When You Dare - Lori Foster [127]
She did not like being dependent on Dare for everything. It was enough that he kept her safe without him paying her way, too.
Next, she dragged her suitcase out from under the bed and packed the toiletries she used most often. She spotted the birth-control pills, and decided to get back on them ASAP. Any woman who was sexually active couldn’t be too careful. And she fully intended to stay sexually active with Dare.
After taking one, she packed the rest in her purse. Assuming she wouldn’t need any dressier clothes, she folded in several pairs of jeans, sweaters and sweatshirts, underwear, bras, socks, another pair of shoes, her sneakers and two sets of pajamas.
It was as she was placing those in that Dare looked in on her. He frowned at the ice-blue, very cute PJs on top of her case. “You won’t need those.”
“They’re pajamas,” she told him, just in case he didn’t realize.
He settled an incendiary gaze on her, studied her a moment with interest and moved closer. Distracted, he continued to look at her as he said, “We’ll be sleeping together.”
She had assumed as much, but was glad to have it verified all the same. “Chris—”
“Goes to his own place at night.” He tipped his head, examining her features with a touch of confusion. “I’m the only one who will see you, and you don’t have anything to hide from me.” His gaze dipped to her breasts. “I like looking at you.”
Pleasure expanded inside her. “It’s still cold outside, especially in the evenings.”
Now standing right in front of her, Dare touched his fingers to her cheek. “I’ll keep you plenty warm enough.”
Oh, boy, did she believe him on that. Around Dare, she spent most of her time overheated. “Still, there might come a point when you want your privacy—”
“No.”
Just that, nothing more. But he sounded pretty sure about it. Molly tucked in her chin. “All the same, you might have to go off on business again—”
“I won’t be leaving you.”
Exasperated, she forged on without missing a beat. “Or I might want my privacy, so I think I’ll bring them along. Just in case.”
For the longest time he watched her, until a slight smile transformed his stern expression. “There’s something so damn sexy about a take-charge woman.”
The quick switch threw her; Dare had the strangest way of interpreting things.
He continued to look her over, her eyes, her cheeks, her mouth.
Discomfited by his probing stare, she finally said, “What?”
“Sorry.” He shook his head. “Seeing you in makeup… It’s surprising.”
Fidgeting, Molly asked, “In a good way, I hope?”
“You look classy. Polished.” He bent for a quick kiss. “I got used to seeing you barefaced, but you always look good, never doubt it.”
Did that mean he preferred her without makeup? “Thank you.”
“One thing.” His gaze sharpened. “Did you spruce up for your father, or just because you wanted to?”
Molly laughed with disdain. “Oh, trust me, Dad wouldn’t notice if I was bald and painted blue. But, yeah, Kathi can be critical. She’s really into appearances. Being snatched off the street and taken across the country for torment is no excuse for not looking your best.”
Dare turned away with disgust. “Kathi sounds like a real twit.” Then he indicated her overflowing luggage. “You done with this?”
Glad that he hadn’t mentioned how much she’d packed, Molly nodded. She didn’t want Dare to think she was moving in or taking advantage of his hospitality. But like most women, she liked to be prepared. “Yes, thank you.”
“I’m not your stepmother.”
She snorted. “An indisputable fact.”
“I just meant that you don’t have to be all proper with me.” He closed the lid and lifted the heavy case off