name.”

  Dare followed her into the living room, grinning. What a little spitfire. “You know, that’s kinda calling the kettle black, isn’t it? I mean, how does someone get over the fact that her own parents had issues by giving her a name like Candy? Makes one stop and think, doesn’t it?”

  A wave of pride washed over him when her eyes lit with fire and brimstone. She gave as good as she got; so did he. If his relationship with Olivia progressed as he hoped, this woman needed to know the ground rules. He didn’t take kindly to anyone telling him what to do or interfering in his life. And h
e wouldn’t tolerate any of Olivia’s friends getting between them.

  “My, my, Olivia mentioned you were the strong, domineering type—obviously in a delicious kind of way—but I’m still impressed.”

  “I’m sure you are.” He chuckled and gave her a respectful nod. “I doubt many men stand toe-to-toe with you often. You’re definitely one woman that any man wouldn’t want to get into a battle with.”

  Satisfaction filled her gaze. “Yes, well, you’ll do well to remember that. Now, what the hell are you doing here? Don’t you think you’ve done enough damage?”

  Dare gaped at her then his gaze quickly swept the room. He eyed the empty bottles of vodka and orange juice, as well as the puddle of—whatever the hell that green slop was—and understanding dawned.

  “Drank a bit too much, did you, ladies?” He moved toward the kitchen after picking up a few bottles, needing something to do with himself until Olivia surfaced. He didn’t want to face her after she’d spent a long night of drinking and probably suffering with a hangover. He wanted her completely present and accounted for when they talked.

  “That’s none of your damn business. Gimme those.” Candy snatched the bottles from his hands and put them carefully in the sink. He would have laughed if he thought she wouldn’t slug him for it.

  “Olivia isn’t going to be in the mood to see you today. Or any day for that matter. Why don’t you just cut your losses and go back to those weasels you work for? We’ll take care of her from here. Just like always.”

  Her smoldering gaze burned into his. He had no doubt she would take care of Olivia, but it was time that someone else managed the job from here.

  “Cut my losses? I don’t know what Livvy told you about me, but there’s one thing you need to understand. I do not plan on going anywhere.”

  Candy laughed, then quickly sobered and put a finger to her temple. He hoped the pain in her head was as bad as the pain in the ass she was being for him.

  “You’ve all hurt her enough. What kind of fuckin’ idiots are you people up in that tower of law offices, anyway? To think that she would betray any of you, feed your opponents information, you have to be bigger than idiots. Fuckers have lost your minds.” Candy turned her back on him and tugged the percolator close.

  Dare watched her put a filter in the top, grab a coffee tin from the fridge and fill the machine with four scoops of ground coffee. She might be hell on wheels but he respected her for speaking her mind—and the truth.

  Presley and Malone had crossed a line, but he wasn’t about to get into that with her. “Look, you don’t know everything. Let’s just call a truce until I can talk to Olivia. Then things can be explained to you later, as she sees fit.”

  Candy whirled back toward him. “If you think for one moment you’re going to waltz in here and continue to hurt her, you’re a bigger idiot than I thought.”

  “Listen—” Dare began.

  “What’s going on?” A soft voice asked from behind him.

  He turned, his gaze landing on another blonde beauty. She wasn’t as striking as Candy, but she was definitely easy on the eyes. At least she wore a longer t-shirt. He didn’t feel as uncomfortable around this one.

  Damn, how many of these friends did Olivia have? Some of his buddies would die to stand where he was right now. Maybe if things worked out, he could play matchmaker.

  “Who are you?” Blue Eyes demanded as she moved to stand beside Candy.

  Unity in numbers. Okay.

  Dare shook his head and held out his hand. “Name is Darren, or Dare to my friends.”

  She gawked at his hand scornfully. “How about I just call you asshole?”

  Oh good, another foul-mouthed best friend who wanted to kick his ass. “Come on, ladies. I’m just going to wait here for Olivia to wake up. Let’s not do the hostile thing all over again, all right?”

  He moved to the living room and sat in the grey La-Z-Boy. He and Olivia had made great use of it the other morning. He could still picture her, legs on each arm and spread out as he feasted on her pussy with his lips and tongue. Her hands had gripped the back of the chair as her hips rocked toward him. He’d knelt on the floor in front of her, stroking his cock and tasting everything she had to give. She made him lose his mind.

  He shifted and brought himself back to the moment and adjusted the front of his jeans. The ladies walked into the room—Candy finally dressed in some sort of baggy pants—and sat on the sofa. She glared at him while the other one peered at him, curious.

  “Why are you here?” Blue Eyes asked. “Besides to see Olivia?”

  Dare understood her meaning. She wanted to know what he really intended. “I need to talk to her, set things right.”

