I Dare You

Sheri Livingston © 2006

www.cobblestone‐press.com

I Dare You

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

I Dare You

Copyright© 2006 Sheri Livingston

ISBN: 1‐60088‐020‐7

Cover Artist: Sable Grey

Editor: Leanne Salter

Excerpt from Diary of Dreams by Madison Layle All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

Cobblestone Press, LLC

www.cobblestone‐press.com

Sheri Livingston

Dedication

To Vivienne King, my personal crit partner. Your help, encouragement, and constant humor made writing this book so much easier. I can’t thank you enough for all the hard work you put into each and every crit. Now, Go Away!!

To the Romantica‐Writers‐Critique‐Club: Mirella, Emily Veinglory, Rita Sable, Barbara Karmazin, Elayne S. Venton, Dallas White, Ashley Ladd…you guys are the Best! My feet would still be on the ground if not for you. I can’t thank you enough!

A personal thank you to Barbara Karmazin…the one who spends a lot of time helping me brainstorm, sending more research links than I could possibly surf through, and just being a damn good friend. Your help has meant more than I could ever say!

And always, my S.O., who listens when I think “out loud,” who nods approval even when she’s clueless as to whom or what I’m talking about, and for just always having the faith that I would conquer what I started. You’re the best…and always will be!

Happy Reading to all!

Sheri Livingston

I Dare You

Chapter One

From between the folds of the curtain, Kelsey watched the women mill into the bar.

It was just another night of entertaining drunken women with drool glistening the corners of their mouths. This job was for the birds.

She could get better tips, and much better service, from the new gay bar only three blocks away, but her friendship with the other dancers kept her locked to this skank place, and it wasn’t money that she needed.

She let the curtain close and walked back to her dressing room. The tiny square of a room she was obligated to call a dressing room, that is.

She collapsed into the chair with a thump. “I’m too damn old to be dancing anymore,” she said to her reflection. Cupping her B size breasts through the flimsy silk halter‐top and lifting them only a fraction of an inch, she said, “Even my tits are sagging.”

Darren poked his head around the doorframe. “Are you talking to your tits again?” He breezed into the room and plopped his bony ass on her dressing table. “You’re only thirty‐one and have a sweeter ass than any of the little chickadees that strip in this Godforsaken place.” He turned to the mirror, licked his index finger and rubbed it across his eyebrow. “The women cream their panties when you step on that stage.”

“I don’t want all of those women creaming their panties or putting their filthy hands on me.”

“Then why the hell are you working here, you goofball?”

“Because I love dancing, and it takes me away from the real world.

Sheri Livingston

Besides, Sharon needed someone to help bring this place alive again.”

Kelsey knew her answer was good enough for her best friend. He, among only a few select people, knew about her real life—the real life of managing a multi‐billion dollar corporation and binding her inside business suits with her hair pinned tight into a librarian’s bun—something she hated more than the life itself.

Here she could be free to let her hair hang loose and let go of her pent up emotions.

“Bingo!” He rolled his hips off the table, pointing his finger in her face. “So get your delicious body out there and help your friend.”

Kelsey rolled her eyes.

He puckered his whore red lips, adjusted his flowing blonde wig, and then strolled out the door.

“Loser.”

“I heard that, bitch.”

Chuckling, she grabbed the eyeliner, and rolled it under her lids one last time. Puckering her mauve lips, she blew a kiss to her reflection.

“Go get ’em, tiger.”

She fluffed out her curls, picked up the thin black mask to shield her identity from the public, and then pulled it into place over her face.

Even though tight‐ass businessmen were rarely seen in this bar, occasionally the gay men, or the ones testing the waters, paid them a visit.

She didn’t dare take a chance on anyone recognizing the woman that tore their companies apart.

Pushing out of her chair, she pressed down the tiny leather skirt that barely covered her ass, and headed back to the curtain. The room was filled to capacity. Women sat in every chair the bar offered, some even leaned against the wall, waiting patiently for the lights to darken and the strippers to begin their seductive dances.

As if on cue, the lights dimmed.

DJ Max’s raspy voice boomed through the speakers tucked in the corners. “If I can have your attention, we’re ready to rock‐n‐roll. Anyone ready for some fine asses?”

Whistles and cheers erupted from the crowd.

I Dare You

Kelsey held her breath and waited for her stage name to echo through the room.

“Introducing our star… Veronicaaaaaaaaaa!”

The roar of the music started.

Kelsey slicked her leg through the curtain, running it seductively up and down the edge. Whistles pierced her ears.

She spread the curtains apart and rocked her hips, sinking to the floor. She twisted around then shot her ass out toward the screaming women, running her fingers seductively along the black lace stockings while she rose with the rumble of drums.

The crowd went wild, screaming obscenities. More whistles pierced the air.

She strutted to the edge of the stage set a few feet above the women, and sunk to the floor on her knees. Even a few cross‐dressers were squeezed in among the dykes, yelling just as loud, just as eager to join in the fun.

With fingers spread, she ran her hands over her breasts, along her slim stomach, then between her legs, dipping a single finger across her crotch.

A woman reached out.

Kelsey grabbed the woman’s protruding hand, took a single finger, and licked the tip. She ran the tip around her hardened nipple over the thin material. The woman’s eyes rounded while her mouth sagged open, staring at Kelsey’s breasts like they were suckers and she needed to get to the center of the Tootsie roll pop.

She dropped the woman’s hand then stood, rolling her hips with every step she took toward the stool that had been set in the middle of the stage.

With her hands placed on the surface of the stool, she spread her legs and slowly bent over. She tucked her hand between her legs and ran a fingertip between the cheeks of her ass, dragging it forward over her crotch.

The beat of the music pounded while she dipped to the floor, shooting her ass out toward the crowd again. She turned and sat on the Sheri Livingston

stool, pulled her knees to her chest. With her weight braced, she lifted her legs in the air and let them fall open.

The crowd roared while she bared her covered crotch for them.

They’d have to use their own imagination if they wanted to know what her pussy looked like. Only a select few women, usually the same ones over and over, had the pleasure of sinking their face between her legs. Call her picky. She didn’t care.

She clamped her legs together and brought them back to the floor then pushed away from the stool. The gold painted pole sat a few feet behind her, climbing from the stage to the ceiling. She wrapped a leg around it and hunched her crotch against the cold metal. Heat burrowed between her legs, reminding her she was long overdue for a nightly fuck from one of her regulars.

Kelsey slid down the pole until she reached the floor. She loosed her grip then crawled like a cat on the prowl across the stage, coming dangerously close to the hands extending from the crowd. Her knees came within a foot of the edge, close enough for fingers to run along her stockings and garter belt. She allowed the roaming hands to feel her tight legs while she slid her fingers inside her halter‐top.

She cupped her breast and slipped the spaghetti strap over her shoulder, revealing tanned skin to the vultures drooling before her. She pushed the other strap from her shoulder and covered her breast. The top crumbled around her hips. She smiled, knowing sometimes a little tantalizing peek offered more stimulation than full nudity, so she exposed tiny bits of flesh through the slits in her fingers. She sank down on her knees in front of another group of gawkers. They were screaming and cat calling, reaching for her, trying in vain to grab hold. She licked her lips, raising an eyebrow, and hopefully a few blood pressures, as she began to fondle herself, sighing and moaning, pantomiming sex right on stage.

Some days she really liked this job.

“Let me do that for you, baby,” one woman with a crew cut and drunken leer shouted.

Kelsey gave her a seductive smile. A smirk spread across her lips while she ducked her chin, pushed her breast up and flicked out her I Dare You

tongue, running it the length of her nipple. Liquid heat crashed between her thighs, and the cries of several excited and lusty women only added to the fuel of desire coursing through her veins. She really needed to be fucked tonight. Hard.

The women hooted with excitement.

Kelsey let her nipple poke free from her other hand, teasing the gazes plastered on her, and turned it up for equal treatment to get a lick.

Her pussy throbbed just thinking about her nipple being sucked into the mouth of a lover, having fingers dive into her, stroke after stroke.

Kelsey spread her arms open and fell to her back with the banging closure of the song.

She rose to her feet while whistles erupted around her. She couldn’t help giving the ogling woman a saucy wink before turning to walk back through the curtain, shutting the frenetic throng out.

Darren waited behind the curtain for his cue. “I so hate going out there after your fine ass has gotten all those women shook up. They overcrowd all the delicious men that get pushed to the back.” He gave her a playful pout. “It’s just not fair.” He stamped his red high heel down on the floor.

Kelsey dragged her mask over her head and gave him a playful wink. “There are a couple of women in the front I think might interest you.” Darren poked his head through the curtain and spotted the cross-dressers. “Hot damn! Mama is coming!”

He yanked the curtain apart and an immediate tension filled the room. Darren was hot sex personified, his electric personality whipped the room into a different kind of frenzy.

Kelsey walked back to her compartment—um, dressing room—and plopped down on the chair. She was free to mingle with the customers now, but being mauled was not on her mind tonight, unless it was by familiar hands.

Finding one of her regulars, one who would take her over that erotic edge, was what she wanted. Her personal favorites were etched into the black book in her mind. Pam? No, she’d found a steady girlfriend now, thank God…hands off. Scratch out Pam. What about Sharon? Hell Sheri Livingston

no! She’d stopped sleeping with her the second she took this job. Don’t mix business with pleasure, even though, ultimately, she was mixing pleasure with business…still, no can do. Another scratch. Roxy slipped into her mind. Um..hello! She moved away like three months ago. Rats! Okay, who now? Shit. Surely she had more fucks than that? Was she that picky?

Nah. But how else could that little black book have such slim pickings?

Sharon poked her head around the doorframe. Her narrow face bore the fine lines of an overworked stressed person. She batted her long eyelashes at Kelsey. “Interested in a lap dance?”

“Are you offering or asking?”

Sharon walked into the room, black slacks wrapped tight around her long legs. “Am I going to have to fire you just to fuck you again?” She bent down and nibbled Kelsey’s ear.

“As a matter of fact, you will.” Kelsey pulled back from the hot breath, wanting to yank Sharon’s face between her legs and ride it until hot cum spewed from her.

She pushed the thought away. “Who wants to know?”

“A delicious looking piece of ass, that’s who.” Sharon stood up straight. “She’s waiting for you in the back room. I think you might need some privacy. I’m jealous already.” She turned and left the room.

With regret, Kelsey watched Sharon leave, before reminding herself Sharon was her employer and friend first, a great fuck second.

Kelsey donned the mask again and headed out of the cubicle. She walked down the dimly lit hall toward the back room and peeked around the corner.

Hot damn!

The woman’s back was to the door. Beneath that back was a mighty fine ass contoured by a pair of loose fitting carpenter jeans. Dark wavy hair hung down the nape of her neck. Her hands were tucked into her pockets, expanding wide shoulder blades.

Kelsey had a mental image of riding the woman like a derby rider, using her hair as reins, screaming with pleasure while she creamed all over her back.

She blinked hard, biting back the image and the quickness to its I Dare You

arrival.

The woman turned slowly, gaze roaming the walls. The profile of a hard chiseled jaw with a slight crook to her nose came into view. Her hair was short on the top, feathered back on the sides. Tanned arms ducked under the short sleeves of her peach golf shirt.

Kelsey tightened her legs together, easing the throb searing through her crotch, and stepped forward.

The woman turned toward her. Her jade green gaze roamed over Kelsey like hot fudge oozing over the side of an ice cream cone.

Heat licked Kelsey’s crotch, making her clit throb between her legs.

“Is there something I can help you with?” Kelsey’s heart strummed in her ears.

“I was hoping to get a dance.” A deep steady voice came from the woman.

“The house is full of women ready to dance all night.”

“True.” The woman nodded then glanced down at Kelsey’s hardened nipples. “But I wanted to dance with you.”

“Fine. Thirty bucks on the table.” Kelsey stepped into the room and closed the door.

When she turned back, bills were lying on the table and the woman had sunk into the oversized plush chair.

“No touching. I do that,” Kelsey said while she walked to the stereo and flipped through to her song of choice. She’d played the song so many times it should be the only one on the CD.

Music blared from the speakers. The strobe lights pulsed with rhythm around them.

Kelsey walked past the woman to the back of the chair, running her fingers up a lean arm and across a broad shoulder, until she stood behind her. She leaned over and licked the woman’s ear, watched her eyes flutter shut. Kelsey smiled, liking the control she had when she gave lap dances.

It was unlike the attention she got when she was on stage. This was more personal, more in control. She could do what she wanted and allow what she wanted.

Right now, Kelsey wanted to straddle this gorgeous woman’s face Sheri Livingston

and cum all over herself.

She leaned further over the woman and ran her fingers between her breasts, then traced the curves of a six‐pack stomach, inching her way to the woman’s jeans. She nibbled the woman’s neck, felt her head angle under her weight to allow her all the skin she wanted.

Kelsey stood, ran her fingers back over a tense shoulder, and raked her nails down a firm arm as she moved in front of the woman. Raw need was plastered in the depths of her eyes, making Kelsey wetter than she already was…if that were possible.

She hiked her leg on the arm of the chair and rocked her hips towards the woman’s face, inching her fingers over her wet pussy.

The woman mouthed something.

Kelsey put her foot down on the carpet and leaned over the woman, straddling her while she dropped into her lap.

She mouthed something again.

Kelsey leaned her ear toward her face.

“I dare you to kiss me,” she murmured.

Kelsey pulled back from her, heat nestling between her legs, igniting a fire. She shook her head and turned her body around in the woman’s lap. Scooting her ass all the way back until she encountered that sexy, grooved stomach, she began to grind her hips against it.

Strong, hot fingers slid around her waist, inching between her legs.

Kelsey grabbed them and rose to her feet, shaking her finger in a no‐no gesture. The woman rose with her and pulled Kelsey against her hard body. Kelsey pushed against her, but strong arms held tight to her.

“When you spread your legs, make sure you dry your wet crotch first.”

Kelsey’s heart hammered in her chest while fire licked her inner thighs, controlling the impulse to sneak a peek between her legs to see how big her wet spot actually was.

Hard, green eyes met hers. The woman let loose one hand and reached for Kelsey’s mask.

Kelsey jerked back, still held tight in the woman’s grasp.

The woman only smiled. “I want to see more than just those I Dare You

gorgeous blue eyes. I want to see who I’m taking home tonight.”

The woman’s mouth clamped down on hers. A tongue slithered between her lips while Kelsey’s hot breath rushed into the woman’s open mouth. Kelsey’s insides coiled with need, ready to spring free.

Holy shit, she wanted this woman’s fingers rammed to their length inside her, twisting and turning and plunging her orgasm over the edge.

The woman broke free of the kiss and slid her lips down to Kelsey’s throat, sucking skin between her teeth.

“Take off your mask,” she whispered.

Kelsey let her head fall back, allowing the woman’s lips to suck at her skin. All she wanted was to yank her head back and bite the shit out of her, then climb over her hips and hunch against her until the fire between her legs burned itself out.

As if willed by some great power, Kelsey found her hands fumbling for the mask. She slipped her fingers around the edge on her cheek and lifted, revealing her face to a woman she wanted to ride like a stallion, not knowing why or how she’d done it.

The woman’s gaze raked over Kelsey’s face like she was the most breathtaking creature she’d ever seen in her life.

Kelsey’s stomach knotted. She felt like a beauty queen standing on a stage while an audience pasted her with their stares instead of a stripper in the backroom giving a lap‐dance for thirty bucks.

“Are you taken?” Hot breath tickled her cheek.

Kelsey shook her head. Or did she? She wasn’t sure if it was a no or an earthquake vibrating her insides.

“Good.”

The woman pulled back from Kelsey, almost spilling her into the floor.

Kelsey came back to herself, the sex‐starved high still running like fire through her veins. She hoped somehow she was still straddling the woman, grinding her crotch into her face and that this last segment had all just been her warped, very realistic, imagination, that she hadn’t allowed her burning need for sex to override her common sense.

The eyes staring back at her proved the kiss had just taken place.

Sheri Livingston

The woman strolled across the floor like a tornado whipping through Kansas.

She opened the door and turned back to Kelsey. “I dare you to want more.” She was out the door before Kelsey could call her all the things that echoed through her mind.

Loser, tease, bitable, edible… Hey, get your fucking ass back in here and clean up this mess you made.

Kelsey stood in awe of the woman’s nerve.

Dare? I dare you to want more? Hellooooo? What fucking grade are we in? Sally, I dare you to kiss Eugene on his pee‐pee.

She whirled around, strode to the stereo, and punched the Off button, praying this was all just some sick dream. The cold plastic in her hands proved she wasn’t sleeping and very far from dreaming. She’d just revealed her face to a total stranger…a stranger she wanted to make her howl with pleasure.

Jeez. That damn vibrator better have some strong ass batteries in it when I get home.

“Who the fuck was that?”

I Dare You

Chapter Two

Jordan pulled the door shut. Her crotch throbbed for the woman who just flopped around in her lap like a rag doll. She’d wanted to fling Veronica—or whatever her real name was—on her back, open her legs like a pocket book, and feast on her.

The moment Veronica erupted onto the stage, Jordan knew she wanted nothing more than to feel that scrumptious body shake and tremble under her weight, to hear moans rumble from that delicate throat.

She couldn’t remember feeling such gut wrenching need spiral inside her for anyone, not even for Marsha, the raving beauty she couldn’t get enough of for the first six months, and then couldn’t get rid of for the next year.

After their final break‐up, Jordan’s freedom rang in her soul like a church bell. She knew she wasn’t destined to find real love or feel its warm fingers caress her. So now, she set her sights on women who were either already attached—the safest by far—or the ones with careers to worry about who never wanted bothersome relationships to interfere.

Besides, she had her own career to think about.

But God, how she wanted Veronica who rolled her ravishing body around that stage like she was born upon it. Jordan imagined she’d be just as good a lover as she was a dancer.

Veronica’s glares back at the women who wanted nothing more than to chew on her half‐naked flesh told Jordan she got no pleasure in seducing them. Nor had she given them the show they really wanted—her Sheri Livingston

bare‐naked cunt slithering on the stage.

It pleased Jordan to hear she wasn’t taken. That meant she could string Veronica along until she begged Jordan to take her to the point of no return.

But would she? Veronica could have her pick of any woman in this slimy bar, and outside of it as well. She’d need only point to one to have them follow her around like a lost puppy for life.

Jordan hadn’t believed in lust at first sight…until now. Out of all the women she’d had the pleasure of making love to, not one ever stalled her heart like the sight of Veronica sinking to her knees and crawling on the floor like a love goddess.

She was destined to have this woman, meant to make her scream every night in heated pleasure.

Jordan eased onto a vacated stool at the bar and turned to the woman dancing on the stage. Her fishnet stockings clung to her skinny legs like a second layer of skin. She was pretty…in a schoolgirl kind of way. Her blonde ponytail bounced around her head while she danced to the fast paced song. A red and black plaid mini‐skirt slipped to the floor while Jordan watched her rehearsed routine.

She noticed the difference between Veronica and this woman immediately. Veronica danced to the beat as if she owned or created it.

This woman danced to it like she’d replayed the part enough to memorize each one‐two‐three step.

A motion caught Jordan’s eye. She turned toward the darkened hall. Veronica stood at the end with flushed cheeks and pissed smirk, mask back in place over her gorgeous face. Her blonde highlights glistened with every passing orb of the strobe light. Jordan nodded, not yet ready to make the next move, and then turned back to the flesh appearing on stage. Her breaths quickened while heat ignited between her legs as she remembered the taste of Veronica’s skin.

Her neck tingled with the breeze. She turned. Veronica had passed by her and gone to mingle with five women seated at a table. Their hands immediately started grabbing at her. One of the women, tall with a dark crew cut, pulled Veronica down in her lap. Veronica threw her arms I Dare You

around the woman’s neck, playing her goddess role to perfection. She glared over the woman’s shoulder at Jordan.

Jordan shrugged off her stare while a green‐eyed monster awakened inside her and raked its claws across her heart. She turned back to the woman crawling naked along the stage.

What now, moron? You’ve teased this fine piece of ass, and now another woman gets to take her home and put out that fire.

Jordan shifted on the stool, daring another glance over her shoulder, wanting to bang her head repeatedly on the wooden counter until there was nothing left but common sense in her brain. What the hell was she thinking?

Veronica was still staring at her. Jordan flashed her an aroused smile, locking on deep blue eyes, feeling the need to jump off the stool and drag her to a secluded part of the bar and make her howl with pleasure.

The other woman ran her hand along Veronica’s leg, inching too close to her crotch for Jordan, as if she had a right to care one way or the other. However, Veronica cared. She whipped her head around to face the woman, throwing long, blonde curls around her shoulders, slowly picked up the roaming hand, and twisted it in her fragile hand. She leaned into the woman, whispered something in her ear then shoved off her lap.

Jordan watched Veronica flee the room and disappear through a side door at the left of the stage. A smile crept into her heart while she watched red blotches splash the woman’s face.

I feel your pain, baby. Guess you went too far? I wonder how far I can go?

Something told Jordan she’d go far with this hot piece of ass…if she played her cards right.

She eased off the stool with heat traveling between her legs and determination on her mind.

* * * * *

Kelsey slammed through the door and jerked the mask over her face. She pulled the halter‐top over her head as soon as she entered her dressing room.

Sheri Livingston

“Fucking women!”

She grabbed her bra from the chair and yanked her arms into the holes.

“Who you screaming at now?” Darren’s voice came from his own dressing room beside hers.

“These women! They think I’m rare meat on a plate.” She pulled her stockings and mini‐skirt over her thighs.

“Honey, the way you crawl around that stage hiding all the goodies, you can’t expect anything less of them.” Darren strolled into the room, completely free of stage make‐up. “They all want to see what you’re hiding.”

“Duh! If I wanted them to see the goodies, I’d show them the damn thing.” She slipped the stockings over her feet and slunk into the chair.

“I’m so tired of the cheap shit that comes in here.”

Darren leaned his skinny frame against the doorjamb while Kelsey slipped her feet into her jeans then stood to slide them over her hips.

“Honey, as much as I hate to say this, you’ve never fit in here. You’re smart, gorgeous, and have a body to die for. The women that come here are only looking for number three.”

“Yeah. Tell me about it.” Kelsey pulled her long hair into a clip.

Spirals of blonde curls fell around her face while she sighed. “Let’s get the hell out of here. A movie, dinner, doing each other’s hair all night… I don’t care, let’s just get going.”

“Can’t.” He gave her his schoolboy smile. “One of those hunky men invited me to his house for some hot sex.”

“You dog! I’m so jealous.” She ducked into her belly shirt and leaned back to stare at him. “Let me guess. Tall guy, brown hair, pretty smile?”

“How’d you know?”

“Just a hunch. He sure wasn’t waiting for me at the edge of that stage.” She giggled at him. “Play safe, you sex maniac.”

“Always do.” He tapped his front pocket to assure her he carried protection everywhere he went.

He eased out the door and jumped back, hand covering his heart I Dare You

dramatically. “Ooh, honey. You scared the shit out of me.” His eyes raked over someone Kelsey couldn’t see.

The woman from the back room stepped to the doorframe. Kelsey’s heart jammed in her chest, wondering how she’d managed to slip past the bouncer.

Darren stepped back to allow her room, pointing over her back, eyes wide, mouthing, “Do this. Do this.”

Kelsey shot him a glare. He ducked away, leaving her alone with the teasing woman.

“And what could you possibly want?”

The woman cleared her throat. “To see if you were free for the night.”

“Why?” Kelsey glared at her, feeling her crotch soak.

“Why not? Unless there was some ‘cheap shit’ you had in mind.”

Kelsey gave her a sarcastic smile. “Well, at least the cheap shit finish what they start.”

Tension spiraled inside Kelsey. She should have cussed this woman out and sent her on her merry way instead of confiding that she had indeed started something. How dare she ever let this woman know she had the power to arouse her? Too late now.

“Oh, I plan to finish what I stared.” The woman looked confident, head held high, staring at Kelsey with raw determination plastered in her gorgeous eyes.

Liquid heat licked its fiery tongue between Kelsey’s thighs. She felt the urgency to squeeze her legs together to ease the ache, but didn’t dare let this woman see her squirm with lust.

“Sorry. I have a list a mile long of people itching to put out this fire.

Your help won’t be needed.”

“Just like the woman sitting out there?” The woman took a step in her direction, freezing all the blood flowing through Kelsey’s veins. “Your sights are aimed much higher than the scum in this place.”

“You are in this place. That makes you scum, too.”

The woman shook her head. “I heard your heart calling from a mile away. I only came here tonight to take you away from this misery, and to Sheri Livingston

put out your fire…right after I ignited it.”

Oh, Holy Shit. What perfect, sweet, romantic, heart searing words.

Kelsey wanted to melt right into the vinyl of the chair, rush at the woman, throw her arms around her neck, and let her carry out of this bar and never look back.

Her inner voice steadied her, ringing its warnings inside her head.

Don’t you fall for that perfect come‐on line. True love doesn’t exist anymore.

Romance is out…fucking is in. She only wants a fuck…no strings attached.

You’ve seen her kind before.

* * * * *

That’s the most pitiful excuse for a come‐on line I’ve ever heard. And that shit came out of my mouth! There goes my fuck. Way to play your cards right, stupid ass!

“I’m game for a fuck.” Veronica slowly rose from the chair, locking gazes with Jordan. “Besides, you started it.”

Excitement sent its electric waves through Jordan. Did she just say yes? Wait. She said yes to a fuck, not love. First things first.

Jordan stepped back while Veronica shoved past her, heading to the end of the hall, where she pushed open a door that led them behind the building.

Kelsey stopped in front of a new Ford Explorer. “Follow me.”

“With pleasure.” Butterflies came to life inside Jordan’s belly. She hurried across the gravel to her Dodge Viper, beeped the door open and slipped behind the steering wheel. She couldn’t remember ever being this excited to be going home with a woman, to know what she would sound like when an orgasm rocked through her body, to feel her quiver with pleasure.

They pulled out of the parking lot. After many twists and turns, Veronica finally pulled into the driveway of a pale yellow cottage‐style house with red terra cotta tiles for a roof. A wrought iron gate stopped their progress. Despite the excitement that tingled through her body, Jordan memorized every street name so she could find her way back to I Dare You

this beauty; even though it was obvious the woman lived a secluded, protected life.

Veronica reached her hand through her open window, punched numbers onto a pad by the driveway, and the gate opened.

They pulled along a pebbled circular driveway while the gate closed behind them.

Jordan was impressed. She hadn’t expected Veronica to live so lavishly, never would have suspected the strip joint would pay so heavily.

Veronica parked her car and climbed out. She slammed the door and looked over her shoulder at Jordan.

Jordan swallowed the lump in her throat, parked behind Veronica, and managed to turn off the engine and climb out of her car without dropping the keys. Veronica led the way onto a tiny porch, her lovely ass swaying with every step, and unlocked the door.

Heat traveled down Jordan’s spine, burrowed itself between her legs. All she wanted to do was shove Veronica through the door and ram her back against a wall. She wanted to shove her tongue down this woman’s throat, bury her fingers inside her, and make her scream over and over and over.

She stilled the impulse and followed Veronica through the door.

The lock engaged with a faint click.

* * * * *

Kelsey’s mind wandered in a thousand directions.

The need to be carried over the edge, to have this woman finish what she started, was her prime target. Yet, her seductive come‐on line wasn’t far from her mind. It was one of the sweetest things Kelsey had ever heard, as stupid as that might sound.

But sweet wasn’t what she wanted now. She wanted rough hands and hardened fingers plunging an orgasm from her body.

She flipped the switch by the door. Light splashed the room.

The woman stood before her, watching her every move while she locked the door behind her. Kelsey controlled the impulse to yank that Sheri Livingston

peach shirt over her head and suck at her nipples.

“Would you like something to drink?”

“No.” Raw determination stared back at her. “After sweating for a few hours, we might need water, however.”

Woo doggy! Make me sweat, baby.

The woman closed the gap between them and clamped her mouth over Kelsey’s. Her tongue slid into Kelsey’s mouth, pressing her flat against the door.

Their tongues danced in each other’s mouths.

Kelsey snaked her arms around the woman’s neck, weaving fingers through her short silken hair, moans rumbling inside her chest. Liquid heat settled between her thighs.

The woman’s hands roamed over her ass, pressing Kelsey harder against her chest. She gave a gentle tug, leading Kelsey to the floor.

Kelsey reached for the light switch, darkening the room, and then sank to the plush carpet beside the woman.

Her fingers tugged at the clasp of Kelsey’s jeans, gave them a hard yank, and then pulled them down her legs. Heat prickled her skin with the path of the woman’s hands over her bare ass.

Kelsey’s crotch burned. She couldn’t remember ever wanting someone to fuck her so bad, or so hard. She envisioned all the positions she’d seen in the porn movies, and wanted this woman to practice every move on her body right here and now.

The woman’s fingers slipped between her legs, gently caressing her crotch, weaving fingers through her wiry hair. Her mouth sucked at the skin on Kelsey’s neck.

Kelsey let her legs fall open, hunching her hips in the air, wanting to feel fingers dive inside her.

“You taste like sweat…tangy and sweet.”

“Um hum.” Kelsey wanted to tell her shut her fucking mouth and get on with what she’d started. The sooner she was taken over that erotic edge, the better.

The woman’s fingertip passed over Kelsey’s clit.

Kelsey dug her head into the carpet, arching her chest in the air, I Dare You

prepared to shove this woman’s fingers inside her if she had to. She was running out of patience.

The woman’s fingers teased her clit, passing back and forth over it, sinking the tip of her finger inside Kelsey, then pulling back to start the process all over.

“Before I ram your fingers inside me myself, what the hell is your name?”

Teeth nipped the skin on her collarbone. She nested her face against Kelsey’s chest and slipped her tongue in her cleavage. “Jordan Phillips,”

she whispered.

“Well, Jordan… If you don’t get on with this, I might be forced…to finish without you.” Burning heat smoldered between her legs.

“What’s the rush, my sweet thing?” Jordan pulled her fingers from between Kelsey’s legs and rolled over on top of her. She grabbed Kelsey’s wrists and pulled them over her head, locking them against the floor.

With her knees, she pushed Kelsey’s legs apart then hunched her pelvic bone against her crotch. “And who do I have the pleasure of making love to tonight?”

Fire erupted inside Kelsey. With hesitation, panting breath, and no clue why she wasn’t afraid to tell this woman her real name, she whispered. “Kelsey.”

“Kelsey. I like that name. It’s seductive, enticing, and sweet on my tongue…literally.”

Kelsey was completely out of patience now. Was this woman nothing but a tease? Was she going to torture Kelsey with her seductive words and roaming fingers all damn night?

Jordan gave her a sexy grin, and then leaned her face to Kelsey’s.

She sucked Kelsey’s lower lip into her mouth, then rolled her tongue across it.

Kelsey parted her lips and let loose the soft cry trapped in her throat, unable to hold it back another second.

Lightening bolts shot across her mind as her eyelids fluttered shut.

The woman’s hot breath floated across her cheeks, across her parted lips, into her mouth.

Sheri Livingston

“Stop…teasing me.”

“It only gets better from here.” Her breath feathered across Kelsey’s skin.

Kelsey opened her eyes.

Jordan was leaned over her, staring at her with those gorgeous green eyes. “Relax. Why rush it?”

“I don’t have patience.” Kelsey’s chest heaved. “Not right now, anyway.”

“All good things come in time.”

“I’m going to burn alive if you don’t hurry.” Kelsey hated the words spilling from her lips. She was weak, and this woman knew it.

“Well, why didn’t you say so?”

She was barely aware of her wrists being freed, of Jordan’s face sinking between her legs. The fire burned her alive from the inside out.

I Dare You

Chapter Three

Jordan slipped her face between Kelsey’s lean thighs.

She wanted to prolong this and watch Kelsey writhe with need, but her anguished gaze and pants of urgency pushed her forward. Jordan smiled. She had all night to make love to this gorgeous siren…over and over again.

Pushing Kelsey’s legs further apart, she spread her wet pussy lips with her fingertips. She found her clit with ease, then ran the tip of her tongue over it.

Kelsey arched her back, pushing her chest into the air. Her hands dropped to the floor beside her hips, dragging her fingers through the plush carpet. The sound heated Jordan’s crotch another degree. She squeezed her legs together to ease the throb.

Kelsey’s moans echoed around the room. Jordan inserted her fingers into her wet channel, filling her completely. She wanted to bare her teeth and eat this woman whole, swallow her down then fall asleep full and satisfied. She’d never wanted another woman as bad as she wanted this ravishing beauty.

Kelsey gave a soft cry.

Jordan’s heart wrenched in her chest, her crotch catching fire. She sucked Kelsey’s clit between her lips.

Kelsey hunched her hips against her face faster, wild with need, writhing on the floor.

To Jordan’s amazement, Kelsey froze, chest high in the air. Her Sheri Livingston

insides gripped Jordan’s fingers, pumping hard while Kelsey screamed with pleasure. She grabbed Jordan’s hair and yanked a handful like a set of reins, digging her face into her crotch.

Jordan held on with her free hand to one of the legs that pinned her head like a vice and pulled them apart for breathing room. She’d never heard such satisfying cries. Pride swelled her heart while Kelsey yanked the hell out of her hair.

After what felt like hours, Kelsey loosened her grip and let her arms fall limp.

Jordan pulled her fingers from inside her and slithered up her sweaty body. “I’d say that was some pent up energy.” She kissed Kelsey’s tangy neck. A tingling sensation slithered across her scalp while hair follicles tried to re‐root themselves.

“Take off your clothes.” Kelsey rolled her over, surprising Jordan with her sudden energy, and straddled her hips. “I’m not done.”

* * * * *

Kelsey had never felt so satisfied in her life. The pleasure awakened an insatiable need and she wasn’t yet finished with this woman’s skilled hands and luscious body. Her own body was spent of sexual frustration, but the faintest touch of Jordan’s lips on her damp skin brought her to life, ready to feel another orgasm rock through her body.

She fisted Jordan’s shirt in her hand.

Jordan leaned forward and allowed Kelsey to pull it over her head.

The soft blue glow of moonlight shining through the slits of her mini‐blinds highlighted Jordan’s white sports bra. Kelsey dipped a fingertip in Jordan’s cleavage. A soft moan rewarded her gentle caress.

Jordan clamped her lips over Kelsey’s. Her tongue dove deep, searching and exploring.

Kelsey’s nerve endings came alive. Her clit clenched between her legs. She raked her fingers through Jordan’s hair, entwining the silken strands. Her hips automatically hunched into the lean stomach, heat flaring between her thighs.

I Dare You

She broke free of the kiss, letting her arms dangle over Jordan’s shoulders. “Fuck me again.” The words rolled off her tongue like a skier down a snowy slope .

Jordan’s hot lips pressed against her neck. “I didn’t fuck you the first time.”

Kelsey’s head fell back. Warmth spread over her like melted butter.

Her heart stalled at the sweet, seductive words.

Jeez. What the hell was that? Excuse me, um, I’m not a princess and this isn’t Princess Charming coming to rescue me from my dungeon of drooling women. Flip her over, smack that tight ass, and get on with another joyous ride.

Kelsey did as her inner voice commanded. She eased Jordan onto her back, tore the clasp loose on her carpenter jeans, and yanked them over those lickable, athletic thighs.

Jordan kicked out of her shoes, undies, and jeans. She pulled her sport bra over her head. The moonlight highlighted the ivory flesh of her chest, a tantalizing sight that made Kelsey yearn to lick and fondle those small breasts.

Kelsey ducked her head and sucked an erect nipple between her lips, getting another moan from Jordan. She trailed her fingers down her new lover’s six‐pack stomach, letting them linger over the sexy ridges.

Jordan tensed as Kelsey’s fingers wove through her wiry bush, further to slip across her clit and then dove to the hilt inside her. She gripped Kelsey’s back, pulling her closer, panting in her ear.

Heat spiraled through Kelsey with every moan she pulled from Jordan. Her crotch throbbed to be touched again, to be relieved of the burn rekindling between her legs.

She stroked her fingers in and out, reveling in the wetness, proving Jordan liked what she’d been able to do to Kelsey.

Kelsey released her pert nipple. “Did you enjoy my ride?”

Breathless pants escaped Jordan then a short snicker. “Just a little.”

Kelsey slipped her fingers from inside her, moved a tip over her clit and began to circle. Fingers dug into her back. “Good. Now, it’s your turn.”

Kelsey rubbed Jordan’s clit until soft cries escaped her throat. She Sheri Livingston

removed her fingers and slid down the length of her. A swift wiggle of her hips lowered her body and face to the wet, wiry curls covering her lover’s sex. She pushed Jordan’s legs apart then spread the swollen folds of her sweet flesh.

Jordan’s breath caught. She arched her hips toward Kelsey’s mouth.

“In a hurry?” Kelsey couldn’t help but tease. She’d been left in a back room with flames shooting from between her legs. The least she could do was give back some of that fire.

“Are we going to play the tease game?” Jordan leaned up to take a peek at her.

“I’m a fast learner.” She gave Jordan’s clit a lick.

Jordan’s head fell back to the carpet, inching her hips closer for more. “Oh, great. I guess I’m in trouble.”

Kelsey dipped the tip of her finger inside, added another and inserted them further.

Jordan moaned, clenching her hands into fists.

Kelsey savored the power she felt at the tension coiling inside Jordan. Jordan’s insides pulsed around her fingers. She wanted to tease more, to drag this out for as long as Jordan could handle it, yet those quivering thighs changed her mind. She wanted to hear Jordan moan with pleasure.

She sucked Jordan’s clit into her mouth. Within seconds, her body constricted, fingers digging into the carpet while hard driving pumps gripped Kelsey’s fingers. She stroked in and out of Jordan while her soft cries flooded the room.

Jordan’s body shook under her face then slowly relaxed.

Kelsey crawled up and collapsed beside her. Sweat clung to their bodies like dew on a leaf. They draped arms around each other, pulling each other closer.

Jordan kissed her forehead and nuzzled her face into Kelsey’s neck.

Well, this is odd. I’m not used to cuddling after sex. What to do…what to do? Lay here and pretend we’re a sappy couple, or remind her she doesn’t live here?

I Dare You

Feeling strong arms surround her and warm breath float across her chest, Kelsey chose to lie there. She could very well get used to this. Hmm.

I wonder if she gives foot massages or cooks. Now that would be awesome.

After some time lying in each other’s arms and tracing fingers along the outline of each other’s faces and ribcages, Kelsey rose from the floor. She snapped on the switch. Harsh yellow light cascaded around them. She reached for her clothes and donned each piece.

“Thanks for the warning.” Jordan held her hand over her face and sheltered her eyes from the light while watching Kelsey.

“Oh, don’t mention it.” She gave her a wry smile.

“Are you always this…nice?”

“Shoot no. I get better. I’m queen of nice. My friends’ think I’m made of sugar I’m so damn sweet.” She reached her hand down for Jordan.

Jordan stared at her hand as if it were a snake ready to strike then reached up to grasp it. But instead of letting Kelsey help her up, she yanked her down on top of her and began nibbling her ear.

“I thought you said you weren’t done?” Jordan licked a wet path along her neck.

“Only so much sweating a girl can do in one night.” Kelsey smiled.

Warmth spread over her like molten honey. Damn girl, get a grip. This is a fuck, not a proposal.

She pushed against Jordan and rose again, this time walking away from the naked body sprawled on her floor, and headed to the kitchen.

She flipped on the light, went to the chrome fridge, and pulled out two bottles of water. She opened a white stained cabinet, looking for something to munch. The only items were a box of stale crackers and a can of olives. She shook her head at the pitiful selection and shut the door.

When she turned around, Jordan was leaning against the food bar fully dressed, eyeing her with a curious expression.

Kelsey walked back, eeled onto the stool and slid a bottle across to Jordan. “It might not have been hours, but it was worth the water.” She gave her a wink and turned up the bottle.

The ice‐cold fluid cooled her throat down a notch. Unfortunately, it Sheri Livingston

did nothing for the heat smoldering between her thighs at the sight of Jordan’s broad shoulders and tousled hair.

Jordan eased around the bar, stood between Kelsey’s parted legs, and wrapped them around her waist. “I’m not ready to end our date.”

Kelsey almost choked on the water traveling down her throat. “A date? Is that what you thought this was? Do I look like I’m into dating?”

She spread her arms out for Jordan to get a better look. “Who the hell has time for dating?”

Jordan glanced around the black and white kitchen with its sparkle and shine. “Actually, it looks like you get a lot of royalties from something. Most strippers don’t live like this.”

Kelsey raised her eyebrows and gave her a quizzical look. “How many strippers do you know?”

Jordan turned those luscious green eyes her way, a smile deepening the corners of her mouth. “Was that a hint of jealousy oozing from those pretty little lips?”

“Uh…no. There’s not a jealous bone in my body.” Big, fat liar. That was a green‐eyed monster scratching and clawing to get out of you. Sheesh. Get a grip, girl. “So, where are you taking me to eat?” Kelsey gave her a sweet smile.

Jordan’s gaze roamed between Kelsey’s legs. “I don’t have to take you anywhere to eat. You, on this stool, will work just fine.”

The smoldering embers sparked to life and erupted into fire between Kelsey’s thighs. She gave a heated smile then reached for Jordan.

* * * * *

Jordan awoke with Kelsey’s toned arms and sexy legs sprawled across her. She glanced around the bright bedroom. A large entertainment center sat against the wall at the foot of the bed. Double doors shut out the view of the contents inside.

She turned to look at the beauty lying beside her, the one she’d made love to over and over last night. Kelsey was fast asleep with lips parted. Jordan felt the urge to stick her fingertip inside that mouth, to feel I Dare You

Kelsey suck it between her teeth.

Come on, now. The last time you woke up with a woman in your bed, it took you a year to get rid of her. But, oh God, how she wanted to lock the bedroom door and hide Kelsey inside these tan walls forever. Was that sick? Was her mind disturbed? Since when did she look at things in a romantic light? Since the second she crawled across that stage and looked past the ogling faces as if they were nothing more than statues. That’s when.

Jordan smiled at her sleeping beauty. She’d meant to make Kelsey fall in love with her, not the other way around. But, why? Why did she find it necessary to make this woman fall in love, and with her of all people, a person whose family and life was more screwed up than she was even willing to admit.

And what was up with this huge, gorgeous house? No stripper she’d ever heard of made enough money to pay for something so big. Was she an escort? A whore…? Very well worth it if she were. Jordan couldn’t believe the woman that hid all the yummy from her fans would give it away for any amount of money. But something was paying for this house…or someone.

Jordan envisioned some sugar daddy, complete with cane and fat bank account. No. That wasn’t it either. Possibly given to her by some rich dyke who wanted to have Kelsey’s luscious body waiting whenever she decided to fly home from Paris and have her way with her, waltz her around on her arm for all of Los Angeles to see?

Whatever, or whoever, paid for this house, was making a ton of money, or giving up an awful lot to provide Kelsey with such rich standards.

Kelsey shifted and stretched. She opened her eyes and stared at Jordan, then rolled over to look at the clock.

“Holy shit.” Kelsey pushed off the bed. “You have to go. I’m late.”

Jordan watched her fine ass flee around the bed and into the bathroom. “Late for what? It’s Saturday.”

The hiss of water started. Jordan eased out of bed and followed Kelsey into the shower. Foam slid down her tan body, catching in her wiry bush.

Sheri Livingston

“Don’t you start.” Kelsey flashed her a smile and leaned her head under the spray of water.

Jordan stepped into her, kissing the outstretched neck, getting a taste of fruity shampoo.

Kelsey swatted at the hands reaching around to cup her ass. “I’m not kidding. I’m late.”

“Surely you can spare a few minutes.” She wasn’t ready to leave this woman. She seriously needed to get a grip before she found her heart twisted like a pretzel. It was obvious Kelsey only wanted fucks with no strings attached.

Suds ran over her hardened nipples. Jordan ducked her head and licked the tip.

