Double Dare Read Free Page B

forget: the tattoo and her eyes.
    “Tobias?” His brother sounded cautious.
    “Describe her.” His tone was flat.
    His brother detailed the store, the woman and the conversation. “No, she doesn’t sound like a con,” Tobias agreed.
    She sounded like a bleeding heart, but not the type of woman who would run down the street naked. Too bad . No, it was a good thing. No matter how beneficial for both of them, Tobias wouldn’t link himself up to someone reckless and Emmaline had been. He would miss the opportunity to get his jacket back. The coat survived many homicide investigations without a stain. A token of his past he’d left behind to open up a coffee and teashop here. He’d only been on the street last night because he’d been working late to finalize all the details for the soft opening. Making the store a success was more important than a random naked stranger.
    Tobias took in his brother and frowned. “Back when I was in the Academy, I would have loved for someone to have said just concentrate on school,” he said. “Why do you need a job?”
    Josh shrugged. “Treat me like a brother, not like your kid.”
    For the past two years, he’d raised Josh. The shift in the relationship changed how Tobias looked at him. It changed how he lived his life. “As long as you’re under my roof, I won’t be able to treat you in any other way.”
    “Which is why I wanted a job. To pull my own weight. I’m not a kid and haven’t been one for a while.”
    Tobias’ shut his mouth for a moment and he looked at his brother. Despite the fact Josh worked out in the weight room every day and ate more than Tobias could in a week, his brother didn’t fill out the suit he’d worn to the impromptu interview. Yet they moved here for the college. His baby brother was growing up.
    “Fine,” he agreed, reluctantly. “But I’m checking this woman out.”
    Josh groaned. “Don’t get me fired.”
    He kept to himself the job was probably offered out of pity. His brother did sad, puppy dog face well and this woman sounded like a soft touch.
    “I won’t,” Tobias promised.
    Glancing out the window to the bakery across the street, he scowled. The carefully stenciled words Sweet Tooth hung above the store. The eggplant-shaded sign held no frills. Unlike the night before, cars lined up the street. Once dusk set the low lighting created a better ambiance. Inadequate lighting always created possibilities for danger. If it were up to him, he’d sacrifice the ambiance for safety.
    A smile quirked at his mouth. The lighting convinced young, naked women they could safely run down a dimly lit street without anyone the wiser. The occasional slow drive through by cops wouldn’t deter a determined prankster or professional criminal.
    The memory of the woman crept into his mind. Her silken skin, slender but supple thighs, concave soft stomach…just a voluptuous form—Tobias pushed the image out. He could, too well, imagine what could have gone wrong for the woman. He could also imagine what might have happened if her friend hadn’t showed up, and that kept him preoccupied for a moment.
    “Earth to Tobias,” Josh said.
    Distracted, he answered, “Huh?”
    “Are you ok?” Concern furrowed Josh’s brows.
    “Yeah.” He had a lot riding on this deal. The quick revenue would do for him what he needed. She wouldn’t be across the street. Couldn’t be. “Man the front. Do everything as I taught you. Don’t veer from the formula or you’ll end up with crap.”
    Josh sighed. “I know.”
    “Wash your hands and don’t forget to smile.”
    Josh’s smile was saccharine sweet. Tobias bit back the laugh, because it would only encourage his brother to be more of a smart ass.
    Exiting the store, Tobias stepped out onto the sidewalk. The afternoon air held a distinctive chill. One his leather jacket could have fended off. He double-checked both ways before running across to the bakery.
    A bell above the door announced his entrance.