by Lori Foster
Holding out a hand to her, Dare hauled her to her feet and waited while she dusted off that lush backside.
Both dogs now sat on their haunches, still trembling with energy and excitement but curious about Molly, too.
She offered a hand for them to sniff and then took turns petting them. Tai gave her a soulful look, earning a hug. “I love animals. Dad wanted nothing to do with pets when I was growing up, and my apartment doesn’t allow them. I’d actually been thinking of getting my own house just so I could get a dog. Probably not one as big as yours, though.”
Dare couldn’t imagine not having pets around. They were part of the welcome he got whenever he had time away from work. “House or dog?”
Grinning, she said, “Both—but I was talking about the dogs.” She straightened, looked beyond them to his home and shook her head in wonder. “And here I’d thought to impress you with my success. What a joke.”
“I am impressed.”
“At least enough to let me hire you, knowing I can pay up. But we should probably discuss terms, don’t you think?”
“Soon.” He released the dogs to retrieve his duffel from the SUV, and then put a hand to the small of Molly’s back to get her moving forward. “That’s Chris on the porch. He’ll stand there and stare all night.”
Under her breath, Molly said, “He’s as big as you are.”
“I’m bigger,” Chris announced, “if you know where to look.”
“Knock it off, Chris.” But Dare was trying not to laugh.
Aghast, Molly whispered, “He heard me?”
“He hears everything,” Chris told her. “You might want to remember that.”
“Voices carry here,” Dare explained in a normal tone, “especially at night. It’s the lake that does that.”
“There’s a lake?”
He could show her that later. Right now he wanted to get her out of the chill night air, get them both settled and eat real food. There was a world of difference in March weather between Kentucky and California. He saw her shivering and wished that he’d thought to buy her a jacket.
“Let’s get you inside.”
The dogs ran up the steps ahead of them, but then ran back down—and up again.
Dare stopped before Chris. “Molly, meet Chris Chapey, my personal assistant. Chris, this is—”
“The complication. I know.” But Chris no sooner said that than he got a good look at Molly in the light. Arrested, he studied her face, saw the injuries, the marks of abuse. “Did Dare drag you here?”
“We’re tired, Chris. Can you save the sarcasm for later? After I’ve eaten, maybe?”
His gaze went over Molly, and his brows came down—proof that Chris abhorred abuse as much as Dare did.
“Not a problem.” Still with his attention on Molly, Chris said to Dare, “Just tell me that someone paid for this.”
“Oh, yeah.”
He nodded with satisfaction. “Glad to hear it.”
To break the awkward exchange, Molly cleared her throat. “It’s so nice to meet you, Mr. Chapey.” She held out a hand. “Molly Alexander. Please call me Molly.” Her obvious eagerness to make his acquaintance stymied both men.
Dare watched in amazement as Chris gave in and took her hand. Of course, Molly wasn’t just any woman posing as an interloper; she was a woman badly victimized who still had a backbone of steel.
Who could be immune to that?
Molly enfolded Chris’s hand in both of hers. “I’m sorry that we’ve kept you from your bed. I promise that I’m going to try to stay out of your way. I don’t want to be a bother.”
Given the shape she was in, that took Chris aback. He glanced at Dare in confusion, then said, “Definitely complicated.”
Dare leaned against the outer entry wall. “Told you so.”
“I get up early,” Chris said in an uncharacteristic effort to explain himself. “Crack of dawn to run with the dogs. Otherwise—”
“I totally understand. And again, my apologies for messing up your routine.”
“Chris’s routine is whatever I say it is.”
Chris narrowed his eyes at him. “Does that mean you’ll be running the dogs tomorrow?”
“Yeah, it does.”
“Great. Then I’ll sleep in.”
“’Fraid not.” Dare half grinned as he told Chris, “I have a long list of things for you to do.”
Molly ignored their exchange and, still holding Chris’s hand, said, “Mr. Chapey, you’re the one who set up the chartered flight, right?”