Kelsey’s fingers tangled in her hair and pulled her to her mouth.

“Okay, maybe a few minutes.”

* * * * *

An hour later, Kelsey drove along L.A.’s bustling streets. Her body was still numb from her early morning orgasm and thoughts of Jordan kept slithering across her mind. She couldn’t remember a single time having visions last this long after sex. What was so different about this woman? How she’d wanted to stay at home and spend the day with her, getting to know her secrets and dreams. She wanted to know what made this woman tick, what made her different from anyone she’d dared bring home before.

She shook Jordan’s face from her mind, trying to concentrate on the job she had ahead of her. She pulled into the parking lot, eased out of the car and glared at the white brick building. Would Daddy roll over in his grave if he knew I wanted to give this up? Or hate me if he knew I’d already started? Why did I have to be the smart one of the family? Why couldn’t Dad have left this thriving business to Kevin? Because, he’s a loser, you moron. Dad knew you wouldn’t let him down.

She pressed down her business slacks and shirt, plucked her briefcase from behind the seat, and then made her way across the asphalt.

I Dare You

She pulled open the heavy glass door and entered the building. She passed through the elaborate security scan and entrance protocol of the gleaming office. Her heels clicked on the marble floor, a sound she’d heard almost every day of her life for the past ten years. Her high heels clicked on the marble floor as she walked briskly down the echoing halls.

She wanted to run back to the security of her car and flee back to the bar where she could be herself, or at least, partly herself.

She approached the open glass room.

Douglas, the son to her father’s best friend, rose from his chair inside the conference room to face her. A scowl creased the smooth lines on his forehead. His young face stood out among the much older ones around the room.

She gave him a wry smile and opened the doors, strolled to the end of the large oval table, and set her briefcase down.

“Good morning, gentlemen.” She gave the eleven old men a nod, not offering any reasons for her tardiness, and shrugged out of her jacket.

“The meeting started over thirty minutes ago,” one of her associates said, impatience clearly etched in every syllable.

“Not without me, you didn’t.”

She flicked the briefcase open and pulled the documents out.

Douglas bit back a smile at her directness to the sour man.

He was the only person she was close to in this dull and agonizing place. Having grown up only a block from each other, and their fathers best friends, had given them plenty of years to get to know each other. He knew her so well. He was the only person she’d told how much she hated ripping people’s lives apart. He’d actually supported her decision to change the purpose of her father’s company, without the knowledge of the other associates. He’d sat with her endless nights, in this very room, helping her come up with a plan that would make everyone happy, and still make her company the money it was expected to make. What would happen when she finally sprang her new plans on them? Would they refuse to have any part of them, or would they welcome the changes she was planning to make?

“Okay, gentlemen.” She glanced around the table. Pissed, old faces Sheri Livingston

stared back at her. The same faces she’d seen almost every day of her life, coming to this very office to watch her father stand tall then destroy poor struggling businesses. “What do we tear apart today?”

I Dare You

Chapter Four

Jordan opened the door to the karate shop she was proud to call her own. Loud shouts from the kids in one of the rooms met her as she approached the long desk. Snapped from his trance, Terrance looked up from his tiny TV. His pale skin gleamed under the bright lights.

“Hey, girl. I didn’t think you were coming in today.” He gave her a once over, then turned his attention back to the screen.

“I wasn’t.” She leaned back to get a better view into the other room of the boy kicking his bare foot into the gloved hand of Robert. “I thought I’d come see how Daniel was doing.”

He nodded in the direction of the open door. “He was kicking the shit out of Robert awhile ago.”

“Any messages?” She slapped her palm on the counter to get his undivided attention.

Terrance jumped and turned to stare at her. His blue eyes focused for a second before a smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “Sorry. I was watching this guy from Canada…the one I’ll be fighting next month. He’s a quick shit.” He pushed against the counter and rolled the chair to the phone against the wall. He plucked a piece of paper from the stand and rolled back to her.

She took the paper and read his scribbled message then walked behind the desk to look at the tape he was playing.

“The lady on the phone said they were twins, already ranked black belts.” He sat beside her, staring at the TV, nodding toward the paper in Sheri Livingston

her hand.

“Wow. That’s great. I’d be proud to have them both.” She turned to look at him.

“Yeah? Well, you have a problem.” He gave her a wry smile. “You don’t have any spots open. You’re booked to the max.”

“If you think I’m going to give up either one of them because of a stupid thing like that, you’re crazy. I’ll train them in my spare time if I have to, or hire someone else.”

He let out a piercing laugh. “Yeah, right. What spare time? Damn girl, you’re stretched to your limits now. With training the kids and your own personal training, I don’t know how you do it.” He stared back down at the TV, eyes narrowing at the man and his karate moves. “And then on your days off, you’re still showing up here. You own the damn place, let us handle it.”

“Uh‐huh. I see the way you handle things.” She winked playfully and pointed at the screen. “He does a left kick right before he does a right jab. Take the kick then grab his arm and roll him under for the pin.” She smiled then walked into the room with Robert and Daniel.

Daniel was her prize pupil. At only ten, he’d bypassed every belt in his age group, outwitting and out punching every opponent that dared to step on the mat with him. Jordan and Robert had given him their undivided attention and all the extra training his little body could handle.

He’d recently won a competition that allowed Jordan to take him into an older age group. She couldn’t figure out who was more excited…him or her. There wasn’t anything this child could do to make her more proud.

“Hiya, kiddo.” She chuckled at the back kick Robert took.

Daniel gave her a nod while he kicked Robert’s padded hand then ducked to the floor to swipe his leg in a circle.

“How long’s he been doing this?”

“He got here around nine. Been here ever since. I finished with the morning class then came in here to help him,” Robert said, blocking shots from Daniel’s strong blows. Robert’s bald head gleamed under the bright lights, and his muscles rippled in his black arms with every movement.

I Dare You

Jordan glanced down at her watch. “That’s enough, Daniel. You can’t overdue it. Muscles can only take so much in one day.”

“My muscles can take anything.” He stopped punching and relaxed, staring at her with a demanding look.

“I’m sure they can, but I’m not taking any chances on you getting hurt.”

“Will you show me that new move?” His eyes rounded, pleading.

“Thirty minutes. That’s it.”

He smiled and turned back to Robert, hands automatically moving in front of his face in a defensive posture.

She headed to the locker room to change into workout clothes, smiling because of Daniel’s need to learn more, to strive further.

When she came back into the room, Robert was holding Daniel on the floor with his fingers jammed into the boy’s throat.

“That’ll get you mega points.” He grabbed Daniel’s white karate uniform and pulled him from the floor.

“The one Jordan showed me last week would win me every competition,” Daniel said, eyeing her.

“True, but you can’t always get your opponent in that position,”

Jordan reminded him. She stretched out her muscles, doing splits on the floor, then leaning over to lay her face flat against the mat.

“I will.” Daniel’s confidence was apparent.

Jordan eased off the floor to face her tiny opponent. He stood before her without an ounce of fear in his eyes.

“When I lunge…duck. Let me get past you, then pop up behind me.” They circled the floor facing each other. “With lightening fast speed, grab my left hand. As you turn me to face you, pull your arm over the back of my neck, then yank me to the floor, face down. You have to be strong because if your opponent squirms or kicks, they can get out of the hold. If you can hold long enough…it’s a pin.”

He only nodded, never veering his gaze from his opponent.

Jordan smiled, knowing he would give every ounce of energy and strength he had in him to pin her, even if she only gave him half of her strength to allow it.

Sheri Livingston

After ten or more times of replaying the same hold, they called it quits for the day. She sent Daniel home.

A while later, after going over the new roster of students, fees paid and unpaid, she idled behind a red light when a woman in a business suit caught her gaze. She was seated outside at a round table at a corner café.

Her hair was pinned into a messy bun, though lone strands framed her face. Black slacks wrapped slender legs and a white blouse, three buttons undone, displayed killer cleavage.

Images of Kelsey flashed with supersonic speed into her mind...those perky lips parted to allow a soft cry to escape in her mind.

Jordan shook her head, trying to swipe the memory of slender fingers sliding into her.

The woman turned her face to a handsome man. Tall and dark-haired, also wearing a business suit, he smiled and leaned into her. She looks like Kelsey. A pang gripped Jordan’s gut. A serious expression crossed the woman’s profile, resembling the hard glare Kelsey gave her in the back room.

A horn blasted behind her. She jerked her head toward the light to see that it had changed to green. She revved the engine and pulled forward, taking another glance through the window, catching a full view of the woman.

Holy shit! That is Kelsey.

* * * * *

Kelsey turned toward the sound of the blaring horn, but the cars had started moving forward. Obviously someone didn’t gun their motor a fraction of a second after the light turned green. Impatient drivers. Gotta love ‘em.

She turned back to Douglas and continued to listen to his fascinating story about doing absolutely nothing with his life—his love life. He needed a girlfriend, a nice roll in the hay, yet his life consisted of work and nothing but work.

He sometimes made her feel guilty over her lack of love for her I Dare You

daddy’s company. She should have that same pride to be carrying on his legacy instead of ashamed of the life she was destined to live…her father’s dying wishes that she carry on his name and the reason behind his company, trusting her completely to get the job done.

“Have you given any more thought to just changing the name?”

“What good would that do? Everyone would still see my name and assume nothing had changed. If I can’t change the company, then what good is changing the name going to do?”

Douglas leaned back in the black, iron chair, scowling at her.

“What’s up with you? What’s got you so damn scared lately?”

“I’m not scared.” Kelsey looked away, not wanting him to see the fear in her eyes.

He’d pegged her for sure. She was scared shitless to change something her father cared so much about…no matter if she agreed or not.

She loved her father more than she loved the very breath in her lungs. By changing his company, she was changing his dying wishes—something that might haunt her for the rest of her life if she failed.

And, if she didn’t fail, could she still live with herself knowing he’d created this company for personal reasons that went deeper than Kelsey could ever possibly understand?

She was damned if she did, and damned if she didn’t. To achieve her own desire, she was going against him, but to fail would be a slap in the face to have to continue with something that was tearing her heart apart…draining her soul one company at a time.

“I’m failing whether I win or lose.” She cut her gaze back on him.

“Don’t you understand that?”

He slid his hand to cover hers, sympathy washing over his hard, chiseled face. “Honey, your father loved you more than anything in this world. You know that. He left you this company because he knew you could handle it. He wouldn’t want you to be miserable like this.”

Tears stung Kelsey’s eyes, threatening to spill into sobs. She knew Douglas was right, but she couldn’t fail her father, no matter what. By keeping things the way they were kept her safe from hurting him. He was the love of her life. No one had ever understood her the way he had. He Sheri Livingston

knew her hopes and dreams, shared in every single one of them. It was safest to keep things the way they were, just like he’d created them. To tear apart companies so he could win back the heart of his cruel father—

something Kelsey would never understand.

She shook her head and willed the tears to stay put. “I’m not ready to change things.”

Douglas removed his hand and folded his arms across his chest.

“So, you’re going to continue to hide away in that house for the rest of your life, constantly looking over your shoulder for someone who might put a bullet through your head, and find your freedom in that filthy bar?”

“It’s my life.” Anger took root, erupting into rage. “You know what. I don’t need your help. I’m selling the fucking place.”

Kelsey shoved away from the table and stomped off. Her heels clicked fast on the concrete as she shoved past gawkers more than willing to see a good fight.

“Sorry excuse for a man,” Kelsey mumbled under her breath while she yanked open her car door, knowing Douglas was anything but a sorry excuse for a human being.

She flopped in the seat and eased the car into traffic.

“Did I just say that out loud?” She giggled to herself. “Did I just decide to sell the business without discussing it with myself first? I’m going to sell the business.” She said the words again just to feel them roll off her tongue. “Then I’ll move to Hawaii and live happily ever after with a drink in one hand and a palm leaf fanning my tan skin in the other.”

She nodded to her reflection in the mirror, affirmative and happy with the decision that had popped out of her mouth in anger. She only wished she’d done it earlier, instead of waiting until her list of enemies stretched from here to China. She knew there were several hundred people, possibly thousands, who would love to kick a chair out from under her and watch a noose choke the life out of her.

Her father’s business had already made her a millionaire, so what did she have to lose by selling? Making sure his company slid into the right hands, hands that would make sure her new plan was put into motion, was of utmost importance, no matter how bad she wanted out.

I Dare You

Kelsey parked the car in the back of The Pink Lady , then pushed her way through the door.

Darren poked his head around his dressing room and let out a piercing whistle. “You make my dick hard every time you come here dressed like that. It’s almost like seeing a drag queen in costume.”

“Shut up, pervert.”

“Oh, someone’s a sour puss. Come here and give daddy a wet, sloppy kiss.” Darren ran at her with fingers wiggling. His tongue hung out in a perfect imitation of Gene Simmons.

She squealed and ran into her dressing room. He was hot on her heels as she jumped in her chair and curled into a ball, her face buried against the plush material.

Darren wrapped his arms around her, humping her like some horny dog. “Come on, baby. Give daddy a kiss.” He made a disgusting slurping sound while she squealed and slapped at her ear. “My beautiful, luscious drag queen.”

“Get off me, you horny shit.”

He giggled and backed up to the couch.

She shot upright, hair tousled around her face, and attended to straightening out her clothes.

“So, how did your meeting go?”

“Fine. Actually, the meeting was rather boring compared to lunch with Douglas.”

“Ooh la‐la. Fine piece of ass he is.”

“Gross! He’s like my brother. And…” She raised her finger above her head. “…he’s straight.”

“Who cares? Did you hear that ‘fine ass’ part?”

“I’m selling.” She said the words before she could change her mind.

“Well, it’s about damn time.” He plopped down in her lap. “Can I retire to Hawaii with you? Please, mommy? I’ll be a really good boy and do all my laundry. I’ll even keep my boy‐toys in my bed for nightly use.”

He stuck his thumb in his mouth and wiggled his eyebrows.

“Get off me, you weirdo.” She pushed him out of her lap and Sheri Livingston

started unbuttoning her shirt.

“Speaking of weirdoes, you got a strange phone call today. The woman said something about killing you. She was talking with one of those voice changing thingies. I told her you were a black belt, but she didn’t seem too impressed.” He unwrapped a piece of gum from her candy dish and popped it in his mouth.

“Killing me?” She raised her eyebrows.

“Yep. Probably some twat you turned down.” He gave her a wry smile. “Don’t act like you’ve not been told this before, honey.”

“True.”

An image of Pam’s new girlfriend came to mind. Boy, had she ever been jealous of Kelsey. Pam had brought her here one time—a huge mistake on her part. Seeing her ex being completely disrespectful to her new little fling had infuriated Kelsey. Kelsey had slithered her sweaty body all over the stage to keep Pam’s attention glued to her, hoping to show the new girlfriend what a piece of shit she was getting. Her plan worked for a while, until the girlfriend flipped her attention on Kelsey instead of badgering Pam with her jealous words or stomping out of the bar.

The new girlfriend finally jumped up to the edge of the stage, screaming and cussing like a demented fool. She’d threatened to do everything to Kelsey except her hair and make‐up. Poor Pam. She’d never be able to go in another gay strip joint for as long as she bedded that cute, little thing. Not that Kelsey gave a shit who Pam dated. She actually felt sorrier for the girlfriend than she did Pam, knowing what a flirt Pam could be without a hint of respect in her straying eyes.

Kelsey pushed the thoughts from her mind and removed her bra.

She walked to the closet tucked in the corner of the room and pulled a halter‐top from a hanger and placed the loop around her neck.

Someone rapped on her door.

Darren let out a blood‐curdling high‐pitched scream. Kelsey whipped her head around, heart jamming in her throat.

“You idiot!” Sharon screamed with her hand covering her heart, her body flung against the frame of the door. “What are you screaming I Dare You

at?”

“You are seriously not going to leave your hair like that, are you?”

He fanned his face with his hand. “It’s against beauty ethics. I thought you were a monster coming to gobble me up.”

Kelsey doubled over with laughter. Sharon had her hair in curlers.

It wasn’t the end of the world after all. Darren was such a loony tunes with his warped sense of humor.

“You shit.” Sharon planted her hands on her hips and gave him a caustic glare. “Go get ready or something.” She pointed down the hall.

“Jeez. I can’t help it if you scared me. Fix yourself before you visit us next time.”

He ducked out of the room before Sharon could slap him.

As Sharon strolled into the room, Kelsey turned her back on her and removed her slacks, kicking them against the closet wall. She pulled on a mini‐skirt from the closet, trying to ignore that her space was being invaded.

Hands slithered around her waist. “Why don’t you let me lock the door and bring your heart rate up a notch?” Sharon licked a wet path along her back.

Kelsey pushed her hands away. “I told you, I don’t mix business with pleasure. You should have never asked me to work here.”

“Then, you’re fired. I can’t go another day without this luscious body in my bed.”

Kelsey pulled away from her roaming hands. “Sorry, boss, no can do.”

“Is it that woman who took you out of here last night?”

Kelsey froze and slowly turned to face her. “That’s none of your business.”

“Damn, sorry. Don’t get your feathers all ruffled.” She gave Kelsey a gentle smile. “This was waiting for you at the bar when I came out of my office.”

Kelsey took the envelope from her hands, never turning her gaze from Sharon’s bedroom eyes. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome, sweet cheeks.”

Sheri Livingston

Sharon gave her a swat on the ass before she left the room.

Kelsey stared at the empty doorway. Poor Sharon. She knew the woman was in love with her, but that love wasn’t something Kelsey returned. She’d been a great fuck, but love was far from her mind where Sharon was concerned. She should have stopped their fling a long time ago, after never finding what she was really looking for. She might have to consider quitting this job as well. It’s not as if she really needed it.

However the freedom to play and have fun, well, that was worth the job.

Kelsey looked at the envelope. Only her name was written across the front. She tore open the edge and pulled out the paper. Her eyes widened as her heart attempted to tear its way through her chest. Five words filled the page.

You are a dead bitch.

I Dare You

Chapter Five

While Jordan showered, she pondered whether to go to the bar where Kelsey worked. If she went, she’d look desperate. If she didn’t go, it would appear as if she didn’t want to see her again, and that couldn’t be further from the truth.

And why was Kelsey so dressed up today? It wasn’t like she’d never seen a woman go from jeans and T‐shirt to a total classy chic. But Kelsey was different. She looked completely professional, as if she’d been doing it for years.

She shut off the water and pulled a towel from the hook outside the stall. She dried her body then stepped out and wiped the fogged mirror with the towel.

“What to do?” she asked her reflection.

The ringing of the phone shrilled from the bedroom, breaking up the indecisions going on inside her head.

She ran into her bedroom and picked up the receiver “Hello?”

“Hi, honey.” Her mother’s voice put a damper in the hot fantasies of Kelsey.

She grimaced, hating that she’d answered the phone. “Hi, Mom.”

“Why don’t you ever call anymore? Are you working too hard?

You know, your body can only handle so much pain.”

“I’m fine, Mom. I compete next month. I have to be ready.”

“Bull. You’ve been beating the shit out of boys since you could walk.”

Sheri Livingston

“That’s not the same. Besides, this might be my last fight. I’d like to go out with a bang.”

“Well, that’s music to my ears. You could break an arm or even worse, someone could snap your neck like a brittle twig.”

Jordan almost choked on her own gasp. “Mom! Stop worrying so much.”

“I’m a mother. I’m not supposed to stop worrying.”

“Is Samantha home?” She got a quick image of her baby sister who thought every dick in the housing project was her path to scoring drugs.

She’d been in more trouble than Jordan could possibly bail her out of.

“No. She’s out with that no‐good boyfriend of hers. I don’t even know his name. She goes through them too fast for me to bother learning their names. You’d think she’d find a steady guy and settle down at her age.”

It was pitiful that her mother thought all these men were boyfriends. Sam deluded her mother into seeing them as dates instead of johns. Her mother would keel over from a heart attack if she knew her baby was using her body for drugs. She reminded herself to be thankful for her sister’s deceit, even if it annoyed her personally.

“I’m going to enroll her in community college next week. Getting back to grades will help keep her away from all those bad people.”

Jordan shook her head. Her mother thought school fixed everything. “She’s going to do whatever she wants. You’ve already spent all that money on school before. She doesn’t want to go. Stop wasting your money.”

“Actually, I was going to see if you could lend it to me. Since the factory closed its doors on us, things have been kind of tight.”

“No. I’m not spending another dime on her. She doesn’t care about anyone but herself, and the sooner you figure that out, the better you’ll be.

You can’t keep handing her money and babying her. Let her grow the fuck up.”

“Don’t you use that sassy tone with your mother. She’s your sister and needs our support.”

Jordan wished her sister was standing within a foot of her so she I Dare You

could kick her head off her shoulders. She’d heard ‘Samantha needs this’

and ‘Samantha needs that’ so many times, it made her head ache.

“Tell her to call me and we’ll talk about it.” As if that would ever happen. Jordan’s tough love was more than Sam could handle. Plus, Sam used their mother for anything she wanted and just when things were finally starting to turn around for her, when she looked as if she was going to walk a straight line for more than a few months, Mom lost her job. That alone gave Samantha an excuse to start doing drugs again.

Jordan could only thank the heavens above that her sister didn’t have kids.

After hanging up, her mind was made up. If anything, she’d go to the bar to drink away the sound of her mother’s voice and the fact that her family was totally warped.

Jordan finished dressing, checked the time and decided that a late entrance at the club would be more fitting for tonight. Not going at all meant she could care less to see Kelsey again. Going late would place her somewhere right in between the two, even though she couldn’t wait to see that luscious body again or to pull her into her arms for another heated kiss.

She left her house full of excitement.

* * * * *

Kelsey’s gaze roamed over the screaming women, looking for one that might mean her harm or had hatred resting behind their eyes. She looked even harder for one face in particular, not finding it. Chills still ran up her spine every time she thought of the note. A phone call she could dismiss—some drunk thought it’d be funny to threaten her. But someone who went to the trouble of writing and delivering a note? That was another story. And, whoever it was, knew her real name.

She twirled around the pole then slipped to the floor on her back, hands traveling along the contours of her body, chest rising in the air, making the women scream louder.

Thoughts of Jordan webbed through her mind with every inch her Sheri Livingston

fingers traveled. She wanted Jordan’s hands roaming the same path. She wanted Jordan’s lips pressed against hers with their bodies pressed so tight even sweat couldn’t invade their space.

The music ended. She rose from the floor, plastered a fake smile on her face, and glanced back over the crowd. Surely whoever wanted to slit her throat would be here tonight to watch and wait for the perfect opportunity.

She eased through the curtain, shutting out the ogling women and turned to face Darren patiently waiting his turn. “I didn’t see anyone. It was just a sick joke.”

“Yep. I’m sure it was.” He nodded, giving her a reassuring smile.

One of the other dancers had called in sick, so she had another act before she could call it a night. She went in search of Sharon and found her curled in the chair at her computer.

“Are you sure you didn’t see anyone drop that letter off for me?”

Sharon turned to look at her then motioned her into the room.

Kelsey stepped into the room and closed the door.

“I should have told you this before now, but I was praying it would go away.” Sharon stood, then leaned against the desk. “Whoever called here today must be the same woman who left the letter. She started calling last night right after you left, asking all kind of questions, threatening to kill you. I hung up on her, but she called right back. This is a business, so I can’t very well take the phone off the hook.”

Kelsey felt her blood freezing. Fear spread through her like wildfire. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t want to scare you, but when I saw that letter, I knew it was time to do something. She called you by name.”

Kelsey leaned against the wall for support. “What else did she say?”

“Isn’t the ‘killing you’ part good enough?” Sharon came forward and put her hands on Kelsey’s arms. “Why don’t you come and stay with me for a few nights until this settles down.”

“I know how to defend myself.”

Sharon stepped back. “I know you do, but I couldn’t stand it if I Dare You

anything happened to you.”

Kelsey’s heart went out to her. She suddenly felt sorry for Sharon.

But she didn’t love her, and prolonging this would only cause more heartache for her.

“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll be fine.”

Sharon shook her head then climbed back into her chair. “Well, I’ll let you know if you get anymore calls or letters.” She diverted her attention back to the screen.

Kelsey studied the back of her dark head for a second, then turned and left the room, walking back into the bar area in a contemplative mood. She found an empty stool, sat down, and looked around the men that had exchanged places with the women at the stage.

Darren breezed across the stage, his boa flapping out behind him.

The men roared and screamed at him, slapping their hands on the floor, beckoning Darren to come their way.

Someone slid in behind her. She turned around and met a pair of deep blue eyes. A woman with spiked blonde hair nodded to her, then turned her attention to Darren. Kelsey gave her a quick once over, admiring her lean thighs and husky shoulders. Biker chick? No. Maybe a carpenter? Deep suntan. Probably. Kelsey turned back to Darren.

“He’s fun to watch.” The blonde said with a deep voice.

“Yes, he is. Are you a fan?” She let her gaze fall between the woman’s legs. You could never be too sure about some cross dressers.

“A fan of fun people, but not a fan of men, if that’s what you’re asking.”

Kelsey smiled. “Yep, I guess that’s exactly what I was asking.”

“I’m Paula.” A wide hand inched out in front of Kelsey. “Nice to meet you.”

She took the rough, calloused hand and gave it a gentle shake. “I’m Veronica. Nice to meet you, too.”

“Are you going to be dancing again?” A spark flashed in the woman’s eye.

“Yes.”

“Good.” The woman stood up. “I can hardly wait.” She walked to Sheri Livingston

another corner of the room, leaving Kelsey to wonder if this was the person who’d left the note. Surely she wouldn’t have waltzed right up to me like that. Would she? But that would be a good way to throw me off.

Kelsey took another glance at the woman. She hadn’t gotten any bad vibes. That must mean something, right?

The door opened, blasting hot air into the room. Kelsey slowly turned to see Jordan standing in the doorway. Her yummy body beckoned for attention. Attention Kelsey almost leapt to attend to. She gripped the counter to ease the impulse.

Jordan’s gaze met hers. A smile lifted the corners of her lickable lips.

Kelsey’s heart froze in her chest. Wow. I think I want another bite of that.

Jordan eased onto the stool beside her. “I wasn’t sure whether to come back here or not.”

Kelsey let her gaze travel along the lean stomach hidden under her pale blue shirt, remembering those hardened ridges while she fumbled her way to her crotch. Snap out of it, girl. Back to earth. Back to earth

“What makes you say that?”

Jordan shrugged her shoulders. “To go or not to go…now that’s the question.”

She pointed a finger in the air. “You do what you want, baby. I’m here to dance, turn up the heat, shoot a few blood pressures in the air…and that’s my final answer.” She gave Jordan a wink. And, yours especially.

“Is it possible to go somewhere when you get off?” Jordan asked, leaning toward her.

“I think I can arrange that.” Kelsey gave her a weak smile. Her crotch heated automatically, bringing instant throbbing between her legs.

A loud slap on the counter sent Kelsey’s head whipping around to face Sharon.

Jordan remained calm and collected, not showing an ounce of fright.

“Time to shake that ass, sweetness. Let’s go.” Sharon nodded her I Dare You

head toward the stage.

Jordan tightened her jaw, turned her gaze toward Sharon for a split second, and then turned back to Kelsey.

Kelsey’s heart raced wildly in her chest. Was it from the quick scare Sharon had given her, or Jordan? She had the urge to slip her tongue in Jordan’s mouth and taste the flavor of her toothpaste. She steadied her shaking hands, slid off the stool, and took slow easy steps toward the stage, knowing Jordan would be watching every retreating step.

* * * * *

Jordan watched Kelsey’s shifting ass walking away from her.

“Hi. I’m Sharon and I own this place. You want something to drink or what?” Sharon leaned over the counter, blocking Jordan’s view of Kelsey’s luscious curves.

“Beer.” Jordan instantly disliked her.

Sharon slammed a bottle on the bar. Jordan’s gaze moved from the beer, only centimeters from her hand, to the eyes that bore no secrets of her dislike for her.

“She’s taken, you know.” A snarl lifted her lips.

“Well.” Jordan eased off the stool. “Someone might want to remind her of that.” She grabbed the neck of the beer bottle and pushed through the crowd, finding a chair with a perfect view to watch Kelsey’s erotic dance.

The lights flashed then slowly dimmed. Kelsey’s stage name was screamed through the speakers. Her heart jumped as a delicious leg slithered through the curtain, straightening in the air. A hand joined the leg, strolling along the contours.

The curtain yanked open to bring all of Kelsey through. Jordan’s blood flow ceased while her breath jammed in her throat.

Kelsey advanced to the edge of the stage, locking gazes with her, as she slowly sank to her knees. Dollars were shoved in every free space available on her thong. That bitable ass rose in the air while her face sank to the floor. Jordan could think of a million things she wanted to do to that Sheri Livingston

ass, that body, those lips…hell, every inch of her.

Kelsey gave her a seductive smile, ignoring the fingers reaching to touch her.

Jordan’s crotch soaked while those eyes bored through her.

A burly woman with blonde spiked hair shoved her way through the screaming pack of dykes and fems. The bouncer sitting beside the stage rose to his feet to block her approach. His dark skin glowed like burnished onyx under the stage lights. She slid a bill into his hand and pointed to Kelsey.

He folded the bill in half and waved to Kelsey.

Kelsey strode to the edge and raked her gaze over the woman. The bouncer held the bill aloft for her to see the denomination. She nodded her head then backed up while the woman climbed onto the stage.

The bouncer tucked the bill into his back pocket, picked up a chair and slid it across the stage.

Kelsey linked her fingers into the woman’s shirt. She pushed her down in the chair, then shoved her high heel into her chest, dragging her fingers across her crotch.

Fire erupted inside Jordan. What the hell am I doing? I’m trying to date a damn stripper, for crying out loud. I’m too jealous for this shit. I’m ready to rip both their heads off.

Kelsey walked behind the woman, the same seductive steps she’d taken with Jordan, and then slipped her hands inside the woman’s shirt.

Her hands roamed between her breasts, over her stomach. She licked at the woman’s ears while her fans howled.

Jordan shifted in her chair, using every ounce of self‐control she had not leap on the stage and drag Kelsey off kicking and screaming. She glanced around at the women staring wild‐eyed at the scene taking place on the stage.

When she looked back, Kelsey’s gaze was locked on her. She gave a saucy wink, letting her know she’d not forgotten about her. This was her job, nothing more.

Jordan stilled her pounding heart and gave Kelsey her best smile.

Kelsey walked around to the front of the woman. She faced the I Dare You

crowd, bent her knees and hung her head. She slowly backed her fine ass onto the woman’s lap, opened her legs for a straddle, and then tossed her head back, spraying blonde tentacles through the air. She backed her hips to the woman’s stomach, grinding slow circles.

Jordan’s blood pressure rose another notch when the woman’s hands slithered between Kelsey’s legs.

Kelsey grabbed the woman’s hand and tossed them to the side. She rose, shaking her head.

Jordan smiled. This was her favorite part. Watching Kelsey tear down her opponent who’d dared to step on the mat with her.

The song ended. Kelsey walked through the curtain. The woman followed.

Jordan tensed, not knowing what to do. Should she follow and ward off Kelsey’s panting fan, or stay in her seat and let Kelsey take care of her own business. Surely she was used to this. Right?

Seconds drug by while Jordan tapped her shoes on the floor. The curtain flapped open. The cross‐dresser who performed the previous set stuck his head through the folds of the curtain. A worried expression etched on his thin face.

“Harold, we need some help back here,” he yelled to the bouncer by the stage.

The music screeched to a halt and immediately a new beat began while another dancer strutted onto the stage.

Jordan shoved out of her chair and took one leap onto the stage.

She pushed past the skinny man, through the curtains, and almost fell over the spike‐haired woman who was sprawled on the floor like a discarded potato sack.

Kelsey stood over her, her heel firmly pressed into the chest of her fan. The woman had obviously taken things one step too far.

The bouncer, Harold, bumped into Jordan and busted out laughing. “Who needs a bouncer when we have Veronica?” He leaned over and took the woman by the arm. “Come on, sweet cheeks. That’s enough playing for tonight.”

“You bitch,” the woman screamed at Kelsey.

Sheri Livingston

Kelsey’s gorgeous face contorted into anger. “Are you the freak who left that nasty little letter?”

The woman gave Kelsey an evil grin and took a step towards her.

Jordan felt herself twitch to grab the woman and toss her out herself.

Harold stepped forward, using his broad chest as a barrier to stop her advances.

The woman gritted her teeth and raked her eyes over Kelsey’s body. “I don’t know anything about a fucking letter, but remember my face because one day you’ll see it again... Kelsey. ”

I Dare You

Chapter Six

Kelsey stomped into her dressing room while Harold escorted the woman back through the curtains.

“Dammit! I hate my job! I hate my life! I hate Dad’s business. I hate everything I’m doing right now.” And the warm feeling spreading through her veins every time she thought of Jordan kept messing things up even more.

What the hell is wrong with me? What happened to the tough woman?

You know, the woman Daddy knew could handle ripping people’s lives apart?

What happened to that woman?

She rummaged through the closet and found a pair of jeans. She yanked them off the hanger, sending it clattering to the floor, and turned to find Sharon, Jordan, and Darren watching her.

“Jeez. Can’t a girl get any privacy?”

Darren sunk onto her couch while Jordan took a step back toward the door.

Sharon shoved around Jordan and hugged Kelsey. “It’s okay, baby doll. Let me take you home and get you in the bath. That’ll make you feel better.”

Kelsey gave Darren a bewildered look. He shrugged his shoulders, then twirled his fingers around his temple showing he agreed Sharon had lost her mind.

Sharon let loose her grip and held Kelsey at arm’s length. “I don’t want you stripping anymore. I can’t take this.”

Sheri Livingston

“Can’t take what?” She stared at Sharon, waiting for her head to spin on her shoulders and vomit to spew from her mouth. The hardcore businesswoman and partner Kelsey knew was turning into a sappy let–

me‐take‐care‐of‐you woman. “It’s never bothered you before.”

“Bullshit. I’ve just never said anything because I want you to be happy. I’m drawing the line. I’ll fire you if I have to.”

Kelsey pulled out of the embrace. “Whatever. I think you’ve been in the liquor cabinet too long.” She gave her another worried stare then stepped around her.

“Do you think the woman who attacked you was the same person who left the death threat letter?” Darren curled his legs under him. “She was pretty pissed at you. And she knew your name.”

Jordan stepped forward, balling her hands into fists. Her eyes blazed with anger and her face was flushed. “Someone threatened you?”

All eyes turned to her as if she’d just joined them.

Kelsey sat down beside Darren and slipped a pair of flip‐flops onto her feet. “I’m not sure. At first I thought so, but now I’m not so sure. She seemed more interested in other things than slicing my throat.”

“We’re taking care of it. Aren’t we, babe?” Sharon asked Kelsey, then turned her gaze to Jordan, blatant dislike etched on her face.

Harold stuck his head in the door. “I swiped her driver’s license information for you and got her tag number.”

“What’s her name?” Kelsey asked.

“Paula something.” He pulled a slip of paper from his front jean pocket. “Paula Riching. Ring a bell?”

Kelsey’s breath jammed in her throat. Riching Industries. Oh shit!

The company that turned her heart around and led her to different goals.

The only company she’d ever sold where calls hadn’t swarmed into her office by the dozens. It was almost as if they’d been happy it was over. But damn, why couldn’t I have figured out how cruel I was before them? Obviously someone was just waiting for the right time to get their revenge.

Kelsey looked around at the faces she’d come to love. Darren, who couldn’t fight his way out of a wet paper sack, picked at his nails. Sharon, pretending they were the most perfect couple on the planet, stared at I Dare You

Jordan as if she could tear her skin from her body and then hang her up to dry like deer meat. Harold, the club’s bouncer, well, he was ready for action…she’d need only say the word. Jordan, oh God, Jordan, locked those beautiful eyes on her, compassion and worry etched on her brow.

“I have to think.” Kelsey rose, rubbing her temples.

“Let me get my things and we’ll go.” Sharon about tripped over her own feet.

“I’m fine, Sharon. I’m going home.” Her gaze met Jordan’s.

A little roll in the sack would help free her mind for better thinking.

Jordan’s glorious body screamed to be touched.

“You’re not going home with her.” Sharon curled her lip in disgust at Jordan. “You hardly know her. She’s a stranger you picked up for a quick fuck.” She strode forward, blocked Kelsey’s way, and crossed her arms.

Anger spiked inside Kelsey. “Can you guys please excuse us for a second?” She gave everyone else a deliberate stare and pointed at the door.

“Oh, Holy Mother of God! Run for your lives!” Darren flew from the couch, dragging Jordan by the arm and shoved Harold. The door slammed shut behind them.

* * * * *

Jordan stood in the hall with Darren and Harold, listening to the loud shouts from inside Kelsey’s dressing room.

“Is she okay?” Jordan asked, concerned for Kelsey.

“Shh! I just love their catfights.” Darren pressed his ear firmly against the door.

“She’ll be fine.” Harold leaned toward her. “She knows her limits.”

Jordan wanted to ask him who would be fine, but thought it was kind of obvious with the petite little Kelsey compared to the larger Sharon.

“Do they do this often?” She turned to stare at Harold.

“Nah. But they’re so fun to watch.”

Sheri Livingston

“That woman’s not for you. She’s not even your type,” Sharon screamed from behind the hollow door.

Jordan arched her eyebrows.

“You don’t know what my fucking type is, and you sure as hell don’t tell me who I can and can’t sleep with.”

“Get away from that door, you moron,” Harold said to Darren.

“You can hear perfectly fine from here.”

“You can’t hear touches from back there. I want to know when to call for an ambulance.”

Jordan gave them both a bewildered look.

“I want you back, Kelsey. And not just as an anytime fuck. I want more.” Sharon continued.

“Oh shit! She’s touching.” Darren stood up straight, dramatically covering his open mouth. “Call 911.”

“Get your damn hands off me. You know I don’t love you. Don’t make this any harder than it has to be.”

That’s Kelsey! Hold up. What the hell is going on here?

A long silence came from inside the room.

Darren inched toward the door.

“I’m only going to tell you one more time to get your fucking hands off me, Sharon.”

Jordan’s breath caught in her chest at the cold, steady voice coming from Kelsey. She meant business.

“She’s going to spare her life.” Darren slapped his hands together and looked to the ceiling. “Thank you, God. I needed my paycheck today.”

“Fine! Go fuck up your life. It’s not like it’s not already screwed to hell and back. And now all the enemies you’ve made are breathing down your neck. Just get the fuck out of here,” Sharon screamed.

Darren backed away from the door and stared at the chipped paint, whistling a pathetic imitation of the Andy Griffith Show when the door flung open.

Kelsey’s face was contorted in anger. She stared between faces, finally settling on Jordan. “You ready?”

I Dare You

“Ready when you are.”

She followed Kelsey through the back door. A cool night breeze whipped through her hair, doing absolutely nothing to cool the heat coming to a slow boil between her legs.

Kelsey stopped abruptly and kicked her foot through the rocks, spraying them across the parking lot. “She makes me so damn mad.”

“It sure sounded like it.” Jordan gave her a wry smile and shrugged her shoulders when Kelsey looked up. “Thin walls.”

“Yeah.”

“Can we drop your car off? I know the perfect place we can go to get that temper back in check.”

Kelsey shrugged. “Fine with me.”

After dropping off Kelsey’s car at her house, Jordan headed to her karate studio. She wanted to reach over and take Kelsey’s hand in hers, give it a gentle squeeze to let her know everything was going to be okay, but the glare that Kelsey kept glued to the windshield made her keep her distance.

However, she was excited to be showing Kelsey a part of her life.

Her career wasn’t as exciting as Kelsey’s, but she felt compelled to share it with her.

They pulled into the parking lot.

“Jordan’s House of Karate.” Kelsey raised her eyebrows and gave Jordan a smile. “I’m impressed.”

Pride washed over her. She’d never realized having someone else like what she did for a living would be so gratifying, but the feeling spreading through her gut was well worth the drive.

“Thank you.”

Kelsey waited while she unlocked the door, turned on the lights then followed her inside. Jordan closed and locked the door behind them.

“My home away from home.” She fanned out her hand.

Kelsey smiled and followed the framed pictures around the wall, stopping to read the trophies. “Wow. You’ve won some mighty fine titles.”

Jordan smiled and bowed.

Sheri Livingston

“That must be an awesome feeling.” She continued walking to the glass case holding different colored belts and further still to another open shelf lined with trophies.

Kelsey’s fingers trailed over a figurine.

Jordan envisioned those fingers trailing along her skin in the same gentle way. Her crotch heated.

“So, you said something about me getting some frustrations out.”

Kelsey yanked her from the fantasy.

“Yes. Follow me.”

Jordan led her into another room, turned on the lights then walked further into the locker room. She grabbed her workout pants and went back to Kelsey.

She tossed them to her. “Here. Put these on.”

Instead of escaping into the locker room, Kelsey gave Jordan a heated smile and unsnapped her jeans. She slid them down slowly, delicately rolling her hips, and then stepped out of them. A white lace thong screamed for Jordan to remove it.

Jordan was unable to tear her gaze away from the luscious curves while Kelsey slid the workout pants over her tanned legs.

“Ready?” Kelsey asked with an amused smile.

Jordan’s lungs ceased to expand. Heat prickled along her skin as the image of tearing Kelsey’s clothes off so she could ram her fingers inside her and help her take away today’s burdens.

Instead, she nodded her head and moved forward. “Stretch.” It was the only nice command she could give at the moment, when all she wanted to do was rip an orgasm from Kelsey.

“Yes ma’am.”

Kelsey saluted Jordan, slipped to the floor, pulled her legs together and hung over them. She slowly slid her legs apart in a split and laid flat on the floor, cheek kissing the mat.

Oh, Jesus, give me strength.

“Up,” Jordan demanded before she ran of patience.

Kelsey stood up, watching her with curiosity.

Jordan pulled thick pads over her hands. “Punch. Hard. Until you I Dare You

feel better.”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“Why would I be?”

“Didn’t you see anything that happened tonight?” She gave Jordan a puzzled look, a smirk spreading across her lips.

“Yes, I did. This will make you feel better. You can take your anger out on me.” She wiggled her eyebrows at Kelsey.

Kelsey hung her head, shaking it back and forth. Long strands escaped her hairclip.

“What?” Jordan asked, confused at Kelsey’s reaction.

“You’re not the smartest cookie on the farm are you?” She chuckled and turned her gaze back to Jordan.

Jordan huffed. “Watch it, woman.” She gave her a playful smile and pointed her padded hand at Kelsey.

“Okay, put ’em up.” Kelsey pulled her hands defensively in front of her face.

Jordan did as she was commanded. She wanted to see Kelsey get all her anger out then make love to her, right here on this floor. She wanted to trace every curve of that sexy body and hear her soft cries of pleasure.

Kelsey took a soft punch into her gloved hand.

“Good. Now harder, until you feel your anger draining. And don’t hold back. Give it all to me.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Her pretty smile lifted the corners of her mouth.

Kelsey punched harder, jabbing her delicate hands one after the other into the pads.

“Wow. You look like a natural. Feeling better?”

“Not really, but this is fun. Can we get on with the real stuff now?”

“What do you mean the real stuff?”

Kelsey gave a punch that would have driven any opponent to their knees then dropped to the floor and swiped Jordan’s feet out from under her.

She landed on her side with a grunt, hands against the floor to Sheri Livingston

break her fall, and turned to stare at a smiling Kelsey.

Kelsey pushed her over on her back, and straddled her, pinning her arms above her head. She eased the gloves off Jordan’s hands and tossed them to the side.

“Tae Kwon Do…at your service.” Cinnamon breath feathered across Jordan’s face. “Never underestimate your opponent.”

Jordan stared at her in utter disbelief as desire flowed through every vein in her body. Her breath hitched in her throat and goose bumps prickled her skin.

Oh, crap. I think I’m in love.

