The Daring Doms

by Isabella Kole

  "Gee, thanks, such a warm answer to my invitation," he teased.

  "I'm sorry, Dax, it's just that I believe you and I are on opposite ends of the universe when it comes to relationships. But I'd love to go out with you this weekend. Is that better?" she asked with a giggle.

  "Much," he replied, adding, "Pick you up at seven?"

  "Sounds like a plan. I'll see you at seven," she replied cheerily, suddenly feeling bad for the way she'd reacted earlier.

  He ended the call, leaned back and thought about Angela Vaccaro. Cute, with dark hair and a great figure were the words he'd used to describe her at first glance. But on a second look, he had known there was more to her than just looks and a quick wit. She was a woman worth getting to know. Her Italian heritage proved her to be feisty, which he didn't find alarming at all. Instead, he thought it rather very charming.

  "What the hell am I getting myself into?" he asked as he looked at the sky. "After everything my brother has gone through with Annie, I don't want or need a woman in my life full-time." But deep down, he knew what he really wanted was a woman like her, Annie, his sister-in law. She was perfect for Dane, and Dax knew he wanted to find someone like her to spend his life with. He was just a little afraid he might have already found her, in Angela. Even though he knew she wasn't exactly like Annie, there was something about the little brunette that really drew him to her. But since he'd told her several times that he didn't want to settle down, it might be a bit difficult to convince her otherwise now. "Me and my big mouth," he said with a grimace as he stood up to head back to his office.

  As he drove across town, he thought about Angela. What is it about her that has me so turned around? Could be her perfect little derriere, he thought, or the way her hair bounces when she moves, or the way her perfect dark eyes twinkle when she smiles. He grinned as he remembered watching her as she walked in front of him on the way to the dance floor. The two of them had hatched a scheme to get Dane and Annie to a club so they could talk. He hadn't had a clue that he'd fall in love with his sister-in-law's best friend that night. "What the hell, where did that come from?" he asked himself. "Why am I thinking about love every time I think about Angela Vaccaro?"

  He shook his gorgeous head to rid himself of such insane thoughts as he pulled into the parking lot of the construction company he managed. Determined to spend the rest of the afternoon focusing on work, he marched into the office, spoke to Kristine and shut the door behind him.

  But as he looked at the blueprints in front of him, his mind wandered once more to the girl who had invaded his thoughts for the past several weeks. Maybe after the date Saturday night, I'll get over this crazy notion that I'm ready to settle down. But something told him that wouldn't be the case. He imagined taming her to his hand as a vision of her perfect ass came to mind. Now, that was a whole other issue he'd have to deal with if they ever did get together. Dax shuddered as he thought of the mistake his brother had almost made with Annie by not revealing his dominant side to her from the start. He sighed as he turned his attention back to the work at hand and attempted to put the little Italian minx out of his mind.

  Angela sat staring into space for several minutes after the call from Dax had ended. Why the hell did I just tell him I'd go out with him? The fact that she knew he wasn't the guy for her should have prompted her to follow her first instinct to tell him no. Sure, he's hot; sure, he's sweet; but he's made it perfectly clear on several occasions he has no intention of marching anyone to the altar anytime soon.

  On the other hand, Angela was ready to settle down. At twenty-six, she'd dated her share of losers. She was tired of the dating game. She wanted a guy who worshipped the ground she walked on, like Dane did with Annie. She wanted a guy who would fight for her, love her and protect her. She was ready to share her life with someone special, and that wasn't Dax.

  As she dialed Annie's number, she drummed her fingertips on her desk. When her best friend answered, she said, "Damn it, Annie, I've just screwed up royally."

  "What did you do, Ang?" Annie asked absentmindedly.

  "Your hot brother-in-law just asked me out, and stupid me accepted."

  Annie laughed. "Is that all? I thought something horrible had happened."

  "Stop laughing, it is horrible. You know as well as I do, he's a player."

  "Oh, Angela, Dax is a lot of talk. Deep down, he's the sweetest guy around, next to Dane."

