Savor the Danger by Lori Foster Read Free Book Online Page B

“You think so?”
    Everyone kept their voices low.
    â€œHell, I was just hoping to get her to redo my place for me so I could get closer to her.” Jackson ignored Dare’s raised brows and Trace’s annoyance. “But that didn’twork out, and I figured I was back to square one, and now—”
    Trace cut him off. “Jackson was keeping tabs on her, too.”
    That sounded bad, so Jackson explained. “With what she’s been through, I didn’t want the financier to do anything to make her uncomfortable.”
    â€œLike chase her?” Dare asked.
    The taunt put Jackson on edge. “Like pressuring her. And you can bet he did.” Could the financier have pressured her more than Jackson had just minutes ago? Shit.
    â€œWhy do you assume so?” Dare asked.
    â€œLook at her!” This time Jackson thrust his hand toward the kitchen where, hopefully, Alani couldn’t hear them. “She’s so smokin’ hot, most guys wouldn’t be able to help themselves.”
    Dare choked. “She’s the smaller, more female version of Trace.”
    What an appalling thought. “Not even close,” Jackson denied. “You see her like a kid sister, same as Trace does.” Sure, they had the same coloring of pale hair and bright hazel eyes. That combo might be noticeable on Trace, but on Alani it was outright striking, fascinating every guy who met her. “I see her differently.”
    Trace rolled his eyes. “But still you’re noble enough to give her space?”
    â€œUh…” He’d thought so. When she’d hesitated to be alone with him, shying away from his interest, he’d walked away rather than torture himself. But this morning he had awakened with her naked. And since then, knowing she’d wanted him enough to sleep with him, he’d been on the make big-time.
    Trace and Dare waited.
    Disgust at his heavy-handed tactics hit Jackson like a ton of bricks. “Butt out, damn it.”
    â€œI should just kill you now and be done with it,” Trace grumbled.
    Jackson ran a hand over his face. “Yeah, maybe.”
    Dare coughed at that admission. “You trust him, Trace, and you know it.”
    â€œWith my back,” Trace snapped. “Not with my sister.”
    Shaking his head at them both, Dare said, “Tell me about the meeting you had with the financier.”
    â€œHis name is Marc Tobin,” Trace said.
    Jackson curled his lip. Even the guy’s name annoyed him. “I dropped in on her, but she was due for a date with the idiot, and I didn’t bow out in time.”
    â€œProbably on purpose,” Trace accused.
    Jackson shrugged. So he’d lingered. So what? “He showed up, and you know Alani. Always so polite.”
    Dare choked. “She introduced the two of you?”
    To Jackson’s mind, Dare’s humor was sadly misplaced. He gave one sharp nod. “Yeah.”
    â€œDid you act like an ass?” Trace asked.
    â€œYou mean did I pulverize him? Nah.” But he’d wanted to. “I’m sure I mean-mugged him a little. He’s just so…slick, it was hard not to, you know?”
    It surprised Jackson when Trace agreed. “Slick, and too rich.”
    â€œYou’re rich,” Jackson reminded him.
    Dare reached over to slug him in the shoulder. “Take what you can get, will you?”
    He had planned to take Alani—again and again. But now…did she need extended time? Lots of space? God, he hoped not.
    He peered into the kitchen and saw her stackingmugs on a tray. His guts twisted. Yeah, he had it bad. No other woman had ever made him feel this way. He didn’t like it.
    Having her would be the only cure. Or rather…having her again so he could commit the experience to memory.
    â€œWhat now?” Ensuring Dare and Trace didn’t misunderstand the situation, Jackson added, “She can’t be