Read Dare To Love Series: Dare Me Again (Kindle Worlds Novella) for Free Online

Powell had stolen tens of thousands of dollars from her. He doubted the man had actually filched it, though, or she would have gone to the police. He must have gotten Carolina to fund him in some way. She had always been a sucker for a cause.
    No wonder she distrusted men.
    More importantly he’d heard what she’d said to dismiss Sam—she had a man in her life she loved. Had she made that up out of spite? Did she have a secret boyfriend?
    Or did she mean him?
    “How long ago did you two split up?”
    “Five years ago.”
    In other words, just before they’d met. He recalled the day he’d opened the locker room door for Carolina—and then asked her out when she thanked him for it. Her first reaction had been to say yes, and only later, when she’d had time to remember the fiasco of her last relationship, had she given him the cold shoulder.
    “You know I’m not like him, right? If you say yes to me, I’ll stick with you forever.”
    She shrugged, but he saw right through her attempt at nonchalance. Sam had hurt her badly. She’d stopped believing in a happily ever after.
    Connor squared his shoulders. Too bad. Her happily ever after stood right in front of her.
    And he wasn’t going anywhere. “Come on.”
    “Where?” She took back her drink and took another long sip.
    “Let’s dance.”

Richmond Rule #7
    Know when to take chances.
    You can play it safe or you can try to win; you can’t do both at the same time…
    C AROLINA DIDN’T BOTHER to argue with Connor. She was still too shaken by her confrontation with Sam to fight, and besides, she was feeling unsteady. She’d finished her drink and set the glass on the bar before Sam led her out onto the dance floor and she was beginning to feel the effects of the alcohol.
    “Are you all right?” His breath tickled her ear as he pulled her close and began to sway to the music, and she shivered. It would have been delicious if she wasn’t so angry at Sam.
    “I’m fine. That jerk can’t rattle me.”
    “Of course not. You’re made of sterner stuff.”
    “You bet your sweet ass I am.”
    “Is my ass sweet?” He looked over his shoulder as if to check it out.
    Startled, Carolina broke into a laugh. Trust Connor to lighten the mood. “It is. Very sweet.”
    “Yours is pretty sweet, too.” He slid a hand down and gave her bottom a squeeze. Carolina whacked him. “That’s better.” He pulled her in closer. “You’re a fighter. Remember that. Now let’s forget that asshat and talk about important things.”
    “Like what?”
    “Like you marrying me.”
    “Not in the cards.” Definitely not now that Sam had reminded her exactly why she’d never trust a man.
    “There’s Avery Dare over there.”
    “So?” His rapid, random conversation changes were beginning to confuse her.
    “So, I bet you can’t steal her drink.”
    “Why would I?” She pulled back. “Are you drunk?” He didn’t look drunk. Instead, he looked like exactly the kind of man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. If Sam hadn’t ruined love for her, she had no doubt she would have fallen hard for Connor and said yes the minute he’d proposed.
    “Haven’t had a drop yet. Do it for fun.”
    “That doesn’t sound fun.”
    Connor sighed. “Then do it because I dared you. Get it? Dare? I dare you to steal a Dare’s drink.”
    “Ha, ha.” Even when he talked nonsense she liked the beat of Connor’s heart against her ear as she rested her cheek on his chest. It was soothing, and her anger at Sam began to slide away.
    “You’re chicken.”
    “Am not!” She straightened. “Sue me if I don’t want to play your silly game. I’m a grown-up.”
    “A grown-up chicken. Aren’t those the ones that usually end up in the frying pan?”
    “Just… stop talking for a minute. You’re driving me crazy.” All she wanted was to dance. And maybe to have another drink. She glanced at the glass of champagne Avery had set down. The woman hadn’t even taken a sip of it