  "But that's just it, he's not Dane. He's made the remark several times that he has no intention of following in his brother's footsteps and taking the plunge."

  "Angela, you can't believe everything Dax Daring says when it comes to women. If the right woman comes along, he'll be rushing her to the altar faster than Dane did me, no matter what he says. Give it a chance. Maybe you'll be the one."

  "And that would be like heaven on earth, I'm sure, to be the one Dax Daring falls in love with. But, unfortunately, I just don't see it happening."

  "Don't rush things, just go out with him and have a good time. The two of you really seemed to hit it off that night at the club. As upset as I was that night, I couldn't help but notice the vibes between the two of you."

  "Speaking of vibes, how are things for you and Dane? Good, I hope," Angela asked, glad to change the subject.

  "Couldn't be better; we're working out the kinks, but we're good," Annie replied happily, smiling to herself at her play on words.

  "I'm glad. You know you had Dax and me both in a tizzy when the two of you were talking divorce."

  "Correction, I was never the one talking divorce. That was all Dane. And it was because he had that crazy idea in his head that I wanted Russ. I told him Russ came by to see me before he left town, and it helped, believe it or not."

  "He did? You didn't tell me that. What did he say?"

  "He was leaving town and asked me to go with him. Of course I told him no. He asked if it would make a difference if he told me he was ready to bite the bullet and settle down, get a real job, get married, everything I wanted from him all those years ago."

  "Wow, that's wild," Angela replied.

  "You're telling me. At one time, I'd have been walking on air if Russ Casey had said those words to me. I told him that I love Dane, and it makes no difference now if he's changed his tune. I wished him well, and we said our goodbyes. That reassured Dane a great deal that I was telling him the truth about Russ."

  "You really do love Dane. I mean, I always knew you did, but I wondered what would happen if Russ ever came to his senses. I guess, now, we all know for sure."

  "Dane is the love of my life. Don't be so quick to judge Dax, Angela. He's a lot like Russ as far as commitment to a relationship goes, but he's a good man. He has a good job and a good head on his shoulders. He'll come around someday. And I think it would be great if you're the one he comes around with."

  "I won't hold my breath on that one. But I'll go out with him, and I'll try to relax and enjoy myself. I've always thought he was someone I could see myself with. Too bad, because he's always discouraged that."

  "He has to grow up someday. Just turn on the old Vaccaro charm."

  "Very funny. I'll let you get back to work. I've got to get busy, too, or I'll never get out of here tonight."

  "Don't worry. Dax will behave like a gentleman with you. He knows better than to be any other way. Dane would give him what for if he hurt you. Dane has always thought a lot of you."

  "Aw, that's sweet. Give the hunk a big kiss for me tonight when you get home."

  "Bye, Angela," Annie said, laughing as she hung up the phone.

  She thought about everything Annie had said. Was there a chance she could change his mind? Nah, not possible. She put Dax Daring out of her mind after that and went back to her work. She could drive herself crazy imagining all sorts of scenarios with the dark-haired hunk, but why put herself through that misery when she knew she would end up disappointed in the end?

  By the time Saturday arrived, Angela was conflicted even more by the decisio
n to go out with Dax. One minute, she was looking forward to it, and the next, she was dreading it. She'd made no secret of the fact she wouldn't mind dating him in the past. One only had to look at him to imagine what it would be like to be kissed by him. Tall, well-built, dark hair, and deep blue, soulful eyes, he was almost the spitting image of his older brother Dane. But Dax had an aura all his own. He could capture a girl's heart with one glance, one grin, and Angela knew she'd have to be on guard to keep from falling under his spell even further than she already had.

  It wouldn't take much for her to give in to his obvious charms, for her to imagine he loved her, even though she knew he never would.

  As she stepped out of the shower and reached for a fluffy, oversized pink towel to dry herself, she sighed. If only there was a chance, I'd let myself fall head over heels for Dax Daring. He'd always been the one she'd imagined herself with. Since the day she'd met him, at Annie's engagement party, he'd been in the back of her mind and the secret corners of her heart.