* * * * *

Kelsey stared into the most beautiful green eyes she’d ever seen.

The look of complete surprise on Jordan’s face made her smile…made her feel so fucking warm all over she wanted to claw at her skin.

“Come here.” The seductive whisper came from Jordan’s kissable mouth.

Kelsey leaned until she engaged with hot lips…and a tongue snaking into her mouth. A moan escaped her lungs while she sucked at Jordan’s soft tongue, trailing her fingers through her silken hair.

Jordan rolled her over. Her knee slid between Kelsey’s legs, pushing them apart. Fingers followed close behind, inching across her crotch, burning a path in their wake.

The kiss was broken and lips moved to Kelsey’s neck, licking a wet path across her skin.

“I’ve thought about you all day,” Jordan mumbled against her throat.

Kelsey tensed. Oh God, please make her shut up. Don’t let her say another nice thing to me. I might scream and then straddle her face.

“Don’t talk.” Kelsey eased her finger over Jordan’s lips.

Her head swam with confusion. There was something special about Jordan, something new and refreshing, something she’d never felt before.

I Dare You

She not only wanted to plunge her fingers so deep inside her they might disappear, she also wanted to cuddle up and sink inside her warm embrace.

Right now, she just wanted all thoughts and feelings to cease.

Jordan slipped her fingers inside her pants and scooped her hand around to her ass. She shoved her hand down, bringing both thong and pants with it, dragging them completely off her body.

She pulled Kelsey forward and tugged her halter‐top over her head.

Jordan’s gaze rolled over every inch of her, making her feel like a gleaming masterpiece in an art gallery. She draped her arms around Jordan’s neck and straddled her lap. She ground her hips into Jordan’s hard stomach, ready to feel an orgasm roar through her.

Kelsey’s breath hitched in her throat when strong fingers slipped between her legs. Jordan found her clit and rubbed slow circles. Kelsey’s lips parted and her head fell back. Images of Jordan filled her mind. Her gorgeous eyes, her sweet face, her broad comforting shoulders, her lean tight stomach, her gentle caressing fingers…

What the hell is happening to me?

Sheri Livingston

Chapter Seven

Jordan held onto Kelsey while she quivered in her arms. The way her body responded to Jordan’s touch was breathtaking. She wanted to crush Kelsey in her arms and hold her forever.

She laid her face against Kelsey’s chest, breathing in her sweet floral scent mixed with sexy pheromones. Kelsey’s heartbeat strummed against her ear. Jordan’s matched it.

She circled her finger faster on Kelsey’s clit, matching the rhythm of her grinding hips. Liquid heat pooled between her legs with the thought of Kelsey’s fingers buried inside her, too.

Kelsey’s body went rigid right before she released a low moan.

Jordan moved her finger from Kelsey’s clit, slipped her hand further down and shoved her fingers deep inside her.

Kelsey gave a soft cry.

It was the most beautiful, satisfying sound Jordan had ever heard.

She expected a writhing body, more hair pulling. Instead, Kelsey flung herself against Jordan’s chest. She wrapped her arms around Jordan’s neck, entwining her hands into the back of Jordan’s hair, fingers sinking into the strands.

Her body rocked against Jordan’s chest, humping stealthily over her hand. Jordan’s heart jammed in her chest while Kelsey’s arms held onto her like a life preserver.

Kelsey’s soft cries vibrated against her ear. Love spiraled through Jordan faster than the speed of sound.

I Dare You

Kelsey trembled and shook like a tree in the middle of a fierce storm. Her eyes fluttered shut. Jordan shoved her fingers up as hard and far as she could while the walls of Kelsey’s insides clenched in vice grip pulses.

All too soon, her orgasm diminished, calming to light pulses around Jordan’s fingers. Kelsey relaxed.

She removed her fingers and tightly wrapped that arm around Kelsey, also. She was falling in love with her; there was no doubt in her mind now. She wanted this woman to be hers forever.

Kelsey breathed a long sigh and leaned back to look at her. A satisfied, yet confused, expression inched across her face.

“How did a karate expert as sweet as you wind up in a place like The Pink Lady?”

Jordan was entranced with the movement of Kelsey’s lips.

Cinnamon teased her nose. “Fate.”

Kelsey smiled and rolled out of Jordan’s lap. “That’s some weird fate you got going on, Ms. Jordan.”

Jordan pushed off the floor, not ready to let the feeling leave her.

“Why’s finding you weird?” She grabbed Kelsey and turned her back into her arms, stroking the curls that escaped her hairclip.

“You didn’t find me. You just accidentally walked into the wrong gay bar.” Kelsey leaned back, gave her a quick peck on the lips, and then pulled out of her arms then reached down and grabbed her clothes.

Jordan knew the sweet moment had passed. The confused look she saw on her face was now gone. Kelsey was back to reality.

“Can I take you out for dinner, a movie, whatever?” She wanted desperately to be with her, near her, to hold onto any fraction of hope she might have with her.

Kelsey turned those piercing eyes on her and gave her a gentle smile. “Are you asking me out on a date? Don’t you think we’re past that part now?”

Hope vanished.

Jordan shrugged her shoulders. “I guess you’re right.” Kelsey didn’t care for her. Not the way she was acting. Dammit! What would it Sheri Livingston

take to make her see how much she meant to her?

Kelsey slipped into her clothes. “Thanks for the work‐out. You’re right. It made me feel better.” She winked.

Jordan’s blood pressure shot through her like a rocket. She clenched her fists at her side, resisting an urge to grab Kelsey and force her to stop pretending there was nothing between them.

She stilled the impulse and gritted her teeth. “You’re welcome.”

Turning to leave the room, her heart drooped like a melted candle.

Kelsey grabbed her arm.

She turned, not wanting to look back into those gorgeous eyes, but knew facing her opponent was the only way through the match.

“I’d love to have dinner with you.”

* * * * *

A whirlpool of confusion spiraled through Kelsey, sucking her soul down with the thought of being alone again. Love pierced a hole through her heart. It was the most unbelievable, beautiful feeling she’d ever experienced. She had an uncontrollable urge to drag Jordan back to her house, lock the doors, and cuddle on the couch all night long. How easy it would be to knock the phone off the cradle, toss her cell phone in the toilet, curl up under blankets and fall asleep in Jordan’s comforting arms.

And there you go again. You’ve never thought of romance or cuddling in your whole life, so why now? Look at her. She’s a karate instructor. She lives her whole life for the next win.

Jordan’s lean back, and the strong curves of her tight buttocks, mesmerized her as they walked to the front of the shop. Kelsey sucked in a despairing breath and focused on the dozens of trophies, plaques and medallions that hogged the space on the white walls. An image of her office came to mind with her awards and accomplishments framed around the room.

Am I any different? I’ve spent half my life living up to Daddy’s expectations. I’ve ripped apart lives like Jordan’s ripped apart heads. I’ve spent unbelievable hours going over documents and contracts and readying myself for I Dare You

the next kill.

I want out of this. I want to be free. I want my own life.

She waited while her lover locked the front doors.

Jordan linked her fingers in hers. “Where to, my lady?”

Kelsey liked this feeling…this mushy, puppy love feeling. “What type of food do you like?”

Jordan wiggled her eyebrows and glanced down at her crotch.

Kelsey squeezed her hand. “Come on now. I’m serious.”

“Well, I love Mexican. Chinese will do as long as it’s not raw and crawling across my plate.”

They approached the car and Jordan stepped around her to open the door. That warm sensation swarmed to Kelsey’s gut as she slipped onto the leather seat.

“What about you?” Jordan slid into her side of the car, cranked the engine, and leaned over with hypnotizing eyes.

“Steak. I’m a steak lover.” Kelsey held back from planting a kiss on those sweet lips.

“Then, steak it is.”

They pulled out of the parking lot and eased into traffic. A crisp night wind blew through the open windows, doing little to help the prickle of goose bumps traveling along Kelsey’s arms. Bright lights from the storefronts flashed across her eyes as Jordan weaved in and out of traffic.

Jordan’s fingers slid across her lap and melded into hers. Kelsey’s heartbeat quickened, sending a shiver down her spine.

Am I in love? Is this what love feels like? I’ve loved before. Right? I mean, surely this isn’t the first time I’ve felt this ‘wanna hold your hand, cuddle under warm blankets, stare into your eyes’ kind of feeling.

She knew in her heart this was the first.

They soon arrived at the restaurant and found a booth, sitting next to each other. The waitress introduced herself. Kelsey didn’t pay attention to her name. It could have been Jack Splat for all she cared. Jordan asked for sweet tea. Kelsey said she’d take one too.

Jordan turned her spectacular gaze on Kelsey as the waitress left.

Sheri Livingston

A set of horns hung over a mantle with a gas fire heating Kelsey’s legs. Peanut shells littered the hardwood floors around the bar.

“How long have you owned the karate shop?” Kelsey spoke just to hear something other than her abnormal breathing.

“Almost ten years now.” She smiled like a mother holding a brand new baby in her arms. It was obvious Jordan was proud of her accomplishments.

“So, you must spend countless hours training yourself and your students, right?”

“As much as my body can handle. I’m usually there at dawn to train myself. I have two assistants to help also, but I’m always there.”

The waitress returned with their drinks and a loaf of rye bread and butter on a wooden platter. Kelsey ordered a medium rare sirloin.

Jordan smiled and turned to the waitress. “I’ll have prime rib…rare.”

Kelsey felt the urge to kiss those delicious lips, but didn’t think the other customers would appreciate the gesture. Instead, she leaned against the back of the booth to stare at Jordan’s profile. Jordan’s tight arms rested on the edge of the table, the tweak of a muscle jerking while she played with the utensils rolled inside a napkin.

“Is Sharon’s the only job you have?”

Kelsey’s breath hitched in her throat.

She’d hate you if you told her. She deals with kids all day. She’d see the monster you are if you tell her one single thing.

“No. I run my father’s business.” Did you hear me? I said, don’t tell her a thing.

“That would explain why you looked so professional in your business suit.” Jordan turned a brilliant smile on her.

“When did you see me?” Kelsey leaned forward, trying to figure out when she would have dared go out in public in her suit of armor, the attire she only wore to the office.

“At a little café on Oakland. You were with a man.”

Kelsey replayed her lunch with Douglas, the horn blasting at the red light. “That was my sort of brother. He works with me.”

I Dare You

Jordan played with the wrapper glued around the napkin.

Kelsey controlled the urge to tell her all about her fucked up family, how her brother was worthless and left town with their father’s inheritance, and that her mom had run off with the first man to sink his dick inside her, and to Mexico of all places. She missed her sometimes, especially now that she was in the process of changing the company. Her mother would be so proud after all the years she’d begged her father to stop.

The waitress arrived with their dinner and they ate in silence. That lingering feeling of wanting to be under a pile of covers with Jordan never left. She found herself scooting closer with every delicious bite of steak.

She wanted to feel those strong arms wrap around her, to take her away from her fears.

* * * * *

Kelsey scooted closer to Jordan.

Jordan stilled the impulse to slip her arm around her. Had they been alone, she’d strip off her clothes, throw warm blankets around them and drift off to sleep…skin on skin.

But they weren’t in a private area. They were in public, where gazes roamed and people gawked, and usually made rude comments to lesbians or gays who dared show affection in public.

Jordan turned to look at Kelsey.

She was watching someone with an unreadable expression.

“You okay?” she asked, searching for what had stolen Kelsey’s gaze.

“She’s so cute. And so tiny.” Kelsey pointed to an infant cradled in her mother’s arms two booths over.

Jordan felt her heartstrings reach out for Kelsey. Did she even like babies? Or kids? She didn’t know anything about this woman, this person she’d fallen in love with. She wanted to know all her hopes and dreams, all her wishes and desires. She wanted to know everything about her, no matter how bad, no matter how small.

Sheri Livingston

“Let’s get out of here.”

“I thought you’d never ask.” Kelsey practically pushed her out of the booth.

Jordan tossed bills on the table to cover the tab and tip then rushed to catch up with Kelsey.

They drove back to Kelsey’s house in utter silence. Jordan wanted to ask if she was staying or going, but the question would only show desperation, so she swallowed it down and concentrated on the drive.

Not soon enough, they arrived at Kelsey’s house. Kelsey told Jordan the code and the gate opened.

Jordan’s breath hitched in her throat. She was going to have to follow Kelsey’s lead as to whether she was staying to make love to this beautiful siren all night, or going home to a cold, empty bed.

Jordan pulled to the porch and turned to Kelsey. Kelsey wore a heated look on her face, making Jordan want to throw the seat back and start making love right here in the driveway.

Kelsey shoved the gear into park and reached over Jordan’s leg.

She twisted the key. The engine died as a fire ignited inside Jordan, removing all doubt as to what they would be doing all night long.

Jordan let out the breath she didn’t know she’d been holding and got out of the car to follow Kelsey onto the porch and through the front door.

Kelsey locked the door, slipped her hand into Jordan’s, and then led her to the bedroom.

Faint light stretched across the room from the bright full moon, cascading shadows across the white comforter. As soon as they neared the bed, fingers started working with buttons and clasps, yanking and tugging clothes from their bodies, until they fell naked onto the bed. Their lips locked, tongues dancing. Fingers searched and explored one another.

Kelsey rolled Jordan onto her back, straddled her hips and then reached beside the bed. She opened a drawer on the nightstand and pulled out a hot pink vibrator. Blue moonlight glimmered off the shiny plastic.

Jordan chuckled while heat flared between her legs. She gave I Dare You

Kelsey a playful smile and took the device from her slender fingers. After twisting the end, the low hum began. Then twisted further until the vibrations tingled the palm of her hand. She tossed Kelsey onto her back and with her knees, pried Kelsey’s legs open.

“I assume you want me to use this?”

“Who said I wanted it for me?” Kelsey squeezed her legs, pinning Jordan between her thighs and gave her a playful smile.

Jordan licked her tongue across Kelsey’s chest, inches from her hardened nipple. “I’m better at giving than receiving.” She sucked Kelsey’s skin between her lips.

Kelsey bucked her hips against her and tangled her fingers into Jordan’s hair.

Jordan wanted every part of Kelsey she could get, for as long as Kelsey would allow her. She never wanted to leave this beauty’s side.

“Then, give it to me.” Kelsey rubbed her crotch against Jordan’s pelvis.

Jordan smiled against her chest and pulled free from the vice grip.

She shimmied down, sucking hardened nipples between her teeth on the way. She dipped her tongue in Kelsey’s belly button and Kelsey squirmed with need under her. She went further still until she was face to face with her lover’s wiry bush and swollen lips.

Kelsey’s legs fell apart, her breathing already abnormal with anticipation.

Jordan laid the humming device under her, pushed Kelsey’s leg toward her chest, and then eagerly sucked her clit between her lips.

Kelsey’s breath jammed in her throat then released a soft cry. She circled her hands around her kneecaps and held her legs for Jordan.

Jordan reached for the vibrator and slowly inserted it into her lover’s wet channel. Kelsey bucked her hips against Jordan’s mouth, matching the rhythm of her strokes.

When Kelsey’s pants grew hard and her breathing pummeled through her chest, Jordan could take no more. She wanted Kelsey in her arms when she fell over the edge. She wanted her quivering body wrapped tight in her arms when her orgasm coursed through her body.

Sheri Livingston

She pulled the vibrator out of Kelsey.

Kelsey huffed and groaned. “Don’t stop.”

Jordan loosed her suctioned hold on Kelsey’s clit, rose above her, trapped the vibrator between her legs and led it back inside Kelsey. She drove the device inside Kelsey with skilled practice then lay on top of her, pinning her to the bed. Kelsey’s lean arms wrapped around Jordan’s neck as her legs draped over her hips, locking her feet around her back.

Jordan clamped her lips on Kelsey’s and sucked the tip of her tongue into her mouth. The vibrator rubbed against her own clit with every hump of her hips. Kelsey matched her, stroke for stroke.

Kelsey pulled back from the kiss and drove her head into the pillow, arching her chest in the air. Soft cries escaped her, spiraling Jordan’s orgasm closer to the edge. She sucked and kissed the skin of Kelsey’s throat, licking a wet path down to her pert nipples. Eagerly, she sucked the tip between her lips. Kelsey’s fingers wove through her hair as her hips bucked harder and faster against Jordan.

“Oh my God! Oh my…” Kelsey screamed with pleasure, hips humping wildly under Jordan’s weight.

Kelsey’s fingers yanked her hair as her body froze. Jordan released her hold on her nipple to watch Kelsey’s mouth sag open and release another passionate squeal.

Jordan’s own orgasm ricocheted through her. The sound of Kelsey’s screams and her thrusting hips shoved Jordan over the edge. She threw her head back, pressed her hips firmly against Kelsey’s crotch, and let out her own pent up moan.

Their bodies shook and trembled as one for what felt like hours.

Quivering, Jordan fell back over Kelsey and nuzzled her face into her neck, breathing in her sweaty scent. Kelsey’s hand relaxed in the strands of Jordan’s hair and trailed along her back and spine.

Jordan leaned back, removed the device from between them, twisted it off and tossed it on the floor. She wrapped her arms tightly around Kelsey, heart skipping a beat at the love rushing through her veins.

Sadly, the love she felt would be hidden from Kelsey forever.

I Dare You

Chapter Eight

Kelsey combed her fingers through Jordan’s short hair and breathed in her tangy, sweet smell. Her heart galloped in her chest for the woman lying breathless in her arms. She wanted to be swallowed and consumed by her, to become one with her, just as they’d joined orgasms only minutes before.

The brand new feeling, spiraling faster and faster inside her, was the most beautiful, breathtaking feeling she’d ever had. She wanted to hold onto it as long as she could. Soon, Jordan would return to work and karate training, forgetting all about her. Kelsey would resume her usual business, planning an about‐face for her company, and they’d probably never see each other again. She meant to hang onto this night for as long as she could.

Jordan shifted and nuzzled her face deeper into the crook of Kelsey’s neck with a sigh. “That was awesome.”

Kelsey couldn’t agree more. Even the word awesome wasn’t grand enough for what she’d felt, or glorious enough to describe how powerful it had been.

“You’re a great lover.” Kelsey wanted to rip the words back with the same force she’d allowed them to escape her lips. She seriously needed to work on controlling what she allowed to roll off her tongue.

Telling someone they were a great lover gave them an induced power.

Kelsey didn’t want Jordan to have any more power than she already had.

Power that was already working miracles on her heart, soul, and body.

Sheri Livingston

Jordan leaned on her elbow, trailing her soft fingers across Kelsey’s chest, between her breasts, coming to rest on her stomach. “I’ve never really thought of myself as a good lover. But the way you react to me makes me feel like the best lover in the world.”

Kelsey held back the impulse to tell her she was the best lover she’d ever been with, and that her body had never reacted to anyone with such frenzied force. Out of all the lovers she’d ever had, not a single one made her feel like she was floating on a cloud hours after having made love.

And, why all of a sudden did the words making love fill her mind instead of a fuck, instead of sex? Wasn’t this sex, and wasn’t that by far the best fuck she’d ever had?

No time to worry about tiny things like that. She had the rest of the night to spend with Jordan, and she sure didn’t want to waste those hours arguing with herself.

“What do you say we get comfy and watch a movie?” Kelsey couldn’t resist the urge to cuddle. She wanted to sink into Jordan’s warm embrace, make love to her again, and fall asleep peacefully wrapped inside her strong arms.

Jordan’s eyes widened as if she never expected to be asked to stay after making love.

Kelsey gave her a quick peck on the cheek and slid out of bed. She picked up the vibrator and went into the bathroom, scrubbed it with soap and water, and then returned it to the drawer by the bed. With a little luck, she’d be able to use it again before the night was over.

Jordan stood by the bed, her naked body drawing Kelsey’s attention like a magnet. Her lean stomach and tight muscular legs were a spectacular combination. God, how Kelsey wanted her tongue traveling over inch of this woman, to lick every possible delicious taste from her skin.

Jordan caught her gaze then grabbed Kelsey’s arm, pulling her into an embrace, and clamped her lips over Kelsey’s.

Heat splashed between Kelsey’s legs with lightening speed. How was this possible after the earthquake that had trembled through her body not too long ago?

I Dare You

Her knees weakened as Jordan sucked the tip of her tongue. She playfully pushed away. “We’re never going to see the movie if you don’t stop.”

“You say this like it’s a problem.” She gave a soft peck on Kelsey’s lips before releasing her.

Kelsey found them boxers and T‐shirts from her dresser drawer.

After dressing, they went into the living room and plopped onto the couch.

With the movie rolling across the TV screen, they snuggled under blankets on the couch, a complete tangle of arms and legs. Kelsey had never felt so peaceful in her entire life. She wanted to savor every second of their time together, tuck it inside her heart so she would never ever forget this woman.

* * * * *

Jordan relaxed with Kelsey snuggled tightly in her arms. The scent of her, the feel of her body against her chest, her luxurious ass spooning against her belly, made her sick to think that tomorrow it would all be gone.

The weekend would be over tomorrow, and they’d both return to their ordinary lives. Would Kelsey think about her or miss her? Would Kelsey ever forget this evening?

Jordan knew she’d never forget the beautiful woman she’d come to love. How sad she could never tell her. Kelsey was too free to be held down by love. Her career as a stripper bound her to the women that ogled her. Her father’s business ruled her days and the club stole her nights.

Jordan knew she could never fit inside Kelsey’s world.

But tonight, she had Kelsey all to herself. She was determined to record every second into the deepest part of her heart and soul to cherish for all of eternity.

She stared at the screen not really watching the movie, and breathed in Kelsey’s musky scent like a hound dog, imprinting it on her heart and soul.

Sheri Livingston

When the movie was over, they crept from the couch and tumbled back in bed. This time they removed their clothing with slow, steady fingers. They had the rest of the night to create memories, and Lord, those creations would forever burn in their minds.

* * * * *

Kelsey opened her eyes and stretched. The warm body that had spooned behind her all night was now gone, leaving a feeling of emptiness. The delicious aroma of bacon, eggs and coffee teased her senses.

Jordan strolled into the room with a steaming mug of coffee in her grasp. The bed shifted with her weight. “I didn’t know how you liked your coffee. Since you looked so sweet sleeping like a baby, I loaded it up with sugar and a dash of cream.”

Kelsey sat up against the headboard and accepted the mug. Eyeing her over the rim, she blew on it, took a sip, and groaned as the delicious taste filled her mouth. “It’s wonderful. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Jordan eased off the bed with a smile.

“Breakfast will be ready in about ten minutes.” She left the room.

Kelsey stared at the vacant doorway. She’d never had a lover serve her fresh steaming coffee, let alone breakfast. Hell, she’d never allowed anyone besides Sharon to stay after the fuck was over. Privacy and seclusion were all she’d ever longed for before.

The women she’d brought home in the past asked way too many questions. They left her no choice but to send them on their merry way as soon as possible.

No one would ever understand the company she held dear to her heart, no matter what lives it destroyed. The apple of her eye, her father, was the maker of those dreams. He loved the company more than Kelsey could ever understand. Even after her mother begged and pleaded, threatening to leave several times, he continued on his path and created a monster of an empire.

That empire was Kelsey’s now. She could never look down her I Dare You

nose at her father for creating it. In order to do that, she would have to say she loathed him, something she could never do, no matter what. If it meant she had to live the rest of her life alone, then so be it. Her father had taught her everything she knew, how to be strong and independent, to stand up for what she believed in, and she believed in him. She could never let him down, no matter how cold in the grave he was.

Would Jordan be different? Would she be the first and only person, besides Sharon, to understand why she held onto the company with a strong grip? Or why she believed in her father so much that she’d continue with his legacy? Would it matter how she planned to change the heart of the company?

Kelsey shook the unrealistic thought from her mind. She could never allow herself to trust Jordan. She’d be just like all the rest she’d taken her shield down for. Kelsey couldn’t expect anything less from people. People only saw the monster in her, not the loving person who was doing everything possible to change the company and still make the profits it was expected to make. No one would ever know the true heart hidden deep inside her.

Kelsey shrugged, took another sip of coffee and slid out of bed.

After donning boxers and T‐shirt, she headed to the kitchen. Jordan placed thick sandwiches on plates and sat one in front of Kelsey, as she slid onto a stool.

“It sure smells good in here.” Kelsey eyed the sandwich of bacon, eggs, lettuce and thin slices of tomato. Her mouth watered.

Sitting on a stool opposite her, Jordan smiled. “I figured we’d worked up quite an appetite after last night.” She gave Kelsey a saucy wink and pressed the sandwich between her lips.

Just thinking about all the things they’d done last night sent a shudder of goose bumps racing down Kelsey’s spine. Her crotch automatically heated with the memories. Jordan had ripped multiple orgasms from her, leaving her breathless and quivering, before finally drifting off to sleep pressed firmly against her back.

Jordan chewed and swallowed her food. “What are your plans today?

Sheri Livingston

Kelsey swallowed her mouthful of delicious sandwich, glanced at the black and gold clock above the sink. “I have to get to work.”

“What about tonight?”

Kelsey knew what Jordan was getting at, but stretching this out would only lead her to the truth beneath her business. She couldn’t stand the thought of Jordan hating her. Jordan was the first person she ever really cared about. Her reaction would tear her in two. Ending this before it could get too far was the only way around it for Kelsey.

“I already have plans for tonight,” she lied. Jordan nodded her head and bit into her sandwich. Disappointment splashed in her eyes.

Kelsey’s heart reached fast. How could one more night hurt? She didn’t have to tell Jordan about her private life, did she? She could hide her secrets for one more glorious night of being in Jordan’s arms.

“I should be done around six, or so.”

A smile lifted the corners of Jordan’s mouth. “Can I pick you up then?”

Kelsey gritted her teeth. She knew she was making a mistake but was without the willpower to stop. One more night wouldn’t hurt, would it?

Her spirits lifted just thinking about spending more time with Jordan.

She pushed everything else from her mind. “Sure.”

Jordan gave her a bright smile and pushed off the stool. She carried their empty plates to the sink. When she turned back, Kelsey breath hitched in her chest at the raw lust etched on every speck of Jordan’s beautiful eyes.

She smiled and walked toward Kelsey, eased her hips between Kelsey’s legs, and kissed her with deep passion, then lifted her off the stool.

“You ready for a shower?” Her smile deepened into mischief. “I have a few areas to clean.”

Kelsey allowed Jordan to sweep her off her feet and carry her to the shower. As the hot water pounded over her, so did love, strong and gut wrenching.

I Dare You

* * * * *

Several hours later, Jordan bounced into her karate studio lightheaded with love. Terrance sat behind the counter while Robert taught class. “Hey, girl.” Terrance perked up when he saw her. “I was just about to call you.”

“Why?” Jordan walked behind the counter and started sifting through messages.

“Your mom called. She sounded upset.”

Jordan rolled her eyes and wondered why she hadn’t called her cell. She unclipped it from her waist only to see it was dead. She picked up the desk phone and dialed her mother. As soon as she heard her voice, she knew something was wrong. “What’s up, Mom?”

A loud sob filled the phone line. “It’s Sam. She never came home last night.”

Jordan gritted her teeth. Just the sound of her sister’s name sent an angry pang through her gut. “I’m sure she’s fine. This isn’t the first time she’s pulled this stunt.”

“I’m really worried about her. She hasn’t stayed out overnight in a long time. Will you please come over and help me find her? I don’t know anything about her boyfriends.”

Jordan wanted to scream, They’re not boyfriends for crying out loud.

They’re johns paying her with drugs for services rendered. Instead, she lied,

“I’m sure she’ll be fine. She probably just fell asleep watching a movie or something.” The truth was, her drug addicted sister was probably just waking up from a night‐long high.

“She’s not okay! And, if you don’t help me, I’ll do it alone!” Jordan shuddered at the thought of her mother knocking on every apartment door in the projects, begging people to help her find her beloved daughter.

“I’ll be right there.”

Jordan slammed the phone down with a grunt. “I have to go take care of something.” She gave Terrance a resigned stare.

Sheri Livingston

Unspoken sympathy flickered across his face. “Go ahead. We’ve got things covered here.”

Jordan left, mad as hell at her sister for being such a loser, and mad at herself for not putting a stop to it long before now. No matter how much she despised Sam, they were still sisters and, as much as she hated to admit it, she loved her. At the same time, she couldn’t watch Sam wither away to nothing.

All too soon she arrived at her mother’s apartment. Her mother opened the door, tears staining her youthful face.

“I’m sorry to make you come over here.” Fresh tears started down her mother’s cheeks. “I don’t know what to do. I asked some of those men walking around out there, but only got glazed stares and a few obscene gestures in return.”

Jordan’s gut tightened to think how rude those drug heads had been to her mother, let alone made a pass at a little old lady, no matter how young she looked. She also wanted to shake her mother for being so blind but knew even if she said the words, her mother would refuse to see the truth. She’d closed her mind to the fact that her precious baby was a drug addict.

“Where was she headed when she left last night?”

“She said a girl down the hall was having a party and her boyfriend was taking her to it.”

Well, that was a start. Jordan hated having to knock on doors of known drug dealers asking the whereabouts of her sister, but she sure as hell didn’t want her mother doing it.

“I’ll find her.” Jordan pulled the door shut and looked down the stretch of apartment doors. Some stood open with rap music booming out, while others remained shut.

As she started down the sidewalk, a tall black man stepped out of his apartment, startling Jordan. She composed herself and stood firm. “Do you know which apartment had a party last night?”

The man’s yellowing gaze raked over her without an ounce of respect. “Who wants to know, pretty thing? I’m having a party tonight.

You can come party with me, baby.”

I Dare You

The nerve of the man baffled Jordan. It wasn’t like she was a bull dyke or anything, but her short cropped hair, no makeup and strong build should have clued him in on something. And yuck! Pretty? She’d never been called pretty by anyone after she hit her rugged high school days.

“My sister went to the party. I was looking for her.”

He huffed and pointed. “Lizzy on the end had a party last night.”

Jordan mumbled a thank you and walked in the direction he’d pointed.

She approached the door and gave a soft rap. When no one came to the door, she knocked louder. A skinny, dark‐skinned woman flung the door open, bringing the blast of music up a notch. Deep blue eyes stared back at Jordan. Her dark brown hair was a tangled mess hanging around her narrow face.

A few seconds ticked by before Jordan cleared her throat. “I was looking for Sam. Have you seen her?”

“Why?” The woman leaned against the doorframe and crossed her arms over her chest. A hefty amount of cleavage squeezed over the top of her pink V‐neck T‐shirt.

“Because we had some errands to run today, and she’s late.”

The woman smiled. “I don’t think your sister’s fit to go shopping, but be my guest. Wake her up. She’s hogging my couch.” The woman walked back into the apartment.

Jordan followed her inside. A swarthy man lay face down in the middle of the burnt and stained floor. Sam lay sprawled on the couch.

Jordan stepped over the man’s legs and shook Sam. She got a grunt in return.

Jordan scooped her up, sidestepped the man’s legs, and carried her back to her mom’s apartment without so much as a squeak out of Sam.

She kicked on the door, and her mother opened it with a gasp.

“Oh my goodness. Is she okay? Is she breathing? Put her down so I can check her.”

Jordan ignored her and continued down the hall. She pushed Sam’s door open with her foot and all but tossed her skinny ass onto the bed.

Long blonde hair fell around her face in knotted strands.

Sheri Livingston

Jordan turned to see her mother standing in the doorway, her delicate hand covering her mouth. “She’ll be fine, Mom. I think she had an upset stomach. Just let her sleep it off.” Jordan gently pushed her mother back and closed the bedroom door.

They walked back into the tiny living room. Jordan always hated coming here. The confined space made her feel claustrophobic. She’d begged her mother to come stay with her right after she’d lost her job, but she’d shrugged her off, saying she’d find a job soon. Days, weeks, even months went by and no one called her back. Jordan was sure her age had more to do with it than anything. It was sad how employers looked at age instead of knowledge. Her mother had been the bookkeeper for the pharmaceutical company for well over thirty years. Those years should account for something. Right?

“She looks so pale, and she’s getting skinny. You don’t think she’s anorexic do you?”

“No, Mom, she’s not.” Jordan wanted to shake her and make her see the truth to it all but often wondered if it wasn’t safer for her mother to be blinded by it. If she ever knew, Jordan imagined she’d keel over from a heart attack or sink deeper into her depression.

Jordan glanced at her watch. She had just enough time to get home and shower before it was time to pick up Kelsey. Her heart raced just thinking about spending another night in her arms, making love to her again and hearing her squeals of pleasure.

As she walked away from her mother’s apartment, she looked back over her shoulder and heaved a sigh. This was a part of her life she never wanted Kelsey to know about, a part of her life she wished she could walk away from and never have to look back.

I Dare You

Chapter Nine

After work, Kelsey walked through the back doors of The Pink Lady and down the darkened hall. She didn’t have to dance tonight, but it was a habit she never wanted to break after the few years she’d been working there.

She glanced around the darkness at the glow‐in‐the‐dark pictures of mermaids. It was early yet, but she knew Sharon and Darren would be setting up and getting ready for the crowd. Darren, Harold and Sharon were practically her only friends—not that Sharon liked being called a friend. However, she treasured all of them, especially now that her family consisted only of Artie, her father’s best friend, and his precious wife Ellie.

Artie and Ellen had become surrogate parents when her father died. Artie promptly stepped into his role, pointing his fat finger at her whenever she screwed up. His being a cop didn’t help, either. Even at thirty‐one she still cowered like a child when he scolded her with his stern voice. Ellie filled the void left after Kelsey’s good‐for‐nothing mother skipped town with her new man proudly on her heels. It still made Kelsey sick to think that cursed woman paid her father so little respect by leaving before they could even lay his body in the grave. And yet she still missed her. What was up with that?

Kelsey dismissed that disturbing thought and found Darren in his cubicle, squeezing into a new fiesta red costume.

He looked up from studying his reflection and smiled. “You’re just in time to tell me what you think about this outfit.” He turned and posed, Sheri Livingston

pursing his lips into a seductive kiss.

“I love it. Where’d you find it?” Kelsey trailed her fingers over the silver sequins running down the side of the skirt that puffed out over red material with multiple layers of silky white ruffles.

“Oh, honey.” He swatted his hand in the air. “You’ll have to go with me one day. I had the best time in this cute little shop on Main. The owner was so helpful.” He blew a kiss. “She made a permanent customer out of me.”

“Like you need another place to shop.” She glanced down the hall.

“Where’s Sharon?”

“I dunno.” He shrugged his naked shoulders. “She was walking around a while ago.”

Kelsey strolled down the hall toward Sharon’s office. The room was empty, so she headed to the bar where she found her drying the liquor glasses.

She looked up with Kelsey’s approach. “Hi there, baby doll. I’m glad you stopped by. You got another call a few minutes ago.”

Kelsey pulled a stool under her before her knees gave way. She was more worried about the death threats than she wanted anyone to know.

“What was it this time?”

“She said to remind you that you’d be seeing her again.” She placed a wine glass in the holder above the bar and turned back to Kelsey.

Kelsey shook her head and laid her hands on the wooden counter.

“It has to be the same woman… Paula Riching.” Kelsey took a deep breath. “I bought out Riching Industries a few years ago.”

Sharon let out a whistle. “Why didn’t you tell me before now?”

“I didn’t want you to get freaked out.”

“Kelsey, you have to tell me things like that. I can’t help you if you don’t tell me the truth.” Sharon leaned against the counter. “I think it’s time to get the police involved. You can’t handle this on your own.”

Kelsey nodded. “I know. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”

“So, you’ll call Artie and let him start handling this?”

“I don’t know. I hate to get him involved with a prank. I’m sure she’ll come back, and then I can corner her and get to the bottom of this.”

I Dare You

“I disagree. I don’t think she’ll ever step foot in this bar again.”

Kelsey let the statement roll in her mind. Sharon was probably right. After being embarrassed, she’d probably never dare come back. “I hope you’re right, but the phone calls are still coming.”

Sharon fanned her hand towards Kelsey. “That’s nothing. We can handle those. I’m just worried about the caller doing something more drastic. What are the chances it’s not this Paula woman?”

Kelsey couldn’t have said it better. It was one thing to get phone calls threatening her life, but quite another to have someone strike when she least expected. And if not Paula, then who?

“How did your date go last night? I’m sorry I got all tore up. I guess I was a little jealous.”

Kelsey smiled at her abrupt change of subject. “We had a great time.” Even though she knew Sharon was only blowing off steam last night, she was careful not to give much information.

“Have you told her about your company?”

Kelsey’s breath froze in her chest. She slowly shook her head.

“There’s no need to tell her. She’ll be just like the rest…running straight for the door with her fingers held in the sign of a cross as if I was the devil. Besides, she has her karate shop to worry about.”

“That explains her tight‐ass body.” Sharon chuckled and went back to drying glasses. “A karate shop…how exciting.”

Kelsey smiled. Sharon would never know just how exciting it had been. The memories flashed with supersonic speed. Liquid heat crashed between her thighs with the virtual reality playing across the screen in her mind. Kelsey squeezed her legs to smother the burn.

“I guess. But, things could never work. Here I am changing my company while she’s planted her feet firmly in her own. She practically lives there. It could never work,” Kelsey repeated with regret.

Sharon abruptly stopped and turned back to Kelsey. She leaned against the counter, a serious expression on her face. “Why don’t you just tell her? She seems like a very levelheaded woman. I think she might surprise you by understanding.”

Kelsey gave her a smirk. “You can’t be serious. You’re the only Sheri Livingston

person who doesn’t care that I toss people out on their asses for a living.

But you’re a bitch, so you don’t count.”

Sharon chuckled. “Yep. I’m a one of a kind, all right. But sooner or later, you’re going to have to trust someone. Besides, you’re trying to change things. That should count for something.”

Kelsey couldn’t agree more. However, no one she’d met had ever understood, and she couldn’t waste precious time trying to figure out who would. She was beginning to not care anymore. Living alone for the rest of her life, with this bar and her friends, could be enough. But just a few more nights with Jordan wouldn’t hurt anything. She could keep her mouth shut long enough for some more screaming orgasms. Right?

Kelsey checked the time, and then told Sharon and Darren goodbye. She wanted enough time to shower before Jordan arrived at her house. She hadn’t said where they were going, and the suspense was killing her.

A few minutes later, she pulled into her driveway. The security gate rolled shut behind her car. She rushed inside, peeled off her business attire, and headed into the shower.

Long before Jordan arrived she was dressed and pacing in the living room. She’d opened the gate from the panel by the front door in case Jordan forgot the code, and stood on the porch to wait.

Soon, Jordan drove through the open gate and pulled to a stop in front of her. She got out of the car, feet faltering when she caught sight of Kelsey. Her gaze gobbled up every inch of her, making Kelsey feel like Cinderella heading to the ball. Yet, her low‐cut blue jeans and burgundy silk shirt, cut open to reveal her flat stomach, sure didn’t fit the attire of a princess. Neither did the flip‐flops and silver toe rings compare to glass slippers.

Jordan stopped in front of her, eyes rounding with approval.

“Damn, you look good enough to eat.” Her gaze raked over Kelsey again.

“Literally.”

Kelsey gave her a smile. “You never said where we were going, so I didn’t know what to wear.”

Jordan stepped onto the porch, freezing all blood flow through I Dare You

Kelsey’s veins. She smelled good enough to lick. Her dark carpenter jeans catered to her lean thighs. A pale yellow shirt ducked inside her waistband, begging Kelsey to pull it free and find the goodies hidden beneath. Kelsey had an image of kneeling between her naked thighs and licking until a quiver and a scream rumbled through her.

She blinked hard to push the thoughts away and concentrated on Jordan’s emerald eyes. Jordan’s gaze dipped to Kelsey’s lips and then closed the gap between them, clamping her lips over Kelsey’s. Fire banged off her insides like a pinball and settled between her legs, sizzling and burning in its wake.

Jordan pulled back with a grunt, teeth gritted as if trying to control herself. “Your chariot awaits, my lovely.” She bowed and fanned her hand toward the car.

Kelsey chuckled and stepped off the porch. Jordan walked beside her and grabbed the handle before Kelsey could open the door. Kelsey gazed at Jordan’s face and consumed every laugh line, feeling her heart skip a beat then pound through her throat. Quickly, she slid onto the seat before she changed her mind and pulled Jordan inside the house. She had a feeling, by the look of desire written on Jordan’s face, she wouldn’t put up a fight.

* * * * *

Jordan closed the door for Kelsey and walked around to her side.

She sucked in a deep breath, stilled her thrashing heart and slid onto the seat.

Would Kelsey laugh at her romantic plans? No matter now. She was about to find out.

She cranked the car, jostled the gear‐stick into drive, and pulled through the gate. It closed behind her automatically. Once she was on the main road she reached over and covered Kelsey’s hand with her own. To her surprise, Kelsey turned her hand over and wove her fingers into Jordan’s.

“How was your day?” Jordan asked, terrified Kelsey would hear Sheri Livingston

her thundering heart.

Kelsey tensed. Jordan turned and found a frigid look on her lovely face. “Let’s don’t talk about our jobs.” Kelsey’s steel blue eyes were dark with worry. “Jobs are so boring.”

Jordan wanted to tell her their jobs were anything but boring, but didn’t want to waste precious time. She turned back to the road. Besides, Jordan didn’t know enough about the company Kelsey owned to argue the point.

“What would you like to talk about?”

Kelsey shifted in the seat and squeezed her hand. “We don’t have to talk about anything at all.”

True. Very true. Getting to know each other would only linger in the backs of their minds when this relationship, fling, fuck, sex partner, one‐night stand—hell, Jordan wasn’t sure what to call it anymore—was over. She’d sworn only one more day and then she’d walk away, but the more she was with Kelsey, the more she couldn’t stay away.

Tonight! Tonight will be the last time I see her. I’ll walk away with my head held high in the morning, and then hold her close to my heart forever.

Jordan guided the car to the curb at the park entrance and pulled her hand free of Kelsey’s with regret. She never wanted to part from this woman. She wanted to be able to reach out and touch her whenever she wanted. However, she wasn’t stupid. She knew there wasn’t an open space in Kelsey’s life for her. Better to face reality than to hang onto the wings of a prayer.

Kelsey stared at the tall trees down to the trail that cut through the pines. She climbed out of the car and smiled. “Are we going on a picnic?”

Her eyes sparkled with life.

“As a matter of fact, we are.” Jordan popped the trunk, picked up the picnic basket, slung the blanket over her shoulder, and then closed the lid before turning back to Kelsey. Her knees went weak at the passion flowing through her lover’s eyes. Don’t look at me like that. I’ll never be able to let you go if you don’t stop.

Jordan took her hand and led her down the path. Birds squawked I Dare You

at them for disturbing their rest period and flew from nests with a loud flutter of wings.

They continued down the dirt trail, hand in hand, until they came to a large clearing off the path with a section of bright green grass. A cutout in the trees formed a perfect circle above them, giving life to the grass below.

Jordan dropped Kelsey’s hand, spread the blanket out across the ground, almost covering the entire circle, and kicked her shoes off.

Kelsey followed suit, then dropped to her knees on the blanket. She rolled over onto her back and stared up through the trees. “Wow. Look at those puffy white clouds.”

Jordan lay down beside her and took in the same vision Kelsey was seeing. “I love this place.”

Kelsey rolled on her side to face her. “How often do you come here?”

Jordan grinned at the hint of jealousy etched in Kelsey’s words. She rolled over and propped her head up on her elbow. “I come here to be alone and think.”

“To think about what?”

“Anything…everything…nothing in particular.”

Kelsey rolled on her back. “I need a place like this.”

“I’ve never seen another person on this trail. It’s peaceful.”

“Really?” Kelsey perked up and twisted her head to stare at Jordan.

“Really.” She wiggled her eyebrows at Kelsey, mischief playing across her mind.

Kelsey sat up, pulled the picnic basket into her lap and opened the flap to stare at the contents inside. “Strawberries. Yummy.”

