Page 318 of The First Taste

Burn and Daisy strut over to us, looking pleased with themselves.

Burn’s smile could not be more smarmy if he tried. “It’s good of you to come to our little engagement party.”

Dare gives him a smile that cuts like a knife. “It’s the first time hearing of a gathering, actually. But that’s all right, Burn.”

“Dare, dear,” Daisy says. Her voice is bright, but I can see that there is an edge to her words. “You haven’t introduced us to your date yet.”

Dare starts to open his mouth but I cut in first. “Actually, we have met. The last time I was here, you introduced yourselves.”

Daisy cocks her head, her eyes narrowing on my face. “Are you sure?”

“I definitely remember you, Daisy. Dare has told me so much about you.” I notice her flush, and I give her my big fake smile. “You know, if you want, my uncle is a neurologist. You should probably get yourself checked out if you are having trouble with your memory. It’s only been two weeks, for god’s sake!” I look to Dare. “Hasn’t it, darling?”

Dare is looking at me like I have grown a new head. He blinks and then gives himself a tiny shake.

“She is right, Daisy. By the way, this is Talia. But I don’t expect that you remember other people.”

Burn laughs. “You make us sound like monsters. I assure you, Talia, we are not anything of the sort.”

Justactlikeyoubelong, I tell myself. Smoothing a hand on my dress, I move closer to Dare. “Well, you will have to get used to me. Won’t they, Dare?”

Dare’s eyebrows go up and then he looks over at my ring finger. “Oh no! I forgot to give you your ring back. I had it resized.”

Dare reaches into his pocket and produces the same black velvet ring box that I saw yesterday. I assume that he hasn’t had the time to get it adjusted but he opens the box and plucks the ring out of the setting, sliding it onto my finger. To my surprise, it fits with ease.

I smile at him, leaning in for a kiss. He lays it on thick, smooching me several times and pulling my waist against his body. I pull back and give him a longing glance.

When I look at Burn and Daisy again, the sheer fury and envy in their eyes steals my breath away. I smooth my hand over my ribs, glancing nervously at Dare. Dare puts his arm around my shoulders and kisses my head as if he has done it a million times before. A shiver runs down my back but I just compress my lips into a thin line.

“Actually, we thought that we could add our note of celebration to today’s festivities,” Dare suggests.

“Don’t you dare,” Burn says, his voice low and threatening. “This is our engagement party.”

Dare protests that, seeming to weigh the pros and cons, then shrugs. “I mean, we did get married yesterday. But hey, if you want us to keep it hush-hush for tonight, we will be glad to. Remy will still be here tomorrow.”

Burn’s eyes narrow on Dare’s face. “I think that would be best. By the way, when I find out what cheap madam you bought her off, there will be hell to pay.”

I look at Burn and Daisy, a note of puzzlement on my face. “A madam? I think you have me confused with someone else. Dare and I met at a party here. Outside, just a few weeks ago. I don’t want to be too lovey-dovey, but I knew that I felt something for Dare the first time I laid eyes on him. Isn’t that right, darling?”

Dare stares at me, murmuring,youareperfectlyright.

The tender, loving way that he stares down at me makes me blush bright pink. But I swallow and raise my head, asking for a kiss. He knows just what I want, and he gives it to me in spades. His lips are hot, his tongue sinuous, the whole kiss is enough to set me on fire.

“This is our night,” Daisy snaps. “You better respect that.”

We pull apart and I kiss Dare’s knuckles.

“No problem,” Dare says. He doesn’t look away from my face though.

Burn grabs Daisy by the hand and hauls her off, the two of them whispering like a couple of angry hens.

“Bravo,” says a voice. I turn around and see a man that looks familiar and one that I’ve never seen before. The one I’ve seen is Uncle Felix, I think. The one I haven’t seen wears a three-piece suit and has sandy blonde hair. He is good looking. That is, if you aren’t a such a sucker for the dark, tortured type as I am.

I find myself comparing him to Dare and finding the stranger lacking.

Dare jumps then, with a grin lighting up his face. “You came! Guys, this is Talia. Talia, this is Tristen and my Uncle Felix.”

I fold my hands against my waist and nod at them, strangely unwilling to shake their hands. Tristen just smiles. Felix, the familiar looking one, is the same as Dare, only thirty years older and fifty pounds lighter. He has dark features and he is graying at the temples. Not graying, almost salt-and-pepper, except for a stripe down the back.