  She reprimanded herself sharply for even going there. Then she walked into the bedroom of her apartment to choose an outfit for the evening. She finally decided on jeans and a sexy pink top and added jewelry and sandals. Pink was definitely her favorite color, and with her dark hair and dark complexion, it looked good on her. She looked in the mirror while she applied her makeup and brushed her long, thick hair, smiling at her reflection. "Dax Daring, you're going to want to kiss me the minute you see me." She giggled at the thought of even coming close to being attractive to Dax. "Fat chance, Angela, dream on," she said to the face looking back at her in the mirror.

  Just as she walked out of the bedroom, the doorbell rang. She glanced quickly at her watch—the one with a pink band, of course—and saw that Dax wasn't due for another fifteen minutes. "Who can that be?" she muttered as she ran to answer the door. When she opened it, Dax stood outside the door with a small bouquet of flowers in his hand. He had a sheepish grin on his face.

  "Dax?" she asked. She immediately felt stupid for seeming surprised as she let him in.

  "Am I too early?" he asked as he handed her the flowers. "I picked these up on the way over. See, I told you I would be a nice guy tonight." He grinned again as he cocked his gorgeous head to one side.

  "Er, no, you're not too early. Thanks for the flowers. Let me put them in some water, and I'll be ready to go." She walked into the kitchen to find a vase, filled it with tap water and arranged the flowers. In awe at the gesture, she pulled herself together, breathing deeply before she rejoined him. It really was a sweet thing for him to do.

  "Ready to go?" he asked as she walked to where he stood waiting for her. Dressed in blue jeans that fit like a glove, a yellow Oxford shirt, opened at the neck by three buttons, and his cowboy boots, the mere sight of him sent currents of electricity shooting throughout Angela's body.

  "I'm… ready," she replied as he reached for her hand. She locked the door behind them and allowed him to lead her to his truck. He helped her, giving her a boost into the cab before walking around to the driver's side.

  "Where would you like to eat?" he asked as he buckled his seatbelt and grinned at her again.

  Stop with the damn grins, Dax. I can't take it… you're killing me here. "Any place you choose is fine with me," she replied with a nervous smile.

  "Ever been to Seven Bridges?" he asked.

  "No, I haven't," she replied.

  "Then, Seven Bridges it is," he said as he pulled onto the street.

  On the way to the restaurant, they chatted easily. He asked questions about her job at the legal office and told her about the newest project he was working on.

  "I drove by there the other day. That development is growing fast," she said.

  "Yeah, it's keeping us busy; that's for sure. It would be a nice neighborhood to live in if you had a family," he replied. It surprised her that he would make such a comment, but she didn't reply immediately.

  Finally, she said, "Dane and Annie live in a nice area, too, though."

  "Yeah, they do. Their house is nice, been fixed up. I don't know who did the renovations on it."

  "And Annie's decorated it so nicely. I spoke to her again the other day. Things are going well for the two of them again."

  "I know. I talked to Dane yesterday. When I told him that we were going out tonight, he suggested we go over there after dinner and play cards with them instead of seeing a movie. They're staying in tonight."

  "You told Dane we were going out?" she asked.

  He looked over at her and grinned again. "Yes, why wouldn't I tell him?"

  "No reason, just didn't figure it would be something you'd tell your brother."

  "I told him I would leave it up to you whether we stopped by their place or went to a movie."

  "I'm fine with going to their house and playing cards, if you don't mind missing the movie."

  "I really didn't have a particular movie in mind. I'll give Dane a call when we get to the restaurant to let him know we'll be by later."

  When they arrived at the restaurant, he helped her out of the truck and took her hand, surprisingly. As she stepped out of the cab onto the street, he leaned down and said in a low voice, "You look sensational tonight, Angela. That pink is a good color for you."

  Surprised once again at his attentiveness, she replied, "Thanks, Dax."

  Once they were seated and had ordered, he said, "I'm glad you agreed to go out with me tonight."

  "Really?" she asked.