“It’s Chris, and yeah, I make all of Dare’s travel arrangements.”
“Thank you so much for that. I was dreading a commercial flight after…well, everything.”
In case she didn’t understand, Chris said, this time slowly, “It’s what Dare told me to do.”
“I understand that, but you did it so quickly and your choice was terrific. I really do appreciate it.”
She was killing Chris with kindness—and Dare loved it. “Yeah, well, no problem.” He gave Dare a “help me” look.
Molly finally freed his hand. “Good grief, I’m keeping you out here talking when you have to be freezing.”
“I’m fine—but you have goose bumps.”
“It’s probably only fifty degrees here, and damp, too.” She rubbed her arms. “At least I’m dressed, but you’re all but naked.”
Chris’s brows shot up. “I’m wearing shorts.”
“That barely cover you.”
He shifted his stance, put off by what sounded like censure. “Is that a complaint?”
Her smile didn’t quite answer one way or the other. “It is so beautiful here.” She turned a full circle. “And so incredibly quiet.”
“Secure, too,” Dare told her. Then, tired of the verbal games, he asked Chris, “You reset the alarm codes?”
“Soon as you cleared the gate. And I went grocery shopping for you, too. Fresh food is in the kitchen. After I put your car away, I could cook you something—”
“I’ll take care of it.” He turned to Molly. “Chris makes a lousy cook.”
“Says the master chef.”
Molly looked impressed. “You’re a master chef?”
“Pure sarcasm.” Chris ushered her along and then held the door open for her. “But he is good. At freakin’ everything. So get used to it.”
Molly stepped inside and went awestruck again. “Holy cow.”
Chris paid no attention to her. “Wasn’t sure if you needed it or not, but I freshened up the back bedroom upstairs.”
“Thanks. I’ll get her settled.”
“Want me to put your things away?”
Normally, yes, but this time Dare’s priority was Molly, not checking messages. “I’ll do it.”
“Okay, then. I’ll be right back.” He took the keys from Dare and strolled out to the SUV.
DARE WATCHED MOLLY AS she looked around the central foyer.
“It’s a mansion.”
“Not really.” He was a man of comfort, and, as such, though the house had a lot of amenities, it wasn’t fancy enough to be called a mansion.
“I’ll get lost in here.”
Dare shook his head. “I wouldn’t expect someone with your background to be in awe of a house.”
She gave him a telling look. “I’ve known plenty of wealthy people, and they’re not at all like you. What I mean is, you don’t act like you’re rich. You’re too nice and normal for that.”
“Glad you think so.” With a total of forty-five hundred feet of living space, the house was…expansive. But it was divided up in a functional way. To help Molly get acclimated, Dare said, “Think of it as circular. Everything revolves from this spot. Dining hall on the left, library on the right. Straight ahead, up the curving stairs, are a studio and three other bedrooms. You’ll have a room up there.”
She jerked around to stare at him with clear alarm. “Where do you sleep?”
Indicating beyond the stairs, on the main floor, Dare s
aid, “Master bedroom and bath are on the right, end of the hall is the great room, then the kitchen, morning room, laundry and family room are to the left.”
As the dogs moved closer to her, their nails tapped on the marble floor, drawing her attention there. She looked down at them, then up at the recessed ceilings and giant, rustic chandelier. “It’s…gorgeous. And enormous.”
“Thanks.” Dare picked up his duffel and again touched the small of her back, urging her toward the stairs ahead of him. “I’ll show you to your room.” The dogs started forward in anticipation.
He got her halfway up the stairs before Molly resisted, glancing up at him. “Who else sleeps up there?”
“No one. I have the master suite, and Chris stays in the lake house.” Thinking she was worried about privacy, Dare assured her, “You’ll pretty much have the whole upstairs to yourself.”
Jaw loosening, she turned completely around on the middle of the stairs to face him. The dogs, too, looked at Dare with expectation. “You have another house?”