Jordan sat up. “I brought bread cups and whipped cream. I didn’t know if you liked strawberries.”

Kelsey turned her gaze on Jordan, raw desire playing across her face. She leaned into Jordan and clamped her mouth over hers. Her tongue slithered between Jordan’s lips.

Jordan groaned, pushed the basket off her lap, leaned back and pulled Kelsey down on top of her. Kelsey’s fingers automatically wove Sheri Livingston

through her hair. A soft moan escaped into Jordan’s mouth, bringing to life the smoldering embers burning between her legs. She flipped Kelsey over and started working with the buttons of her flimsy shirt. When the last button freed the material, she pushed the folds to the side and yanked Kelsey’s bra down over one round breast, hungrily sucking her nipple into her mouth.

Kelsey gave a soft cry and dug her fingers into Jordan’s back as her other hand started working with the clasp of Jordan’s jeans. She popped it free and opened the zipper with a growl, then groaned and yanked at Jordan’s shirt.

Jordan released her suction on Kelsey’s pert nipple and dragged her shirt and sports bra over her head. Kelsey leaned up and eased out of her unbuttoned shirt, unfastened her bra and tossed it to the side. She frantically worked to peel her jeans off then lay back to wait.

Jordan lost her breath at the sight of Kelsey lying naked atop the blanket, golden locks fanned out around her head, beckoning Jordan to twist them in her grasp. Instead, she slipped out of her jeans and turned back to Kelsey. Hot molten fire danced in her sapphire eyes.

Butterflies kicked and squirmed in Jordan’s gut as she took in the luscious body spread out before her. What she wouldn’t give to be an artist at this moment in time. To be able to capture Kelsey’s radiant beauty, all tanned and lean with eyes full of passion, just waiting for her.

It would be heaven to have on canvas for the rest of her life.

Jordan turned away to regain control and pulled the canister of whipped cream from the basket. She opened the lid and placed it beside Kelsey. Next, she removed the strawberries. When she looked back, a smile stretched across Kelsey’s lovely mouth.

“Where would you like your strawberries and cream, my dear?”

If Kelsey’s smile could get any brighter, it did. “Anywhere you’d like to put them.”

That was all the invitation Jordan needed. She straddled Kelsey’s hips and opened the lid to the whipped cream. She scooped some out with her index finger and placed it on top of Kelsey’s already hardened nipple. Kelsey gave a soft cry, prickles of goose bumps feathering down I Dare You

her arms and across her shoulders. Jordan repeated the process for her other nipple. She scooted down Kelsey’s legs and scooped the cream out with four fingers.

Kelsey’s legs parted automatically.

Jordan gave her a smile and spread the cream over Kelsey’s clit and wet channel.

Kelsey arched her back, pushing her white‐dotted chest into the air.

Jordan moved back over her. Kelsey grabbed her hand and started licking at her fingers, seductively sucking them into her mouth. Fire crashed between Jordan’s legs, making her quiver with need.

She ducked her head and swallowed the cream from Kelsey’s breast, sucking her nipple deep inside her mouth, running her tongue over the length. Kelsey clamped her teeth on one of Jordan’s fingers as a low grumble vibrated inside her chest and against Jordan’s lips.

Jordan released her grip on her nipple and sucked at the other one with just as much hungry need. Kelsey let loose a soft cry and arched against Jordan’s face. She released Jordan’s hand and dug her fingers through Jordan’s hair, pushing her nipple deeper into her mouth.

She eased Kelsey’s legs open with her knee, then shimmied down the length of her body. With Kelsey’s legs spread, she licked at the cream, daring to make contact with flesh. Kelsey moved her hips in slow, steady circles, trying to catch Jordan’s tongue. Jordan took another lick of cream, this time barely touching the soft skin of her sex.

Kelsey moaned and circled her hips faster. “Don’t tease me…fuck me.”

Kelsey’s breathless plea was more than Jordan could bear. She rammed her fingers to the hilt inside Kelsey, filling her completely. Her reward was a passionate squeal. She eagerly sucked Kelsey’s clit into her mouth.

Kelsey bucked her hips against her face, grinding in demand. Her soft cries were music to Jordan’s ears.

Jordan drove harder and faster, plunging stroke after stroke inside her, sucking her clit until Kelsey screamed with pleasure and tightened her legs around Jordan’s head. Her back arched into the air and her Sheri Livingston

fingers dove into Jordan’s hair, this time holding her head while she humped stealthily against her face.

When her orgasm diminished to light pulses around Jordan’s fingers, Kelsey fell back to the ground, her hands sliding away from Jordan’s head. A loud sigh escaped her lips as her legs fell apart.

Jordan removed her fingers and shimmied up Kelsey’s side, kissing a wet trail until she reached her mouth where she placed a soft kiss.

Kelsey opened her eyes to stare at her, and Jordan felt her insides roll over on a roller coaster. She stared into Kelsey’s beautiful, crystal eyes and felt consumed by them. She licked at Kelsey’s lips, sucked at them, until Kelsey’s mouth opened, inviting her in. She snaked her tongue inside for a passionate kiss while Kelsey rolled her onto her back.

Still locked in the kiss, she straddled Jordan’s hips. Her fingers ran along Jordan’s jaw and cheek, coming to rest deep in the strands of her hair.

Kelsey broke free of the kiss and rose above her, smiling brightly.

“And where would you like your fruit?”

I Dare You

Chapter Ten

They strolled hand‐in‐hand back to the car, both completely spent of energy and very satisfied. Kelsey knew she’d never look at strawberries again without thinking of Jordan.

And furthermore, she had to find a stopping point quickly, before she found her heart twisted like a pretzel. But not tonight. Definitely not tonight. She wanted their last night together to be memorable. And no matter what, this would absolutely be the last night. It had to be.

Although, the more time she spent with Jordan, the more she wondered if this woman would be different from the other lovers she’d dared tell about her personal life. Jordan made her feel completely at ease, as if she might be more understanding than anyone else. The way she held Kelsey, the way she stared into her eyes, the way she seemed to care about anything she talked about, made her think she could possibly open her heart.

Kelsey let the pleasant thoughts simmer in her mind. Maybe she could dare open the door to her inner life after all. It gave her heart a jolt to think Jordan would accept her as she was and understand how she was trying to change the ways of the company.

After stowing the blanket and picnic basket in the trunk, they climbed back in the car and pulled away from the curb. Jordan dropped her hand to the seat and drove with her fingers entwined with Kelsey’s.

How hard would it be to forget about Jordan? She knew it was a ridiculous thought. There was no way she could ever forget her.

Sheri Livingston

She shook the disturbing thoughts from her mind and settled on what the rest of the night would bring. While they’d made love again on the blanket, the sun had laid its head on the horizon. The world was now darkened, while streets lights and neon bright stores glistened along their drive. Late night shoppers ambled on the sidewalks carrying bags full of goodies.

Tomorrow, Kelsey would go back to her normal life of working, dancing and coming home to a cold, lonely house. Jordan would return to training and teaching her students all she knew about Karate. Soon, it was possible they’d be too busy to even think about each other. Kelsey knew she’d never forget Jordan’s face or what they’d shared over the past days.

She’d be fooling herself if she tried to believe anything different.

Jordan pulled to her gate, punched in the code she obviously remembered, and eased along the circular drive.

After entering the house, they popped in a movie and snuggled on the couch together.

“You know, I don’t even know your last name.” Jordan cupped her face and pressed her lips against Kelsey’s cheek.

Kelsey felt all worries lift with a tranquilizing effect. Could she trust Jordan? It gave her a rushed high to think she could bare her soul to someone and possibly find love waiting for her on the other side.

She settled back and trailed her fingers over the sexy ridges of Jordan’s taut, muscled stomach through her shirt. “Kelsey Billings.”

Jordan casually lifted strands of hair on Kelsey’s head, let them fall, and then lifted more, starting all over. “Kelsey Billings. Hmm. Sexy.” She lifted Kelsey’s chin with a fingertip and planted a soft kiss on her lips.

Kelsey snaked her arms around her neck and parted her lips, allowing Jordan’s tongue to drift inside her mouth. She moaned against the soft tongue dancing with hers. Her heart twisted inside her chest.

Warmth ignited between her legs.

Jordan broke the kiss and placed her forehead against Kelsey’s.

“Why does that name sound so familiar?”

Kelsey shrugged and turned around to straddle Jordan’s lap. “Tell me about yourself. Do you have sisters, brothers, mom, dad…what?”

I Dare You

Jordan smiled and stared at her lips. “You don’t want to hear about my screwed up family.”

But she did. She wanted to know everything about this woman.

What made her tick? What were her hopes and dreams? What the hell made her so different? Someone she knew she could trust after all these years of a secluded life. To be the one she could share the personal side of herself and not have them stare at her like she was the devil in disguise.

“Yes, I do.”

Jordan sighed and placed her hands on Kelsey’s waist. “Well, my dad died a few years ago, and my mom recently lost her job after thirty years. The owner was going bankrupt. Some rich ass company waltzed in, bought the place, and tossed all of the employees out of the building.”

Kelsey’s vision blurred. Cold chills raced the length of her spine.

Her voice sounded like it was coming from a tunnel, somewhere far away.

What were the odds that Kelsey’s company had put her lover’s mother out of a job? She said a silent prayer that it wasn’t her business.

“Wow. Don’t look so heartbroken.”

Kelsey blinked and her vision and hearing snapped back to normal.

“What?”

“You have the worst look on your face.” She leaned forward and placed her lips against Kelsey’s cheek. “Don’t look so upset about it. My mom sure isn’t. She thinks the phone will ring any day from someone who wants to hire a woman whose whole life was spent behind the doors of a pharmaceutical lab.”

Kelsey gave her a weak smile and tossed names around in her head. Wilson, McGregor, Hominy… all pharmaceutical plants she’d purchased in the last two years. Dear God, please don’t let it be one of them.

“My mom refused to come live with me and settled on moving to the projects. My sister, Sam, got into the wrong crowd again, and is back on drugs after all these years. She’s using my mother’s depression as her excuse to do what she wants. It’s sad, but she’s been like that all her life.

Always getting whatever she wanted, no matter what excuse she had to use to get it. She’s a spoiled brat.”

“Can’t you help her?”

Sheri Livingston

Jordan shook her head. “Sam’d fight me to the death. My mom is blind to it and would never forgive me if I did anything against my sister.

She was my daddy’s pet. My mother thinks by protecting her she’s carrying on my father’s wishes. Don’t get me wrong, my mother loves us all dearly. Sam just knows how to make her feel like shit.”

An image of Teresa shot through her mind. Kelsey would never forget her best friend and how she’d watched her wither away under the drugs that consumed her body. Kelsey had begged her to get help. Her pleas and cries had gone unheard. Even Judith, her lover, couldn’t change her ways, no matter how many tears she’d shed.

When Teresa finally crashed and burned more than five years ago, Kelsey had turned to Fresh Start. The counselors had helped her shake her need for drugs. But that wasn’t enough. She’d needed more. Constant supervision, further counseling. She was a high‐risk patient, but there weren’t any programs for her. None that could help her with the lingering yearning for drugs.

She needed someone other than Kelsey and Judith. So, Teresa fell right back into her old habits, breaking Kelsey’s heart and her spirit, as well as Judith’s.

Judith was left alone every night to worry and wonder what she was doing wrong. Their lives had been turned upside down through it all.

Kelsey was impressed with the way the counselors had handled Teresa when she was admitted, and she started making donations. Those yearly contributions proved how loyal she was to their cause, long after Teresa died in a car accident…taking her own life.

“I’m sorry.” Kelsey had the uncontrollable urge to hold Jordan and rock her in her arms. To have to live your whole life with a sister that stole the spotlight must be sad, and now to watch her life drain away one day at a time had to be heartbreaking.

“You have to find a way to help her.” Her ordeal with Teresa roared through her mind, making her cringe inside that anyone else would have to go through that. “Take her to Fresh Start. Ask for Judith.

Tell her I recommended you.”

Kelsey could never bring herself to tell Jordan that Judith was her I Dare You

friend’s lover, or how she’d almost taken her own life the day Teresa died.

Having each other had helped ease the pain of their loss. Not long after, Judith announced she was going to be a counselor, soon to become the director. She’d been a godsend to the rehabilitation center, never forgetting all they’d gone through with Teresa.

Kelsey shuddered with the memories and forced them to flee her mind.

“Thank you, but I don’t think there’s much I can do. She’s a grown woman.”

Kelsey knew there was a lot she could do, but didn’t want to push the issue in case she was stomping on sensitive ground. “What did your mother do at her plant?” Kelsey pushed for information, yet was terrified to hear answers roll off Jordan’s tongue.

“She was a bookkeeper. She was the owner’s right‐hand woman for over twenty years. She has a few years of chemical experience, but nothing that would amount to anything.”

The question was on the tip of Kelsey’s tongue. She bit the inside of her lip to keep from asking it and lost the battle. “What was the name of the company she worked for?”

“McGregor Pharmaceuticals.”

Sickness roiled in Kelsey’s stomach. She’d never imagined wanting to flee from Jordan, but right now she wanted to be anywhere but with her.

She rolled off her lap and stared at the TV screen. “I’m making you miss the movie.”

Jordan wrapped her arms around her and pulled her close. “Please call the police and have something done about that woman at the bar. She scared the shit out of me.”

Tears welled in Kelsey’s eyes at the concern in Jordan’s voice. How would she feel if she knew Kelsey was the reason her mother lost her job?

She’d probably blame Kelsey for her sister as well. Wasn’t that the reason she was back on drugs, because her mother was depressed over losing her job?

Kelsey was trapped and didn’t have a clue what to say or do. She Sheri Livingston

wanted to have one more night with Jordan, but after finding out she was the reason for her family being in turmoil, she didn’t think spending another night in her arms was fair. But wasn’t this going to be the last night, either way? Just one more night in her strong embrace wouldn’t change anything. Would it? Kelsey bit back a sob. She’d been so close to happiness only to have it yanked back with the name of a company.

Tomorrow this would all be over. But tonight Jordan was all hers.

She’d be damned if she wasted another second of it talking about anything else.

Kelsey eased off the couch, reached down, and took Jordan’s hand in hers. Silently, she led her to the bedroom. She wanted to feel her quiver one more time, wanted to hear her soft cries of pleasure. Just one more fucking time.

Kelsey pushed Jordan flat on her back across the bed. With slow, trembling fingers she undressed herself. Emerald eyes watched every inch of her flesh being bared. When the last garment landed in a heap on the floor, she crept onto the bed. She fisted Jordan’s shirt in her hand, pulled her forward, and then tugged it over her head.

Jordan’s tender hands palmed her ass, squeezing her cheeks, grinding her hips into Kelsey’s crotch. “What’s got into you?”

Kelsey remained quiet. She pushed Jordan on her back and tugged open the waistband of her jeans. She slithered down her body, bringing the jeans with her until they freed those lickable legs. She wanted to suck and nip every inch of her, taste every flavor of her body.

Kelsey ran her tongue along Jordan’s leg, taking a quick nip above her kneecap. Jordan chuckled and opened her legs. Kelsey continued, nipping, sucking and biting her way to Jordan’s crotch. Hungrily, she sucked at her clit and drove her fingers inside her dark, wet channel.

Jordan arched her back and let out a deep moan. “Whatever I did, tell me, so I can do it again.”

Kelsey squeezed her eyes shut. If only she could. If only she could unleash her burdens, let them fall off her shoulders like the unbearable weight she seemed doomed to carry. How wonderful it would feel to bear her soul for a change, instead of hiding her dirty little secrets to avoid I Dare You

being shunned.

It’s the last time you’re ever going to be with this woman. Turn off your thoughts. There’s nothing you can do about it now. This is your destiny.

Kelsey obeyed her inner voice and plunged her fingers faster inside Jordan, stroke after stroke, until she screamed with pleasure, body writhing under Kelsey.

When Jordan’s pants steadied and her insides stopped quivering, Kelsey removed herself from between her legs and climbed up her body.

She studied Jordan’s face, memorized every curve, and then continued her climb until she straddled her face.

Jordan’s tongue flickered across her clit. Her hands cupped Kelsey’s ass cheeks, squeezing them, holding her in place over her face.

She lapped at her pussy with her long, pleasing tongue and then eagerly sucked at her clit.

Kelsey whipped her head back and humped her hips over Jordan’s face, catching the rhythm of her suckle.

Jordan snaked her fingers between Kelsey’s legs and rammed them inside her.

Kelsey released a soft cry. “Harder.” Her insides coiled like a spring.

With speed she could have only learned over many years of karate practice, Jordan grabbed Kelsey’s waist and tossed her on her back. Kelsey bounced on the mattress while Jordan rolled on top of her.

“Where are your toys, Kelsey?” Jordan shoved Kelsey’s legs apart and pushed her fingers back inside her.

Kelsey humped her hips. “I don’t want toys. Just…you.” She dug her fingers into the comforter and moaned.

She watched a confused expression slip across Jordan’s face.

Something had gone wrong. She could feel it in her bones, in her gut, deep in her heart. Their last night of making love, having sex or fucking—

whatever she chose to call it—would be nothing but a goodbye fuck when it was all said and done. Instead of making love, she should want a hard fuck, as if that would make her feel better about the lies she hid from Jordan. But instead of fucking, she wanted to make love, to make their last Sheri Livingston

night memorable. Turmoil twisted in her head. But no matter what, she wanted it done by Jordan’s hands alone without the help of plastic or rubber toys.

Jordan’s brow creased. “What’s wrong?”

Tears welled in Kelsey’s eyes. She blinked and took a deep breath, willing the tears to hold their ground. “Nothing. I want you to finish what you started.” She gave Jordan a reassuring smile and arched her hips higher.

Jordan smiled and removed her fingers. She leaned back, opened the drawer to the nightstand, found what she wanted, and removed it.

Kelsey caught sight of her strap‐on and tensed. She didn’t want their last night to be spent with fakeness, but Jordan sure didn’t know it was their last time, nor would Kelsey give her a hint of it.

Kelsey plastered fake desire on her face. If Jordan wanted this, she sure as hell would be an accepting recipient. She wanted Jordan to remember their last night together for the rest of her life.

* * * * *

Jordan knew something was wrong with Kelsey, could feel it in the way she was acting. She had no idea what had changed her demeanor, but she wasn’t going to play the game with her. Kelsey was acting like she knew it was their last night, like she felt it deep down inside.

Jordan was going to give her something to remember for the rest of her life. She’d be leaving Kelsey with one of the best fucks she’d ever had, then snuggle up beside her and hold her until sleep took her down into a dark hole. Then she’d quietly slip out of her life.

When Kelsey woke up in the morning, Jordan would be gone.

She pulled the straps around her legs and snapped the rivets. When she looked back over Kelsey, the look of passion on her face tied her stomach in a knot. Kelsey’s face was full of need, full of desire, full of get that fucking thing in me right now.

Jordan grabbed the head of the dildo and leaned between Kelsey’s legs. Her hips automatically arched and her lean legs fell wider apart.

I Dare You

“Stop stalling and do it.” Kelsey’s face might be full of fuck me, but her voice was far from the meaning. Jordan wanted to yank the device from her body and trash the damn thing.

She started to lean back, but Kelsey wrapped her legs around her hips and held her. “You want to use it.” She raked her fingers over Jordan’s chest and gently pinched her nipples. “Fuck me, Jordan.”

Kelsey tightened her legs and hooked her ankles at Jordan’s back.

Jordan guided the head into Kelsey and then slowly pushed the whole thing inside, sliding easily into her wet cunt. Kelsey cried out in pleasure and arched to let it fill her completely, digging her fingers into Jordan’s back.

“Oh, yes. Fuck me hard.” Kelsey humped steadily beneath her.

Jordan stared down at her beautiful face with a hint of light glimmering off her skin. A sparkle caught her eye. She stared harder to find its source, but Kelsey turned her head, removing the light from her face.

“Faster, Jordan.”

Jordan narrowed her eyes, trying to get a better look at Kelsey’s face, finally giving up and leaned back on her heels. Kelsey unlocked the vice grip around her back. Jordan paced herself and slid in and out of Kelsey, stroke after stroke, thumbing her clit in fast circles.

Kelsey humped and arched, catching Jordan’s strokes, panting and moaning, releasing soft cries as her orgasm climbed closer to the edge.

“You can’t do any better than that?” Kelsey grunted.

Jordan chuckled and rammed harder. “You said you wanted a fucking, not a banging.”

Kelsey screamed and threw her head back. “Oh God, that’s more like it. Don’t…stop.”

Jordan shoved one of Kelsey’s legs toward her face. Kelsey grabbed hold and pulled it to her chest, opening herself for a hard fuck. Jordan pounded her body against Kelsey, making their sweaty bodies bounce against the mattress. She rammed the dildo stroke after stroke inside her, thumbing her clit with perfect rhythm.

Kelsey gasped for breath and released a loud, piercing scream of Sheri Livingston

pleasure, her body rocking wildly.

Jordan let loose of Kelsey’s legs and fell down on top of her, grinding her hips against her crotch. When she reached for Kelsey’s lips, Kelsey turned her head and sunk her fingers into Jordan’s hair. She yanked and pulled, still humping wildly against her, until the orgasm ran its course.

Kelsey relaxed, gasping for breath, while Jordan kissed her neck and cheek. “That was awesome.”

Jordan smiled but couldn’t reply. She wasn’t sure what part was awesome; the orgasm, or the goodbye fuck. She was sure this was Kelsey’s way of saying goodbye, and she wanted to kick herself for not allowing Kelsey to have things the way she wanted. Kelsey said she wanted her, meaning no toys. How dare Jordan have missed that cue? She thought Kelsey was just overly horny. Instead, she’d wanted to savor the last minutes they had together, and Jordan had fucked that up.

How ironic that she couldn’t get the start of this fuck relationship correct from the beginning, all the way down to its end.

At least she had time right now to make up for it. Cuddling against Kelsey for a while would have to do. She was more than sure Kelsey didn’t expect her to be here when she woke up.

She eased the dildo out of Kelsey, tore it from her body and tossed it to the floor. When she turned back, Kelsey was already on her side.

Jordan spooned in behind her and wrapped her arms around her tiny waist. She bunched the soft cotton sheet around their sweat‐sticky bodies and waited.

When Kelsey’s breathing turned into deep, steady breaths, Jordan kissed her cheek and slid out of bed. She donned her clothes and stood over Kelsey, staring at her beautiful face and petite body. There were so many things she wanted to say to her, needed to tell her, but her time was over with this scrumptious woman.

It was time to go.

* * * * *

I Dare You

Kelsey heard the front door click into place. An engine roared to life and then pebbles crunched under rolling tires.

Tears slid down her face.

The love of her life was gone.

Sheri Livingston

Chapter Eleven

When Kelsey woke up the next morning, the first thing she spotted was the discarded strap‐on. She pounced on the pathetic reminder of last night’s useless attempt to show Jordan how much she loved her, tossed it in the trashcan, and then stomped into the shower.

While steaming water sluiced over her skin, she scrubbed away the last remnants of Jordan touches. She’d give anything to have found the balls to tell her everything. She knew Jordan would have hated her, but it would have been a hell of a lot better than the mercy fuck she’d ended things with.

“What the hell am I fussing about?” Kelsey asked the tiled walls.

“Why do I even give a shit? I won’t ever see her again.”

After dressing and sulking around the house, she jumped in the car and drove to work. She was in no mood to deal with business today, especially dressed in this oh‐so‐proper suit of armor that constricted her movements, making her feel like she was wrapped as tight as a mummy.

This business was costing her the happiness and love she desperately wanted in her life. Yet, her father’s dreams kept her trudging along every day, buying and selling, closing doors on the employees, and then making a killing after the property was split up and resold. She believed in her father and the company. She could never turn her back on everything he’d worked so hard for and taught her.

Day after day, same old song and dance, never to enjoy the finer things in life the company allowed her to have. If it wasn’t for The Pink I Dare You

Lady and her wacky friends, Kelsey was sure she would have gone insane a long time ago.

Kelsey pulled into the parking lot, climbed out of her car, locked the vehicle, and set the alarm. The sunny morning warmed her skin, doing little to lift her spirits. She passed through the security scan and turned towards her office.

A thought suddenly occurred to her as she rounded the corner, heels clicking against the marble floor. When will I ever give this up? How much longer am I going to hang onto dreams that weren’t mine to begin with?

Kelsey let the last conversation she’d had with Douglas seep through her mind. She’d blurted out she was selling. Hadn’t she meant that? Was that her heart’s way of telling her it was time to lose her grip on her father’s dreams?

Jordan oozed through her thoughts like melted chocolate. Heat sizzled between her thighs. If she gave this up, she might be able to have someone like Jordan to love and cherish for the rest of her life. Could she have Jordan? Did she really want a lover who might disapprove of her ways of life? Could she trust someone who might call her or her father a monster? Wasn’t this just a job? It wasn’t her fault companies couldn’t stay afloat. She was doing them justice by buying them out from their contracts and saving them from bankruptcy hell.

Kelsey quickened her steps. She might want to sell this business, and she might very well want to find love, but that love would come from an understanding person. A person who’d never snub her nose at her father, his dreams, or the way she vowed to honor them for life. That person would come along one day. And when she did, Kelsey would know it.

She put a fake smile on her face, held her chin high, and continued down the hall. Today she would start putting things into motion to sell the company. Making sure it fell into the right hands was all she’d worry about. When she found the right buyer, she would hand over her father’s baby and walk away.

* * * * *

Sheri Livingston

After calling Terrance and telling him she wouldn’t be in today, Jordan stepped into the floor‐to‐ceiling shower stall. Even though the water eased her weariness, it did little to swipe away the feel of Kelsey’s hands on her body.

She’d tossed and turned half the night. She was almost positive the glimmer she saw on her face was tears. But why? Kelsey had been entirely unreadable after she told her about her family.

Aha! My screwed up family. That had to be it. Kelsey didn’t want to be involved with a woman who had psychopaths floating in her genes.

Jordan frowned and shook her head. No! That wasn’t the reason.

She’d seen compassion on Kelsey’s beautiful face when she told her about Sam. A strained look had appeared on Kelsey’s face when she mentioned how her mother had lost her job. Jordan remembered commenting and telling her not to look so worried. People lost their jobs everyday.

Companies were laying people off and going out of business.

Yet, it was almost like she blamed herself for her mother losing her job. How odd, and how adorably sweet.

“Fuck! Stop thinking about her, dammit. It’s over, you moron. You could never fit inside her world.” The insults echoed off the bathroom’s empty walls. But God, how Kelsey burned in her mind. This was going to be harder than she thought.

Jordan finished her shower, dressed, and left the house, determined to kick Kelsey from her mind.

She drove to her mother’s apartment complex, maneuvering her car through the kids tossing a football in the street. Rap music drifted from another open apartment as she tapped on her mother’s door. An image of Kelsey grinding to that hard beat slid into her mind.

Her mom slipped the curtain back, gave her a frown, and then unlocked the door.

Jordan gave her a smile and strolled inside the tiny space.

“Is something wrong?” Her mom’s eyes rounded and her bottom lip quivered.

“No, Mom.” Leave it to her mother to act like nothing had I Dare You

happened the day before with Sam.

The crease in her mother’s brow deepened. “Well, I know you didn’t come to see your sister.” Her gaze roamed over Jordan’s face.

“Hmm. Rosy cheeks, bright eyes…” Her fingers flew to her mouth. “Ooh, my baby’s in love.” Her mother opened her arms spread‐eagle then clasped them around Jordan.

“Mom! I’m not in love. I just came to see how you were doing.”

Her mother’s crushing embrace loosened. She leaned back and looked over Jordan’s face. “I’m so happy for you. What’s her name? Does she like kids?” She let go of Jordan and walked into the kitchen that also served as a dining room.

Immediate suffocation flooded her. Leave it to her mom to start nosing about her life. “There is no she.”

“You didn’t say if she liked kids. She has to love kids. I want to be a grandma one day.”

“Mom! You’re not listening to me. There is no girl.”

“Good. She loves kids. Excellent!”

Jordan dropped into the vinyl chair with a grunt. “Why are you so hardheaded?”

Her mother walked over to the table and set a glass of tea down in front of her. “God made me that way. He made you that way, too. That’s why you’re not telling me about this girl. But it’s okay if you want to keep her a secret for a while longer. I understand.”

Jordan rolled her eyes and threw her hands in the air. She wasn’t surprised her mother would assume she was in love. A mother’s intuition would never cease to amaze her. She grabbed the glass and took a long swig, praying the ice cold fluid would cool off her hot thoughts of Kelsey.

“Tell me where your last match is going to be. Can I go watch my baby fight her last competition? You have no idea how excited I am that you won’t be doing that anymore. You’re hurting your body, ya’ know?”

Jordan’s clamped her teeth together. Here we go again. “I’m not sure if I’m going to compete anymore.”

Jordan was shocked by her own answer. When had she decided not to fight anymore? And why? Competing was the only thing that truly Sheri Livingston

made her happy. Was that happiness fading away? Or was the reason behind her competing fading away?

“Good. Good. I think you shouldn’t do it. Just let it be all over.

You’ve already beaten the crap out of everyone. You’ve won your fair share of awards and those thingy‐nabobs.” She twisted her hand in the air.

“Trophies?” Jordan arched her brow.

“No, honey. I’m not senile. Those pretty ones I like.”

“Medallions?”

Her mother snapped her fingers, vigorously nodding her head.

“Yes. Those. I love those.”

Jordan took another drink, eyeing her mother over the rim.

Samantha shuffled around the corner, stopping long enough to glare at Jordan and then continued into the kitchen.

“Honey, did you see your sister? Aren’t you going to say hi?” Her mother’s referee tone started.

“Hi, asshole.” A glass clanked on the counter.

Her mother sucked in her breath. “Sam! That’s no way to talk to your sister.”

Jordan scowled. “It’s okay, Mom. Small‐minded people don’t have big vocabularies. I’m surprised she remembered that word.”

Samantha flew around the corner, face contorted in anger, fingers poised and aiming for Jordan’s hair. Her glassy blue eyes looked evil.

Jordan didn’t doubt for a second she was ready to tear layers of skin from her body with her teeth.

Jordan flew from the chair so fast it shot against the wall. “Come on, girlfriend. Please, God, make my day.”

Samantha’s drugs were making her braver by the day, since she knew Jordan could stomp a hole in her. Her mother stepped in front of Samantha, blocking her from any further advances.

Jordan gave Samantha her brightest fuck you grin. “One day, baby.”

“Right now, bitch.” Samantha scooted to the side of her mother, completely clear to make an advance, obviously not wanting to.

“If you two don’t stop it, I’m going to sit you on the couch together I Dare You

until you find something nice to say to each other.” Their mother planted her hands on her hips. “Why do you two hate each other so much?”

Jordan felt the impulse to laugh at the notion, but held her tongue.

Jordan and Samantha exchanged ruthless glares. Jordan dared her with a nod to make a move. Samantha bared her teeth, tossed her tangled, bleached hair over her shoulder, and stomped back to the kitchen.

Jordan retrieved the chair and resumed her seat as if nothing had happened. Which, now that she thought about, nothing had happened.

Just the same old stupid bickering. “Why don’t you make her get a damn job, Mom? She’s a moocher sucking off you.”

“That’s not nice, Jordan. She’s been trying to find a job.”

Jordan shook her head. The hatred between her and Samantha would never lose its grip. For as long as she could remember, her sister had gotten everything her little heart desired, including all the attention from their father. Jordan had been starved for a sliver of that attention all her life. She shrugged, figuring it all boiled down to a case of simple jealousy, but she wanted to think of herself as higher than that.

Samantha need only pout to their father and he’d rushed to get whatever it was she was squealing over, while Jordan got pushed to the side. He always acted like she was too big and tough for him to fuss over.

Maybe that was the problem. He never saw her as a sweet little girl, hungry for affection just like her sister.

Jordan had done everything to win even a glimpse of affection from him. One day her mother suggested she try sports, possibly that would get his attention. So, as she grew older, she’d thrown herself into every sport the coaches would allow her to play, becoming the only female punter for the high school football team, later the MVP of the girl’s basketball team, until finally ending the torture with fast‐pitch softball.

Numerous college scouts had approached her and offered her scholarships. Not one offer or trophy earned her even a tiny pat on the back from her father. However, her brother had been beside himself happy for her. He never missed a game, never missed a banquet, and sure as shit never missed any part of her growing up. Her brother had become her father figure to replace the one who saw only one daughter instead of Sheri Livingston

the two that he had.

She shouldn’t act like such a baby over it. It wasn’t like Michael, her younger brother, wasn’t just as neglected, opting to not give a shit. It had worked for him.

Karate became her getaway. Then, and only then, did her father dare comment on her accomplishments. “Why would you want to do karate? That’s for boys.”

To this day she felt the cringe that started in her toes and coursed through her until her hair stood on end. “It’s for anyone who wants to do it.” She’d planted her hands on her hips and snapped back at him. “What do you care what I do? It’s not like you even know I’m alive. I guess I don’t whine or pout enough.”

He’d stood before her, glaring at her as if it was the first time he’d ever set eyes on her, then turned and walked away.

While Sam sat back and did nothing with her life, failing every grade, finally quitting school during Jordan’s senior year, Jordan worked hard at winning every competition. She’d become the prize pupil to her mentor and the apple of her brother’s eye.

Sam sat on her ass every day until their dad came home from work.

He’d hand her twenty bucks and thank her for cleaning the house. That always got a snort from Jordan, since Sam never lifted a finger, glued to her favorite soap operas all day. Their mother rushed home from work to cook and clean before their dad got home. But even her mother didn’t put an end to Jordan’s misery. She allowed it, saying Sam was not as strong as Jordan.

Jordan supposed, in a way, she was right, but the thorn of resentment embedded in her soul festered and became total hatred for her sister, never to loose its potent hold.

And, after all these years, her sister was still the biggest loser she’d ever laid eyes on. She still took every dime her mother tried to save, making her mother feel like shit if Sam didn’t have anything in her pockets.

It irked Jordan to no end, and the less she had to be around her sister, the better.

I Dare You

“I’m going. I’ll call you later.” Jordan rose from the chair, leaned over, and gave her mother a peck on the cheek. “If you need anything, just call.”

“I will, baby.”

“I will, baby,” Sam mocked from the kitchen. She leaned against the counter, coffee mug in her grip, and glared at Jordan.

Jordan stopped. She slowly closed her eyes and envisioned a wide crescent kick spraying blood from her sister’s mouth.

She opened her eyes and gave Sam a bright smile. “Mmm. That felt awesome kicking the shit out of you.”

“Fuck you, dyke.”

“Don’t be jealous. I know it’s hard for you, but one day you’ll find a good woman, too.”

“Freak.”

“True. Freaks are all you can get. I wouldn’t expect you’d take anything less in a woman.”

Sam shot her the bird.

Jordan gave her a cynical smile then walked toward the door. Her mother jumped to her feet and hurried to catch up to her. Clinging to her arm, her mother whispered, “Sam’s not herself. Just ignore her.”

Jordan smothered an irritated sigh. Her mother’s blindness to what her sister did late at night still boggled her mind. She never dreamed her mother could be so naïve.

“It’s okay, Mom. She doesn’t bother me.” Liar. She pisses your shit off.

Jordan slipped through the door even though she felt an uncontrollable urge to race back inside, grab her sister by her unkempt hair, and drag her to the nearest rehab center.

Her sister was killing herself. Dammit! This was so freaking weird. As much as she hated her, she still loved her and knew it would rip her mother apart if anything ever happened to Sam.

Maybe it was time for her to get her sister back on track, away from the drugs that consumed her body. She shivered at the thought of helping her, but knew in her heart if she didn’t do something quick, her sister Sheri Livingston

would be dead.

* * * * *

After catching up on contracts and looking over a new possible company to purchase, Kelsey hesitantly picked up the phone and called Judith at Fresh Start.

After Teresa had taken her own life, the tension between Judith and Kelsey had thickened like maple syrup. An awkward distance had settled between them. Even though they tried to stay in contact, as much as their lives would allow them, things would never be the same between them.

They would forever blame themselves for not stopping the inevitable.

Judith picked up the line. “This is Judith.”

“Hi. It’s Kelsey. How are things going?”

“Well, hello there. Things are fine. How’s life treating you?”

Kelsey smiled, hating that she’d not kept in touch, wishing she could find a way to fill the void between them. Sending a fat check once a year was in no way compared to keeping a close bond with someone that meant a lot to her or sharing someone they both loved.

Tears welled in her eyes with the memories of Teresa. “I gave someone your name the other day. Her name’s Jordan and her sister needs your help.”

“I’m assuming you want the tab sent to you?”

Kelsey swiveled her chair to look out the window. The sky was dotted with white puffy clouds, making her yearn for Jordan’s touch.

“Yes. If she calls, make sure they’re taken care of.”

There was a long pause before Judith spoke. “Of course. I’ll take care of everything.”

She thanked Judith and promised to keep in touch more often, even though keeping in touch meant keeping those memories alive, something she wanted to forget.

She doubted Jordan would call, but she wanted to make sure all bases were covered just in case. With the center being privately owned, she knew Jordan’s family couldn’t afford the fee. She wanted nothing to I Dare You

stand in the way of Jordan’s sister getting help, and prayed she’d get her that help, even if she went to another rehab.

After hanging up, she paged Douglas with a request to come to her office. She leaned back in the leather chair to wait, an uncontrollable smile lifting her spirits. It was time to start putting the plans they’d come up with to change this company into motion. Hopefully, Douglas would be sympathetic with her decision to sell instead of just making an about‐face.

She prayed he’d understand and back her on the decision as well as help her find someone capable of seeing her plans come to fruition.

When her door opened, bringing Douglas’s tall, thin frame inside, she had to swallow down the lump that formed in her throat. She’d known him half her life, having grown up together, with their fathers as best friends. She trusted him with all her heart. She knew he’d do everything possible to make sure this company fell into the right hands.

“What’s up?” He closed the door, crossed the room, and eased into the chair across from her desk. His crisp white shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, indicating he’d been frazzled over something. She smiled, envisioning him yanking open the button and stretching his fingers through his hair, huffing over some particular document or contract.

Kelsey fought back her tears and met his gaze. “I’ve decided to sell Billings Industries.”

He blinked, beautiful green eyes widening. “You’re not serious. I thought you were just blowing off steam the other day.”

She nodded. “Yep. Serious as can be.”

“What about all the planning we’ve been doing? Are you just going to throw it all out the window?” He straightened his shoulders. Kelsey saw the muscles in his neck tighten.

“I’m still going through with my plans, just in someone else’s hand.” Kelsey propped her elbow on the desk and rested her chin against her fists.

Douglas raked a hand through his dark, short hair. Leaning forward, he said, “Listen to me. It doesn’t matter what you want to happen. If you honestly think someone else will cherish the same dreams as you, you’re sadly mistaken. This company has already built its Sheri Livingston

reputation. That’s what everyone wants. Not this flip of the coin you’re planning.”

Kelsey let his words loll in her head. Wasn’t that in fact the truth?

No one would want a company that did little more than help struggling businesses. They’d want a tiger on the prowl…exactly what she had now.

“I’ll make it work. Somehow, someway, I’ll make sure this company falls into the right hands.”

Douglas abruptly stood, his full six‐foot height towering above her desk. “I’m not going to talk to you about this right now. I don’t think you’re thinking rationally. You’ll live to regret this if you don’t think more clearly about it.”

He strode to the door and then slowly turned back. “We’ve spent entirely too much time getting things ready for this major change. If you screw this up, I’ll never forgive you. Your father gave up a lot to make this company into what it is today, no matter how much you disapprove of it.

I know you, Kelsey, and you would never forgive yourself. Find me when you have our head back on straight.”

He left the room before she could respond. Staring at the closed door, she wondered if he was right. Would she regret selling the company and walking away? She wasn’t sure it was a chance she was willing to take, now that Douglas had thrown the ball back into her court. Owning this company, having it suck her life away, might not be what she wanted for the rest of her life, but watching it fall into a real monster’s hands wasn’t something she felt she could handle.

She rubbed her fingers against her temple. “If I could get her ass out of my head, maybe I could think straight.”

Kelsey slammed against the back of the chair. This was ridiculous!

She’d never thought she’d turn into a weak, pathetic love struck fool who couldn’t get a woman out of her mind.

She checked her watch. Almost time to leave. She wondered what Jordan was doing right now. Was she training? Kelsey envisioned sweat rolling down her face and neck, pooling between her breasts. Was she thinking about her? She had a mental image of Jordan deep in thought with a delicate crease across her strong brow.

I Dare You

“Fuck.” Kelsey shoved out of the chair.

Dancing would take this all away and set her mind back where it needed to be—away from Jordan.

Sheri Livingston

Chapter Twelve

Jordan stared at the phonebook she held open on her lap. Kelsey had recommended the place, but she knew nothing about how to enroll someone in a rehab, or if she could at all.

Yet, she’d had enough of watching her sister slowly kill herself. She was going to do whatever it took to get her clean.

She sucked in a deep breath and dialed the number.

“Fresh Start. This is Amy. How can I help you?”

“I’m calling to get information about your program.” Jordan heard how shaky her voice sounded and cleared her throat.

“Ma’am, I’m sorry, but we have a three month waiting list. This is a private institution. If this is an emergency, I’ll be happy to give you the number of a few other rehabs that don’t have a waiting list.”

“You have a waiting list for people that are hooked on drugs? What kind of place has a waiting list for people in need?” Jordan was appalled that any rehab would have such a thing. She assumed every institution would take anyone, twenty‐four hours a day.

“I’m sorry. We only have a certain amount of rooms. Would you like the number for the other centers?”

“No, I would not! Kelsey never bothered to mention any of this.”

There was a long pause at the other end of the line. “Kelsey referred you here?”

Jordan felt her heart jump at hearing Kelsey’s name slide so sweetly from the woman’s mouth. “Yes. Kelsey Billings.”

“Can you hold for a moment, please?”

Jordan threw up her hand in disgust. “Sure. I’m not sure why it matters, but sure.”

The woman put Jordan on hold. Elevator music started immediately. Rod Stewart sang “Have I told you lately,” while Jordan wandered around her living room touching trophies, straightening medals, and running her fingers over the dust that had accumulated on her shelves.

The song abruptly ended. “Hello. This is Judith. Can I help you?

I Dare You

Jordan recognized the name Kelsey had told her to ask for. “Hi. My name’s Jordan. My sister is a drug addict. Kelsey recommended your facility to me.”

“I understand. How soon can you get your sister here?”

Jordan’s breath hitched in her chest. What happened to the three-month wait? Why did Kelsey’s name change things so suddenly? And, should she really care? This private center was willing to take her sister.

She didn’t care whose name opened the door, she was going to take it.

After hanging up with the director, Jordan slumped in the recliner and stared at the phone. She knew it was past time to do something for Sam. As much as she disliked her, she couldn’t stand by and watch her wither away. No matter what, she still loved her.

She had been so pale today, skin almost transparent over frail bones.

God, help me.

Jordan flipped open the cell, dialed her mother’s number and walked out the door.

“Hello?”

“Mom. Is Sam still at home?”

“Yes.”

Jordan hung up. If her mom questioned her about the disconnection, she could always blame bad reception.

She parked in front of the apartment complex and leaned back in her seat, trying to catch her breath before she dragged Samantha kicking and screaming from her safe surroundings.

Do it for Mom. She’d be lost without Sam.

Jordan shoved the car door open and pounded up the sidewalk, determined to see this through, no matter how ugly things got.

She rapped on her mom’s door. Sam opened it and glared at her.

Her wrinkled lips pursed into a snarl. “What do you want, dyke?”

Jordan shoved her back in the apartment with as little strength as possible. “Learn a new word, Sam.”

“Fuck you.”

Her mother rounded the end of the hall, staring at both of them.

Sheri Livingston

“What’s going on?”

“Mom, I know you like being blind to things, but your darling daughter is hooked on drugs. I’m taking her to get help.”

