Dare to Resist (a Wedding Dare novella) (Entangled Brazen) by Laura Kaye Read Free Book Online Page B

again unless Colton actually saw her, actually wanted her, and actually intended to follow through. If she could put a check mark next to all three of those boxes, she would sign up for that ride in a heartbeat—and get on and off as many times as she could. Heh.
    After their conversation, she felt better about the first of those. In fact, she almost felt like something had shifted between them. Maybe finally, after all these years, he’d truly realized she was an adult, a woman. Their near miss of a kiss proved he desired her, at least on some level. But the third? Well, the fact that the kiss hadn’t happened said it all.
    Why did he find her so easy to resist? As much as she appreciated the honesty, she’d be lying to herself if she didn’t admit to the ball of hurt feelings rolling around inside her chest.
    Kady opened up a new email window and hammered out a thank-you message to Colonel Jepsen and his team. She smirked to herself as she typed the words “Thank you.” Colton was so not winning that bet. She’d superglue her lips together before she let that happen.
    “What did that keyboard ever do to you?” Colton asked from across the room.
    Kady flinched and looked up to find him leaning against the wall outside the bathroom door like he’d been watching her. Heat bloomed over her skin. How long had he been there? And why was he looking at her?
    Maybe for the same reason he almost kissed you?
    Ugh. Men are so freaking confusing. Especially that one.
    “Uh, what are you talking about?” she said, gentling her keystrokes.
    He grinned and shook his head. “Any chance you’re getting hungry?”
    Kady smiled. “I’ve been hungry since our driver mentioned the milk shakes.”
    “Wanna walk over and get some dinner?” Colton strolled toward the table.
    “Yeah, sounds good.” She hit send on her message, closed her laptop, and fished her phone charger out of her computer case on the floor. “And I’m even going to be a rebel and leave my phone here while it charges.”
    “Living on the edge,” Colton said as he tugged on his shoes.
    “That’s me all right.” Kady nudged her heels until they sat upright and stepped into them. The leather lining inside them was ice-cold from how wet they still were. Colton opened the door, letting in a wave of humid June air. “You know, I sorta can’t believe we’re going back out in this again. It’s an actual monsoon.”
    Colton grinned and nodded. “True, but there was a big golf umbrella lying on the floor in the motel’s office. I’ll ask if we can borrow it. That’ll help.”
    She stepped onto the narrow sidewalk and paused while he double-checked that the door was locked. “You know,” she said over her shoulder as they made their way along the walkway, “if you just want to admit defeat on the whole me verbally expressing my gratitude thing”—she was careful not to use the actual words “thank you,” because Colton was totally a strict constructionist when it came to the terms of a bet—“you can just buy me dinner now. I even promise to go easy on your wallet. I’ll only order one milk shake and no dessert.”
    “Ha, just keep walking, Dresco. The night is still young.”
    Kady grinned. Well, if nothing else, at least their conversation now proved that their conversation from before hadn’t made things weird.
    At the end of the sidewalk, they dashed into the office. He held the door for her, and she slammed her lips shut as the words “thank you” nearly fell off the tip of her tongue. He smirked, then followed her in. “Mind if we borrow your umbrella to go to the diner?” Colton asked the man behind the counter.
    “Not at all,” the man said, dragging his gaze from his television program.
    “Would you like us to bring you back anything?” Colton asked.
    The old guy’s eyes went wide and focused squarely on Colton. “I’d be much obliged for a cup of black coffee.” He pulled out his wallet.
    Colton waved him off. “Happy