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

yet. She could glide by and pick it up, and if anyone noticed she could pretend she’d thought it was hers. “Okay, I’ll do it.”
    She did, before she could second guess the decision. She moved quickly across the room, her dress swishing in her wake, passed close to the table on which Avery had set her drink and took it.
    No one noticed.
    Carolina circled the room to end up back with Connor. “Did you see that? I think I have a career in crime!”
    “Don’t get ahead of yourself.” Connor circled her waist with his arm again. “You did good, though. One point for you.”
    “A point? How many do I need to win?” She liked winning.
    Connor considered. “Three. But if I reach three first, you lose.”
    “What do I lose?” She looked at him out from under her lashes before she remembered she wasn’t supposed to flirt with Connor.
    “You lose your single status and marry me.”
    “You want to reduce my whole future to a bet?” She sipped the pilfered champagne slowly this time. After all, the stakes would be pretty high if she took that wager.
    “Why not? Go ahead, it’s your turn. Dare me.”
    What the hell , she thought. She could keep up with Connor. She was fearless. Dimly she was aware that the alcohol she’d consumed might be affecting her judgement. “I dare you to steal a tray of canapés.”
    “Done. I need a place to take them, though.” He scanned the room. “I think there’s a deck outside.” He pointed. “Through that door. Meet me there in five.”
    “Got it.” She watched him slip through the crowd while she sipped her champagne. The party was in full swing, and it was easy for him to blend in with the crush of chattering guests. She had to shift her position to catch sight of him when he stopped to talk to one of the waiters who circulated the room. Connor pointed. The waiter hesitated, then lowered his tray onto a nearby table. She didn’t see where the man went, but she imagined Connor had concocted an emergency to lead him astray. Connor picked up the tray and made his way swiftly to the door at one side of the ballroom. Carolina chuckled and started off in that direction, too.
    When the door shut behind her, the quiet was a welcome change from the noise of the packed room she’d just left. While the streets around Club Meridian were busy, the deck and grounds felt private. She heard a murmur of voices to her left and realized there was another couple sitting close together at the opposite end of the deck. Deep in conversation they hadn’t noticed her and she didn’t want to intrude.
    “Carolina.”
    She followed Connor’s whisper and spotted him hiding behind a palm tree that was part of the plantings surrounded the deck. Wondering why he’d positioned himself there she quickly cut across to a set of steps that led down to the ground, keeping a tight hold on her glass of champagne.
    “What are you doing?”
    “Shh. You gotta see this.” He nodded at the deck, still holding the tray of canapes he’d stolen. “Ian Dare is hitting on Riley Taylor. Alex Dare’s best friend,” he added when he noticed her confusion. “Alex is Ian’s half-brother and he won’t be pleased. They don’t get along.”
    “Someone’s coming!” She pulled Connor further into the shadows as the door to the club opened again.
    “Uh oh, that’s Alex now.”
    “Did he find them?” She peeked over Connor’s shoulder.
    “Yep.” He tucked her beside him so she was hidden from anyone on the deck. She couldn’t make out the words Ian, Riley and Alex exchanged but they sounded like they were arguing. “Come on, we’d better get out of here.” He led the way farther from the deck to a bench tucked into an arrangement of semi-tropical plants. “This is better. Want a snack?” He held out the tray as Carolina sat.
    “Sure.” She opened her mouth and Connor popped one in, sitting down beside her. “Yum, that’s good. Give me another. I’m hungry.” She leaned against him and opened her