Jordan turned back to Sam, dipped, picked her up, and tossed her over her shoulder. Sam kicked and pounded her fists into Jordan’s back.

“Put me down, you freak!”

Jordan wobbled through the door. Sam reached out and grabbed hold of the edge, halting Jordan’s progress. Jordan grabbed her wrist with a free hand and squeezed until Sam let loose.

Sam scissored her legs and slapped Jordan’s back. “Where the fuck are you taking me?”

“Somewhere no one else will.”

Sam’s fingernails raked into her back. Jordan grimaced in pain but kept steadily walking to her car.

Her mother scurried behind her like a little dog nipping at her heels. “Put her down, Jordan. What are you doing?”

“I’m not going to watch her die!” Jordan dropped Sam on her feet beside the car. She gripped her wrists and yanked open the car door.

When Sam’s teeth sank into Jordan’s arm, Jordan snarled, grabbed a handful of blonde tangles, and squeezed until Sam decided pain wasn’t what she wanted.

Sam flung her head back, huffing strands of hair out of her face.

“Get your hands off me, bitch.”

Jordan guided her by the hair she had fisted in her palm and led Sam face first into the car. She pushed Sam over to the passenger side and maneuvered behind the steering wheel, still holding tight to Sam’s hair.

She slammed the door and fished for the keys in her pocket while Sam slapped at her and yanked her hair. Through swatting hands and pain searing her scalp and face, Jordan managed to pull the keys from her pocket and cranked the engine.

Jordan shoved the gear into drive and risked a glance in the rearview mirror. Their mother was standing on the sidewalk, tears streaming down her face. Jordan felt her heart reach out. She wanted to climb from the car and hug her, tell her everything was going to be okay.

I Dare You

Instead, she flattened her foot on the gas pedal. The car zipped out of the parking lot and into traffic.

“What the hell are you doing, asshole? Have you lost your fucking mind?”

“I actually have a real name, you know? Not dyke, or freak, or your all time favorite, pussy licker.”

“Well, aren’t you all of those things?”

Jordan tightened her grip on Sam’s hair. Sam squealed and slapped at her hands. “I’m not a freak. And you need to learn some fucking respect.”

“What do you care what I do?” Sam’s squeals turned to sobs.

“Actually, I don’t. But your death will devastate Mom. So, we’re going to clean your ass up, and you’re going to get a life back.”

Sam’s body shook. She covered her face with her hands. Jordan let loose her grip on Sam’s hair and let her head fall forward.

“My life sucks,” Sam sobbed.

“Then fix it.”

A piercing wail erupted from Sam. “I don’t know how.”

Jordan’s heart leapt to her throat. She’d never, in her whole life, wanted to hug her sister, until this very second.

“I’m going to help you.”

Sam turned to look at her. Her blue, drug‐hazed eyes were filled with tears, wrenching Jordan’s gut. “Please don’t leave me there.”

“You won’t be alone.”

* * * * *

Kelsey sank into the chair at her dressing table and stared at her reflection. Her spirits should be lifted by now, being in her home away from home, yet her blue funk seemed determined to have a death grip on her.

She leaned forward, rolled the black eyeliner under her lids, and then refreshed her mascara. Would Jordan show up tonight? Kelsey’s heart did a quick patter against her chest at the thought. Probably not.

Sheri Livingston

After last night’s goodbye fuck, Jordan wouldn’t set foot in this place again.

Pushing out of the chair, she smoothed down the thin mini‐skirt, donned the mask, and walked down the hall. Her black spiked heels clicked against the tiled floor. She stepped up to the curtain that would carry her to her waiting fans.

She dipped through the curtain as soon as Max screamed her name.

She kept her eyes glued to the floor, not daring to look into the eyes of the ogling women. With the stool in her grasp, she eased over it on her stomach and spread her legs open for the crowd. Whistles pierced the air around her when she snagged a single finger across her crotch.

The thundering music pounded in her ears, shutting out her thoughts. Here, she was free of images and devoid of feelings. She could become herself under the blaring speakers…and she did.

While cheers echoed off the walls and stomping feet shook the floorboards, she slid to the floor and cat pranced across the stage, allowing hands to feel her legs and arms. A few brave souls grasped the strands of her long flowing hair that hung toward the stage.

Although she should be free of the biting images of Jordan, the damn things found a way inside her head where nothing but music was allowed to be while on this stage.

She grabbed a hand protruding in the air and licked the tips of a few fingers. Fire crashed between her thighs with the image of Jordan ramming her fingers deep inside her cunt, she shoved the woman’s hand between her legs and ground her hips against it.

With eyes clamped shut, she opened her mind to the pages of the memories. Her crotch soaked automatically. She ground her hips harder until she felt the fingers between her legs wander beneath her thong.

She peeled open her eyes and found a set of chestnut brown eyes staring back at her. A grin spread across the woman’s face. She attempted to slide her fingers deeper inside Kelsey’s thong.

Kelsey tossed her hand away and rose above the crowd. Hands grabbed at her ankles and fingers groped her legs.

In a flash, Kelsey knew she no longer felt the freedom she’d always I Dare You

obtained from dancing. The music thumped and roared. She strutted across the stage, passing more faces, more smiles, and a hell of a lot of tongue wiggling from her drooling fans.

The music ended at the same moment Kelsey realized she was done with The Pink Lady .

What the hell has she done to me?

Kelsey strode off the stage and all but ran back to her dressing room. Halfway down the hall, she was already removing the mask and tube top, not caring who saw her. She threw both against the wall as soon as she entered her dressing room. The mini‐skirt hit the floor with a soft whoosh. She kicked off her heels, grabbed a pair of jeans, and wiggled into them. A sleeveless T‐shirt soon covered her naked breasts.

A sound caught her attention, and she whirled around to find Sharon standing in the doorway.

“You okay?” Sharon entered the room but kept her distance. “You didn’t look like you were having fun out there.”

Kelsey shook her head as tears welled in her eyes. “I’m not okay. I don’t know what’s wrong with me anymore.”

“Wanna talk about it?” Sharon crossed her arms over her chest.

Kelsey knew Sharon should be the last person she talked to, but she needed to get everything off her chest, just be with someone she trusted.

“As a matter of fact, I do.”

“Let’s go out back.”

Kelsey followed her out the back door. She knew it was probably a mistake to go with Sharon since their relationship had ended so abruptly, but she felt her nerves unraveling and needed to talk to someone.

Although Sharon was a great lover, she was even better at listening, which was all Kelsey wanted right now.

“I’m worried about this stalker.” Kelsey broke the silence and leaned against her car beside Sharon.

“I know you are. I am too.” Sharon reached for Kelsey’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I really think you need to call Artie and let him know what’s happened.”

Kelsey rolled her eyes. “He’ll kill me for not telling him before Sheri Livingston

now.”

“He will not. You know that man loves you as if he fathered you himself.” Sharon chuckled. “He’ll get to the bottom of it.”

Kelsey nodded and ran her hands along her arms, smoothing the goose bumps pebbling her skin. The stalker was the least of her worries right now. Her heart, her mind as well as her soul, was changing faster and faster with every tick of the clock. She had no desire to dance, no yearning for the faces lighting up with her seductive moves, and she sure as shit had no oomph left in her to continue.

Jordan was swallowing her every waking moment, her nights too.

At this point, she’d do anything to swipe her from her mind, to have one moment of peace.

Sharon turned and reached for her hand, holding both of them in her grasp. “You know I love you, but I can flip into the best friend mode at any time. Tell me what’s really on your mind.”

Kelsey stared at her. Did she really mean it? Could Kelsey pour her heart out to Sharon, a woman she knew wanted to be more than friends?

“You love her, don’t you?” Sharon stole the thoughts right out of Kelsey’s head.

Kelsey’s tears spilled from her eyes before she had a chance to stop them. She nodded. “I think I do.”

“Then, you have to tell her.”

“I can’t.” A sob escaped her. She pulled free and buried her face in her hands. “Jordan’s mom lost her job because of me.”

Kelsey heard Sharon gasp and cried harder.

Sharon pulled Kelsey into her arms, stroking her hair and back.

“I’m sorry. You have to tell her, Kelsey. You have to give her the chance to make her own decision.”

“Have you lost your fucking mind? She’d kill me.”

“Why can’t you give anyone the benefit of a doubt? She deserves to hear the truth. You can’t just leave without her ever knowing why.”

Kelsey was more surprised at Sharon’s complete turnabout. She’d been so mad at her for leaving with Jordan, now here she was telling Kelsey she needed to go after her and tell her everything. It was nice to I Dare You

have a friend, yet scary to know Sharon was giving advice to a woman she was in love with.

“I can’t, Sharon. I just can’t.”

Sharon leaned back. “Then, that’s that.” She released Kelsey. “If you’re not going to tell her, and you don’t want to see her again, then you have nothing to worry about.”

The matter‐of‐fact tone in Sharon’s voice turned a vice in Kelsey’s gut. Sharon was right. If nothing else, Kelsey owed Jordan an explanation.

Once she threw the ball into her court, maybe she would feel better about everything and possibly find a way to get over Jordan. Hell, after Jordan cussed her out, she wouldn’t have a choice.

“You’re right. I need to tell her.” She wiped away the last of her tears.

“Good. I think you’ll feel better once you get it all off your chest.

Besides, she might surprise you by understanding.”

Kelsey giggled. “Yeah, right. Would you?” Kelsey turned and faced her.

Sharon didn’t answer. Her quietness was answer enough.

“And, since I’m getting things off my chest, I should tell you that I won’t be dancing anymore.”

* * * * *

Jordan sat in the chair next to her sister’s full‐size bed. Sam was fast asleep. She stared at her lovely face, hoping beyond hope she would end the torture she was doing to her body.

Jordan had been amazed at how quickly the staff had seen to her sister. At first she’d been frightened. Sam had fought the large male nurses like a wildcat, but after the director had calmed her down and explained things to her, she’d relaxed and allowed everyone to start procedures.

The first thing they did was take blood. Judith told her they needed to know exactly what they were dealing with. She also gave Sam the opportunity to name the drugs they might find in the results.

Sheri Livingston

Jordan had been more shocked than she imagined hearing the different names of drugs rolling off her sister’s tongue. How in the hell could anyone get their hands on so many drugs?

Her mother’s words came to mind. “You’re killing your body.

Please quit.”

Her sister grimaced and rolled over on the bed to face the window.

Jordan knew it was time to give up karate. The real reason she’d gotten into it was because the person she really wanted to hurt—her father—she couldn’t. She never found the courage to face him, to tell him what she really thought of his lack of love for her. So, beating every opponent she faced had become her goal. Her father was the real opponent.

Tears welled in her eyes as she thought of him and all the love she’d missed out on. However, it was time to let loose the void in her heart left by him. He had never showed it, but she knew he’d loved her in his own way, even though she would never understand. His dying words should have put an end to her torture, proving that he did indeed see her through her years of growing up, yet his words only made her hate Sam more.

“Honey, there are strong people, and then there are the ones that rise high above all the rest. You’re that person. You rise above all else, never daring to look down at how far you have to fall. Your sister will never get her feet off the ground because she’s weak.” He’d squeezed her hand tight as he laid in the hospital bed, tears rolling down his chubby cheeks. “Don’t hate her. Hate me.”

“I could never hate you.” Jordan had choked back the lump rising in her throat.

“You hate me for not seeing you. You hate me for catering to her. I saw you, Jordan. I saw everything you ever did, and I couldn’t have been prouder.”

Jordan’s head had slid to his arm, tears flooding her face. “Why didn’t you ever tell me? Those words would have meant the world to me.”

“Did you know your sister used to cry in her room after every I Dare You

award you won? She always felt so beneath you.” He patted her head. “I spent so much time consoling her, I forgot about you. Please forgive me.”

Her dad died two weeks after that conversation. They’d gone through the funeral like a loving family. Of course, her sister dramatically stole the show with loud, heart wrenching sobs and tears while Jordan sat quietly and stared at the coffin.

Despite her father’s words, she knew she’d never forgive her sister for stealing the show all her life. While Jordan played the role of tough girl, it was her sister who owned the spotlight.

Jordan shook the memories from her mind and eased out of Sam’s room. She nodded to the nurse and walked down the hall strung with pictures of nurses, staff, and past directors. As she stared at the framed faces, she wondered how other centers treated their patients and family members. Did they get the red carpet laid out for them as she and Sam had?

As she approached the exit doors, the last door on the corridor—

the one with Judith written on the frosted glass—opened. A tall woman with short, wavy brown hair stepped out of the office. This must be Judith.

“Are you leaving?” The woman’s bright smile automatically eased Jordan’s frazzled nerves.

“Yes, ma’am. I’m worn out, and she’s sleeping like a baby. My mother is on her way to stay the night.” Jordan’s shoulders slumped. “I can’t thank you enough for what you’re doing for her. I never expected so much attention.”

“It’s my pleasure to help a friend of Kelsey’s.” Her short brown hair was curled into loose ringlets around her head. She stood over Jordan by a good few inches. “Here are some papers for you to read. It’s just some simple information about what she’s going through, as well as the family members. There are no answers, but at least you’ll know you’re not alone.” She held out a thick envelope.

Jordan took it from her hands, staring at her, wanting to ask a million questions, knowing the answers wouldn’t matter as long as her sister was getting the help she needed.

“I’ve set up another room for your mother to sleep tonight. I want Sheri Livingston

you to understand that this will get ugly before it gets pretty.” Judith talked as they walked across the large lobby. A TV beaconed soft blue light around the room, cascading patterns across the brown plush couch and loveseat.

“I know.” Jordan stopped and looked up to the woman. “I’m so thankful Kelsey recommended you. I think my sister is in great hands here.”

Judith looked over Jordan’s shoulder and her jaw tightened.

“Kelsey is very loved around here.” She nodded to something on the wall.

Jordan turned and felt her breath evaporate from her lungs. A photo of Kelsey hung on the wall. Her extraordinary beauty glowed under the soft illumination of a gallery spotlight above the picture. The picture showed her handing a check to Judith in a frame the size of Jordan’s upper body. Kelsey wore her business attire, had her hair pulled into a messy bun on top of her head, and looked the complete package of a wealthy woman. It was then that Jordan realized she knew nothing about the woman she loved.

“She’s our biggest benefactor…very faithful with her donations.”

Jordan smiled and nodded at the woman’s flimsy lies. There was no doubt Kelsey was behind the red carpet laid out for her sister.

She gawked at the most beautiful face she’d ever seen. It was time to forgive Sam as well as her father. And, she needed to start by finding Kelsey and thanking her for the help her sister was receiving.

“She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” Judith’s question sounded hollow and far away.

Jordan’s yearning tore through her body. That gorgeous face and sexy body became a three dimensional form in her mind. A form she wanted to hold and caress and never let go.

Jordan nodded.

She knew she’d made a mistake. She should have given Kelsey the chance to tell her there was no room in her life for Jordan to fit inside, instead of leaving the way she had.

Was it too late to tell Kelsey she was in love with her?

She said goodbye to Judith, made her way to her car, and pulled I Dare You

into traffic, determined to find Kelsey and bare her heart tonight. She’d come too far to turn back now. Helping Sam had lifted her spirits and given her comfort to know they might possibly find their way back to sisterly love. If she opened her heart to Kelsey, maybe she could fill another empty hole in her heart.

Sheri Livingston

Chapter Thirteen

Kelsey felt wonderful, as if she were floating two feet off the ground. Telling Sharon she was quitting had lifted half the weight from her. Telling Jordan the truth would lift the rest and give her total freedom.

Sharon pulled her back into her arms, rubbing lazy circles down her back.

Jordan’s sleek little red car pulled into the parking lot, rolling to a stop beside them.

Kelsey’s heart pounded in her chest at the thought of facing Jordan and spilling her guts about her career as well as the fate of her mother and brother. Yet, she was determined as ever to get it out in the open.

She sucked in a gulp of air, pushed Sharon away, and wrung her sweaty hands.

“Don’t hyperventilate on me,” Sharon teased. “You’ll be fine.”

Kelsey gave her a pleading glare. “She’s going to hate me.”

Sharon shrugged. “At least you’ll have told her the truth.”

Jordan stepped out of her car, leaned her athletic body against the door, and dipped her strong hands into her front pockets.

Kelsey gathered her nerves and took the first step in Jordan’s direction.

“Go get ’em tiger,” Sharon whispered as she passed behind Kelsey and made her way through the back doors into The Pink Lady.

Kelsey’s gaze met Jordan’s. Her stomach flipped over and threatened to spill the contents inside. She swallowed hard and continued I Dare You

walking.

“I carried my sister to rehab tonight.” Jordan shifted from one foot to another. “I just wanted to thank you for recommending me there. I don’t think I’ve ever been treated like such royalty.”

“I’m so happy for you and your family. I assure you, she’s in good hands.” Kelsey blinked away tears as a memory of Teresa going through withdrawal stretched across her mind.

“Can we go somewhere? I’ve had a rough night, and I’m starving.”

Kelsey nodded, crotch automatically heating with the simple thought of being alone with Jordan. She wanted to be in her arms again, to feel her fingers plunge inside her, even if was the very last time.

* * * * *

Jordan followed Kelsey back to her house and waited in the car while Kelsey ran in for something. The green‐eyed monster that’d roared to life when she spotted Sharon with Kelsey settled back down. God, how she wanted to run through the door, shove Kelsey on the bed, strip her clothes off, and bury her face between her thighs.

She fought back the urge and waited. Somehow, someway, she had to find the nerve to tell her she loved her.

A few moments later, Kelsey appeared on the porch. Instead of her normal tight fitting clothes, she wore a loose fitting logo T‐shirt that hung around her curvy, tight jean‐covered ass.

Jordan wondered if she were hiding the goodies from her now in fear she might lose her own self‐control. She smiled. I feel your pain, baby.

Kelsey slipped onto the seat, and Jordan pulled out of her driveway.

She was losing her nerve to talk to Kelsey after being this close to her. Thoughts of what they’d already done, what they’d yet to do, slipped through her mind. She wanted to hear Kelsey’s soft cries of pleasure fill the space around them, feel her orgasmic pumping squeeze her fingers.

“How did your sister take things?” Kelsey yanked her from her fantasy.

Sheri Livingston

“She was pissed as shit when we first got there. She fought everyone like a wildcat…including me.”

“That’s normal. She’ll be fine. You did the right thing.” Kelsey’s voice dipped to an unreadable level. Her words might have been sweet and reassuring, but her voice told otherwise.

Jordan glanced at Kelsey. Solemn eyes stared ahead at the traffic.

What’s going on in her head?

“We’ll see.” Jordan looked back at the road. “Is greasy fast food okay with you?”

Jordan saw Kelsey tense out of the corner of her eye. Her fingers dug at each other in her lap.

“That’s fine.”

They pulled into Burger Queen, went inside, placed their orders, and sat across from each other.

Kelsey gasped and stared at the long scratches across Jordan’s face.

“Oh, my God. Your sister tore your face up.” She reached her hand toward Jordan, stopped in mid‐motion, and returned it to her lap. “I gather she didn’t take too kindly to being carried away?”

“No, she didn’t.” Jordan stirred on the seat, trying to find something else to say. “How was your day?” she asked, trying to hide a smile from Kelsey’s refusal to touch her. She could feel the tension around them…that sexual craving.

“It was okay. You know how work goes.”

Jordan was lost for conversation. It was obvious Kelsey didn’t want to talk about her personal life.

She clamped her mouth shut. If Kelsey didn’t want to talk, that was fine, but she sure would listen to what Jordan had to say when they got back to her house, if she could find her nerve. If she could still the thoughts racing through her mind of having Kelsey naked in her arms.

Jordan nibbled on a fry, her mind stretching, trying to find something to say. Nice weather we’re having today. You look so hot I want to make you cum. Guess what, I missed you. She rolled her eyes and looked away. None of those things worked. What the hell were they supposed to talk about when they’d ended everything all wrong?

I Dare You

The sound of Kelsey drumming her fingernails on the table broke Jordan from her thoughts.

She said the first thing that popped into her mind. “So, nice, hot weather coming tomorrow, huh?”

She did not just say that! Please God, she didn’t just string all three thoughts into one confusing sentence.

Kelsey glanced up and gave a soft smile, but it never touched her eyes. “Yeah.” Then she turned a blank gaze out the window as if she were a thousand miles away.

Fuck. When had things become so awkward between them? Well, that was that, Jordan thought with a sinking heart. Somehow she had to accept the inevitable. She and Kelsey just weren’t meant to be, no matter how much she wished it were otherwise.

They ate in miserable silence, threw their trash away, and headed back to Kelsey’s house.

Jordan replayed her rehearsed speech in her mind, arguing with herself over which words were the most perfect to get across what she wanted to say. No matter how she said it, she knew she’d sound dull and stupid.

Jordan’s cell phone rang. She unclipped it from her hip and flipped it open.

“This is Jordan.”

“Tell that cunt she’s a dead bitch!” Hatred oozed over the woman’s words.

“Who the hell is this?”

Kelsey shifted in her seat to look at Jordan.

The connection went dead.

Jordan snapped the phone shut and turned to look at Kelsey. Fear was written in her eyes.

“I think we need to talk.”

Kelsey only nodded, tears welling in her eyes. Jordan resisted the urge to cover Kelsey’s hand.

Finally, they pulled alongside the gate at Kelsey’s house. It was wide open.

Sheri Livingston

Kelsey gasped and leaned forward. “Why’s the gate open? I know I locked it when we left.”

Jordan eased the car through the open gate. Toilet paper had been strewn over the bushes and trees like Christmas decorations. Red paint splattered the front of the house in a cruel attempt to ruin its beauty.

Kelsey jumped from the car as soon Jordan brought it to a stop.

Jordan pulled her cell from her pocket and dialed 911. She got out of the car and walked close on Kelsey’s heels.

The operator answered. “911. What’s your emergency?”

“Someone broke into my friend’s house. We need an officer here immediately.”

“What’s the address?”

Jordan turned to stare at the mailbox embedded in white brick at the edge of the driveway. “423 Catawba Drive.”

“Ma’am, is anyone there with you?”

Jordan turned to Kelsey to see tears streaming down her beautiful face as she looked out over the lawn. “My friend is here with me.”

“An officer is on the way. I need you to stay on the line until they arrive.”

Jordan kept the phone pushed to her ear and watched Kelsey.

Broken glass littered the tropical growth growing along the edge of the driveway. Upon further inspection they found a few busted windows and more toilet paper thrown inside the house.

Kelsey stepped to the wooden porch.

“Don’t go inside. Wait for the police to get here.” Jordan stalled her from entering the closed front doors.

“What kind of sick fuck would do this?” She gave a piercing shriek and covered her mouth with her hands.

Jordan jumped and turned to see deep, swirling scratches down the side of Kelsey’s car spelling out a new threat. Time to die, bitch!

Jordan wrapped her arms around Kelsey while her shaking sobs wrenched her heart.

The police arrived with flashing lights and blaring sirens as if they’d spotted a terrorist. She got the feeling Kelsey must be important for I Dare You

them to have arrived so swiftly, but nudged the feeling away when Kelsey crept out of her arms to face the bright lights.

“The police are here,” Jordan told the operator and flipped the cell phone shut.

“Has anyone been inside?” A tall officer approached them, shining a flashlight against the backdrop of the house.

“No.” Kelsey swiped tears from her face.

“You two, go around the front. You, through the front door,” the officer commanded to the other uniformed men and handed them a key.

Jordan narrowed her eyes when the key swapped hands.

He turned back to them. “Do you know who might have done this, Kelsey?”

Jordan was shocked at the use of her first name. She eyed Kelsey who slowly shook her head, shrugging her shoulders. “I guess we could go down the list, Artie.”

Artie? First name basis with police officers? Who the hell is this woman?

Artie gave a chuckle then stepped forward, drawing Kelsey into his muscular arms. “It’s okay, baby doll. There’s an old saying. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Your daddy lived by that rule.” He patted her back then released her.

Kelsey gave a shy grin to Jordan. “Jordan, meet my second dad, Artie. My father’s best friend.” She pointed to Artie.

Artie stuck out his wide hand, and Jordan shook it. She wanted to scream questions at the both of them, but knew keeping quiet was best for the time being.

“Nothing inside, Chief,” an officer yelled from the front door. “It’s all clear. There’s one hell of a mess in here, though.”

Kelsey walked in his direction. Jordan stayed close behind. The Chief stayed back and talked into his radio.

More toilet paper and paint bombs littered the rooms behind the shattered windows. Ripped curtains billowed out from the blowing wind.

Kelsey gave a squeak and covered her mouth at the site in the last room of inspection. Paint balls had shattered a figurine case. Pieces of splintered glass littered the carpet around it.

Sheri Livingston

“That was my mom’s.” Tears fell harder down her mascara-smeared face. Kelsey knelt on the floor pulling the broken figurines into her grasp with ease. A tiara with a gemstone dangling from the center lay twisted against the case. Kelsey reached for it with her free hand, sobs shaking her body, and pulled it against her chest. “She loved this more than anything.”

Artie’s voice from the next room tore Jordan’s gaze from Kelsey’s pitiful mewing. “There’s no sign of a forced entry, so I think it’s safe to say that whoever did this already knew the code.” He came through the doorway, stalled when he saw Kelsey on the floor, and gave Jordan a sympathetic look.

“I want you to fry whoever did it,” Kelsey mumbled.

“We will, baby. You can’t stay here. You can come stay at our place.” Artie stepped over the broken glass and peered through the shattered window. “Ellie’s already complaining that you never visit us anymore.”

“It’s okay, sir. She can stay with me.” Jordan stood tall and faced the large man, looking quickly back to Kelsey who nodded in agreement.

Jordan narrowed her eyes. “I think we have some things to discuss.”

Artie nodded. “Good. This is a crime scene now and we’ll have to go over the entire house for our investigation. I’ll let you pack a few things. You won’t be able to come back until the forensic team finishes dusting for fingerprints and checking for evidence.”

* * * * *

Kelsey packed an overnight bag while the officers started filing out of the house. Whoever was after her was toying with her and wanted her to live in fear. The monster was winning.

She’d never been so scared. She’d had her share of hate mail along with the occasional phone call. They screamed obscenities and then hung up, as if that put them in control.

But she’d never experienced anything so vengeful. Whoever did this wanted to prove a point, but what that point was, Kelsey didn’t know.

I Dare You

She handed the bag to Jordan, daring to look at her hard expression. Kelsey knew she was in for a long night of explaining.

Was she ready to spill her guts to this woman? Sharing her dirty secrets didn’t seem fitting for this night, when all she’d wanted to do was curl up on the couch and fall asleep in Jordan’s arms, forgetting for a little while she was terrified out of her mind.

She still had a choice. She could take her bag and go to Artie’s, where she was safe from unveiling the truth to a woman she’d come to care for and love, safe from facing her demons and baring her soul.

She straightened and decided it was time to get it over with. This would put the ball in Jordan’s court.

Jordan led the way back through the house and outside. Artie met them on the front lawn.

“I need the name and phone numbers of all the people who have the code.”

Kelsey felt a jolt in her chest. He’d be proud of her.

“I’ve only given the code to people I trust.”

He gave her a bright smile, green eyes sparkling with humor. The wind blew his silver hair across his head. “Why else would you give someone your code, honey? So, how many people have you trusted?”

She gave him an exasperated glare then started naming. “Roxy, Darren, Sharon, now Jordan… oh, and you.”

She smiled and stuck out her tongue. Guilt washed over her, knowing there was still so much she needed to tell him. She wasn’t ready for the disapproval she’d see in his eyes, but squared her shoulders and faced him.

He eyed her over the pad, relief washing over his dark features.

“That’s all?”

Kelsey’s gaze dropped. “Judith and…Teresa.”

When her gaze met his, the same sympathy invading her heart matched the one on his face. He also would never forget the agonizing ordeal that had shaken her world.

She shook the images from her mind to concentrate on the problem at hand.

Sheri Livingston

“I have a stalker.” She blurted the words before she could change her mind.

Sympathy vanished, replaced by a look of anger. His eyes narrowed into slits. “What do you mean?”

“Someone’s been leaving death threats at the club as well as calling.

A woman showed her ass the other night, called me every name in the book, including my real name, and then made a few threats before Harold tossed her out. He got her name and tag, but I don’t think she’s the one.”

“That’s not your call to make. As much as you’d like to play tough-girl, there are some things you can’t handle alone.” He flipped open a new page in his notebook. “What’s her name?

“Paula Riching.” Kelsey gritted her teeth and watched Artie’s gaze go from a hardened stare to a confused glare. Dreading to tell him the next part, she dragged in a long breath. “I bought her company.”

His gaze flew up from the paper. “Are you sure that was her name?

And why in the hell are you just now telling me?”

There it was. The father figure he’d become from the second her daddy had died, stepping in and never missing a beat from where her father left off.

She adored him for loving her so much.

Her gaze dropped to the gravel. “I didn’t want to worry you.” She looked back up into his hard eyes. “I didn’t get a bad vide from her…although I think she just called Jordan’s cell.”

That confused glare washed back over his face. He gazed at Jordan, then back to Kelsey. “Did a number show up?”

Jordan shook her head. “It said it was a private number.”

Artie scribbled something down on the pad and then looked at them. “Go. Get some sleep and let us worry about this. But you better call me first thing in the morning. We have a few things to discuss.”

Kelsey knew he wouldn’t say too much in front of Jordan, and wanted to hug his neck for the act of privacy.

She nodded, turned, and found Jordan standing beside her car with the door open. She slipped inside, catching a look that told her they would be getting to the bottom of her mysterious life tonight. Jordan placed the I Dare You

bag behind her seat and eased in beside Kelsey.

The drive to Jordan’s house passed in uncomfortable silence.

She wanted to tell Jordan about her life. She didn’t want there to be any mysteries between them. No matter how this night ended, she’d disclosed every secret to this woman, and then she could have a clear heart and mind.

Dammit! Why was it so important to bare it all to this woman?

Why this one in particular?

Jordan pulled the car down a long driveway that wound around a tropical garden. Large palm trees stood tall among smaller fan palms, their thin leaves rustling against the light breeze.

The drive ended in front of a large gray stucco house. A porch wrapped around the front and disappeared along both sides. A chimneystack reached high above the house, unlike a lot of houses on the L.A. coastline.

Kelsey felt at home at first glance. She couldn’t wait to get inside, light the fireplace and then light another fire between Jordan’s thighs. She wanted to grab her bag and race inside the house, but stilled the impulse and followed Jordan onto the porch, impatiently waiting for her to turn the key in the lock.

The door creaked open. Jordan reached inside and splashed light around the room. She stepped back for Kelsey to go inside.

A brown plush couch sat in the center of the grand room with a matching loveseat and recliner on either side creating a square in the middle of the floor. A glass and brass coffee table added to the comfort.

Kelsey stilled her beating heart at the sight of the rock fireplace.

Brass‐handled pokers sat on the edge of a rock hearth. She couldn’t wait to light that fire and cuddle up with Jordan.

“Welcome to my humble abode.” Jordan tossed her bag on the floor and locked the door.

Kelsey walked further into the room looking at all the knickknacks, pictures, trophies and medallions. Smiling faces took the space of the frames. Kelsey’s heart raced for her father, even for her mooching, non-caring brother, and especially for a mother she missed something fierce Sheri Livingston

right now. Her house used to display the same loving faces until a heart attack took the life of her father. After that, everything else was downhill, until she met Sharon.

Even though she was never in love with her, they shared many of the same dreams. With Sharon owning the bar and needing help to bring it to life, Kelsey jumped right in with her own desire to dance. Dancing carried her away from the real life. A life that consisted of the father she’d give her own life to have back, a mother that obviously didn’t love her enough to even call, and a brother that couldn’t get his head out of his ass long enough to smell life going on around him.

After the dancing started, the bar became a place for Kelsey to get away from her burdens, and the business began to thrive. Sharon knew without Kelsey her business would have folded a long time ago. Not to toot her own horn, but the other dancers gave themselves freely to the gazes before them while Kelsey hid her goodies, making them scream for more. Women came in herds to watch her dance.

Jordan stepped around her. “Would you like me to start a fire, since you can’t tear your gaze away from the fireplace?” She gave a smile and knelt in front of the hearth.

Kelsey knelt beside her. She watched the muscles jerk in Jordan’s arms with every log she tossed inside.

God, how she wanted to lick every inch of this woman.

Jordan ignited twigs and loose paper, then sat back on her heels to watch the fire roar to life. She turned to Kelsey, concern passing over her face. “You ready to start telling me what the hell is going on?”

Kelsey’s fantasy was yanked from her mind. Here we go.

“What do you want to know?”

Jordan gave a sarcastic laugh then pushed off the floor. “I think that’s a stupid question. I can’t remember a cop in the world that ever slid to a scene as fast as those guys did tonight. You strip for a living, yet you live in a mansion, complete with personal body guards.” She flopped on the couch. “So, what’s your story, Kelsey?”

Kelsey took a deep breath and stood. She passed over Jordan’s legs and slid in beside her. “As you can very well see, I don’t strip. I’m not that I Dare You

cheap.”

Jordan gave a soft chuckle. “Okay, I’ll give you that one.”

“I told you, I run my father’s business. He died a few years ago. My brother is too stupid to run anything except the engine on his van, and I can’t honestly attest to his ability to do that.” She smiled at Jordan. When Jordan didn’t share in her joke, she turned to stare at the fire.

“So, anyway, I got the business. My father knew I was the only one with the balls to handle it.”

“Your dad must have loved you very much to leave it to you.”

Kelsey rose and crossed the room to stand in front of the fireplace, staring at the dancing flames. Every spark that floated up was mesmerizing.

“I’m not sure I can live up to my father’s expectations.”

“I’m sure you’re doing a great job.” Support was etched in every syllable.

The fire licked at the air inside the fireplace. “It’s hard to explain…complicated.”

“Kelsey, I’m tired of playing games here. I know we started off as fuck partners, and God knows I never expected…” Jordan ceased her words.

Kelsey slowly turned, heart hammering against her chest. You never expected what? To fall in love? Oh, my God. Does she care for me as much as I care for her?

Jordan grunted. “I never expected things to get so crazy. I’ve got your stalker calling me, people busting up your house, police scrambling to protect you. Get to the fucking point, Kelsey, I’m running out of patience.”

Kelsey gasped. All the words she longed to say to Jordan flew from her mind in a flash. She wanted her to know how lost without her mother she was, how sad she’d been as she stood over her father’s grave without any support from family, how miserable her life had been, until now.

“What kind of business do you fucking own?” Jordan’s harsh words slapped reality in Kelsey’s face.

Jordan would never hear Kelsey’s heart pour out. She’d never get Sheri Livingston

the chance to hear what a decent, good‐hearted person she really was.

What she was about to hear would turn her stomach inside out, and Kelsey wouldn’t have a chance to defend herself. Jordan was just like all the rest. Her hardened face proved that.

The moment had arrived, far sooner than Kelsey wanted it. She took a deep breath, let it out in a steady stream, and then met Jordan’s fiery glare.

She felt the urge to crawl into Jordan’s lap and cry her heart out for her loser brother, her missing mother, her beloved father, for all the bad things she’d done to innocent people who only wanted a paycheck at the end of every week to feed their families and live a decent life, and for herself, for having to bury her precious father alone.

If only she’d put her plan into effect a long time ago, when she knew her heart had been turned around. If only she’d been stronger…strong enough to face the old men who thought her father’s business was perfect just the way it was, who were greedy and wanted more money, as if their pockets weren’t fat enough. She wanted to curl into a fetal position and sink away from the life she’d made for herself…the one her father had made for her.

Kelsey lifted her chin and stood tall. Her father had never let her down, and she’d be damned if she’d let him down now. She’d dealt with people far worse than the likes of Jordan. People like her came and went by the hundreds. Kelsey strapped a hold on the love she felt for Jordan, stuffed it back inside her heart, and locked the fucking door.

“I buy businesses.”

“So I’ve heard.”

“And then I tear them apart, kick out the employees, and sell it off section by section for more profit than you could ever dream of.”

“Now, that doesn’t sound so nice.”

There, I said it. I’m free. Right? She waited for what she knew would be coming.

A look spread across Jordan’s face, as if she’d missed something and finally gotten it. She rose from the couch, shaking her head.

Kelsey stared at her, unable to think of anything that would make I Dare You

her look any less of the monster she was, not giving a shit now if Jordan saw a monster or not. Her protective mode was in full motion.

Jordan stopped and glared at her. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. Why didn’t I figure this shit out before now?” She slapped her palm against her forehead. “You’re Billings Industries?”

Kelsey’s heart jammed in her throat. To say yes right now was a trap, but to say no would only put her right back in the path of lies she was desperately trying to avoid.

With every ounce of willpower she could muster, she nodded.

“Oh, that’s just great.” She threw her hands in the air. “The person who owns the company that ruined my mother’s life and sent her to live in the projects is standing in my fucking living room.” She stared at Kelsey with hatred buried in the depths of her eyes. A look Kelsey was more than used to getting.

Kelsey opened her mouth to defend herself then clamped it shut. If there was one thing she had left, it was pride for her father. She was proud of him for making his dreams come true, for the hard work he’d put into making this business thrive. She would never say she was sorry for loving and supporting him.

There wasn’t a single thing she could say. Besides, what was the use? Jordan was just like everyone else, judging before they knew the whole truth. How could she have thought this woman would be different?

She wanted to slink into the carpet, under the couch, and flee from the house.

“My sister is a crack head. Just when things were starting to look up for her, my mother was kicked out of the only job she’d ever had. Now my sister, at twenty‐eight fucking years old, sucks dick for a buck. The gangs in the projects are her best friends. My brother, the only person I could ever look up to, joined the Marines to get the hell away from them.

He couldn’t take my mother crying every day of her life and my sister slipping away, one syringe at a time.”

Kelsey’s tears welled in her eyes. She desperately wanted to go to Jordan, to hug her, tell her how sorry she was, but stilled the impulse so Jordan could have her say. She was used to this part. The condemning, the Sheri Livingston

hatred. Once Jordan was done, she could walk away numb. She stood her ground and let the tears overflow her lids.

“You make me sick.” Jordan rushed from the room and slammed the door.

Kelsey didn’t move a muscle, just stood glued to her spot, terrified and confused over what to do next. When she’d finally made up her mind to leave, to call Artie for a ride, the door flew open and Jordan stomped in her direction.

The fighter Kelsey was wouldn’t allow her to flinch. She lifted her chin and faced Jordan’s hard glare.

“I want you out of here first thing in the morning.” She raked her gaze over Kelsey’s face, her lips curled into a snarl. She dropped a blanket and pillow at Kelsey’s feet then turned and left the room. Kelsey flinched with the banging of the door.

All Kelsey had to do was chase her into the room, tell her the truth about her changes to the company, and the whole mess would be over.

Wouldn’t it be that easy? Shouldn’t it be that simple? Of course it would.

But to admit that to Jordan would be saying that her father was a cruel and heartless man, and she’d be damned if anyone would force her to say that. He’d worked his ass off to create his dreams, had his ass beat off daily by a cruel, heartless father, and she could never dishonor him like that, no matter what, no matter how much she loved Jordan.

Tears slipped from her eyes.

Jordan would never know the truth.

* * * * *

Jordan paced around her bedroom, fists clenched by her side. She slumped on the edge of the bed and rested her head in her hands.

She’d never wanted to punch someone so bad.

Dear God, how could I have not put two and two together? Kelsey Billings, owner of Billings Industries, in my house, in my very living room. I slept with her for Pete’s sake. And loved every second of it.

Jordan pushed off the bed and stomped into the bathroom. She I Dare You

flipped on the light and stared at her reflection. “Can you fucking believe your luck?”

An image of Kelsey, naked in her arms, slithered through her mind.

Her body, quivering while Jordan’s fingers dove deep inside her. Those delicate arms wrapped around her neck, holding on to her like she’d never get another chance…

She shoved away from the mirror, doused the light and went back in the bedroom. After tugging the shirt over her head and yanking off her jeans, she donned a pair of boxers and slid into bed. She heard the faint sound of Kelsey crying, and a pang gripped her heart.

Was she too mean? Hell no. This woman ruined her life. This woman sent her mother into depression, her sister back on drugs, and her sweet brother off to the military to escape it all. She didn’t owe this woman an ounce of an apology. If anything, she should offer to meet her on the mat.

“Cry all night long. I don’t give a fuck,” Jordan said to herself, then cut off the lamp.

Darkness surrounded her, bringing vivid images crashing through her brain. She tossed and turned, trying to push the explicit images from her mind, finding no end to the torture. Knowing Kelsey was in the room right beside her, possibly naked under the blanket, tortured her thoughts further.

I was mean. She was only showing her father how much she loved him by continuing on with his business. But, that’s no excuse. She could have sold it. She could have changed it. She could have had a fucking heart and given those people a chance. She’s a witch in the most scrumptious body I’ve ever seen.

Jordan growled and reached for the lamp. Light cascaded around the room. She sat up in the bed, staring at her closed door. “I’m in love with a witch.”

Before Jordan could change her mind, she eased out of bed and opened the door. She crept into the room, glanced over the back of the couch, expecting to find Kelsey sniffling and shaking from her cries.

The couch was empty. Kelsey was gone.

Sheri Livingston

Chapter Fourteen

Kelsey opened the door to Artie’s cruiser and slid onto the seat.

He gave her an empathic pat on the knee then pulled away from Jordan’s driveway.

Tears streamed down her face and sobs shook her body. “Thank you for picking me up.” She wiped at the tears, but fresh ones flowed fast and furious.

“Honey, when you chose to continue your daddy’s business, you knew letting people into your life who couldn’t understand was part of it.

Your own mother was living proof of it. She thought your daddy was a monster but she was in love with him. She would have done anything she could just to be near him.”

“At least he had someone. As long as I own this business I’m never going to find anyone.” A loud sob escaped her and she buried her face in her hands.

“Oh, honey. You’re going to find love one day. You just have to find the one that can handle what you do for a living.”

“They won’t have to. I’m selling the business.”

Artie eased off the accelerator, pulled the car to a stop against the curb, and turned to look at her. “You’re what? When did you decide this?”

“Since…hell, I don’t know when, but I’m selling. I’m going to walk away and never look back.”

He leaned across the seat and hugged her to him, patted her hair I Dare You

down and rubbed her back. “I think it’s the best decision you’ve ever made in your life.”

She shook her head and pulled away, swiping at her wet face. “I hate to think I’m letting Daddy down. He loved this business. He’s probably rolling over in his grave this very second.”

Artie gave a soft chuckle and looked through the windshield. “I bet your daddy would be proud you’re going after what you really want instead of burying yourself in his dreams.” He turned back to her, a serious expression crossing his face. “He wasn’t blind, Kelsey. He knew your mother was in love with him, but he also knew she despised him for the life he chose for his family. I’ve never repeated this to anyone, but I think you might find his words interesting.”

With a gentle pat to her hand, he continued. “You’re daddy told me once that he’d give up every dime he’d ever earned to have your mother look at him with the love that used to heat him from the inside out. He said her fire was gone, but her passion kept her there, to watch over and protect him. He knew your mother hated him for the life he created and the lives he’d torn apart, no matter how much she tried to understand why he was doing it.”

Kelsey stared at him, his words were foreign to her. Her father had never spoken kindly about her mother. But still, she knew they’d loved each other. Even though they never kissed or hugged, the love still floated around them. Kelsey had always felt that love when they were near each other.

And now, to sit here with her father’s best friend and listen to words her father had spoken so kindly about her mother, about the love he wanted back in his life so much he would’ve be willing to toss everything to the wind, was more breathtaking than Kelsey could ever imagine.

“Then, why didn’t he?” The question was out of her mouth before she could stop it.

“Why haven’t you?”

Realization was bittersweet coming from a man that loved her like a daughter, a man who would do anything in the world to protect her Sheri Livingston

from harm. Yet, he couldn’t protect her from herself…or her father’s dreams.

