Page 37 of Dare To Tempt (Dare Nation 2)
“I think he wants to prove to her this is it for him,” Paul explained.
Damon nodded. “My brother never expected to get married, let alone have a baby. Now he’s got a family and I’ve never seen him happier. He wants to nail it down.”
“We’ll catch up with you later,” Paul said, walking away with Ron just as an unfamiliar voice spoke.
“Damon.”
He stiffened, keeping Evie hugged close to his side. “Ian. Good to see you.”
Recognizing the name, she realized this was his cousin and team owner, and she imagined Damon wasn’t thrilled to face him at the moment.
But Damon remained calm. “Ian, this is Evie Wolfe. Evie, my cousin and the Miami Thunder team owner, Ian Dare.”
“It’s a pleasure,” Ian said, shaking Evie’s hand, but he looked at Damon grimly. “Any news?”
Evie glanced at him, wondering if he’d mention the connection between the team doctor and trainer.
“We’re working on it,” was all Damon said.
Before Ian could press him more, the conference room door opened and Austin stepped inside, his baby daughter in his arms and an obviously confused Quinn by his side.
“What is this?” she asked, taking everyone in. “The people, the roses…?”
“The ring,” Austin said. “I decided since we didn’t get together in a traditional way, my proposal wasn’t going to be traditional, either.”
“Proposal?” Quinn squeaked out. “Now?”
Evie grinned at her friend’s shock.
“I thought it was important to have our friends and family around us for this moment,” he said.
As Austin reached into his pocket, Damon pulled Evie tighter against him. Instead of fighting it, she leaned into his solid warmth.
Austin held out a ring box. One look and even Evie recognized the red and gold Cartier logo and color.
Quinn gasped and covered her mouth with her hand, happy tears in her eyes.
He handed the baby to Hannah, then got down on one knee. “Quinn, before you, I was alone, lonely, and I hadn’t given the idea of family a thought. Before us”—he glanced at the baby his assistant bounced on her hip—“you thought you didn’t want one.”
He grinned. “But then this little munchkin came and brought us together … when we really belonged with each other all along. Quinnlyn Stone, will you marry me? And adopt Jenny because you’re the only mother she’ll ever know?”
Quinn’s eyes bright, cheeks flushed, her smile wide, Quinn said, “Yes. Yes, of course I will.”
Austin slid the ring on her finger and then she was in his arms, Jenny scooped up and cuddled between them.
Evie sniffed, watching as Quinn’s big family surrounded her, followed by the office staff.
Evie waited, knowing she’d have time with her best friend later.
“Who knew you were a softie,” Damon said beside her.
She glanced up at him. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Prescott.”
He grinned. “Then I look forward to peeling back more layers and finding out what else lies beneath.” At his double entendre, her nipples puckered and her panties grew damp.
She wanted him, and in this, at least, they were on the same page. He was going through a life crisis. She was dealing with the return of her stalker ex and she didn’t trust her judgment with men, especially this handsome, famous playboy football player. But they both yearned for an escape from reality, and she couldn’t deny how much she wanted to find hers in Damon’s arms.
* * *
The engagement party had been more difficult than Damon had thought it would be. Pretending to be together with Evie when he wanted a relationship in reality was wearing on him, but he was certain he was handling her right. Getting her to a place where she could finally realize she could put her fears behind her and trust him was the only way to go. If he sprung his growing feelings on her now? Well, she’d run and that would put her in more danger with her stalker ex.
But when it came to desire? On that they were in agreement. He saw the heat in Evie’s eyes. It matched the fever running through his veins. Despite the fact that they’d had a long night and morning of hot sex, he wanted her again now. Hard and hot, his cock cocooned in her damp heat.
As much as he wanted to take her home now, she had a job to do. More research on Doc and Emerson’s father first. Much to Damon’s relief, Ian had taken off after congratulating the happy couple, enabling Damon to relax. He had no desire to face his cousin or the disappointment in his eyes again. It didn’t matter how much Damon proclaimed his innocence, right now the failed test spoke louder than his words.
First up, though, the congratulations. While Evie finally got her time with Quinn, Damon made his way to his brother and pulled him into a hug. The rest of the family had already given him their best—his mom, Bri, and Jaxon. Only Braden, still abroad with Doctors Without Borders, was missing. He made a mental note to try and get through to his sibling soon.
