Dare
Authors: Kacey Hammell
Evernight Publishing
Copyright© 2012 Kacey Hammell
ISBN:
978-1-77130-138-1
Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs
Editor: JS Cook
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
WARNING:
The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. 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.
This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
DEDICATION
To Holly, one of the greatest women I know who always brightens my day and provides a shoulder to lean on.
Thank you!
Kacey Hammell
Copyright © 2012
Chapter One
Olivia Warner didn’t know how in the world she let her friends talk her into tonight.
She was not in the mood to hang out—even with her three best girlfriends—at
Countess
, a local nightclub packed to the gills every Friday night, tonight being no exception. But it was her thirty-fourth birthday and they wanted to celebrate.
She gazed around at her friends’ smiles and listened to their laughter. She had to admit it was nice to be with them again.
Taking another sip of her Long Island Iced Tea, she tried to focus on the chatter. Candy was showing off pictures from her latest photo shoot.
“Let me see those,” Olivia said as she snatched a picture off the table.
In a sexy teddy, blue and see-through, Candy was stunning. Olivia felt a wave of envy wash over her.
Any woman would be lucky to look like Candy. At thirty-two, actress and model, she was the image of sex-appeal and never lacked for male attention.
Olivia didn’t have anything to be ashamed of with her own body, of course—just about thirty pounds she’d like to lose. And she would if she didn’t hate working out so much.
Refusing to dwell on her own weight, she smiled at Candy. “You bitch.” She winked, no vehemence behind her words. “These are awesome. These for the next spread in
Beauty
?”
Candy grinned and wiggled in her chair. “Yeah. The June issue. These are a few of the shots they’re considering but they haven’t made the final decision on which to use just yet.”
“I’d keep some of those out of sight.” Jessica stacked the photos into a pile. “The men in here might get berserk. A stampede might happen.”
Candy rolled her eyes, took the photos from Jessica, and shoved them in her purse sitting beside her. “They should be so lucky to get a glimpse of them.” She laughed, then blew a kiss Jessica’s way.
“Most men live by what’s in their pants, Candy. They don’t need added encouragement.”
They all chuckled and nodded in agreement.
“Olivia, you’ve been quiet tonight. Everything okay?” Jessica asked.
Olivia sighed and toyed with her straw. Her boss had put her through hell today as she tried to prepare motions ready for court.
A legal secretary at Presley and Malone, she had to be top-notch every day. One of the most prestigious law firms in town—with a high win ratio—they didn’t just hire anyone. A lot of people would kill to work where she did. As ‘second’ secretary to the partners, Olivia wouldn’t give up her job for anything. No matter what hard work it entailed.
But some nights it was all she could do not to collapse when she got home. Presley was fifty-six, best friend to law partner, Joshua Malone Senior, and rode his employees hard. Though there were times Presley was sweet to her, he expected a lot. Plus, Senior’s son, Josh, was a pain in the ass son-of-a-bitch. As the boss’s son, he felt he could be a prick and get away with it.
With the start of a high-profile case on Monday, as second chair, he would go to any length to prove himself. She didn’t think he was ready for such a case, but the partners decided to give him a chance to be co-counsel.
One of
Boston
’s biggest TV stars, Chelsea Lombardy, was accused of killing her mother-in-law. Presley and Malone were her defense attorneys but even Olivia thought the evidence spoke for itself and
Chelsea
’s guilt. However, Joshua believed she was being framed.
Olivia rolled her shoulders to work out the tension. She wanted to forget about
Lombardy
, and enjoy the evening.
They’d all met at
Boston
University
and had stayed in town after graduation. She loved them a lot and couldn’t imagine life without them.
“I’m fine. Just tired. A hellish day and all that. Sorry to be a drag.”
“Which Malone pissed you off this time?” Jessica asked, and circled her finger at the waitress for another round.
Olivia shoved her thoughts aside and rubbed her forehead, agitated. “It’s a long story and we didn’t come here to discuss my insane job, did we?”
“Hell, no,” Candy confirmed.