“He was never sure giving up the money and the power would win back her heart. He was a fool, and I never missed a chance to tell him.”

“He could have given up the business and lived off his bank account for the rest of our lives. He could have given her what she wanted and still achieved what he’d set out to do…be a millionaire and bury his cruel past.”

“That company was his second love. It became his first love when he realized your mother hated what he was doing. If he couldn’t have the first one, then he sure as shit wasn’t giving up the second one. His parents were so poor when he was small, and after the long fight to gain his own wealth, I’m not sure he knew how to give it up.”

Kelsey stared at him, lights flashing in her head as her plans for the company rolled through her mind. She was more determined than ever to see this through to the end, to set Billings Industries on a new course of action, to never hurt another living soul with its greediness for money.

She gave Artie her best smile. “Thank you so much for sharing my father’s fears and dreams with me. I don’t want to live my life loving my second love. This company was not my dream. I want my own.”

“That’a girl. I’m proud of you.”

She plucked a tissue from the box on the seat and patted her wet face. “Don’t be proud yet. It’s going to be hell to make sure this company gets into the right hands.”

Douglas slipped into her mind. Of course! How could she have been so stupid? All those grueling hours he’d spent with her going over figures, sleepless nights trying to figure out how the company could lend a helping hand instead of closing its doors, and better yet, how to hold onto every employee so they didn’t wind up in the unemployment line.

Douglas knew what she wanted to do with this company. He knew every corner of this business. There were no other hands she trusted with her father’s dreams.

“Douglas!” Kelsey yelled with excitement.

“Now, I know you’ve lost your mind. Douglas might be good at his I Dare You

job, but running a company as big as Billings Industries is another story.”

“Are you crazy? He helped me come up with the plan to turn it all around. He can do this. I know he can.”

“Can I ask you something?”

Kelsey froze. He had that fatherly tone to his voice that always made her stand at attention. “Sure.”

“If you knew you wanted to turn things around, and if you spent so much time figuring out how to do just that, why didn’t you do it?”

Kelsey’s chin fell to her chest. She dug at the Kleenex in her hand.

“I was afraid of letting Daddy down. If I screwed things up and made the company fold, I would have let him down. I would have destroyed his dreams.”

“So, you are both fools?”

She smiled uncertainly and shrugged. “In a way, I guess so. Lucky for me, I’m young enough to get out and find a life.”

He gave her a smile and pulled away from the curb. Soon, they stopped in his driveway. His house had been her home away from home after her mother left. Ellie, Artie’s perfect wife, had helped her sell her mother’s condo and belongings almost a year after she ran off with her new lover. Going through her things had been so hard for Kelsey. It was almost like she’d lost both of her parents. She’d buried one and couldn’t find the other, and didn’t know which one was worse. She’d saved a few select things that reminded her of her mother, but they could never take the place of the real thing.

Ellie met her at the front door. Artie pulled out of the driveway, returning to duty. Even at this late hour of the night, Ellie wore her apron.

Her pudgy face broke into a grin the closer Kelsey got to her. Those welcoming arms spread open for a hug and Kelsey slid into them, feeling her heartache and troubles drain. Ellie always had a way of making her feel like she was welcome, no matter what her problems were. She’d hug them out then bring her in for cookies and milk, as if that was the cure for every real or perceived ailment. Usually, it was.

Kelsey pulled back from the embrace to stare at her. Laugh lines crinkled around her deep blue eyes, her dark gray hair was twisted into Sheri Livingston

curlers.

Giving Kelsey’s hand a gentle squeeze, she said, “I have cookies.”

“That’s just what I need,” Kelsey said as she followed Ellie into the kitchen. “More weight.”

“Oh, girl. Give me a break. What I wouldn’t give to have a figure like yours.” She pushed the plate across the glass dining table then sat on one of the padded chairs. “Do you think they would let some old fart with flab hanging around her hips do a sexy dance at your club?”

Kelsey almost choked on the cookie. “Ellie!”

“What?” She glanced down at her handlebar hips. “Think I’d be too heavenly for them?”

“I don’t think we have enough bouncers to hold the audience off you.” Kelsey gave her a smile and a wink. It was the best feeling in the world to have someone on her side, loving her no matter what.

She recalled the time she’d admitted to Ellie that she was a lesbian.

“And?” Ellie’s eyebrows had arched with her confession. “You say this like you have a disease or something. Don’t say it like you’re ashamed.” She’d reached across the table and lifted Kelsey’s chin with her fingertip. “You shout that shit from the top of a mountain, sweetie. You’ve got the biggest heart I’ve ever known, and I’ve loved you from the day your mom and dad moved into this neighborhood. If you think a little word like lesbian is going to make me love you any less, you’ve got another thought coming.”

Kelsey’s heart ached with the memory. She couldn’t love Ellie an ounce more for all the support she’d given her through all of her trials and heartaches.

“You lie so sweet.” Ellie chuckled then smoothed down her apron top. “So, tell me about this new love of yours.”

* * * * *

Jordan tossed under the covers, finally giving up her attempt at sleep. She pulled on a pair of cotton pants and a T‐shirt, grabbed her keys and left the house to go to the shop.

I Dare You

The streets were deserted at this early morning hour, giving he nothing to concentrate on but the thoughts of Kelsey coursing through her mind.

Had she been too cruel? Could she have handled things differently? And to think shed been planning to tell Kelsey that she loved her.

She let the thoughts stew in her brain while she got out of the car and unlocked the karate shop door. She splashed light around the room and headed to her morning training.

Stretch after stretch, punch after punch, image after image, she dove into the workout.

No. She hadn’t been too cruel. Kelsey was a monster in a gorgeous body. She didn’t owe any apologies to a person that made a living out of ripping people’s hearts apart. She was better off to have said her peace now than to have gotten deeper into the relationship and risked having her heart torn out, too.

Having the place to herself left more room to think. Hours later she left the shop, clothes stuck to her body from sweat. She drove to her house with Kelsey still stealing her thoughts.

Maybe if she called Kelsey, just to tell her she was sorry for being so mean. Would she feel better? Probably not.

She remembered Kelsey’s gorgeous eyes filling with tears while she screamed at her. It wasn’t Kelsey’s fault her sister was a drug addict. It wasn’t her fault Michael had joined the military. That was something he’d always wanted to do anyway. So throwing blame at Kelsey wasn’t fair.

But her mother, now that she could toss in Kelsey’s lap. She’d been happy with her job, had treated the other employees like family. Losing her job had sent her into depression, which triggered Sam’s need for drugs again, which made Michael decide to leave.

So, yes, it was all Kelsey’s fault.

Why am I arguing with myself? I already know who’s to blame here.

Jordan straightened her shoulders, lifted her chin, and set her mind to not think another second about the pretty demon.

Sheri Livingston

* * * * *

Kelsey awoke to bright sunshine filtering through the white curtains. She stretched, yawned and rolled out of bed.

The scent of bacon and eggs drew her to the kitchen where she found Ellie steadily buttering toast.

“Good morning, pumpkin. Artie’s still asleep.” Ellie set a plate down in front of her and then sat beside her with her own plate. “Are you ready to talk about anything?”

Jordan flashed through her mind. A knot formed in her stomach.

“There’s not much to tell.”

“Oh, bull. Artie said sparks were shooting off you and that new woman you had with you.”

Kelsey gave her a shrug. “I just recently met her. It was no big deal.”

“Child! Who do you think you’re talking to?” Ellie leaned over her plate to stare at Kelsey, her thin nightgown brushing the edge of her plate.

“You haven’t dated a soul since your father died. If you went out with this woman, then you’ve flopped in the love barrel.”

“It wasn’t like that.” Jordan’s sweet smile slid in her mind and she wanted to reach out and touch her delicate lips.

“Uh huh.” Ellie leaned back in her chair, glaring at Kelsey, stealing her virtual memory of Jordan. “So, when exactly did you know you were in love with her?”

Kelsey froze. Was it that apparent?

“Turns out, her mother fell victim to one of my company’s shutdowns.”

Ellie whistled and shook her head. “Doesn’t matter. Fix it.”

Kelsey stuffed another piece of bacon between her lips and mumbled. “Fix what?”

“This.” She pointed to Kelsey’s heart. “Fix this. You can’t let this woman get away that easily.”

“Why would I want a woman who hates me?”

“She won’t after you fix it.” Ellie stood, picked up her full plate, I Dare You

and walked back into the kitchen.

“And how am I supposed to fix it?”

Ellie put the plate down on the counter and turned back to her.

“You’re one of the smartest people I know. You run that big ole’ place all by yourself. You’ll think of something.”

“Ellie, she hates me, and I can’t blame her.”

“Don’t make me cuss this early in the morning.” She crossed the room and slipped into the chair. “I’ve never seen such rosy cheeks on you.

I’ve never seen your eyes brighter. If you don’t find a way to patch this up, I might have to cut off your cookies and milk.”

Ellie patted her hand and left the room.

Ellie doesn’t know me as well as she thinks she does. I don’t beg, and I sure as hell don’t plead. What’s done is done, and that’s that.

She lifted her shoulders, grabbed a piece of toast and headed back to her room.

An hour later, Artie drove them through the gates of her house. A few men wearing jeans and T‐shirts carried garbage bags to the back of a white van. A man stood on a ladder, replacing a broken window.

“Did you get a hold of anyone last night?” Kelsey opened the car door and stood on the driveway.

Artie leaned against his car and crossed his arms over his broad chest. “Tell me about this little incident at the club.”

Kelsey felt her heart skip a beat. That fatherly tone made her feel like she’d been busted crawling back into the house through her bedroom window in the middle of the night. She shrugged her shoulders. “I think the woman just got a little over‐excited.”

“That’s not what Darren said.”

“He has a big mouth.” She gave him her best princess smile then shrank back when he scowled. “I didn’t get any bad vibes from her, Artie.

I’m telling you, I don’t think she’s the one that left the note.”

“Ah, yes.” He pointed his finger in the air. “The notes. You should have called me with the very first one.”

“Sorry.”

“So, were you just going to fight off this new enemy all by your Sheri Livingston

little self or hope she fell off a cliff?”

“The cliff sounds great.” She gave him another smile.

One of the workers approached them. “The new windows are installed.” He held out an envelope. “I found this jammed into the windowsill.”

Artie plucked it from his hands before Kelsey could move. Fear gripped her gut when she recognized the pale yellow envelope. He tore open the end and pulled the slip of paper from inside.

His brow creased as he turned the paper around for her to read.

Tick tock goes the clock. Where is she, I wonder. Don’t you wonder, too?

The clock winds down for you. You’re time is almost up.

Kelsey looked around, expecting someone to jump out from the tall pampas grass or fan palms. “What now?”

“Well, I’ve already changed the code.” He plucked a piece of paper for his shirt pocket and handed it to her. It contained four sets of numbers as her new code. “And you shouldn’t stay here unless you’re going to purchase some big, snarling dogs or some body guards.”

“No.” She shook her head. “No one is making me run in fear.”

Although, fear should be her middle name right now with so much of it running through her veins. “And get me all the info you can on a Paula Riching.”

“As in Riching Construction?”

Kelsey’s eyes widened. “No. As in Riching Incorporated.”

“Honey, I wanted to tell you this last night but wasn’t sure how much you’d told your new friend. Paula Riching just added the bedroom on our house a month ago. She owns her own construction company and her father is a good friend of mine. I assumed you’d already met her.”

Kelsey tried to make heads or tails of the information running through her brain. Construction worker. Dark tan. Large arms. Blonde spiked hair.

Kelsey replayed the image of Paula as she’d looked slammed flat behind the stage. “What does she look like?”

“Blonde spiked hair and buff as all get out.” He shrugged and smiled.

I Dare You

Kelsey nodded her head, fresh fear spiraling through her. “That’s her. That’s the one that was at the bar. She knew my name.”

“I’m sure she did, honey. And we might have a problem.” His gaze drifted to the empty house across the street barely visible through the iron fence.

“Why?”

He pointed. “She’s your new neighbor.”

Sheri Livingston

Chapter Fifteen

Kelsey locked the door after Artie left. She set the alarm, stared at the vacant house across the street for a few seconds, and then sank onto the couch.

Plucking the phone from the cradle on the end table, she stared at the number Artie had scribbled down on a sheet of paper. What kind of game was Paula playing with her, and why in the hell would she have given her real name? Especially since Artie was good friends with her father, which is how he’d found out about the daughter that was one heck of a construction worker. He’d finally given in to Ellie’s wishes to have a bigger bedroom and hired her for the job.

She’d not only built the addition, she’d heard all about Kelsey through Ellie…her pride for her adoptive daughter spilling over many dinners with Paula.

Artie was not only shocked, he was scared. His eyes had blazed over apologetically, but somehow she knew he felt the same as her. His inner vibe hadn’t rang with warning bells. As much as she would like to be scared out of her mind, she wasn’t. Somehow, she just knew Paula wasn’t behind the threats, even though she’d thrown some in anger.

She visualized Paula’s seductive smile as she’d slipped her fingers inside Kelsey’s thong. Pain had replaced the lusty look as Kelsey grabbed her fingers, bending them backwards before shoving her away. If looks could really kill, Kelsey would have been dead on contact.

Paula left no question as to what she’d wanted from Kelsey. Had I Dare You

Jordan not been there to quench her own sexual thirst, she might have been obliged to ease some of Paula’s tension. But her mind had been on Jordan and Jordan alone, ready to slip between the sheets and sink her fingers inside her, ready to rip a scream of pleasure from her throat.

Kelsey leaned forward on the couch, pushing the arousing thoughts from her mind.

She dialed Paula’s number before more heated images sucked her away.

On the second ring, a voice came over the line. Kelsey recognized her immediately.

“This is Paula.”

Kelsey sucked in her breath, suddenly unsure of what to say. “Um.

Is this Paula Riching?”

“Yes. What can I do for you?”

“You can start by telling me why you trashed my house!” Kelsey screamed, anger coursing through her veins.

“I’m sorry? Who is this?”

“Kelsey.” She pushed off the couch. “Kelsey Billings.”

A soft chuckle oozed over the line. “Well, well. And to what do I owe this pleasure? I’ve heard such great things about the real Kelsey.”

“Did you trash my house, you fucking freak?”

“If I say yes, will you let me come over and help you clean it up?”

Her voice was calm and crystal clear with want. “I do know where you live.”

Kelsey felt immediate confusion rock through her. Was Paula the mastermind behind the death threats? She sure sounded sane, and terribly horny, exactly like she sounded behind the curtains at the bar.

“Screw you.”

“I was trying to, but you almost broke my fingers.”

Kelsey smiled and tossed Paula’s number on the coffee table. She cupped the cordless phone against her ear and walked to the window to look out over the lawn, admiring the large three‐story house that had sat vacant for the past year. “Yes. I remember.”

“Invite me over. I think we have a lot to talk about, Ms. Kelsey.”

Sheri Livingston

“Yeah, right. Do you think I’m stupid?”

“Pretend you are and invite me over.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Okay, then meet me for lunch. Thirty minutes at LaSantos.”

Paula hung up before Kelsey could object. Artie would kill her if he knew she was going to face a person she believed to be stalking her.

However, he didn’t seemed convinced Paula was behind any of it. She trusted his judgment when it came to certain things.

A few minutes later she pulled into the restaurant parking lot.

Paula leaned against a huge white Chevy Silverado, looking even sexier than she had at the bar. Air hoses, a set of sawhorses, and other construction equipment took up space in the bed of her truck. A large magnet bearing the logo of Riching Construction was on the side of her truck.

Paula gave her a bright smile. Her tanned arms extended from under a white T‐shirt, reminding Kelsey how strong they’d been grabbing at her.

She forced herself to match Paula’s smile. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t call the cops right now.”

Paula’s bright, white teeth appeared between her parting lips.

“Because you’re curious. You wouldn’t be here for any other reason.”

Kelsey shifted to her other foot, glaring at her, feeling stupid. She felt like her life had been opened like a book and poured over this woman.

There was no telling what Ellie had shared while she served her famous lasagna.

“You had something you wanted to talk to me about?”

“I did, but that sexy body crawling out of the car made me forget.”

She wiggled her eyebrows.

Kelsey gave her a smirk and crossed her arms over her chest. All doubt and fear left her immediately. Artie was right. Even if he’d kill her for coming here today to meet with Paula, she was not the one to be feared. So, who and where was the one to be afraid of?

“Tell me.”

“During lunch.” She fanned her hand toward the front door.

I Dare You

Kelsey stared at her, taking in her carpenter jeans and the smudges of sawdust stuck to her T‐shirt. What if I’m wrong? Putting her guard up, she turned and entered the building.

They found an empty booth and sat across from each other. After the waitress took their drink orders, they turned their attention on each other.

“So you thought I trashed your place?” Paula arched her eyebrows.

“You have a beautiful house, by the way.”

Kelsey tensed. “Thank you. If you’ve forgotten, you did threaten me.”

Paula leaned toward her, sliding her hand across to Kelsey’s.

The impulse to jerk back was immediate and strong. She stilled the urge and forced her gaze to meet Paula’s. The last thing she wanted was for Paula to realize she wasn’t as confident as she appeared to be. As a matter of fact, she was pretty well scared shitless.

“I’m sorry. That was uncalled for. Embarrassed women do tend to fly off the handle. I do apologize for calling you a bitch.”

Kelsey smiled, her tension draining. Artie’s intuition had been right. Paula couldn’t be the person leaving the death threats. “Pfft. I am a bitch. That part didn’t bother me.” She smiled grimly when Paula laughed at her. “Your threat did.”

“Oh. I meant that part. I figured if I came back and behaved myself, you might give me another lap dance. Not that my heart could stand another one.” She released Kelsey’s hand and leaned back. “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to scare away that woman.”

Kelsey eyed her. “What woman?”

“The one I was paid to make jealous.”

“What are you talking about?” Every fine strand of hair on the back of her neck stood on edge.

“The bartender said you were trying to get rid of that tall dark-haired woman who came to sit with you. She paid me a hundred bucks to get a lap dance from you. Said you couldn’t get rid of her, and if I played my cards right, I might stand a chance for a date as well as scaring away your admirer. Instead, I let my thoughts overpower my common sense Sheri Livingston

and got my ass kicked out.”

Kelsey’s mind automatically snapped back to the bar that night.

Phyllis, the regular bartender, as well as Sharon had been behind the bar.

Anger sliced through her gut. Sharon! That bitch. Would she stoop to such a level to get her back? Kelsey now remembered her slamming her hand down on the bar, scaring the shit out of her, and telling her it was time to dance. No, she would never do something like that. It had to be someone else. But who?

“Uh oh. I take it you had no idea?”

Kelsey shook her head. Sharon would get a piece of her mind as soon as she got back to the bar. And, if she would stoop so low, would she stoop even lower and make up the phone calls and death threats?

Kelsey pushed her anger aside to deal with the real reason she was here, which was to talk to Paula. “So, that was it? That was what you wanted to talk to me about?”

Paula gave a soft chuckle and leaned forward. “No. I wanted to thank you for ripping my dad’s business apart.” Her smile slid from her face.

Kelsey’s heart leapt to her throat.

* * * * *

Jordan slipped into the shower to remove the sweat from her exhausted body. Her muscles ached in places that hadn’t felt pain in years. Being with Kelsey for the past few days had put her behind in her training. She was paying for it now as the hot water attempted to ease her screaming muscles.

And now that she was thinking about sweat, aching muscles, and training, she realized her fire for the sport was almost gone. There’d been no life this morning while she attempted to punch and kick Kelsey from her mind. Her mornings alone in the empty studio used to make her feel alive and ready for any opponent. She could care less about it now. Was that a sign it was time to hang up her belt and give this game a rest?

Wasn’t the real reason she started it in the first place to shake the emotions I Dare You

of not having a father that loved her as much as he loved Sam, or rather couldn’t show her?

She seriously needed to figure out what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. Continuing to do something her heart wasn’t in anymore wasn’t something she was willing to do. She had enough money to live comfortably for a while. Actually, as long as the karate shop remained open and doing as well as it was, she wouldn’t have to work another day for the rest of her life. But sitting around doing nothing wasn’t what she wanted either.

She shoved her face under the pounding stream of water with a grunt. There were too many other things to think about right now besides her indecisions. Sam was probably giving some nurse a fit, and her mother would be beside herself trying to handle her. Getting to the rehab to check on her was best for now. It would also help her get thoughts of Kelsey out of her mind. The three dimensional images were winning by a landslide.

She cut off the water, dried her body, and got dressed.

After calling Terrance to fill him in on Sam—and announcing for the first time since owning the business she wouldn’t be in for the rest of the week—she hopped in the car and headed toward the rehab center.

She cranked the radio to avoid giving her time to think of Kelsey.

Instead, the radio poured out a slow grinding song. An erotically tantalizing image of Kelsey down on her hands and knees, crawling like a tiger after prey, filled her mind. She slammed her finger on the power button and moved her concentration to the traffic, blotting out all other thoughts.

After parking at the center and making her way inside, she found her mother in the lobby.

“Where’s Sam?” Jordan looked curiously down the hall.

Her mother looked up from her trance on Kelsey’s picture…something Jordan couldn’t bring herself to look at. “She’s in with the director. They’ve been in there for quite some time now.”

Jordan nodded. Uncontrollably, her gaze drifted to the picture. She gritted her teeth at the emotion rushing through her from just glancing at Sheri Livingston

a stilled shot of a woman she couldn’t tear from her mind.

“She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” her mother asked.

Jordan couldn’t tell her just how beautiful she was, or how delicious she tasted. “Yep. Witches come in all shapes and sizes.” Jordan could hear the sour tone of her own voice.

Her mother whipped her head around to stare at her. “Why would you say that?”

“Don’t you know who that is?”

“Honey, it says Kelsey Billings right there.” She pointed at the picture. Sarcasm dripped from every word when she said, “Do you know who she is?”

Jordan wished to God she could say no, but unfortunately she’d had the pleasure of meeting good ole’ Kelsey. “Yeah. We’ve met.” She turned and sat on the couch.

“She’s a wonderful person.”

Jordan turned to stare at her. “How do you know her?”

“She bought Mr. Gregory’s business. We also share a mutual friend. I know a lot about Kelsey.”

Jordan was stunned to find out that her mother knew anything.

“She put you out of a job.”

“She did not. Mr. Gregory did that all by himself. Had he paid attention or listened when we told him things were looking bad, he would never have had a reason to go bankrupt.”

Jordan leaned back and gritted her teeth. Leave it to her mom to flip the fault onto someone else. First her blindness to her sister, and now her stupidity over who really parked her ass at the unemployment office.

Jeez, would it ever end?

She shook her head, knowing it would be useless to argue with her mother. Once she had her mind set on something, that was it. There was no budging her from it.

“Who told you she put me out of a job?”

“No one, Mom. I just know she bought your company, tossed everyone out on their asses, and then sold it for profit.”

“So? Everyone has to make a living. Even if that living is earned to I Dare You

honor something…or someone.”

Jordan snickered. “I bet it’s real hard not to honor a million dollar empire. I couldn’t be so heartless, or so greedy.”

That got her mother’s undivided attention. She whirled on her flat, black sandals to glare at Jordan. Her bangle bracelets clanked against each other as her hands pounded onto her hips. “Don’t you talk about her that way. You don’t know anything about this woman.”

Jordan was appalled. She was sick and tired of her mother being so naïve when it came to life. Maybe her mother needed to be admitted alongside Sam and have someone check her for mental illnesses.

And, as a matter of fact, she did know a few things about Kelsey. A few things she wished she could forget.

“Whatever. I don’t want to talk about Kelsey. I just wanted to visit with Sam.”

“She’s been on drugs,” her mother blurted.

Jordan’s mouth sagged open. “What? Who?”

“Your sister, sweetheart. Who did you think I was talking about?”

Jordan’s gaze flashed to the picture behind her mother.

Her mother turned and looked at Kelsey’s framed face, then slowly turned back to Jordan. She gave her a bright smile. “God only knows how she coped without any. But, no. Not Kelsey. Sam.”

Jordan wasn’t sure which one of her statements boggled her the most. The fact that she knew Sam had been on drugs, or the one about Kelsey needing them.

She quickly decided she didn’t want to know anything else about Kelsey. “How long have you known?”

“For a few months. Those men she’s been bringing around were scum and perfect examples of drug dealers.” She eased into the loveseat across from Jordan. “She was losing weight while her appetite spiked.

That’s the first clue, you know?”

Of course Jordan knew it was the first clue. But what about all the other clues her sister had been dropping left and right.

Jordan shook her head. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

All this time she thought she was hiding Sam’s dirty little secret, thinking Sheri Livingston

her mother was blind to all of it, only to find out she knew. The urge to bust out laughing was strong. She stilled the impulse, since she didn’t think her mom would appreciate the gesture.

She crossed her arms over her chest and settled back against the soft cushions to wait for Sam. The less she spoke to her mom right now, the better off she’d be. She’d heard enough information over the past twenty‐four hours. Her brain had to be heading for complete shutdown.

“Are you going to tell me about this new love of yours?”

Jordan grunted. “I’ve already told you. There’s no new love.”

“I see.” Her mother rose from the loveseat to face the picture. “Can you do me a favor?”

Jordan rolled her eyes. “Sure.”

“When you get back this new love of yours, will you promise to listen with your heart instead of your ears?”

What the fuck is she talking about? She’s totally lost her mind.

“Sure, Mom. I’ll remember to do that.”

“She’s not any of the things you think she is.”

The sound of Sam’s voice took Jordan’s attention from her mother’s odd behavior.

The sight of her sister, eyes clear and clean, a tad bit of color back on her face, lifted Jordan’s spirits higher then she ever imagined it would.

She’d made it through her biggest hurdle.

Sam squealed when she saw Jordan, and then did something more shocking than the news she’d heard about Kelsey. She hugged her. A real, honest to God, bear hug. Tears welled in Jordan’s eyes as her sister wrapped her arms around her neck.

Judith gave her a smile and a simple nod of her head, and then turned and left the lobby.

Life was looking up already.

And, as soon as she called Kelsey to tell her she was sorry for being so cruel, and to thank her again for recommending her to Fresh Start, the sooner she could go on with her life and forget all about her.

But not today. Today was going to be filled with great things, starting with the speedy progress of Sam’s recovery. She didn’t want I Dare You

anything to screw up her day. Especially hearing Kelsey’s voice again, which would only lead her to more heated thoughts.

Sheri Livingston

Chapter Sixteen

Kelsey drove along the busy streets, a smile glued on her face, gears churning in her head. What were the odds of her company actually making someone happy?

Paula and her father had been ecstatic when Billings Industries shut their doors. It had been a dream come true for her family, since her father was on the verge of a nervous breakdown over his downfall. The sale gave her father the freedom to retire and Paula the courage to open her construction company. Neither one could be happier with their lives.

Now she wanted nothing more than to put her plans turning in the right direction. She wanted her plans in motion before the month was over. To have Billings Industries saving companies, sparing employees, was her only goal now. She knew as soon as she heard Paula’s loving story, Billings Industries would not be up for sale. She’d spent too many hours over too many months preparing for just this day. It was time to suck up her fear, as well as her pride, and get the job done.

She arrived home, punched in the new code for the gate and then drove inside the grounds. She walked inside and checked messages on the answering machine, heart drooping when none bore the voice she longed to hear.

Stop thinking about her, you dork. She’s gone. So, let it be.

She dialed Darren’s number and slumped on the couch.

“Hi, baby,” his raspy voice came over the line.

“Hey. Can you come spend the night?”

I Dare You

“Ooh,” he squealed. “Slumber party! I’m so there.” The phone went dead.

Thoughts of Jordan slipped through her mind. She wondered what she was doing today. Was she thinking about her? Did she hate her as much as those gorgeous eyes had said she did?

Of course she does, you moron. You ruined her life.

Darren arrived shortly, and she opened the gate from the panel by the front door then stood on the porch to wait for him.

He gave her a dry smirk as he climbed out of his Suzuki Samari.

The tiny jeep fit his personality. Funny how cars fit the people that drove them.

“And do I get the new code?” He punched his fist on his hip, curling his lips into a pout.

“You’re such a baby. Until Artie catches this freak, I’m not giving it to anyone. Come on.” She nodded toward the door.

He grabbed his bag from the passenger seat then skipped across the concrete. “Will you put cornrows in my hair?”

She arched her eyebrow. “Cornrows?”

“Don’t give me that look. Just do it.”

He slipped past her and into the house.

“Cornrows?” She asked again out loud.

“Yes! Cornrows!” Darren screamed from inside the house.

She shook her head with a smile, stepped inside, and closed the door.

* * * * *

Kelsey twisted rows of hair throughout Darren’s head, creating something that resembled a massive mess.

“This looks like shit, Darren.”

“That’s because your hands are all shaky. What’s got into you?” He turned in his chair to stare at her. “Is it that woman?” He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

“No, shithead. I’m not seeing her anymore” Kelsey flopped onto Sheri Livingston

the couch. “Did you know Sharon paid the psycho from the bar to get a lap dance?”

He stood from the chair and sank to the floor. “No way! The one you flattened behind the curtain? Are you serious? Sharon actually told you this?”

“Like she’d ever be brave enough.” She rolled her eyes. “Paula told me.”

“Who’s Paula?” He unscrewed a bottle of nail polish and pulled her foot into his lap.

“The woman who got the lap dance!”

His gaze shot up to her. “You’ve seen her again?”

“Yes. Turns out, she owns a construction company. Artie knew her.

I had lunch with her today. And she bought the house across the street.”

Darren’s eyes narrowed, then rounded. He looked around the room as if waiting for someone to jump out and scare him. “So, exactly why did you invite me over here? Did you just not want to die alone?”

She giggled at him. “Whoever did it knew the gate code.”

Holding the brush, he raised his finger in the air. “Ah ha! So, that explains why you changed the code.”

He poked the brush back into the bottle, dunked it a few times, then proceeded to polish her toenails a berry color.

“I just have to figure out who unlocked the gate that night.”

“Sharon.” He said her name matter‐of‐factly.

She focused on her toes. “Sharon would never do that. Besides, she has too much to lose if she tried to hurt me.”

“Not if she was trying to scare you into coming back to her.”

“I was never with her.”

“Not because she didn’t want you to be.” He narrowed his eyes at her toes and brushed another stroke.

Kelsey stared at his slumped head, letting his statement roll around in her brain.

She was really freaked out over Jordan. She tapped her finger against her chin. No. She wouldn’t do that to me. She wouldn’t have the balls.

“No. It’s not Sharon.” She let her head fall to the cushions of the I Dare You

couch and stared at the ceiling. “But who?”

Long after toes and nails had been polished, after another attempt to put cornrows on Darren’s head and they’d watched several movies, Kelsey lay in bed and thought about what Darren had said.

Was Sharon desperate enough to pull something like this? Even the thought of her tossing toilet paper around her yard, gashing her car, wouldn’t fit right. Sharon was not a violent person.

“I’m a lover, not a fighter,” Sharon had told her time and again.

Sharon had proved those words through skilled hands. Their sex had been sweaty hot, lasting long into the wee hours of the mornings.

She’d been an awesome lover.

So why didn’t you love her?

The question shot through her mind like a rocket. There was something lacking with Sharon…something simple yet disguised. She could never put her finger on it.

While she struggled for the answer, Jordan stepped into her mind.

Thick dark hair, washboards abs, long lean legs… Kelsey wanted to reach out and grasp her virtual reality. Her heart skipped a beat then thudded into catapults.

That’s what was lacking with Sharon. And everyone else for that matter.

No sweaty palms, no fluttering heartbeats, and sure as hell no romantic thoughts.

Kelsey knew the moment for love had passed her by. Was she to blame for it? Did it matter now who was to blame? She’d stepped into her father’s shoes and done a damn good job. No matter how he might look down his nose at her now, she knew she’d done all she could do to continue his legacy.

Now it was time to get on with hers.

Kelsey closed her eyes, snuggled her head into the pillow. Those torturous thoughts wouldn’t let loose their hold on her. The images started one flash at a time, continuing faster until the movie rolled behind her closed lids.

Jordan closed the space between them, clamping her lips over Kelsey’s, snaking her tongue inside. Heat spiraled between her legs as the movie rolled faster in her mind. Jordan’s soft tongue melded with hers in Sheri Livingston

her mind while Kelsey’s hand slid between her legs in reality, inching across her clit.

She ground her hips against her hand as Jordan’s fingers slipped inside her in her heated movie.

Her lips parted in her mind. The ones in reality matched them.

Kelsey pried her eyes open and threw her body to a sitting position, crotch soaked. “Do not let her have this control. Get back in control, Kelsey.”

She slammed her head back into the pillow and focused on the ceiling tiles, willing herself not to let Jordan back into her mind.

“Get out of my mind. Get out of my mind. Get out of my mind.”

The words turned to faint mumbles until she finally drifted off to sleep.

* * * * *

The next morning, Kelsey was vigorously brushing her teeth when the phone rang.

“Get that.” She mumbled as loud as she could to Darren.

When the phone continued to ring, she spit the foam in the sink and ran into her bedroom. She dove on the bed and grabbed the receiver from the nightstand.

“Hello?”

“Can we talk?”

Kelsey’s blood chilled in her veins at the sound of Jordan’s sexy voice. The lump rising in her throat blocked all words.

“Are you still here?”

“Uh huh.” Kelsey controlled her impulse to slam the phone down.

“I wanted to say…”

“Wanted to say what? What an ass I am for doing what I was trained to do, for continuing my daddy’s dreams, for making myself rich by putting someone else out of a job. I’ve heard it all, Jordan. Please, take your comments to hell and don’t dial my number again.” She slammed the phone down and threw the toothbrush against the wall. “Bitch!”

I Dare You

“Whew! I guess you told someone.” Darren jumped on the bed, making her body bounce on the mattress. “Was that Hunky Woman?”

“Yes. No! I mean, yes, it was her, but she’s not hunky. She’s a bitch.”

“Well, pardon me.” He slid his fingertips across his chest, pretending to be wounded. “You’ve got it bad, girl. I don’t give a shit what you say.”

“I do not.”

“Do too.” His eyes rounded, eyebrows arching.

Kelsey slid off the bed. “No, I do not.”

“Okay.” He seductively ran his fingers over the cotton comforter.

“But I bet you thought of her last night while you were all alone in this bed, huh?” He shoved his lips against the pillow and made an awesome attempt at sounding like he was having sex with it.

Kelsey rolled her eyes, threw open the closet door and fished through her clothes for today’s suit of armor.

“What exactly did she do to you? I forget.”

“Blamed me for her family’s misfortune.” Kelsey held a tan blouse up to her chest and looked it over in the mirror against the back wall.

“Is there a possibility she was calling to say she was sorry?”

Kelsey stuck her head out of the closet to glare at him.

He held his hands up defensively. “I’m just saying.”

“I don’t give a shit why she was calling. It’s not my fault. And I don’t want to talk about her anymore. I have a business to tend to and a future to get on with.”

“So, are we off to Hawaii tomorrow then?” He stood on the bed and started bouncing around like a five year old. “Can you just see all those lean, tanned bodies?” He stopped his trampoline and fanned his hands out in the air. “And those dicks. Oh! My hearts going pitty‐pat right now.”

“I promise to take you to Hawaii with me, but only if you swear not to talk about dicks unless they’re battery operated.”

Kelsey slid black slacks over her legs and fastened them.

“Ooh. Those are fun, too. Did I ever tell you about… ”

Sheri Livingston

Kelsey slammed her hands over her ears. “La‐la‐la. I don’t wanna hear this.”

An hour later she stood outside the white brick building that had been her father’s home away from home for years, as well as hers.

“Today I hand you over to someone who will take very good care of you. I promise,” Kelsey said to the building, then walked across the parking lot and through the front doors.

Even the air around her had changed. The smell of the building didn’t seem as potent. The echo of her heels on the marble didn’t sound evil. She felt free.

A smile stole across her face as she pushed open the heavy doors to the conference room. The men turned to stare at her. One man looked at his watch then arched his eyebrow, as if this was the first time she was early to work. Kelsey guessed it could have been, as she dreaded coming here to tear down another company, another life, another happy home.

She gave the men a smile, then slid her briefcase on the table.

Instead of pulling out documents, which was the normal procedure, she faced each one, full of determination.

She was programmed to do the routine here, unlike when the music blared in her ears.

Douglas lifted a brow to her unease.

Kelsey took a deep breath then released it slowly. “Gentlemen.

Before I get started, I want to thank each and every one of you for the time you’ve put into this company. Some of your faces I’ve seen since I was a little girl, and I’

ve looked up to you as someone my father depended on. Today I come to you to ask that you support me in a very hard decision.

They glanced between each other.

“Kelsey…” Douglas started.

She held up her hand to quiet him. “I know what I’m doing.” She turned back to the other men. “I want to sell Billings Industries.”

Gasps echoed around the room while their hard gazes locked on her.

Kelsey let the shock of her words sink in and then continued.

I Dare You

“However, selling this company that my daddy worked his ass off to build isn’t what I want, either. It would only wind up in hands that would continue the hurt.”

She let their mutters calm, then moved to the window overlooking the beautiful city. The bright sun cast a yellow haze over the high‐rise buildings. “I’ve decided to place the company into the trusted hands of someone who knows what I want to do with it. He’s spent a lot of time helping me figure out exactly what to do to turn the heart of this company into something good.”

One of the men cleared his throat. Kelsey turned to stare at him.

“Kelsey, please reconsider this. Your father wanted this business to always stay the same.”

“No, he didn’t. My father was a fool for many years over things you wouldn’t understand. But I’m going to change the things he didn’t have the guts to.”

The man’s mouth dropped open. “You can’t possibly mean that.

You’re father was a tiger in that chair.”

“As well I am,” she said with more confidence than she knew she possessed. “But my father was tearing up the wrong person.” She glanced down at Douglas and his approving smile pushed her to finish. She turned back to the man. “The person he really wanted to tear apart…was himself and his past.”

Douglas rose from his chair and wrapped his arms around her. His dark hair rested against her cheek, his hands patted her back while his arms tightened around her. “I’m proud of you.”

She pulled back and gave him a smile. “I knew you would be.” She gave him a wink and faced the men her father had appreciated.

“Douglas will be taking control of this company starting Monday.”

Douglas gasped, his eyes rounding. “What? Have you lost your mind?”

“No. You know exactly what I want to do with this company. You know the game plan from A to Z. You can do this Douglas. I trust you, and I trust these men. If you won’t do it then I’m selling, and I swear I’ll never look back.”

Sheri Livingston

Kelsey sat in the chair beside him and placed her hands over his.

He shook his head. “You can’t mean this.”

“I do. Please, Douglas. I’m begging you.” She gave him her best little girl smile and fluttered her eyelashes at him. He cocked his head at her. It had been their trademark as children. He’d never been able to turn her down when she poked out her lip and batted her eyelashes. She knew he was a lutz and loved him for it.

She leaned back in her chair to give him more time to think about it, then faced the men. “If there is anyone here that would rather quit instead of seeing this company take an about‐face and head in a new direction, please feel free to turn in your resignation by the end of the day.”

She glanced around, waiting for the men to jump to their feet and race from the room. When no one did, she continued. “For those that want to stay, I’m going to need your help to turn this company around.” She slammed her fist down on the table. “I don’t want this company to hurt another living soul. I want it helping companies get back on their feet. I want to walk hand in hand with them if we have to. We have some of the smartest men in the world right here in this room. We can do this.”

Douglas smoothed down his tie and inhaled. “I’ll do it, but only with their help.” He pointed to the men sitting down the length of the table “They’ve all worked hard to make this company what it is. They’ll all work just as hard to help turn it around.”

Without an ounce of hesitation, Kelsey nodded. “Agreed.” She turned to the men, getting one nod after the other until everyone was smiling, laughing, and mumbling among each other about the new plans.

Kelsey left the room a brand new person. She’d never felt so free in her life. Her daddy’s company, moving toward new goals, lifted her higher than any cloud ever could. She only wished she’d done it a long time ago instead of being a coward to face the men, fearing they would look down on her for trying to make such a drastic move.

She smiled to herself as she opened her office door. I think Daddy would be proud of me. I’m doing what he couldn’t.

She slipped into the chair behind the desk and buzzed her I Dare You

secretary.

A few minutes later, Sarah walked into her office, flower print dress billowing around her wide hips, gray hair pulled into a bun with a pen stuck through it.

“I need you to find someone for me.”

Sarah sat down in the chair across the desk. “Okay. Who?”

“Phillips. She worked at McGregor Pharmaceuticals. We shut them down last year. She had a long work history with them.”

“Okay. Then what?”

Kelsey leaned back in the chair and placed her hands behind her head. “Get her in here. I’m going to hire her.”

* * * * *

Jordan dropped to the floor while Daniel kicked his leg over her head. She tucked and rolled then reached out to trip him. At the last second, he jumped in the air and landed on the other side of her.

She rolled over on her back to stare up at him. “You little pissant.

You’re getting good at that.”

“When you’re trained by the best, you have no other choice but to be the best.” He slapped his hands together and bowed to her, never tearing his gaze from hers.

Her heart swelled at his words.

“And Robert is the best.” He gave her a sarcastic smile, then flew from the room.

“Why, you little…” She busted out laughing and pushed off the floor while Daniel shrieked and ducked behind Terrance who was standing in the lobby.

Terrance smiled at her and held up his hand to ward off her advances. “No horse playing in the lobby ladies and gentlemen.”

She darted around him, grabbed Daniel as he dropped to the floor and curled into a tight ball, automatically covering his ribs. She straddled him and tickled his ribs and stomach. “Say, ‘Jordan is the best.’”

He squealed with laughter. “Jordan…is…”

Sheri Livingston

“I can’t hear you. Are you trying to say something to me?” She tickled him harder.

“You’re the…best! Jordan…is the best!” He screamed, laughing hysterically.

She stopped tickling and pushed off the floor. “That’s better. Now, get your butt home before your mom starts calling.”

Daniel stood and walked to the front door. He pushed it open and turned back to her. “Robert’s the best!” he yelled, then shot through the door.

“Punk!” She shouted at the closing glass door then turned to Terrance with a smile. “That was it for me. I’m heading home.”

His eyes widened as he pulled his watch around to get a better look at the time. “So early? My, my. We must have a date.” His smile widened and then his brow creased. “I forgot to give you this. It came yesterday.”

He plucked something from under the counter and turned to hand it to her.

She took the pale yellow envelope from him, folded it in half, and shoved it into the pocket of her jacket.

“I’m just trying to spend less time here and more time elsewhere.

Besides, my sister’s still in the clinic.”

“When does she get out?”

“I’m not sure. But, she’s already starting to look better.” Jordan walked toward the door.

“That’s awesome. I’m so glad to hear it.”

“Thanks. I’ll try to come by tomorrow.”

She pushed the doors open and walked out into the bright sunshine.

Her thoughts went to her sister and the conversation they’d had earlier this morning. Who would have ever thought her sister’s drugs would lead them back to being friends, tolerating each other? Jordan was sure her sister would hate her for dragging her there, but instead seemed thankful, as if she knew her life hung on a balance beam. Jordan never expected her to make such awesome progress so soon and was very proud of her.

I Dare You

The cell phone vibrated against her hip. She popped it from the clip and flipped it open. “Hello?”

Deafening screams erupted from her mother. Not one word was audible.

Jordan’s heart leapt to her throat. “Mom, I can’t understand you.

Calm down. What’s wrong?”

Silence replaced the screams.

“I got a job. Oh my God. I got a job!” Her mother squealed with happiness.

“Jeez, Mom. You scared the shit out of me.”

“Poop.”

“What?”

“Don’t say shit to your mother. Say poop.”

Jordan braked and turned down another street. “Okay, Mom. So tell me about this job.”

“I don’t really know a lot yet. The kind lady said she’d already read my work history with McGregor and wanted to hire me on the spot. I have a really good feeling about this, baby.”