  "Don't sound so surprised. You have to know I enjoy your company. I thought we had a good time at the club after Dane and Annie left the other night. Didn't you?"

  "Yes, I had a good time, Dax. I just didn't think you were interested in dating right now."

  "Angela, just because I said I was better off without a woman in my life, I didn't mean I wasn't interested in dating. If you'll remember, I also said if I could find a woman like my brother's wife, I could be persuaded to change my mind."

  "And all this time, I thought you didn't like Annie."

  "That was never the issue. Annie is great. She and Dane are going to have a long and wonderful life together. It just took the two of them overcoming some issues to get to where they are now. I, for one, am glad they've worked it all out."

  "But because of their issues, you think you're better off without a woman in your life," she replied grimly.

  He looked at her thoughtfully before replying. Finally, he chose his words very carefully and said, "Angela, I won't lie to you. I thought Dane and Annie rushed things. I think I'd be a little more cautious before committing to a life-long relationship with anybody, but if the right woman comes into my life, I might be as head-over-heels as Dane. I can't say I wouldn't do the same thing the two of them did. It's just never happened to me yet. It may, but, again, it may not."

  She took a sip of her drink. "Interesting, Dax, so I guess you're not a lost cause after all."

  He chuckled. "Is that what you think I am, Angela, a lost cause?"

  "We'll see, Mr. Daring, we'll see."

  Their dinner arrived, so, for the remainder of their time in the restaurant, they ate and engaged in small talk.

  When they arrived later at Dane and Annie's house, he asked once more, "Are you sure you're okay with missing the movie?"

  "I'm fine with it, Dax, really." She allowed him to take her hand again as they walked to the door. Dax rang the doorbell.

  "Do you always ring the doorbell at your own brother's house?"

  "Yes, I wouldn't want to walk in and interrupt anything, you know," he teased as he pushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

  A smiling Dane opened the door. "Hey, you two, come on in. I've got the card table all set up."

  As he ushered them into the living room, Annie caught Angela's eye. "Angela, sorry Dane crashed your evening with his idea to play cards. I'll warn you in advance; these two take their Euchre game very seriously."

  "Oh, they do, do they? I guess we'll have to show them who
's boss, won't we?"

  Annie laughed. "Oh, girlfriend, you have no idea."

  "So it's going to be girls against guys. I like that idea," Dane said with a deep chuckle. "You ready, bro?"

  "Oh yeah, let's show them how the game is played," Dax replied as he took a seat. "What I find hard to believe is that you two girls even know the game. I thought it was an old Daring family favorite."

  Angela answered, "We grew up in the Midwest, remember?"

  "That's right," Dax said as he nodded. "My dad learned to play the game when he was in the military. He taught all of us."

  As Dane shuffled the cards, Annie asked, "Where did you two have dinner?"

  "I took her to Seven Bridges. Can you believe she's never been there before?"

  "Oh, it's a good place. We've eaten there a few times," Annie answered.

  "It was good. I liked it," Angela said, catching Annie's eye again. Help me, please, my friend. I'm falling fast.

  Annie smiled reassuringly.

  About halfway through the first game, Dane was seriously studying his cards, contemplating his next move. When he slammed a card onto the one Angela had just played, he said in a loud voice, "Euchre!"

  "Yes, yes, yes, way to go brother!" Dax gave Dane a high five.

  Angela looked at Annie. "Damn, you were right, Annie."

  "Oh, this is nothing, Angela. You should see them when their dad and uncle are in the game. The four of them together are a force to be reckoned with."

  Angela started to laugh. She was wiping the tears from her eyes when she finally said, "I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in all my life. It's only a card game, you guys."

  Dane and Dax looked at each other. "Did you hear what she just said, Dax?"

  Dax chuckled. "Angela, dear, in the Daring family, Euchre is more than just a card game. Our dad and our Uncle Tom taught us to play when we were just little tykes."

  "He's right. Last Christmas, you would have thought war had been declared, they all got so carried away," Annie said with a giggle. "Anyone ready for snacks?" she asked.