“That’s right, dammit. It’s Liv’s birthday.” After a wink at Jessica, and Candy, Holly shuffled her chair closer to Olivia.
With trepidation, Olivia scowled at her friends. “What are you three up to? Holly, what else do you have up your sleeve?”
Brunette, feisty and always up for a party, Holly Walsh laughed. “Absolutely nothing. Whatever would give you an idea we were up to something?”
Olivia was certain she was batting her eyelashes like a naughty little girl, but with the lights low she couldn’t confirm it. Even the beams flickering over the dance floor did little to shed illumination on the table they were at.
“I know you guys. You’re always up to something on one of our birthdays. On Jessica’s, you made me go to that party.” Olivia looked at Jessica and saw her flinch.
Jessica’s last birthday had been enjoyable…for the most part. They’d gotten together at her place, watched old movies and drank Chardonnay until they could barely walk. They’d gifted her with a spa day, complete with mud baths, facials and massage. Everything was fine until they went to a Jack & Jill for two of their college friends later that night. Much to Jessica’s shock and embarrassment, her old college crush, Brock, also attended—which none of them told her about.
Though she’d steered clear of him, Brock had cornered her out in the backyard, among some trees and shadowed by darkness. Jessica had returned in a huff, red-faced, her clothes a bit askew. They’d left soon after. Jessica never divulged what had really gone on out there but she’d let it slip that she prayed to never run into Brock Daly again.
“Oh, come on,” Holly’s voice drew Olivia from her thoughts. “We didn’t mean any harm and Jessie knows it.”
Jessica nodded. “Right. But it’s your birthday. Tonight’s all about you.”
“Thank you. I’m glad we could celebrate it together.” Olivia meant every word; she lifted her glass in a toast to her girls, and smiled. There was nothing like an evening with best friends to turn a bad day into something pleasant.
Even if they’d make her do something stupid…
“As if we’d have anything better to do on your birthday. Besides we have our traditions,” Candy interjected, smirking.
Before Olivia could say anything, Holly rushed on. “Yes we do. But first, open your gift. It’s the perfect present, you’ll love it.”
She was more than curious to see where her friends might be sending her. Giddy, she smiled. She wouldn’t turn down a vacation.
She grabbed the envelope from Holly, ripped the bow off the back, and pulled out a birthday card.
A naked, bare-chested hunk donned the front cover. Though it was just fabulous muscles, no face or head, her heart did a flip-flop just seeing such gorgeousness in front of her.
Hmm, what wonderful abs. What I wouldn’t give to find a man as yummy as this one…
Laughing, she gave his chest a smooch, which caused them all to cheer. Opening the card, she pulled off a pink gift card where it was taped.
Naughty Pieces.
She’d never heard of it, and the tagline,
Finding Everything One Needs and Wants…One Piece at a Time
did not provide any clues. Plus the address wasn’t familiar. And it sounded like a furniture store to her.
As she opened her mouth to speak, the waitress set more drinks in front of them. She should have told Candy not to buy her another drink. Three Long Island Iced Teas were more than enough.
She glanced around the table. “Okay, girls, I’m curious. I’ve never heard of this place. What is it?”
“It’s a woman’s adult store. Lingerie, dildos, clamps, flavored lotions. Everything a girl needs for herself,” Candy replied.
Olivia frowned, picked up her drink and emptied it.
Jessica tried to look busy as she sucked the olive from the martini’s toothpick.
Of all the presents for her friends to get her—she cried a little inside that it wasn’t a vacation—their so-called gift was something that would never cross her mind.
Sex toys.
She arched a brow, and looked at each of her friends in turn. “Well I suppose Leroy is getting a bit old.”
The girls’ eyes widened, then they all burst out laughing.
“I told you she’d love her gift!” Holly giggled. “How old is Leroy now?”
Olivia tapped a finger on her chin. “Probably four or five. Poor thing hasn’t died of sterilization yet.”
“With three hundred dollars, I’m sure you’ll find others to take his place.”