“Don’t you even get an interview?” Jordan couldn’t believe the luck happening around her. First her sister didn’t go ape shit after Jordan dragged her into rehab, and now her mother had a job. Things were starting to look up.

Kelsey slithered into her mind. If only she’d handled things differently with her. If only she’d let Kelsey explain herself instead of slapping her with all the blame, she might be lucky in love right now instead of feeling miserable and guilty.

“Nope. And you’re going to shit when you hear how much I’m going to be making. But I’m not going to jinx myself, so I’ll tell you later.

But I will give you a hint. I can move out of this dump with my first paycheck.” She gave another squeal of delight.

“Poop.” Jordan couldn’t resist the urge to correct her mother.

“What, honey?”

“Don’t say shit to your daughter. Say poop.”

Her mother chuckled. “I love you, baby. I gotta go. Wish me luck.”

Sheri Livingston

“Wait, Mom...” The phone went dead. Jordan flipped it shut and tossed it on the seat beside her. “What’s the name of the company?”

Kelsey ripped through her mind.

“No way!” Jordan punched the edge of the steering wheel.

I Dare You

Chapter Seventeen

Kelsey jumped at the buzzer and turned to stare at the phone. She pushed the intercom button.

“Yes, Sarah?”

“Mrs. Phillips is here to see you.”

“Thank you. Send her in.”

Kelsey stood, took a deep breath, and tried to still her pounding heart. Would Jordan be furious that she hired her mother? Or would she be grateful that Kelsey was trying to make amends? It wasn’t like she could compensate every person who’d fallen victim to her company, but this one meant the world to her. It was a start in the right direction, even if she had no intentions of seeing Jordan’s face again.

She smoothed down her shirt as the door opened, and plastered a smile on her face while her heart jolted in her chest.

A lovely lady with a radiant smile hesitantly walked into her office.

She was an older version of Jordan. Laugh lines etched the skin around her gorgeous green eyes. The resemblance was uncanny.

Chills ran down Kelsey’s spine. She stuck out her hand and closed the distance between them. “Hi, Mrs. Phillips. I’m so glad you decided to take our offer.” She took the woman’s firm grip and gave a gentle squeeze. “Please, have a seat.” She motioned for Jordan’s mother to sit across from her desk.

“Please, call me Susan.” She smiled. “I was a little shocked. Of course, you understand. It was your company that put me out of a job.”

Sheri Livingston

Kelsey gulped and sat down in her chair. “Yes, ma’am, and I can’t tell you how sorry I am for your loss. However, my business wasn’t meant to hurt anyone. It was meant to buy companies well on their way to closing. Your being without a job would have happened either way. I do hope you understand.”

Susan eyed her with a curious gaze. “I do. That’s why I’m here.”

Kelsey’s heart lightened at her words. “I’m so happy to hear that.”

Kelsey gave her a bright smile. “I have your papers ready. Since you’ve already spoken with Sarah about your pay and your new job title, do you have any other questions?”

“As a matter of fact, I do.” Susan nodded and leaned back in her chair. “Do you like children?”

Kelsey was taken back by the question. What in the hell does that have to do with anything? “Yes, I do.”

“That’s great. I want to be a grandmother one day.”

“That’s wonderful.” Kelsey had a quick impulse to fire this woman before she ever hired her. Maybe Mrs. Phillips was wacko. She should thank her lucky stars Jordan was out of her life in case she wound up just like her. “I hope you have lots of them.”

She only nodded and continued to stare at Kelsey. “I hope I do, too.”

Kelsey slid the contract across the desk and pulled a pen out of the canister. “I’ll need you to look these over and sign at the bottom of each. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.” Kelsey wanted to yank back her last statement. What else would this woman think to ask her that had nothing to do with her job?

She signed the documents and pushed them back to Kelsey.

Kelsey arranged the papers inside a folder then stood. “You can start Monday morning. Sarah is waiting to take you on a tour of the building and show you where you’ll be working. Sarah will be your supervisor, and she answers to Douglas Whitaker.”

Her green eyes flared with curiosity. “Why is that? I thought you owned the company.”

“I’ve decided to step down from my position. Douglas will be I Dare You

taking over as of Monday.”

“Too much to handle?”

Kelsey stared at her, trying to figure out this woman. She had the eerie feeling Mrs. Phillips knew more about her than she was willing to admit.

“No, ma’am. I’ve handled things just fine. But my job here is done.”

The woman’s lips curled into a bright smile. “I have another question.”

Kelsey fixated her gaze on the woman and gave her a smile. What in the world’s coming now?

“Why did you pick me? Out of all those fresh new faces with brilliant minds you could have chosen from, why me?” She abruptly held her hand up defensively. “Never mind, don’t answer that. I have a feeling you wouldn’t tell me the truth. ”

Kelsey’s hair stood straight up on the back of her neck. This woman wasn’t wacko at all. Kelsey’s guard went up immediately. There was more to Mrs. Phillips than met the eye. She was a smart cookie. No doubt about it.

“Some things in life don’t have an answer, Mrs. Phillips, no matter how hard we look for it or try to understand.”

Jordan’s mother seemed pleased with Kelsey’s statement. Her radiant smile lit up as she stood. “You’re absolutely right. I look forward to working for your company. I have a feeling you have some wonderful things in store for it.” She winked and walked to the door.

She paused with her hand on the knob and turned back. “I can see why Ellie loves you so much.”

With her last words she opened the door and left.

How the hell does she know Ellie?

Kelsey heard her speaking to Sarah and smiled. Jordan was lucky to have a mother in her life, especially one so full of spunk. She made Kelsey think of her own mother and how she missed her.

An hour later, Kelsey turned onto her street and gasped when she saw Jordan’s car parked off the road in the grass. The hair tickled the back of her neck while her anxiety flared to life in her gut. She had the urgency Sheri Livingston

to floor the gas pedal and speed right past her, but knew sooner or later she’d have to face her.

Get your claws out, baby. Here comes the next round.

She drove past Jordan’s car and pulled into the driveway, entered the code and waited for the gate to open. A figure passed the back of her car. Come on gate. I don’t have time to listen to her shit right now.

Too late. Jordan stepped to her window. “Who the hell do you think you are?”

“I think I’m Sharon Stone, but I’m really Kelsey Billings.” Kelsey looked straight ahead, not daring to look into her hypnotizing eyes.

“Don’t play smart ass with me.”

Kelsey gritted her teeth so tight she feared they might crack. “I would never dream of playing anything with you.” The gate opened. “I sure as hell hope your toes aren’t in the way.

Before Jordan could respond, Kelsey stomped on the gas and spun tires entering the yard, pushing the button for the gate to close at the same time. She slammed the brakes in front of the house and eased out of the car.

The gate closed. Jordan pounded up her driveway.

“You do know you’re on private property, don’t you? You already know how fast cops get to my house.”

“You’re a heartless bitch. And now you’re trying to buy my mother. Will you stop at nothing?”

“How is hiring your mother being heartless? I saved her from flipping burgers, didn’t I?” Kelsey heard the hateful spite fly from her mouth and wanted to yank it back.

Jordan’s face contorted into anger. “You bitch!” She balled her fists by her side. “Did you honestly think hiring her would make this all go away? Did you think you could wiggle back into my good graces?”

Kelsey stared at her, astonished at the words pouring out of her mouth. To think she’d gone through the trouble of hiring a woman merely to put her back on her feet, to help get her out of the hellhole she lived in, and have it backfire in her face like this.

“Do you think I hired your mother to get on your good side? Do I I Dare You

look like a woman that could give a shit what you think of me? And don’t you dare flatter yourself into thinking I did this for you.”

Kelsey slammed the car door and bounded onto the porch, crammed the key into the lock and kicked the door open. Flipping the panel open, she reopened the gate. “It’s time for you to leave, Jordan.”

Jordan’s gaze turned to the gate then slowly back to Kelsey. “I don’t think so.”

* * * * *

Jordan wanted to strangle this woman, watch the last breath escape those perky lips. Those lips… God, I’d love to cram my mouth over them.

Kelsey escaped into the house, leaving the door open.

Jordan stepped onto the porch and through the doorway.

Kelsey tossed her briefcase on the floor by the couch. “Go ahead.

Say your piece and then get the hell out of here. Wait!” Kelsey threw up her hand and plopped down on the couch. “Okay. I’m ready. I always like to be sitting when people go for the jugular. The floor is all yours, Jordan.”

Kelsey’s sarcasm oozed over every word, and it took Jordan all her willpower to control the impulse to feel that slender neck snap in her grasp.

“You make me sick. You act like what you do for a living is nothing. And now you’re buying my mother. You’re sick.”

Kelsey nodded and grinned.

Jordan took a step toward her. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to kill this woman or fuck her brains out. Kelsey’s cleavage peeked from between the folds of her silk shirt, beckoning Jordan to have a taste. Her slender legs looked so delicious wrapped inside her black slacks, almost as enticing as her tight jeans clinging to every curve of her fine ass.

Jordan shoved the thoughts from her mind and concentrated on what she wanted to say. “How can you just sit there so smug while your company is tearing people’s lives apart?”

Kelsey merely stared at her, a smirk plastered on her mouth. She gave a quick shrug of her shoulders.

Sheri Livingston

Jordan took another step, leaving only a few feet to separate them.

“I will tell you this.” Kelsey rose. Her face contorted into a defensive glare. “This is my space.” She circled her fingers in front of her.

“And, that is your space.” She circled her fingers again toward Jordan.

“Don’t invade mine.”

Jordan wasn’t sure if the statement was a threat or an invitation.

Nor, did she care.

Before Jordan could stop herself, she had Kelsey’s arm in her grasp, yanking her against her body. “You make me sick.”

Kelsey’s hand shot out with lightening speed. She grabbed a fistful of Jordan’s hair, tugging like a wildcat. The pain on Jordan’s scalp instantly heated a path between her legs.

Even while nails bit into her scalp, she clamped her lips over Kelsey’s.

Kelsey loosed her grip on Jordan’s hair with a moan, and moved her hand to her shirt. She tugged on it until it popped free from Jordan’s waistband. A soft cry escaped Kelsey’s throat, catching Jordan’s crotch on fire.

Jordan pulled back from the kiss and tugged at Kelsey’s hair, bending her head back for full access to her neck. “Do you know what a bitch you are?” She nipped at the delicate skin. Musky scent sweetened on her tongue.

“And proud of it.” Kelsey crammed her hand inside Jordan’s shirt and raked her nails down her spine.

Jordan’s head snapped back with the sweet pain.

Kelsey took the opportunity to torture her exposed neck. She sucked skin into her mouth and nipped it with the edge of her teeth.

“Don’t you think it’s time you stop pointing fingers at everyone else for your problems?”

A groan rumbled from Jordan’s throat. She pushed Kelsey back a foot, grabbed the folds of her shirt, and ripped it open. Pearl buttons tinged off the coffee table, others landing on the cushions of the couch, more spilling to the carpet. Kelsey’s chest heaved as she stared back at Jordan, pushing her white lace covered breasts closer to Jordan, raw I Dare You

determination plastered in the depths of her eyes.

Jordan ducked her head and sucked at the tanned skin of her chest, inhaling her scent. “Our family was doing fine until you stepped into the picture. You ripping our world apart fucked it up the rest of the way.”

Kelsey’s fingers slipped into her hair, easily tangling in the strands, becoming hard yanks within seconds.

“Why the fuck did you come here?” Kelsey whipped Jordan’s head back and licked a wet path across her neck.

Jordan wanted to hurt Kelsey, see her wallow in pain like her mother had the very day she lost her job. At the same time, she wanted to see her wither with need. Jordan couldn’t figure out which role she was playing. Was she the one defending her mother’s honor, or the one ready to slap the piss out of Kelsey then ram her fingers inside her?

“To tell you how much I despise you.” She slipped her fingers around the button on Kelsey’s slacks and popped them open. The zipper opened with a growl. She shoved her hand inside, through her wiry bush, and rammed her fingers deep inside Kelsey.

Kelsey’s head whipped back, lips parting. She let out a soft cry that practically drove Jordan out of her mind. Her knees went weak. She quivered with need…for this woman.

“I hate…you too.” Kelsey shoved her face against Jordan’s chest.

Her teeth gripped material of her shirt and pulled back, tugging Jordan with it. “Take this…fucking shirt off.”

Jordan rammed her fingers deeper inside, wanting to hear her yowl in pain as well as pleasure.

Kelsey screamed and threw her head back. After a few short pants, she turned her gaze back on Jordan. She clamped her hand around Jordan’s wrist, digging a single finger into her skin, halting her deep thrusts. “Take off your damn clothes. Now!”

Jordan leaned forward, grabbed the back of her collar and tugged her shirt over her head. As she met Kelsey’s heated gaze, fire licked its flames against her crotch and thighs as her shirt crumpled around her forearm. “Now, you.”

Kelsey’s lips parted with a sarcastic smile. “Not on your fucking Sheri Livingston

life.”

Jordan’s mind erupted with images of fucking Kelsey over and over and over, hearing her scream for mercy and from endless orgasms.

Her clit throbbed between her legs with every flash of the tortuous scenes.

Jordan matched Kelsey’s sarcastic smile and inched her fingers further between Kelsey’s legs.

Kelsey’s teeth gritted as she tightened her grip around Jordan’s wrist. “It’s not my fucking fault your sister’s a crack whore.”

Jordan grabbed Kelsey by the hair and tossed her on her back on the couch, flopping down on top of her, hand still buried between her legs. “You are not in control here, Kelsey. I am. And watch that tongue of yours before I quiet it permanently.” She ducked her head, nipped the skin on Kelsey’s neck, and shoved her hand harder.

Kelsey lost her grip.

Jordan’s fingers dove back inside her, sinking deeper with every thrust. When Kelsey turned to putty in her hands, she pulled her fingers out and started tugging down her slacks.

Kelsey kicked against her, flipped over, and slithered across the couch on her stomach.

“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” Jordan grabbed her foot and fell on top of her, pressing Kelsey into the couch. Kelsey’s answer was lost in the cushions while Jordan tugged her slacks over that glorious ass and off her body.

Jordan pushed Kelsey’s shirt up, around her neck, and nipped and sucked the skin on her back. She ran her fingers along the sweet indention of her spine.

Questing fingers eased backwards, sliding down her body until finally coming to rest at her very wet crotch. She pushed Kelsey’s legs apart and slipped her fingers inside her. Kelsey tossed her head back and let out a soft cry, melting Jordan’s insides.

“Fuck me, Jordan.”

The hurt game was over. Kelsey’s pleas to be taken over that erotic edge yanked Jordan from her trance.

She pulled her fingers out and rolled Kelsey over. Her chest I Dare You

heaved, pushing her covered breasts into Jordan’s face.

Jordan slipped a fingertip inside her bra and slowly pulled it down to expose Kelsey’s hardened nipple. She sucked the dark pebble into her mouth, rolling her tongue over the sweet tip.

Kelsey squirmed under her and hooked her fingers inside Jordan’s pants. Jordan leaned back and tugged the pants and underwear over her hips, then slipped them off her feet. She slithered on the couch, trailing her fingers along Kelsey’s lean stomach then between her legs.

Kelsey arched against her as Jordan pushed her fingers inside, thrusting in and out of her slippery cunt. Kelsey moaned against her chest and reached between Jordan’s legs, finding her clit immediately.

Jordan gasped and let her head fall against Kelsey’s forehead. She placed her thumb on Kelsey’s clit and began circling, bringing Kelsey’s urgent pants to soft cries.

Her orgasm coiled inside her as Kelsey humped her hips faster and harder against Jordan’s palm.

“Fuck me, Jordan. Please,” Kelsey begged, sending Jordan’s mind to another dimension in time. She saw only Kelsey with her body quivering on the couch. No one existed but the two of them. There was no profit‐sucking business, and there sure as hell were no screwed up families. Only Kelsey and Jordan.

Jordan eased away from Kelsey’s hand and leaned forward to sit on her heels between Kelsey’s legs. Kelsey’s legs fell apart…no modesty left to her. Jordan rammed her fingers deeper, faster, circling Kelsey’s clit with every thrust.

Kelsey’s body rocked on the couch, her insides squeezing Jordan’s fingers with the building orgasm.

Jordan leaned between her legs, pushing her hips against the back of her hand, giving herself leverage to fuck the hell out of Kelsey.

Kelsey’s slender arms draped around her neck, her legs wrapped around Jordan’s hips, humping against her with wild, frantic thrusts.

Jordan threw her body against her hand, diving in and out of Kelsey, over and over, until Kelsey went rigid beneath her and tightened her grip on the back of her neck. Her body writhed and convulsed. She Sheri Livingston

screamed out her pleasure and rocked under Jordan’s weight until her hard pumps simmered down to light pulses around Jordan’s fingers.

Kelsey’s body relaxed, and her head fell to the side. She removed her arms from Jordan’s neck and slipped a hand between them, sliding down Jordan’s stomach until she found her wiry bush.

Jordan leaned up to give Kelsey room to reach between her legs. A delicate finger slipped across her clit, started circling and within seconds, Jordan was screaming with an orgasm crashing through her. She rocked over Kelsey’s hand until her knees were too weak to hold her, and she collapsed over Kelsey, snuggling her face into her neck, inhaling her salty scent.

Would she laugh her ass off if I told her I was in love with her?

I Dare You

Chapter Eighteen

Kelsey inhaled deep Jordan’s musky scent. Her eyes fluttered shut and her heart twisted in her chest at the feel of Jordan pressed so tight against her not even sweat could come between them.

She knew this was wrong. Two women tearing at each other over a job. Not just a job…it was Jordan’s mother’s future. This job would get her back on her feet and out of the dump she lived in. Kelsey would never regret her decision, no matter how much Jordan hated her.

She forced her eyes open to stare beyond Jordan’s silky hair hanging only inches from her face. With every ounce of willpower she could muster, she forced herself to slide out from under Jordan, away from those strong arms and skilled hands. She reached down, picked up her crumpled slacks, and quickly tugged them over her hips, then pulled the edges of her shirt together to cover herself.

Jordan would never know the real Kelsey. She’d never know her true heart…the one that cried every time a business was forced to close their doors, to listen to the employees beg and plead for their jobs as if it was her fault the owners had opted to sell. She’d also never see the hard work Kelsey put into turning it all around. Her hatred would blind her to the truth forever.

It was time for Kelsey to face her last demon and get on with life.

She eased off the couch and watched Jordan slide her jeans over her hips.

Her insides ached from the orgasm that had raced through her body, and knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, Jordan was the best lover she’d ever Sheri Livingston

had. The first lover she’d ever truly loved. How easy it would be to tell Jordan the truth, to lay all the cards on the table. Jordan would appreciate what she’d done. However, Jordan didn’t care about the truth. She was too busy pointing fingers at everyone else to notice the blame that lay with her own family. She wasn’t going to waste her breath on Jordan, no matter how much she loved her. No matter how bad she wanted to make love to her.

“Look at us.” Kelsey lifted her arm to see the light finger bruises darkening her wrists. Her hair hung in tangles around her face. “We act like we despise each other.”

Jordan leaned forward and pushed her palms against her forehead.

“I’ll never understand you or your company. I’m not sure I want to.”

“I’m sure I don’t want you to.” It was too late for Jordan to hear the truth.

“But we have a connection.”

Kelsey chuckled, heart twisting tighter in her chest. “No. What we have are good fucks. Don’t let your heart think otherwise. There’s a difference,” she lied.

Jordan nodded. Kelsey swallowed back the impulse to run her fingers through her hair, feel their silken strands one more time. She bit back the tears threatening to overflow her lids and turned away.

She wanted to be alone, to curl into a ball and let the tears flow. She would not be weak in front of this strong woman. She would not show defeat to anyone, especially someone that hated her as much as Jordan obviously did.

“I will not say I’m sorry for anything I’ve done in my life.” Kelsey walked to the door, gripped the knob with white knuckles, and turned back to Jordan. “I am who I am. I’m proud of that person. And you’ll never know the real me.”

Jordan turned her gaze on her, making Kelsey’s insides into jelly.

She sucked in a breath, letting it slowly escape as Jordan walked toward her.

Jordan stopped in front of her. “That’s exactly what makes it so easy to leave here tonight.” She leaned toward Kelsey.

I Dare You

Kelsey’s blood froze in her veins as Jordan’s warm lips pressed against her forehead. The need to feel her, to snake her arms around that athletic waist and feel that tight stomach pressed against hers, was more than Kelsey could handle. She jerked back as if she were burned, and turned her face away.

Jordan stared for another few seconds then slipped through the door.

Kelsey chewed on her bottom lip, fighting back the tears, and watched the love of her life walk away.

Hot tears clouded her vision as she pushed the button for the gate.

When she looked back, Jordan was gone.

* * * * *

Jordan eased into the leather seat and let her head fall against the steering wheel. She cranked the car then gripped the steering wheel in her fist. She squeezed with all her might while tears slid down her face.

How she wanted to climb back over the gate and tell Kelsey how much she loved her, that they’d find a way to get past all this hurt, but it was obvious Kelsey didn’t want that.

Kelsey was happy and content in her multi‐million dollar empire, happy with the lives she corrupted.

She leaned back against the seat and swiped tears from her face.

She took one last glance at the gate. The only woman she’d ever loved was inside them, with another gate blocking her heart. In her line of work, it surely had to be the only way.

Jordan stomped her foot on the gas and sped away from Kelsey’s house, not daring to look back through the bars or the front door. She feared Kelsey would be there, and that beautiful face would make her change her mind completely.

She kept her gaze plastered on the road and attempted to put her mind on anything but Kelsey. Karate, Daniel, Terrance, Robert, her mom, her sister… Not a damn one of them could keep the images of Kelsey’s parted lips from slithering through her mind.

Sheri Livingston

The love of her life turned out to be a cruel, heartless bitch. And yet, that witch, that gorgeous, seductive demon, was all she wanted. All she’d ever wanted.

* * * * *

Kelsey closed the door, shoved her back against it, and slid to the floor. Tears flowed down her cheeks. She wrapped her hands tight around her waist, small sobs escaping her lips. She slid her legs out flat, pounded her fists on the floor, tilted her head back and screamed.

The death of her father, the loss of her mother, her immature brother, Teresa, and the business penetrated from her lungs, loud and ear piercing, with every scream.

How easy it would have been to tell Jordan everything, to show her the truth in her heart. Wouldn’t that have ended the whole dilemma? Isn’t that what Jordan wanted to hear? But Kelsey couldn’t do that. By telling Jordan what she believed was not true was like saying that she despised her own father for the life he’d made for them. No matter how much she wanted to see this company change its course of action, she could never disgrace her father like that. She loved her father and believed in him, even though she didn’t want those same things for her own life.

When her outbursts turned to loud sobs, she fell over on her side and curled into a ball, tucking her knees to her chest.

She was so tired of people condemning her. The ones that knew nothing about her life or the way she lived, knew nothing about her father or the tortured life he’d lived. She thought Jordan was going to be that rare person, meant to understand and support her. Kelsey felt stupid, totally lacking in common sense. How could she ever think anyone would ever understand?

This, what happened here tonight, was the biggest reason she never looked for love. What was the use? As soon as they heard her career consisted of shredding lives by merely purchasing a damned piece of property, with no hope at all of survival they ran from her life.

Kelsey pushed off the floor and walked into the bathroom. Light I Dare You

filled the room with the flip of a switch. Red, swollen eyes stared back at her in the mirror. Her hair hung in clumps, escaping the clip. “You are not a monster. You are not heartless. She doesn’t know the real you, nor does she want to. Suck it up and find a way to go back to life as you know it.”

Kelsey turned away from the mirror, knowing life would never be the same for her, no matter what. Her business was changed, her life was changed, her heart was changed, and so was her soul. She would never, ever, be that old Kelsey Billings, daughter of John Billings, owner of Billings Industries, multi‐million dollar organization that even the strongest businesses feared and family members loathed.

And to think how close she’d come to saying the words she never knew existed in her heart. I love you. Simple words with one hell of a punch. Instead of feeling gloomy, she should be thankful she never allowed the words to escape her mouth. Better to have them rest in her heart forever than to say them out loud and be laughed at. As if Jordan could ever love someone like her. The person Jordan thought she saw was not the real person Kelsey was.

She slid under the covers and fell asleep with a dark‐haired woman on her mind. A woman, she knew, she’d never forget.

* * * * *

The following day, Darren greeted Kelsey with his normal squeal as she opened the back door of The Pink Lady. She gave him a smile and headed into her dressing room.

Today, however, she carried a luggage bag. Just the bag alone was enough to bring the curious Darren into her room.

Kelsey rolled the bag to the closet and unzipped it.

“Honey? I didn’t pack.” He placed his hands on his hip. “If we’re leaving today for Hawaii, I need to go do that.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

She chuckled at him. “Not Hawaii today.”

“Whew. You scared me.” He plopped on the couch and drew his feet under him. “Why so gloomy?”

Sheri Livingston

“I quit.”

“Yeah, right.” He chuckled. His eyes rounded when she didn’t share in his laughter. “For real?”

“For real.”

“You’re not serious!” He pushed off the couch to stand beside her.

“This place would be nothing without you here. I mean, I know you could care less about money, but some of us rather like it.”

She tossed skirts and halter‐tops into the bag. When the last piece was pulled from the hanger, she noticed her business suit crumpled in the corner on the floor. She bent, picked it up, and turned to face Darren.

“My whole life has been spent behind a fake smile and hardened heart.” She fanned her arms out. “This place…this was my hideaway from my other self. But even this isn’t the real me. It was a change, something different, to hide the person I didn’t want anyone to see.” She dangled the silk shirt out to him. “I’m not going to be either one of these people anymore.”

Darren’s lips quivered into a smile. “Oh, honey. You’re in love.” He threw his arms around her and squished her face against his chest. “Isn’t it the most beautiful feeling in the world?”

Kelsey felt the sting of her tears, felt them overflow and heat a path along her cheeks. Sobs shook her body while Darren rocked her in his arms.

“She doesn’t love me.”

He only squeezed harder, pressing down her long hair with his hand. “Oh, baby. I’m so sorry.”

“I’m so tired of people jumping to their own conclusion, without ever asking or trying to understand.”

Someone cleared their throat behind them. Kelsey moved back to stare at Sharon.

Sharon moved into the room. “Is everything okay?”

Kelsey’s anger spiked, and she nodded, piercing her with a glare.

“It will be.”

Darren patted Kelsey’s shoulder then left the room.

Sharon closed the space between them and took Kelsey’s hands.

I Dare You

“Did you get any leads on the person who trashed your house?”

Kelsey shook her head, anger rising fast, and yanked her hands from Sharon’s. “Why didn’t you tell me you paid Paula to get a lap dance?”

Sharon’s eyes rounded. “Shit. I’m sorry. That was very stupid of me.”

“Hell yes, it was. What were you thinking?”

Sharon’s hard glare met Kelsey’s. “I was thinking I wanted that woman away from you. It was stupid of me. I thought if I got rid of her, I could have you back.”

“You never had me, Sharon. I never promised you love. What we had was fun, but that’s all it was.”

“I know that now. I’m sorry, Kelsey.”

“And the death threats. Was that all a game to terrify me and have me running to you?”

Sharon gasped. “I would never do that. I might love you, but I’m not a moron.”

Kelsey stared at her. Was she telling the truth? She was hard to read at this moment, but Kelsey felt the truth in her words.

“Please believe me. I would never do that to you.” She took Kelsey’s hands again. “Whoever is doing this to you means business, Kelsey. I’m really worried about you.”

If Sharon was lying, she was doing a hell of a job.

Confusion clouded her mind. If not Sharon, then it had to be Paula, which meant her inner sense had been terribly wrong.

When Kelsey remained still, Sharon dropped her hands and left the room.

Kelsey turned back to the job at hand, needing to get out of there as fast as possible. She needed to think, to figure out what the hell was going on.

She crammed makeup, sequined and lacey bras and hair gels into the bag. With a sad smile, she took one last look around the room, then left The Pink Lady.

Sheri Livingston

Chapter Nineteen

Life might have gone back to normal for Jordan, but her heart would never be the same.

Weeks worth of days dragged by. She’d filled them with countless hours teaching the students, helping Daniel get ready for his competition, and fighting back images of Kelsey.

At least she’d finally concluded that she didn’t want to fight in her own competition. It seemed useless. She had no fire left in her soul to compete anymore. With Sam getting better every day, after finally forgiving her father for never showing her any attention, she had no one left to fight. Her decision had lifted her spirits and given her some peace.

Except for the nights… Torturous thoughts of Kelsey controlled every memory in her mind.

“Honey, are you okay?” Her mother’s voice snapped her back to reality.

Jordan reached for another glass and wrapped it with newspaper.

“Yes. I’m fine.”

“I’m so excited about moving away from here.” She picked up a box and carried it to the wide‐open front door, and then came back to the tiny kitchen.

“I’m happy for you, too.” Her mother had talked about nothing else since the day she’d asked Jordan to drive her to the new condominiums. She’d been radiant as ever while she walked through the huge space.

I Dare You

Jordan really was happy she was getting away from the projects, but was still mad as hell to have her working for the enemy.

“You sure don’t sound happy. You haven’t sounded happy in a long time.” She looked at Jordan and placed her hands on her hips.

“Would you like to talk about anything?”

“I’m okay, Mom. Really.”

“Good. Good. Glad to hear it.” Her mom picked up an empty box and started placing porcelain knickknacks from the window sill inside.

“Are you going to visit Sam today? It’s so nice to see you two getting along so well.”

It really was. Jordan had never felt so close to Sam in her life. It was an awesome feeling to want to be around her, to develop a sisterly friendship, to have finally forgiven her for stealing away their father all her life.

“She’s supposed to call here in a while. I told her we were going to start packing and moving tonight.”

“She was so happy. You should have seen her face when I showed her the pictures of the condo on the new digital camera.”

Jordan smiled. Life was heading uphill. She just prayed she didn’t fall down the other side once she reached the peak. It still irked that her mother was working for Kelsey.

“How can you work for her?” Jordan blurted before she could silence her tongue.

“For who, honey?” Her mother turned and gave her a curious stare.

Jordan rolled her eyes. “You know very well who I’m talking about.”

“I don’t work for a her. I work for a him.” Her mother rolled her eyes sarcastically, mocking Jordan.

“What happened to Kelsey?” Jordan tried to sound like she didn’t care.

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. You’re still listening with your ears.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean? Besides, I’m not the one working for the enemy.”

Sheri Livingston

Her mother dropped the box on the counter with a soft thump, her face turning sour. “That woman worked her ass off to continue her father’s dreams.” She yanked the mug from Jordan’s hand and shoved it in the box. “One day, when you grow up, you’ll understand.”

Jordan picked up the box and stalked out of the kitchen. “I don’t want to know anything else about the woman.” She sat the box down on top of others in the living room and then turned to walk back.

“Kelsey’s far from an enemy. She’s a broken angel.” A female voice came from behind her.

Jordan whipped around to face a silver‐haired woman. Her handlebar hips fit snug under a flower‐print blouse and navy blue cotton pants. Her hair was pulled into a clip at the back of her head.

“Hi, Ellie,” her mother said before turning her gaze on Jordan.

“You’ve already met her husband, Artie.”

Jordan gave her a smile, remembering Artie quite well. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Likewise. And, from the sounds of it, I now know why Kelsey closed the door on you.” Her bright blue eyes blazed with determination.

“I think it’s time you learned the truth, Jordan.”

Jordan stared between her mother and Ellie, trying to figure out what the hell they were up to. Ellie parked herself on the couch, while her mother poured glasses of tea.

“How do you two know each other?” Jordan looked between the two women, watching their lips curl into silly smiles.

“Art class…” Ellie started.

“Aerobics...” her mother chimed in.

Both women started giggling like school children.

Ellie stopped cackling and pasted a serious expression on her face.

“Artie and I love that child just as if she’s our very own flesh and blood.”

She locked her gaze on Jordan. “It wasn’t very hard to find her true love, especially when Artie picked her up from her house. Once I dragged information out of Kelsey, and then Artie added his two cents, I took care of the rest and found your mom.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief.

Jordan turned to her mom, a frown dragging at her lips.

I Dare You

“Tell her, Ellie.”

* * * * *

Kelsey slammed the phone down, hanging up on yet another harassing phone call. Each call came from a private number that was untraceable, and each one was getting more and more threatening.

They’d started not long after she quit dancing. Whoever the stalker was, they were getting impatient. Sooner or later, they were going to get to her. She could feel it.

She still wasn’t far from believing it to be Sharon. Some of the information the stalker kept screaming at her was personal, as if she knew Kelsey on a non‐business level. Kelsey had already thrown the idea out the window that the stalker was someone who worked for a company she’d purchased. But who? And why, if not? She’d rummaged her brain for any other enemies, but there just weren’t any.

She swiped tears from her face with a tissue and picked up the photo album, flipping to the next page. Her mother, bright smile stretched across her gorgeous face, looked adoringly at her father. Her father, tall and proud, stared back at her like there wasn’t another woman in the world. He had eyes for her and only her, love for them and only them.

Kelsey would never forget his love. She’d give anything to have him back right now, to hear him tell her one more time how proud of her accomplishments he was. And her brother, even the loser that he was then, would get just as much attention. Her father knew he’d never amount to anything, yet he never missed a single day of telling each of them how much he loved and cherished them.

Tonight was her memory lane for family. She deserved to have it in peace.

Kelsey let loose another sob as she flipped the page.

This week marked the two year anniversary of her father’s death...a day that was forever burned into her mind.

Tomorrow would mark the day her mother disappeared, fleeing to Mexico with her new lover, refusing to wait until her husband was laid to Sheri Livingston

rest.

The day after would mark the day her brother grabbed his inheritance check and hightailed it out of town, not even bothering to attend his own father’s funeral.

They both left her to tend to everything, completely alone and falling apart. Kelsey’s strong. She can handle anything.

“What in the hell would they know about strong? They all ran when the shit hit the fan. They both got to go have their fun while I buried a man they were supposed to love.”

And last but not least, today marked one year since Teresa had died.

“How lucky am I to have four anniversaries right in a row? Who the fuck could ever forget them?”

God, how she missed them. Why did they all leave me?

Running the business had made her a hard‐ass bitch 24/7.

Becoming a dancer had made her a seductive goddess to a million drooling women most other times. And now, she wasn’t any of those things.

She was just Kelsey Billings, owner of a company that used to crumble people’s lives and make a fortune from it. Now the company would be saving lives and saving business owners’ reputations, what it was meant to do to begin with.

Kelsey lovingly ran her finger along the photo of her father’s squared chin, swamped in her memories.

She laughed out loud to her lonely surroundings. Her father was a businessman. And to think he was thinking of the owners when he decided to build Billings Industries. It was all rather funny. However, no one would find the humor she found in her father’s reason for starting the company.

She flipped the page. Teresa filled the space.

After all the money Kelsey had spent to save her best friend from drugs, she’d felt her slipping through her fingers again. She knew she’d been slipping the whole time…had fought it all the way down. Still, in the end, she couldn’t save her from a simple mistake of drinking and driving, I Dare You

or the connection to a cell phone, a memory that dragged her down into a blue funk every time she replayed the call in her mind.

Kelsey shook the horrible images from her mind while tears raced down her face.

She turned another page. “Here’s to you, Daddy. Like father, like daughter.”

She busted out laughing at her sarcastic joke. “Who would have ever thought I’d be doing something you couldn’t do, just like your daddy couldn’t. We’re all fools. We lived without love to protect a dead dream.”

* * * * *

“A broken angel? That’s stretching things a bit, isn’t it?” Jordan stared down at Ellie.

“Not if you knew her.” She patted the space on the couch beside her. “I’m here to tell you about the woman you let go.”

Jordan felt driven to go to her, compelled to know about Kelsey.

She crossed the floor and eased onto the couch between the two women.

Ellie twisted on the couch to gaze at Jordan. “Have you ever loved something or someone so much that you’d fight to the death to protect it or them?” Jordan’s heart fluttered as Kelsey’s face oozed into her memory.

She nodded.

“Would you still want love if everyone you cared about found a way to let you down?”

Jordan let Ellie’s question sit in her mind for a second, not knowing quite how to answer it, and merely shrugged.

“That’s the kind of love Kelsey’s father had for his family. He taught his children everything about his business, as well as sending them both to the finest colleges money could buy. Nothing was denied those two children or his wife.” Tears welled in her eyes. “Have you wondered why the red carpet was laid out for your sister at the rehab center?”

“I know Kelsey was behind it.” Jordan looked at her mother, saw a glint of a tear sheltered against her lid, and then turned back to Ellie.

“Everyone Kelsey’s loved has left her except me and Artie. Kelsey Sheri Livingston

lost her best friend one year ago. Her name was Teresa. She was a drug addict…just like Sam. Kelsey spent a fortune trying to save her life, gave up everything to tend to her, only to have Teresa kill herself in the end.”

Jordan gasped. “How horrible.”

“Yes, it is, but not half as bad as carrying around the blame of killing her.”

Jordan stared at her, confused by her words.

“Kelsey’s never shared too much of the conversation that took place the night Teresa died, but we know she practiced tough love, said some pretty harsh words to her, trying to make Teresa snap out of her drug‐induced state of mind.”

Jordan knew all about that tough love, being forced to use it on Sam to get her help. “Tough love works miracles.” Jordan turned and gave her mom a smile.

“Teresa drove head‐on into a semi‐truck…with Kelsey on the phone racing down the streets to get to her.”

Jordan whipped around to face her. “Jesus!” Just the thought of her sister committing suicide sent a cold shiver down her spine.

“Kelsey’s lived with the blame ever since. She could never see that Teresa was dead long before then. Teresa was hopeless...and only Kelsey knows why. I know that sounds horrible, but it’s true, and Kelsey never gave up hope. That is until Teresa put an end to her own misery, leaving Kelsey to live with the pain...as well as Teresa’s lover, who never got over it.”

Jordan’s mom sniffled beside her. Her hand slithered into Jordan’s.

“You used that same tough love on Sam,” her mom whispered.

“That’s not all. The very night Teresa killed herself, her lover attempted the same thing. Her pain was more than she could handle.

Kelsey was lucky enough to get to her in time. She saved her life.”

Jordan shifted in her seat, a nervous knot twisting her gut and making her sick. How could she have been so cruel to Kelsey, or said the things she’d said? She squeezed her eyes shut. Heaviness, sick and cloying, spread through her heart. Such a ga’damn fool. She’ll never take me back. Why would she after all the things I said?

I Dare You

Tears streamed down Ellie’s face as she continued her walk down Kelsey’s memory lane.

“Kelsey’s grandfather was an alcoholic. His only dream in life was to own his own business. He finally acquired his dream but was too drunk to run it. He bankrupted. And from that moment, he turned sour, blaming his family and friends for his downfall, instead of pointing the fingers at himself. Kelsey’s father, John, and his brother, as well as their mother, were beaten on a regular basis.” She sobbed and wiped at the tears on her face. “He turned those boys into thieves and beggars, beating them every night they came home without dinner. John grew up never knowing what it was about owning a business that would turn a man into a monster, but determined to never let another family go through what he went through.

“After his father died, he worked his way through community college, quickly rose above all the students, and had scholarships thrown at him. He found a few other students that wanted to jump on his bandwagon to find a way to stop the downfall of businesses. He’d managed to save some money from the scholarships, and soon they found a building to set up shop. The business grew and grew. He married Kelsey’s mother and with the help of his colleagues, started Billings Industries…to save business owners and their families from a life of hell.”

She plastered her gaze on Jordan. “Kelsey is protecting her father when she protects her company. She’d defend that man, as well as his dream, to the death. Something she’s been very close to more times than I’d care to remember.”

Sheri Livingston

Chapter Twenty

Jordan’s heart twisted in her chest to hear Kelsey’s father had lived a life of physical abuse. How terrifying it must have been to live that way.

Jordan released her breath and forced back her tears. “That’s horrible.”

“John never forgot all his father put them through. He never wanted to see a family torn apart, to go through anything like what he’d gone through. And, in a way, he was honoring his father. So, when an owner filed bankruptcy, he swooped down to save them…bought them right out from under their contracts. He was too blind to see that he was hurting families instead of helping them. Kelsey’s mom begged him to stop. Before he died, they barely even spoke. He was so in love with her it was scary. But, that damn demon could never loose its grip on him.

“John spent more years than you could imagine training Kelsey in karate, tae‐kwon‐do, anything he could think of. I’ve seen that child beat the tar out of people twice her size. It was amazing. But, I felt so damn sorry for her. Her childhood was stripped because of a dad that loved and adored her and was trapped in his cruel past. He was making sure Kelsey was capable of defending herself against people who might threaten her...because he could never protect himself.”

Jordan remembered her and Kelsey’s little round at her studio. Her crotch heated with the memory.

“Kelsey has a broken heart, Jordan.” Ellie yanked Jordan from her heated thoughts. “Everything she’s ever loved has failed her somehow.

Teresa, her father’s death, her mother leaving, her brother…. I could go on.”

“What happened to her mother?”

“Pfft.” Ellie gave a disgusted look. “After her father died, her mother ran off with her new lover within twenty‐four hours, and her brother was gone with his inheritance check within forty‐eight. She hasn’t seen them since. Kelsey was left to bury a person that meant the entire world to her. She’s been dead inside.” Ellie turned tear‐filled sky blue eyes on Jordan. “Until you.”

I Dare You

Jordan could only stare, too embarrassed to say a word.

“Kelsey continued her father’s dreams because he believed in her, and she believed in him. She was all he had to continue his legacy. She’d rather die than have anyone think her father a monster—a man that was saving someone out there from a life of living hell—a hell he’d already lived through.”

Ellie swiped tears from her face and reached for her pocket book. “I brought something for you to see. I call this my ‘honor Kelsey’ packet.”

She pulled a baggie from her purse and slid the green and blue seal open, then withdrew newspaper clippings from inside, unfolded them, and turned back to Jordan.

“I haven’t seen rosy cheeks or sparkling eyes since the day she buried her father. It was one thing to live with guilt over Teresa, but quite another to bury her father alone. She came to life when she met you. It was written all over her face. The monster you think she is couldn’t be further from the truth.”

Jordan looked over at her mother. Her eyes were filled with tears as more rolled down her face.

“And you, you stubborn ass, let her down,” her mother yelled, stabbing her finger in the air.

Jordan felt a bite of betrayal. “I was defending you, dammit.”

“I don’t need defending. I need my ass kicked for brooding instead of being gung‐ho about getting a job while your sister did drugs. Yet you blamed someone else for my downfall.”

Jordan shook her head. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

She didn’t give a shit how much of a horrible life Kelsey might had lived, the demons she was chasing for her father’s sake, or how many people she’d lost, she was still a person who tossed people out on their asses and made a fortune from it.

“And I’d do it again. You’re my mother! What choice did I have but to defend you?”

Something must have hit home with her mom. Instead of having a comeback, she smiled, and then leaned over to hug Jordan. “I’m sorry. I should be thankful my daughter cared enough to defend me. But don’t Sheri Livingston

you dare blame someone else for our faults.”

Her words hit something sharp inside Jordan, dispelling the last bit of anger. That’s exactly what Kelsey’s grandfather had done. He’d blamed everyone else for his downfall instead of blaming himself. Jordan gritted her teeth with the impact. She was no different, blaming everyone else for their problems. How stupid could she have been? She’d lost the only person she’d ever cared about because she was too stubborn to see who was really at fault.

“She makes a fortune off of other’s misfortune,” Jordan said, but knew she didn’t give a shit anymore. She wanted Kelsey, no matter who she was or what she did.

“Kelsey did what she had to do to honor her father. My son, Douglas, works with Kelsey as her right‐hand man. Together they came up with a plan to change the entire company, something Kelsey wanted to do soon after her father died. Those plans were put into motion a few days after her little incident with you. A few days before she hired your mother. She changed her father’s dreams, put all their demons to rest.