  “Oh, geez, you mean you’re not going to kick her while she’s already down?” Candy snarled.

  He shook his head. The woman had serious issues that went far beyond him and Olivia. Her panties were twisted into a knot over some guy; he’d bet money on it.

  “I care about her too, all right? Things got out of hand yesterday and I need to talk to her about it.”

  “Is she in trouble?” Blue Eyes asked softly, tears filling them.

  “What’s your name?” Dare sat forward, feeling a kinship to this woman who cared so much for Olivia.

  “Holly.”

  “Holly, she isn’t in any trouble. I promise. I just need her to give me a few minutes to explain everything. Things have been worked out, to a certain extent.”

  “What the hell does that mean?” Candy demanded and stood, hands on her hips.

  “I would rather explain everything to Livvy, all right? Let’s just say I handled things.”

  “Oh, I just bet you did. And now you expect to come by here and pick up where you left off, Dare?” she scoffed.

  He stood, anger filling him. Damn, she made his blood boil. Who the hell was she to demand anything from him?

  “That’s all you were, ya know. Just a dare. We dared her to pick up a man, spend the night with him, and guess what? You were the pitiful man she chose. She really scraped the bottom of the barrel when she found you. Don’t consider yourself lucky or important. You were just a one-night—oh, excuse me—a forty-some hour dare that’s now over. There’s nothing left here for you.”

  Dare’s heart thudded and his hands tightened. Cheapening what he had with Olivia really pissed him off. How dare she? It was so much more than she could possibly understand.

  “Go to hell. You don’t know jack-shit about my relationship with Olivia.”

  “Relationship!” Candy scoffed. “You don’t have a relationship. If you did, if you really knew her, you would never have turned your back on her yesterday. You don’t know her as well as you think you do. You should just go fuck yourself and don’t come back.”

  Candy was about an inch away as he scanned her tight face and angry eyes. They breathed heavily, loud enough to fill the room.

  He swallowed hard, reining in his temper and took a small step back. With the chair right behind him, it wasn’t much, but he needed space.

  He’d never met a pricklier female. He pitied the fool who ever tried to get close to her. But he had to admire her for how ferociously she protected Olivia. He couldn’t find fault in that at all.

  “Candy,” Holly intervened. “Ease up. Leave him alone.”

  Glad for one small ally, Dare nodded at her, grateful. “Thank you. Let’s just sit and wait for Livvy. Please.”

  He held Candy’s gaze until she relented and moved back to the sofa.

  “Dare?”

  He swung around toward the hallway. Olivia stood at the living room door. Hair tousled, no makeup, dressed in the same black pants suit she wore yesterday—she looked like hell.

  His breath hitched, knowing that he’d played a part in her unhappiness. Her eyes were clear, but her confusion was easy to read.

  She looked good enough to eat, too. He wanted nothing more than to sweep her up in his arms and feel her lips under his again.

 
Her shoulders straightened and her jaw clenched. He took a deep breath, and prepared himself for the storm about to come. He had a feeling Candy would be the least of his worries.

  Chapter Seven

  Olivia couldn’t believe Dare stood in her living room.

  She never expected to see him here again, and hadn’t been sure she even wanted to see him. But here he was.

  When she’d awakened to the morning light filtering through the open curtains, it took a few minutes to remember how she’d gotten to bed and why she still wore work clothes.

  Memories of vodka, Candy and Holly, and melting ice cream came flooding back. Along with thoughts of the day before, and the hurt of Dare thinking her capable of something so devious.

  Loud voices quickly hauled her out of her bed and toward the living room. Candy and Dare stood toe-to-toe ready to tear one another apart. She loved Candy for her ferocious friendship. Her heart ached as Dare defended himself.

  He was a good man. The regret in his gaze hit her directly in the heart.

  With a deep sigh, she turned and moved into the kitchen for a cup of the brewing coffee.

  She felt Dare behind her but refused to turn. She couldn’t face him right now. At least, not without a dose of caffeine. She poured some coffee into a mug, added a couple drops of milk that sat on the counter and stirred. She stared out the window, took in the bright blue sky.

  Any other day, she’d already be at work. She sighed then blew on the hot liquid before taking a sip. She closed her eyes and savored the taste. They flew open when she felt Dare’s hands on her shoulders.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered, wrapped his arms around her middle and laid his head against hers.

  His arms had never felt so good. She wanted to lose herself in him.

  She shoved aside her thoughts, straightened and moved back.

  “What are you doing here?” She turned, her fingers clenched around the coffee mug. She was surprised it didn’t shatter in her palm.

  “I came to talk to you about yesterday. Everything that happened—”