“A cabin, really, down closer to the lake.” He noticed the pink tinge to her cheeks, how her lips parted, the way she tucked her hair behind her ear. “It’s small but functional. And Chris values having space he can call his own. Mostly because he’s a slob and I’m not.”
“Good God, a football team could live in this house and have plenty of space.”
Dare couldn’t help himself; he leaned forward and kissed her. With her a step above him, it was the perfect fit. “You’ll be safe here, Molly, no reason to be concerned. The house is wired for state-of-the-art security. Know that you’ll be protected.”
She touched her mouth—and continued to look…reluctant. “I wasn’t…wasn’t worried about that.”
“Yeah, you were. But it’s understandable. Hell, I’d be more concerned if you weren’t. Now, come on.” He took the lead, stepping around her and going up the rest of the stairs. The dogs followed him in a rush. “The back bedroom faces the lake. I think you’ll like it.”
“How could I not? It’s all incredible. Very masculine, but somehow posh, too.”
“It’s relaxed—suitable for dogs and two men.” Dare waited at the top of the stairs, watching her.
“I’m sure you guys are very comfortable here, but a woman could be, too.” She followed him up. “Who did your decorating?”
Pleased with her, Dare turned toward one of the bedrooms. “I did.”
“Oh, that’s right.” She twisted her mouth. “Chris said you were good at everything.”
“Chris is paid to be biased.” The dogs forged ahead of him, trying to anticipate his destination.
“But you two are friends, too. You said he’s not just an employee.”
“We’re good friends, have been for years.” Over twenty years, actually…but that was a story for another time.
Dare went into the second largest bedroom and set his duffel on a queen-size four-poster bed. It was made up with soft, warm, hand-sewn quilts and luxurious sheets.
The dogs circled the perimeter of the room, trying to watch both Dare and Molly as she looked lost and he unloaded the few clothes and toiletries currently in her possession. It wasn’t much, but right now, here with him, she didn’t need much.
Attempting to hide her anxiety from him, she patted the dogs and then went to peek into the bathroom.
She would be comfortable here, Dare told himself.
So why was he feeling guilty?
Hands on his hips, he tracked her every movement, trying to gauge her mood, to determine a way to reassure her without crossing boundaries. Hell, he’d already crossed so many lines it shouldn’t matter anymore…but it did.
“Go ahead and put your stuff in the drawers, set up however you want, make yourself at home. The television remotes are on the shelf. There are DVDs in the library if you want to hunt through those. You can bring a bunch up here if you want.”
“Thanks.”
Damn it, she sounded so lost. “The computer is hooked up to the internet, so feel free to surf, to entertain yourself. But don’t check any personal accounts. I don’t want you to sign in under your name for anything. It’s too easy to track.”
“Okay.” She showed little interest in the TV or the computer.
More frustrated by the second, Dare narrowed his eyes. “If you need anything else, just ask.”
She went over to look out the French doors that opened onto a small deck overlooking the yard below—which led down to the lake. From the deck, she could just see Chris’s residence and the dock beyond there, the boathouse, the reflection of the moon off lightly lapping water.
Silence filled the room.
“Molly.”
She leaned against the doors and avoided looking at Dare. “I know it’s late…”
“Not that late.” She’d slept throughout the flight, so she probably wasn’t ready to retire yet. Was that what caused her worry? Did she think he’d bring her here and then abandon her? “I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry for real food. Why don’t you take a few minutes to yourself and then meet me downstairs in the kitchen. I’ll get us something to eat.”
Tension fell out of her shoulders. “Okay.”
She didn’t deny being hungry. Again. But Dare was almost positive it was the reprieve from being alone that had relaxed her. Why didn’t she just tell him that?
Confounding woman.
“You have time to take a shower if you want.”
She inhaled and let out a long breath. “Okay. Thanks.”
Dare crossed his arms. “Damn it, Molly, if you have something on your mind—”
She spun around with a false smile. “No, I’m fine. Everything is…fine. Terrific. Go get your food. I’ll freshen up and be right down.”
He waited, wondering if he should press the issue. She’d been through so much that there had to be awful, residual effects. What did he really know of how a woman reacted to these things? So far, everything he’d expected from her had been off. No hysterics, no uncontrollable sobbing or raging anger.
“Really, Dare. I’m fine. Looking forward to a shower, actually.”
Dare didn’t believe a word of it, but standing there staring at her wasn’t going to help. “Towels are in the bathroom. Come on down when you’re finished.”
“I hope I don’t get lost.” She tried a smile that didn’t quite make it to her warm brown eyes. Moving to the door by way of encouraging him to leave, she said, “I’ll only be a few minutes.”
“Take your time.” He started out, but the dogs hesitated, whining, looking from Molly to Dare and back again. He rolled his eyes. “She’ll join us soon enough. Come on.” He patted his thigh, and finally the dogs came to him.
Together, they left, but Dare didn’t like it. Surely Molly wanted the privacy of her own bedroom, her own bathroom. It wasn’t like he was leaving her alone in a strange place. He’d be right downstairs.
But, damn it, he didn’t want to be.
If it hadn’t been so inappropriate, he would have dragged Molly down onto the bed and just held her. All night.
As if they felt his mood, Tai and Sargie kept giving him sympathetic glances.
“It’s a hell of a thing, isn’t it? Trust me, I don’t like being confused any more than you do.”
The dogs whined in return.
By the time he stowed his duffel in his room and joined Chris in the kitchen, his mood had soured even more. With it well past their bedtime, the dogs went straight for their favorite spot in the attached morning room. They each had a padded bed placed before the wall of windows. Only moonlight shone through, but they flopped down to wallow in it, and they were soon asleep.
Chris handed Dare a cup of coffee, which was always the first order of business. “Is Ms. Apple Dumpling turning in for the night?”
“Taking a shower—and this is no time for you to be an asshole, so lay off of her, will you?” He tasted the coffee and commended Chris with a nod. It had taken him nearly a month
to teach Chris the right ratio of freshly ground coffee beans to water to brew time. Now he had it down pat, and it was one luxury Dare missed while out on the road.
“I saw the bruises.” Chris leaned back against the counter and folded his arms over his chest. “Someone really put it to her?”
“Several someones.”
He acknowledged that, then said, “I hope they aren’t still living.”
Dare rubbed a hand over his tired eyes. That he killed when necessary wasn’t a surprise for Chris, or an emotional burden for Dare. “I took care of them.” But now, in hindsight, he wished like hell that he would have kept one of the fuckers around to question.
Chris was curious, but as usual, he wasn’t prying. It was yet another reason why he made such an invaluable assistant. “I found Molly in the same holding cell with Alani, but she stood out like a sore thumb.” Dare faced his friend. “No way was she there to be sold off, because she was abused too much, way more than the others.”
Chris went still. “So why was she there?”
“Fucked if I know. I think someone had her taken. But I have no idea why.” Dare frowned. “Yet.”
While idly setting out the fresh groceries he’d bought, Chris considered that. “I take it she isn’t exactly the norm for that sort of thing?”
“Hell, no.”
Chris didn’t drink much coffee, which might have been why it took so long for him to get the process of making it right. He took out the orange juice and poured himself a tall glass. “It almost had to be somebody close to her—isn’t that what you always say?”
Dare shrugged. “I’m keeping an open mind, and I plan to cover all the bases.”
“A few questions come to mind.”
“I figured as much.” Dare set the half-empty cup aside and went to investigate Chris’s food purchases. Skinless chicken and fresh vegetables would be quick and easy to cook. “Let’s have it.”
“She hired you?”
Dare shrugged again. Molly’s offer to pay him for services rendered didn’t sit well with him. “I might do this one pro bono. But I haven’t told her that yet, so keep it to yourself.”
That set Chris back, so it was a few seconds before he asked, “How long is she staying here?”