He’d already lost the love of his beloved wife. Kelsey wasn’t going to live that same life, no matter how much she loved her father.” Ellie shrugged her shoulders. “You gave her the courage and a reason to do it.”

Jordan looked between the two women, their eyes full of tears, and knew she couldn’t live another day without Kelsey.

“I think you’ve heard enough to know what kind of person Kelsey is,” Ellie said, and then placed the clippings in Jordan’s lap. “The rest will drive the point home. If you can call Kelsey a monster after reading these, then you don’t deserve the memory of her.”

Ellie and her mother rose from the couch, sauntered into the tiny dining area, and started wrapping glasses with newspaper.

Jordan lifted the first clipping. There was a picture of a smashed car and bystanders. She knew it was Teresa’s car. Her heart plummeted at the sight of twisted metal... and Kelsey. She was down on her knees, face contorted in complete agony.

Jordan could only imagine the pain Kelsey felt over her last words, to a person she’d fought so hard to save, being that of tough love.

I Dare You

She flipped to the next clipping.

Kelsey Billings donated one million dollars to Fresh Start, a center designed to help addicts win their battle against drugs. The After Program, in memory of Teresa Hammett, founded by Kelsey Billings, has been more powerful than the actual rehab. This program has saved thousands of lives, as its goal is to be there once patients are released, helping them fight the lingering need for drugs. Buddies around the world have come together to be partnered with newly released patients.

Kelsey Billings is the founder of New Hope, an organization for new business owners to help each other when they find themselves struggling to stay afloat. This organization has already saved several hundred businesses from bankruptcy.

Kelsey Billings has donated one hundred thousand dollars to assist mothers and children of domestic violence. Twenty‐five new buildings have already been constructed for housing and shelter, as well as establishing the New Beginnings program to educate mothers. All construction was paid for by the John Billings Sr. Foundation, Kelsey Billings’ grandfather.

Kelsey Billings is also the founder of New Generations, a company created to find missing persons. The total for getting families back together continues to climb.

Jordan knew Kelsey had never found her own mother or brother.

Every single thing Kelsey belonged to, or had created, was her heart covering up her pain, doing something other than sitting back and letting the pain control her life. She was doing something for the future since there wasn’t a damn thing she could do about the past.

Jordan felt the first tears slide down her cheeks.

She continued to flip the pages, reading each caption, studying each picture, and knew Ellie’s words were far from describing Kelsey.

This woman wasn’t just a broken angel, she had a broken soul, and she was lost. Jordan didn’t know how Kelsey had coped for so many years Sheri Livingston

alone.

It was time for Jordan to find her and give her back some happiness.

“I’m in love with an angel,” she whispered.

The clippings fluttered to the floor as she tore out of the apartment.

* * * * *

Kelsey curled into a ball on the couch, reminiscing, her memories painful.

A dog barked hysterically in the distance, drawing her attention from her past. She glanced around, pushed the photo album away, and rose.

After crossing the floor, she opened the front door, and peered across the yard. She couldn’t see anyone, yet she could feel something…or someone.

And then she heard it. The rustle of leaves outside the gate.

Another rustle. Footsteps. Too light to be a man and too heavy to be an animal.

Fear gripped her heart.

“Whose there?”

“It’s me, Judith.”

Fear drained with her sweet voice.

Kelsey stuck her head back inside the door, opened the panel, and pushed the button to open the gate. When she turned back, the gate was creaking open, and Judith was stumbling through.

An instant memory flashed through her mind of Judith, drunk and screaming, the night Teresa died. She’d been devastated to the point of taking her own life.

Kelsey had stayed with her, comforted her, even though her own heart was ripped to shreds with guilt and misery.

“What’s wrong?”

Tears streamed down Judith’s lovely face, her short brown hair clung to her tear‐stained cheeks. She stepped onto the porch and wrapped I Dare You

her arms around Kelsey’s neck. “I miss her so much.”

Tears swelled in Kelsey’s eyes as her heart ached for Teresa. She inhaled Judith’s liquor‐tainted scent. “I miss her, too.”

They hugged, and cried, wallowing in their own memories of a person they loved and shared.

“Come on in.” Kelsey stepped back, swiping tears from her face.

Judith stepped into the house while Kelsey closed the door. The gate slowly engaged at the end of the driveway.

Kelsey turned to find Judith flopping onto the couch. She pulled the photo album into her lap and started turning pages.

“One year today,” she said, as if Kelsey could ever forget the date.

Every time she looked at a calendar, the date floated from the pages like magical fingers, reaching out to grasp her, reminding her of her harsh words.

“Kelsey, can I come over?” Teresa’s drunken words slurred through the phone line.

“Where are you, baby? I’ll come and get you.”

“I’m in the car, heading down the highway…heading to you.”

“I don’t want you drinking and driving. Just pull over and I’ll come to you.” Kelsey dove into blue jeans and scrambled for her keys.

“Stop treating me like a baby. I’m not a fucking baby!”

Kelsey froze with her outburst, wanting to tell her that’s exactly the way she acted. “I know you aren’t a baby. I just don’t want you to get in an accident.

Just pull over and I’ll be right there.” She shoved her feet into tennis shoes, yanked up the keys, and darted through the front door.

“Tell me where you are.”

“I’m heading to you. This time I’m not taking no for an answer. I’m going to make love to you all night long.”

Kelsey almost choked on a sob. She couldn’t go through this again. After all the time she’d spent trying to save Teresa from the drugs, to find out she was the reason Teresa was using them…because she didn’t share the same love Teresa felt.

This can’t be happening. Dear God, let this be a dream. Let me wake up Sheri Livingston

and have Teresa safe inside her home cuddled against Judith. She knows I don’t love her. Why can’t she understand? Why can’t things go back the way they used to be…long before she confessed she was in love with me?

Hopelessness stole over Kelsey. She was tired. Too spent of energy to fight anymore. With the door handle in her grasp, she cried and sunk to her knees on the gravel.

Her best friend, the light of her life, couldn’t be helped anymore. Teresa had stepped over a line she couldn’t get back across…a place she wanted Kelsey to go with her…a place Kelsey had no desire to follow.

“You’re my best friend. I could never love you that way. Can’t you understand that?” She screamed into the darkened night.

“You will one day.”

“No, I won’t! I don’t love you. Get it through your fucking skull.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, she knew she could never retract them. She and Teresa would never be the same again—never to share that best friend bond—never to laugh at lunches spent at the corner cafés while gossiping about the people passing by.

The love they shared would be stripped forever because one of them wouldn’t follow the other.

“If I can’t have you…then I’ll have no one.”

“Judith loves you. Don’t do this to her.”

“Fuck her. And fuck you, too.”

“Teresa, please tell me where you are.”

Kelsey listened to a sob from Teresa, dragged herself from the ground, and slid into the car. She cranked the engine and raced down her driveway, praying she’d find Teresa and make her see the light.

“I’m on a highway. There is grass in the median. There are bright lights on the other side. If you don’t want me, those pretty lights will.”

Fear and adrenaline forced Kelsey’s foot down harder on the gas. She tore down the deserted streets, tears blinding her way, and gut‐wrenching horror eating at her heart.

“We need to talk. Tell me where you are so we can talk about this.”

“Will you love me?”

Kelsey forced the lie into her mind, but could never make it part her lips.

I Dare You

“I love you now.”

“Could you love me, Kelsey?”

Kelsey shook her head and braked long enough to whip the car onto another side street that would lead her to the highway.

“You’re my best friend. Please. I love you.” Tears escaped in a steady stream down her face.

“Kelsey, I’m in love with you. Don’t you understand that? I can’t live without you. I’m sorry. I’m doing this for you. Never forget how much I loved you.”

Kelsey screamed while glass shattering stole the sound of the night. The connection went dead.

By the time she arrived on the scene, Teresa was dead, and Kelsey’s life would never be the same again.

Kelsey shook the tormenting images from her mind and slid onto the couch beside Judith. She’d never told a living soul about the conversation she’d had with Teresa that night, or how she lived with the pain of pushing her to her death.

Judith held the page open and stared at Teresa’s face. She’d been so full of life before the drugs rooted inside her and sprouted into a demon.

“I wish I could’ve helped her,” Judith said, then pushed the album from her lap. It thumped to the floor in a flutter of thick pages.

When Kelsey met Judith’s gaze, she saw agony…and anger.

“She loved you, you know?”

Kelsey stared, fear settling like a seedling in her gut. “She was my best friend. I loved her, too.”

Judith bared her teeth with an evil grin. She rose from the couch, stepped over the album, and settled her gaze on the window. “I met your new girlfriend. She’s hot, like Teresa.”

“She’s not my girlfriend.”

“Oh, but she wants to be.” She turned an evil gaze on Kelsey.

“She’s in love with you, just like Teresa was.”

* * * * *

Sheri Livingston

By the time Jordan entered the parking lot of The Pink Lady, her nerves were jumping through her skin. Her heart was hammering so hard in her chest she feared a heart attack.

She climbed out of the car, grabbed her jacket, and entered the front doors. A blast of music hit her at the same time her gaze searched the stage. Disappointment set in when she saw a blonde woman with tall, thin legs spinning around the pole completely naked except for a slinky black thong, instead of Kelsey.

Dykes and fems were crowded around the stage hooting and catcalling.

Jordan pushed past a fem with bright mauve lipstick and a fuck‐me smile, and made her way to the bar. Sharon turned to look at her, a scowl immediately pulling her features.

“Where’s Kelsey?” Jordan leaned against the counter, not ready to play cat and mouse with Sharon.

Sharon tossed a white drying towel on the counter and strolled toward her. “She doesn’t work here anymore.”

“Come on, Sharon. I know you don’t like me, and I really don’t give a shit, but I need to talk to her.”

Sharon gave her a smirk. “Read my lips. She…does not…work here…anymore.”

Jordan bit back the impulse to slam her fist into Sharon’s face.

Someone poked her hard in the back, and she whirled around to face Darren. He had a deep scowl on his painted face.

“You have some nerve coming back here. She loved you and you tossed her away like a piece of trash. You should be ashamed of yourself, you…you big dyke.”

Jordan smiled. She could tear this tiny frame of a man to shreds with her bare hands, and he knew it. Yet he stood here with spittle flying from his whore red lips to protect his friend’s honor. She could only wish she had friends so loyal.

“I love her, too.”

A smile replaced his creased brow. “Well, why didn’t you say so in I Dare You

the first place? What are you still doing here? Go get her!”

“That’s what I came here for.”

“She quit.”

Jordan turned to look at Sharon. “So I’ve heard.”

Sharon’s eyes cut into slits. “You don’t deserve her.”

Jordan nodded. How true those words were. She wished she could retract every harsh word she’d hurled at Kelsey. She should have allowed her to bare her soul, release her pain, so they could have started a new life together.

Had she fucked things up beyond repair? Would Kelsey still want her?

“This is like a soap opera.” Darren eeled onto the stool beside Jordan and adjusted his blaring red dress across his legs. “These are the days of our lives.”

Sharon leaned over the bar and glared at Jordan. “If you hurt her again, so help me God, you won’t live to regret a single teardrop. Do I make myself clear?”

Jordan never doubted for a second that Sharon meant exactly what she said. Kelsey should be honored to have such caring friends.

“And, if you’re going to see her, can you please take this to her? It’s another death threat, no doubt, but I wanted her to see it. It came a day after she quit. The calls stopped about a week later.”

Jordan stared at the pale yellow envelope sliding across the shiny countertop. Her breath froze.

“Wow. Did you see a ghost or what?” Darren’s feminine voice felt like needles jabbing into her skin as her body tingled with fear…with recognition.

She yanked the envelope off the bar and tore the end open.

Time ticks faster as the day draws near. Can you feel me breathing down your neck? I’m coming to get you, Kelsey.

Jordan felt bile rise in her throat as she reached inside her jacket to retrieve the unopened letter she’d gotten from Terrance.

With Sharon and Darren staring at her like she’d lost her mind, she ripped open the end, and yanked the paper from inside.

Sheri Livingston

Don’t get too attached. She’s a venomous demon. And a dead bitch.

“Where did you get that?”

Jordan met Sharon’s horrified gaze. “It was delivered to my shop.”

Darren leaned over to read the letter.

“Jesus. This is a horror movie not a soap opera. Although, people get killed in them, too. Do you remember with Evelyn got killed and it was her...”

“Shut up, Darren,” Sharon screamed.

He jerked back as if slapped, and dramatically held his hand to his heart. “Gosh, you don’t have to be so nasty. Hmph. See if I do your hair anymore.” He cut his gaze away from the both of them.

Jordan concentrated on the letters, trying to connect the dots, fear racing through her blood.

A pale yellow envelope, sliding into her hands…unopened as well.

“Oh holy fuck. I know who’s sending them. Judith!”

“Judith? The only Judith I know was Teresa’s…” Sharon’s eyes rounded in shock. “…lover!”

“Call the goddamn cops.” Jordan shoved off the stool and raced back through the front door. Fear for Kelsey grabbed hold, suffocating her.

“Dear God, please let her be okay. I’m in love with her.”

I Dare You

Chapter Twenty‐One

Kelsey squirmed on the couch. “You’ve got it all wrong. She was my best friend.” The lie formed on her tongue. This time she allowed it to roll free. “She wasn’t in love with me.”

“Don’t fucking lie to me. She was in love with you, and you knew it!” Judith’s eyes glazed with pure hatred. “She told me where she was going that night. I begged her not to go, that you were a worthless whore.

Instead, she laughed. Laughed in my fucking face and said she didn’t love me the way she loved you, and she never would. I told her you could never love her because you only loved yourself and all that money.”

Judith’s eyes filled with tears.

Kelsey sat frozen to her spot.

“She told me if she couldn’t have you, she would have no one, that she would rather die than live without you. Her last words to me were,

‘You’ll know if Kelsey loves me by morning light.’”

Kelsey shook her head. She quickly let her gaze travel around her, looking for something in which to defend herself, but not finding anything.

Taking her eyes off her opponent—something she knew better than to do—proved a stupid act. Judith was on her before she could blink, straddling her stomach, fingers wrapped tight around her neck, squeezing and digging into her throat.

“You’re a heartless cunt toying with women’s emotions like a yo-yo. You watched her die. You watched her die long before she drove into Sheri Livingston

her death because you can’t love anyone but yourself.”

Judith bared her teeth while she gripped tighter to the neck in her grasp, lips glistening with drool.

Kelsey grabbed at the fingers choking her. She slapped at Judith and kicked her legs into thin air, her lungs burning with need.

Suddenly Judith released her, un‐straddled her as calmly as dismounting a horse.

Kelsey slid off the couch onto the floor, coughing and gagging, and holding her throat, frantically looking around for Judith.

“Did you honestly think I would let you get away with what you did to her?”

Tears streamed down Kelsey’s face as she slowly shook her head. “I begged her to pull over so I could come and get her. I tried to save her life.”

Judith was suddenly on the floor in front of her, down on her hands and knees, glaring at Kelsey like the mad woman she’d become.

Kelsey stiffened and held her gaze, not daring to take her eyes off evil before her.

“Save her life? Save her life? Is that what you thought you were doing?”

Kelsey nodded and backed up until the coffee table halted her.

“You didn’t give a shit about her. She pitied you. Felt sorry for you.

Loved you.” Judith rose and stood over Kelsey. “Poor little Kelsey, having to live a sheltered life because pathetic Daddy can’t shake a demon. His daddy probably beat his family because they were worthless. Just like you.”

The mention of her father, rolling off the tongue of someone who knew nothing about her life, or his cruel past, jolted anger down Kelsey’s spine.

Judith started pacing, arms flailing the air. “Poor little Kelsey. Oh no, her daddy died. Let’s feel sorry for her. Oh no, Mommy ran off with a Mexican, let’s feel sorry for Kelsey even more. Oh, and poor Kelsey. Her brother ran off with his fat, fucking wad of money. They left poor Kelsey all alone to bury the piece of shit that created a company to rip apart I Dare You

people’s lives. And don’t forget how fucking rich she is with all that blood money rolling through her hands.”

Spittle flew from her mouth with each breathless word. “Oh. And let’s not forget poor Kelsey who lost her best friend, so now we’ll just cut a check to show our loyalty to their cause, or just build a bunch of buildings to make us look like we have a big heart. Must be fucking nice to hand over a hundred thousand dollars like it was a penny in a wishing well.

And to show even more of our pathetic, lying heart, let’s create another program to help those needy fucking dope heads that we care about to make sure their departing days go drug free.”

Judith stopped her pacing and glared down at Kelsey. “You make one helluva picture perfect lying piece of scum. When in the hell is everyone going to stop feeling sorry for the stripping whore who drove a woman who was in love with her straight to her fucking death?”

Anger gripped hard, replacing her fear. She tightened her hands into fists, matched Judith’s glare, and rose from the floor. She’d be damned if Judith was going to make a mockery of her or cheapen the pain in her life.

“You don’t know a damn thing about me, you crazy‐ass bitch. You don’t know anything about my family, so don’t you dare taint our name by letting it roll of that filthy tongue.”

All of a sudden Kelsey didn’t feel weak and pathetic, like she wasn’t doing enough to help her father’s dreams. With the look of an evil person staring back at her, she knew she’d done everything within her power to wipe away the years of hurt. Everything she’d ever done to make her life better or to not live in her past, flashed before her eyes. All the things she’d created to help those in need, or those who couldn’t help themselves, had made up for everything her grandfather had done to her father.

She’d fixed all of her grandfather’s wrongs with each and every building that was constructed for helpless women and children. She’d washed away his sins the very day she did a U‐turn with the company.

The slate was clean now. Her father’s dreams had been accomplished. She was free.

Sheri Livingston

“I spent a fortune saving her life. And yes, I knew she was in love with me, but I wasn’t in love with her, and she knew it. I didn’t let it stop me from doing everything I could. Where the hell were you when I was wiping vomit from her mouth or cleaning shitty sheets, or holding her while she shook like an earthquake? Where the fuck were you?” Kelsey jabbed her finger in the air.

Judith blinked hard, and then dove for Kelsey.

They fell back onto the carpet with grunts, twisting and turning, yanking and pulling at each other’s hair.

Kelsey felt herself leap back into fight mode. All the training to ward off people just like Judith crashed through her mind.

She gritted her teeth, pulled her arm free of the tangled mess, and jabbed her elbow into Judith’s nose. When Judith covered her face, Kelsey jabbed again, and again, and again. She rose with every jab until she was kneeling beside her, and then grabbed Judith’s hair and jammed her head into the floor. Judith screamed.

“How fucking…dare you…blame her death on me. She was…my best friend….I loved her. I did…everything to save her.” Tears streamed down her face. She let loose her hold on Judith’s hair and let her head fall to the carpet, and rose from the floor.

Judith’s hands covered her face and she stopped screaming, but sobs shook her body.

Kelsey turned to walk to the phone. The fight was over. Her stalker would be going to jail.

Suddenly, a sharp, burning pain scored down her back.

Kelsey screamed and fell to her knees.

Judith dove on top of her and grabbed hold of her hair.

Kelsey grabbed at her attacker’s arms while Judith lifted and slammed her head onto the floor, screaming at the top of her lungs. Kelsey rolled onto her back. Something dug deeper into her back. She looked up into eyes that had gone totally mad with hatred.

“You fucking cunt. You took away the only thing in my life I cared about.”

She slammed Kelsey’s head again and again.

I Dare You

Kelsey curled her legs under Judith’s chest and shoved. Judith flew off her and sprawled on her back on the floor.

When Kelsey tried to stand, her knees went weak. Her vision blurred then cleared. Judith was rising from the floor, a smile spreading across her lips.

Kelsey’s arms tingled and her face felt like it was on fire. Her heart skirted to a crawl in her chest. It was terrifying to feel your own life stalling without being able to do a damn thing about it.

“I’d say you got the full dose, you wicked whore.”

Kelsey’s vision blurred again, and her body refused to obey her demand to rise from the floor. She tried to crawl toward Judith, determined to finish her fight. Her arms buckled, spilling her onto the carpet. She gasped for breath, feeling her lungs burn. When her vision cleared, she saw the tip of a syringe.

Fear ran the length of her body while her nerve‐endings tingled.

Judith stood over her, smiling her evil smile. “Today, Kelsey, is the day you die. I thought it fitting to do it on the anniversary of the woman I loved more than anything in this world.” Judith wiped blood from her lips and grinned. “When they find you, you’ll be pumped full of drugs lying beside her grave. Your suicide letter is rather sweet, showing how you couldn’t get over the love you had for her, and how you couldn’t live without her. I even shed a few tears on it to add to your grieving. God knows, you went on with life like she never existed, you fucking slut.”

Judith grabbed one of Kelsey’s arms and started dragging her across the carpet.

Kelsey tried to scream but her body wasn’t her own anymore. She tried to reach out and grab Judith’s leg, but her arms were frozen.

Genuine fear took over her brain, demanding her to regain some control of her body.

She screamed, but it came out as a mumbled moan. The room spun faster and faster, her body giving in to the drug running through her veins.

Blue lights beaconed through the room.

Judith dropped her arm and moved away from her.

Sheri Livingston

Her world spun one final loop, and then her eyes closed.

“Fuck!”

It was the last words Kelsey heard before the blackness overcame her.

* * * * *

Love, adrenaline, and the most gut wrenching fear Jordan had ever known pushed her foot harder on the accelerator. She took every twist and turn at racing speed, tearing down the bright city streets to get to Kelsey, praying she wasn’t too late.

By the time she turned onto Kelsey’s street, she was lost in the memories they’d made, begging God to give them a chance to create more.

The squealing of tires dragged her away from her thoughts. A car whipped out of a patch of woods, fishtailed onto the street, and hammered down another street leading off of Kelsey’s road.

Jordan slowed to a crawl, watching the red taillights fade. Blue-white lights lit up the night further down the street in front of Kelsey’s house. She didn’t know why, but something told her she had to follow that car—something she couldn’t ignore.

Without any hesitation, she flattened the gas pedal to the floor and caught up with the car, careful to stay far enough behind it, so the driver didn’t realize that she was tailing .

The car headed to the freeway. Jordan eased back and let a few cars jump in front of her, never letting the rectangular red lights out of her site.

Soon, the car veered down an exit ramp. Luckily, a few other cars fell in behind her.

Jordan eased off the ramp, turned right to follow the two cars in front of her, and then let them both get a few yards away from her.

Suddenly, the suspicious car braked and turned left down another street. The car in between them went straight.

“Shit!” She caught sight of a sign bearing the name of a cemetery.

Fear spiked through her. There was no doubt in her mind Kelsey was in I Dare You

the car, and Judith was the driver—taking her to a place and a person she blamed Kelsey for killing.

“This woman’s crazy.” She quickly darted past the street, flipped a U‐turn about a quarter mile down the road, and eased her way back.

Trees hung over the road like a green awning. Moss hung from their branches, giving an eerie feeling to the pitch‐black night.

Jordan killed the lights and followed the path of the asphalt by the glow of the moon slivering between the branches. When she was close enough to the cemetery, she pulled the car onto the side of the road and slipped out of the car.

She opened her cell phone and dialed 911. As quietly as she could, she told the operator her emergency and her location.

After replacing her cell, she stepped across the street, careful to be as quiet as possible.

Off in the distance, something stirred. She slipped behind one tree, and then another, until she was close enough to make out the image of Judith standing over Kelsey’s body lying on the ground beside a grave marker.

A fist seemed to knot in her stomach. She bit back a gasp as hot tears rushed to her eyes. There was no time to wait for the police. She had to act now, or Kelsey would be dead…if she wasn’t already.

She slipped behind another tree and ducked behind a bush, trying to get a better look at the beauty lying lifeless on the ground. She couldn’t make out breathing, twitching, anything.

Dear God, don’t let it end like this. Don’t let me be too late. Please let her be okay.

With fear and love working magic, Jordan stepped from behind the bush, rising to her full height. “What the fuck are you doing?”

Judith whipped around to stare at her with eyes full of evil. “Back off!” she yelled as she knelt and pressed a syringe against Kelsey’s neck.

Kelsey didn’t flinch, which made Jordan sick to her stomach. She wanted to see life…movement…something. Just a shred of evidence she was alive. Her blonde hair was fanned out around her head, her arms lying like an eagle ready for flight, and lips the color of death.

Sheri Livingston

“It’s over, Judith. The cops are on their way.”

Judith’s gaze darted around her as if waiting for someone to jump out and grab her.

Jordan took a few steps forward while Judith was distracted.

“Don’t!” Judith pressed the tip of the needle harder against Kelsey’s flesh, drawing a prick of blood on her slender neck.

A roar of hatred blasted through Jordan. She wanted her hands on the person that would dare cause Kelsey harm, see her wallow in pain and begging for mercy. She ground her teeth together and balled her hands into fists to keep from diving on her, fearing she’d need only a split-second to jab the needle into that precious throat.

“Don’t hurt her. Just run. You have time.” If she begged, would it work? Would Judith fear her own captivity over Kelsey’s death?

Judith answered by laughing—a grumble that started low in her gut and rumbled through her like a volcano, erupting into hard‐gushing whoops of laughter.

Jordan stood frozen, not sure whether to pounce or run like hell.

Kelsey’s beautiful face, pale and comatose, kept her rooted to her spot.

“You’re funny.” Judith slid her hand against her stomach, massaging as if the effort to laugh had caused her physical pain.

Jordan guessed it could happen. The woman wasn’t sane, probably hadn’t laughed since the day her lover died.

The love of her life took every piece of that heart, shoving out any shred of sorrow she might have felt for Judith.

“I’d willingly walk into a gas chamber just to see this bitch dead.”

Any sorrow vanished. Fear filled her.

“I’ve planned this for far too long to let some threat of my death take me off my path.” Her eyes cut into slits. “She’ll pay for what she did to my baby.”

Jordan’s last hope to get Kelsey out of this mess traveled through her like a lightening bolt streaking across the sky.

“She didn’t do it, you did.”

Judith shot to her feet, the reaction Jordan had hoped for.

“Me? I didn’t do a damn thing. She’s the one that killed the only I Dare You

woman I ever loved.” She jabbed her finger toward Kelsey’s body. “She lures women into her trap, makes them love her, and then shoves them away like trash.”

Jordan knew her type—the ones that blamed everyone else for their downfalls—just like she’d done. “Why didn’t you save her? Were you too busy with something else? Or shall I say, someone else?”

Judith’s bared her teeth, gritting them tightly together. “I never cheated on her. I loved her.” She took a step toward Jordan.

Jordan wanted her further away from Kelsey—close enough to strike. “Then why didn’t you stop her? You could have saved her life.”

“No, I couldn’t have. She was determined to be with Kelsey.”

“So you just let her walk out your door without trying to stop her?

How ugly of you to blame someone else because you didn’t have the guts to fight for your lover.”

Judith took another step.

It was the only chance Jordan might get. She charged.

Judith skirted to the side. Jordan skidded to stop, turned, and back-kicked the syringe from her hand.

Judith’s eyes widened as her gaze darted for the needle.

Sirens wailed in the distance, growing louder.

Jordan caught sight of the white cylinder and charged for it.

Judith raced after her, clawing at her and tugging her shirt.

Jordan kicked the needle, sending it flying through the air.

Her shirt was released.

When Jordan turned, Judith was racing away from her.

Blue lights beaconed through the sky, drawing near.

Jordan raced to Kelsey, dropped down beside her, and felt for a pulse. She was still alive.

Anger and adrenaline set her feet in motion. She sprinted across the open area, weaving in and out of tombstones to catch up with Judith who was a good ten yards ahead of her.

Judith stopped at a privacy fence outlining the property, grabbed hold, and dragged her body over.

Jordan bounded toward the fence, planted her hands on the top, Sheri Livingston

and with one swift yank, hoisted herself over. She landed on her feet on the other side and caught the sight of short, dark hair darting through the trees.

Jordan raced after her, chest heaving, branches and briars slapping against her face, chest, and legs. She ran, twisting in and out of trees, closing in on Judith.

Jordan’s ankle twisted as she jumped over a fallen log, almost plummeting to the ground. She righted herself and kept running. She came through the edge of the trees and into a clearing. The woman was just ahead, running full speed.

Once Jordan started across the open field, she gained speed, lungs tightening with each heavy thud of her feet. Her leg and arm muscles screamed in protest, coiling and bunching, as she pumped them faster and faster. Her breaths were gasps as she sucked in air.

All of a sudden, Judith stopped. She turned toward Jordan and automatically crouched into a defensive posture, arms stretched out in front her, hands poised into fists.

Jordan knew she was going to get her last competition. And what a sweet ass‐whooping it would be.

Smiling with the knowledge, she slowed until she stood within ten feet of Judith. She nodded, locked her gaze on the bitch, and gave her a smile.

“I must warn you, I’m a black belt.” Judith gave her a defiant nod, as if Jordan should tremble from the fact.

Jordan sucked the last bit of air into her lungs, filling them back to capacity. “Good. Kicking your ass will be a pleasure.” Jordan crouched and the circling began.

Judith took a soft jab at her, testing the waters.

Jordan jerked her head back, keeping her arms close to her body.

Judith took another jab, this time meaning harm.

Jordan jumped to the side and rammed her fist into Judith’s ribcage. A grunt of air escaped her mouth.

Blue lights flashed and tires squealed as a police cruiser raced down the street alongside the field toward them.

I Dare You

Jordan prayed another went to Kelsey.

“That slut ain’t worth fighting for,” Judith snarled and circled.

Jordan’s grin was full of malice. “She’s well worth the ass‐kicking you’re about to get.”

Judith jabbed at her. Jordan ducked, this time she uppercut into the bitch’s stomach.

Judith fell, rolled, and popped right back up on her feet. An evil grin stole across her lips. “She’s a whore, teasing women with her body.

She’ll break your heart, just like she tore out Teresa’s.” She circled, keeping her gaze on Jordan.

“It’s your fault Teresa died that night, not Kelsey’s.” Jordan tempted her closer by backing up a step, careful to watch her every move.

“You could have stopped her. Her death lies on your conscious.”

Judith’s mouth flew open. Jordan jabbed, catching her square in the nose. Her head jolted back with the force. As if unharmed, she dropped to the ground, and kicked Jordan’s feet out from under her.

Jordan rolled on the ground and onto her side, flipped, and quickly popped back onto her feet, whipping around to face her.

Tires squealed to a stop a few yards away from them. They were too far away to help. Besides, she didn’t want them to stop the well-deserved ass‐kicking Judith was going to get before they hauled her ass off to the crazy house.

“Freeze!” Artie yelled, far enough away for Jordan to finish the job.

Jordan didn’t dare glance over her shoulder at him—didn’t dare take her eyes off her opponent.

Judith’s smile reappeared. “You’ll be like Teresa one day; dead inside. She chased after that stripping whore for years.”

An image of Kelsey’s covered crotch flipped through her mind.

This woman didn’t know her angel very well. And she was tired of playing games. It was time to put this bitch down and get back to the love of her life.

Jordan circled, leading the woman around so she could take a quick peek at Artie. He was still a hundred yards away, running full speed toward them. Several officers raced behind him as they tore across the Sheri Livingston

field. She caught sight of blonde curls.

For a split‐second, Judith didn’t exist. The world revolved around the beauty on the other side of the field away.

A full‐blown temper yanked her back to her opponent’s gaze. How dare this bitch lay her hands on Kelsey? Possessiveness and keen instinct stole over her.

She took a step toward Judith, allowed her to take a jab at her face.

Kelsey screamed. The sound was like sweet music to her ears.

“I said freeze!” Artie yelled again, voice heavy with adrenaline and exasperation.

Jordan dipped off to the side and gave a wide round‐kick, catching Judith in the mouth.

Judith screamed and lifted a hand to her bloody lips. “After I kick your ass, that whore is mine.”

Jordan glimpsed the face of insanity—a woman truly on the verge of visiting la‐la land. She was done with her last match.

She lowered her hands to her side.

Judith stared at her in confusion, and then an evil smile spread over her features. She jabbed. With lightening speed, Jordan dropped to ground, rolled, popped up behind her, and shoved her forward with every ounce of strength she had. Without waiting for her to fall, Jordan was already diving on her. Judith bucked beneath her and rolled over.

Jordan straddled her and drove her fists into her face, one punch after the other, pummeling her. Judith screamed and threw her hands over her face to ward off the punches.

Jordan left her match and stepped into a street fight. She wanted to see blood ooze from the woman who’d made her baby’s life hell for months and dared to cause her harm.

Judith screamed and cursed, still bucking under Jordan, trying with all her might to ward off the fists attacking her.

Jordan continued punching and punching, pain shooting through her balled fists. She meant to beat Judith to death, to watch the last breath gasp from her chest. Rough hands grabbed her on either side and dragged her off, making sure she didn’t get her wish.

I Dare You

Another officer went down beside Judith, rolled her over, and handcuffed her hands behind her back.

The officers released Jordan.

Kelsey! Jordan turned and found her.

She ran—ran with every ounce of energy she had in her body—to Kelsey.

Kelsey leaned against Artie’s cruiser, looking as if she could barely hold herself upright. Jordan noticed for the first time how many cars were around them. One was parked across the street in the grass, another sideways in the middle of the lane, and two more beside Artie’s. All of them lit up the night sky with flashing blue and white lights.

Kelsey pushed away from the car, staying close with one hand on the trunk to steady herself.

Jordan couldn’t reach her fast enough. She wanted to blink herself right into Kelsey’s arms and smother her with kisses.

What felt like miles were only yards—the longest yards of Jordan’s life.

Within feet of reaching her, Kelsey shoved away from the car, and all but dove into Jordan’s arms.

The feel of her slender body, the smell of her jasmine hair, and the sound of her sobs, crushed Jordan’s heart. She could have lost her, could be desperately in love with a woman who’d died at the hands of that crazy bitch.

She couldn’t stand the thought of it and instead feathered Kelsey’s face with her lips, brushing her hair back from her face to see those mesmerizing blue eyes.

“I was so scared,” Kelsey mumbled, hugging Jordan with quivering arms.

“You’re okay, now.”

Jordan pulled closer, taking the weight from Kelsey’s trembling legs, wanting to toss her into her arms like a sack of potatoes and tote her all the way back home if she had to.

Kelsey pulled back and stared up at her, tears staining her flushed cheeks.

Sheri Livingston

“I was scared for you.” She gave a soft jab at Jordan’s arm, still full of spunk even if the drugs were apparent in her speech and motor skills.

“She was insane.”

Jordan smiled with the love she heard falling from Kelsey’s lips.

Footsteps drew Jordan’s attention, and she turned to meet the mad eyes of a deranged woman. Judith glared at them but a wicked, teeth-baring smile sat upon her blood‐covered face.

“I’ll be back to get you, Kelsey.” She puckered her bloodstained lips and blew a kiss into the air.

Jordan wanted to dive on her, snap in her neck in half so Kelsey would never live another day in fear but instead, she returned Judith’s evil grin. “It’ll be my pleasure to finish what I started.” She hesitantly pulled her arms from around Kelsey, careful to make sure Kelsey’s legs weren’t wobbly, turned toward Judith, and slapped her hands against her side. With a curt bow, she held those insane eyes. “Until we meet again.”

Judith’s smile vanished. She took one last look at Kelsey before the officer yanked her forward.

As Artie drove them back to Kelsey’s house, Kelsey was quiet, watching the palm trees and houses pass them by. Jordan wanted to ask her if she was okay, but her aura told her to keep her distance, to back off for a minute. So she gave her breathing room and concentrated on the words she wanted to say to her.

* * * * *

Kelsey was frightened again. Not of Judith, and surely not her secluded life, but of Jordan.

Sure, she’d come to the rescue, saved her from the maniac that most definitely meant to end her life, lay her to rest on the grave of the one person she missed more than anyone, but what did that mean? Did that mean she loved her? That she wanted her back and start fresh? Or was she just doing what she did best—beating her opponents?

As she’d watched Jordan pummel Judith’s face, gut‐wrenching love had attacked her heart. The most overpowering feeling had taken hold I Dare You

and left her breathless, yet she still couldn’t shake the look on Jordan’s face the night she’d told her part of her life—a life Jordan wanted no part of.

How could she tell her about her past? Or rather, her father’s past.

No one could, or would, ever understand what it meant to her to honor him...to see his wishes granted. Yet, she’d changed them anyway, finding a way to put an end to the despair. Would Jordan understand? Was she willing to spill her heart and find herself rejected again?

Artie pulled the cruiser into Kelsey’s driveway where an ambulance waited. A paramedic with a shiny, bald head stepped out of the van and waited for Artie to park.

Kelsey opened the door and stepped out on wobbly legs. Jordan was instantly beside her, hand steady on the small of her back.

She wondered how long the date rape drug Judith has used would take to wear off. When she’d come to, with Artie staring over her with fatherly concern, she’d busted out crying. All she’d thought about while the drug was dragging her down into the blackness was Jordan. She’d forgotten all about him. How could she forget about the one person who loved her unconditionally? She’d felt ashamed, yet so relieved to be alive.

He’d drove them like a bat out of hell toward Jordan, explaining the whole way that they’d found the syringe, called one of the paramedics to test it so they’d know what they were dealing with when they found her, and that Jordan had phoned in to 911 with her location, and possibly Kelsey’s. Thanks to Artie, she wouldn’t be spending the night in the emergency room. It was a relief to know she was going to be okay.

And then, fear had set in. What if Jordan wasn’t? What if Judith had more than just a syringe full of drugs? If she had a gun, or anything else, she could easily kill Jordan. She was insane, spitting her words with such venomous hatred, Kelsey knew she’d never make it out alive, and hated herself for trusting a person she knew wasn’t trust‐worthy.

“Thank you.” Artie shook hands with the man and then turned to look at Kelsey.

Even though her body was still quivering, she could feel her energy gathering.

Sheri Livingston

“Kelsey, we have a few tests to run on you before we leave. The drug is usually out of the system within twelve hours, but there could still be some side effects.”

Kelsey nodded, caught Jordan’s worried stare, and headed up the porch with Jordan glued to her side.

By the time she’d pissed on a stick, had blood drawn, and been poked and probed, she was feeling like her old self again. Her energy was back…as well as her anger and newfound love.

As the paramedics were pulling down the driveway, Kelsey followed Artie onto the porch. He gave her a sheepish smile as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Thank you for always being there.”

“I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else in the world.” His eyes filled with tears. “Now, go get some rest. Ellie’s going to expect a visit tomorrow. You gave us all quite a scare.”

He stepped off the porch then turned back around. “Oh yeah. Make sure you call Sharon and that goofball you call your best friend. They’ve called my cell phone every five minutes.” He winked and started across the gravel.

And just like that, Kelsey knew her life was going to be starting anew with the morning light. There would be no more mourning the ones that ran away, the father that she’d laid to rest all alone, nor the best friend she’d lost. Her father’s dreams were but a memory now—her grandfather’s name nothing more than a foundation she’d use to build someone else’s dreams.

Sweet freedom swirled all around her. Now there was only one left to conquer. And, if she couldn’t walk away with Jordan, she’d walk away a brand new person.

With a smile on her face, she released pain from her heart and turned around.

Jordan was waiting for her.

There was no more guessing if Jordan loved her, and no more caring about the what‐ifs.

Kelsey met her need you gaze. Love, strong and powerful, snagged I Dare You

its talons in her heart. The love of her life, the savior of the day, her protector, stood before her, love flowing all around her—for Kelsey.

She crept to her.

Gentle, loving arms wrapped around her and led her inside the house.

Jordan closed the door and punched the button to close the gate.

“No more interruptions tonight.” She smiled that all‐knowing smile.

Kelsey took her hand and started across the carpet, wanting nothing more at this point than to be naked in her strong arms.

Jordan tugged back, halting Kelsey’s progress. “We need to talk. If I remember correctly, there were some things you wanted to scream at me a few weeks ago?”

Kelsey’s heart leapt into her throat. Someone wanted to hear…someone wanted to know about her life…someone was going to take her just like she was without an ounce of rejection. “Are you sure you want to hear?”

Jordan smiled, popping in those cute dimples. “I want to know everything about you. I want to hear everything you want to say.”

Kelsey crept into her arms, ran a finger along the ridge of her lips.

“Anything?”

“Anything.” Jordan’s word was but a whisper.

Kelsey pressed her lips against Jordan’s ear. “I dare you to make love to me.”

The End

Sheri Livingston

Author Bio

Sheri lives in the beautiful state of South Carolina with her partner and their beautiful and bratty children.

She writes lesbian erotic romance, where sex is not behind closed doors and hot, steamy passion is at its finest. Love and seduction colliding is what she aimed for…and succeeded.

Even though fantasies and dreams roamed her mind, she never realized it was a story screaming to be told until finally giving into temptation and writing the damn thing. In the Eyes of Love was born.

Published by Loose‐Id, In the Eyes of Love is about two women desperate to shake their pasts and step into the future. One has a betraying ex she can’t get over. The other a secret so dark she’d willingly live alone forever in order to hide it. Together they find passion…but will they find a way to get rid of the past that’s not too far from their present?

The stories continue to come to life with the pecking of the keyboard, and seem to get hotter and more enticing with every new idea.

I Dare You

Also Available from Cobblestone Press

Diary of Dreams by Madison Layle © 2006

Dear Diary,

Writer’s block is the pits! Technical writing shouldn’t be this hard.

It’s not as if anyone reads instruction manuals anyway. Maybe I should try writing romance novels.

Then again, maybe not. What do I know about romance? Other than it’s only found in fiction, and all the heroines are beautiful women with perfect breasts and hip‐length hair? I mean, where are all the sexy heroes when the damsel in distress looks like a drowned rat?

Dorothy Wagner set her small, leather‐bound diary aside and glared once more at the blank page on her computer screen. The blinking cursor mocked her. She punched the monitor’s off button. Enough work for tonight.

Swiveling in her plush office chair, she yanked the towel off her head and dried her short locks. Catching sight of her reflection in the full-length mirror on the closet door, she groaned.

Sheri Livingston

“I’m going to need at least twenty‐four hours and a miracle to look presentable again.”

She glanced past her latest happily‐ever‐after paperback du jour and read the illuminated red numerals of the clock on the nightstand.

“Great! I’m going to be late.” She scrambled for the tiny bathroom.

Why hadn’t she canceled her regular movie night with Peggy? It wasn’t as if the latest blockbuster with its Hollywood heartthrob wouldn’t be playing in theatres for the next several months.

She dressed quickly, hopping out of her fuzzy Garfield house slippers and stepping into a pair of plain brown hiking boots. At least, they were supposed to be used for hiking. But who had time for that?

Yanking the drier out of its holder, she turned it on, the warm air whipping her hair into a frenzy. Oh, what was the point? It was raining anyway. She slammed a baseball cap on her head seconds before a familiar car horn blared outside. She snatched her house keys off the counter and ran for the door.

* * * * *

The rain beating against the window woke Sloan Michaels from the latest dream that plagued his nights. He was surprised he’d been able to doze at all. When the dreams came, he seldom managed a full night’s sleep and had to nap whenever he could. They were like premonitions, at least in part. The challenge was determining which parts would actually happen.

The first time he’d had one, he was twelve and dreamed of a freakish hail storm. He warned his mother to park her car on a lower level of the parking garage at her office, but she just smiled and told him not to worry about it. Dreams weren’t reality, she’d said. They were just dreams.

She parked on the top level, as was her habit. The storm hit that afternoon.

Since then, he’d been able to use his paranormal talents to help solve a few crimes and was now on a first‐name basis with the police chief. He agreed to help when he could on the condition of complete I Dare You

anonymity, but it wasn’t long before rumors got out. Now when he walked into the police station, some people gave him odd looks.

He tried to deal with the stares, but when word reached those in his old neighborhood, things got out of hand. Either folks shied away from him, thinking him nuts, or they showed up on his doorstep at all hours asking to have their palm read or whether he could channel some lost loved one. That’s when he decided to move, and vowed to keep his abilities on a need‐to‐know basis.

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty