Page 17 of Dare To Tempt (Dare Nation 2)
Deke lifted his helmet and scratched his head. “I’d love to talk and hear more, but now that I know Evie’s out of her apartment and safe, I need to get back to work.”
He shot Evie a look that Damon interpreted as I want an explanation for Damon Prescott coming over at this hour later.
“Bye, Deke. Be careful.” She watched him leave, concern etched on her face.
Damon didn’t like seeing her worried or upset. “He’ll be fine.”
She nodded. “I know. It’s his job and he’s good at it. He knows how to be careful.”
He studied her makeup-free face, realizing she was as beautiful with all the artifice as without. In fact, he liked seeing her olive skin glowing and her lips bare. He’d love to devour them and see how she tasted without fake goop on her lips.
He shoved his hands into his jean pockets. “So, any more brothers I should know about?”
She grinned. “Lucas is an EMT and Joshua is a mechanic.”
He let out a low whistle. That would teach him not to jump to conclusions every time she hugged another man. “Must have been hard bringing boyfriends home.”
She chuckled. “They had to be pretty damn brave to face the four of them, plus my dad.” She met his gaze.
“Are they still tough on the guys in your life?” Because he wanted to be her guy. He knew that now.
Driving over here, worrying about her again, he had a sudden rush of certainty. They deserved a real shot. His life sucked and he wanted her to be there while he went through it. He suddenly understood Austin more. How being with Quinn after his infant daughter, Jenny, had arrived, seeing her in a new light, sent his one-time bachelor brother into a man determined to make Quinn his.
Still, the reminder of losing his appeal sent his mood crashing to the ground. “Oh, by the way, I lost the appeal. My suspension remains intact,” he said low enough no one could overhear.
“Oh, Damon. I’m sorry.” Without warning, she stepped forward and pulled him into a hug.
One he hadn’t known he’d needed. Her warm body pressed into his, her breasts crushing against his chest, the thin material of her top hardly a barrier. Her nipples were hard and tight, and his hands slid to her waist, his palms brushing her bare skin. He felt the gun she’d tucked into her jeans and was glad she’d thought to protect herself.
Someone jostled against them and she stepped back, looking up at him with heat in her eyes. He experienced the same warmth sizzling through his veins.
“Do you want to talk about it?” she asked quietly, not acknowledging the moment, instead leading him away from the group of people.
Some pointed but nobody had bothered him for an autograph or photo, probably because they’d all just rolled out of bed. Not the best selfie moment.
He drew a deep breath. “About the suspension. It doesn’t just suck, it’s devastating. I can live with letting myself down because I know I didn’t do it. I can focus on who has it in for me and why. But my team? They need me and it’s a quarter of the season. They don’t deserve to be let down by their quarterback.” He shook his head, looking down at the dewy grass.
“Those who know you will trust you,” she assured him, slipping her hand into his and squeezing tight.
He appreciated her show of support and wrapped his larger fingers around hers. “Yeah, but that doesn’t change the fact that I’m out for four games.”
“I understand,” she murmured.
“There’s something else.” He heard himself speak and was shocked at what he was about to reveal to her. “Now that it’s official and there’s no way out, I hear my father’s voice in my head.”
She narrowed her gaze. “So, Quinn told me last year that Austin donated a kidney to your uncle Paul, who admitted to being your real father.”
“Sperm donor dad.” A wry smile lifted his lips. “I love that man. Growing up, when my dad was an asshole, Uncle Paul was always the voice of reason. But now? I imagine Jesse’s disappointment. I can hear him berating me for not being good enough, for letting my teammates down. And it sucks.”
She sighed. “I won’t minimize your feelings and I can’t take them away. I can only tell you that we’ll figure this out, and though it won’t bring back the games you miss, at least you’ll have validation. I’m going to do my best for you.”
“I’m grateful.” Even though she was being paid to do a job, those brown eyes looking up at him with faith told him she was invested in more than a paycheck. Which was a good thing, because he was becoming equally invested in her.
* * *
Evie and Damon remained outside for another hour while the firefighters cleared the building. Mack stopped by to explain that the superintendent was taking the firemen through the apartments, letting them check each one with gas meters before declaring the building all clear.
