Dare to Surrender Read Online Free PDF Page A

floor. With his military haircut and crisp shirt, Romero looked like he would
     have fit right in had this actually been the fifties.
    Unlike Ash. He was anal about most things in life except his appearance. He hated worrying about his hair, and he often forgot
     to shave. It was incongruous to the rest of his personality, but there it was.
    He’d hated that part of the military, having someone else tell you to cut your hair and what to wear, exactly what time to
     go to sleep and get up. But Romero was offering private work, so he wouldn’t have to worry about any of that.
    Ash said, “I gotta tell you, Romero, your timing couldn’t be better. Turns out, I’m between projects at the moment, and I’ve
     been looking for something.”
    Romero chuckled. “Ain’t we all?”
    “Are we?” He’d predicted he’d grow out of this feeling when he hit thirty, but, at thirty-five, Ash was more restless than
     ever.
    “And you wouldn’t have to leave the area. I know that’s important to you because of your mom and sister. How are they doing,
     anyway?”
    “You know. Fine. The usual.” He ignored the look of sympathy that flashed through Romero’s eyes. “Count me in,” he said, purposely
     changing the subject.
    “Great. I expect to have things going in the next week. Are you sure you’re up for this?”
    Ash nodded. “Definitely.”
    Romero brought his coffee cup to his lips and swallowed. “So, Hunter, what have you been doing with yourself these past few
     years, anyway? I know you were in private security after you left, but when did you quit?”
    “About a year ago. The company I was working for got bought out, and I was outsourced.” He shrugged. “I had stock, though,
     so I didn’t have to worry about money.”
    Romero whistled appreciatively. “Nice. And since then you’ve become a man of leisure?”
    Ash hesitated, for some reason uncomfortable sharing his erotically artistic endeavors with his special-ops teammate. “Yeah.
     I guess you could say that.” Romero’s words stung. Ash already felt guilty for taking time off, for taking photographs when
     he should have been working. Yeah, he had money in the bank, but he had a family to worry about, a mother and a sister who
     needed him. He was all they had—he’d never forget that.
    “It was hard to find men who weren’t attached. You know, to a wife and kids.” Juan grinned. “Somehow I knew you’d still be
     a bachelor, though.”
    Ash fidgeted with his fork, laughing wryly. “I guess I just haven’t found the right girl.” But an image of Joy flashed through
     his head, with her bright red hair and sparkling hazel eyes. Her skin had felt so good beneath his hands; he could get used
     to that feeling.
    “It’s for the best,” Romero said. “Guys like us aren’t made to settle down. We get antsy, you know what I’m saying?”
    Ash did, all too well.
    Romero grinned. “Well, I need you here for now, so don’t get too antsy on me yet.”
    “I won’t, Juan. I’m signed on now, and you know I’ll have your back.”
    Romero reached across the small table and gave Ash a soft punch to the arm. “You always did, Hunter. You always did.”
    The next day, Saturday, Joy came up with a million reasons she should cancel going to Ash’s that night. As she sat at her
     desk in the gallery, she kept peeking at the number one reason, which was hidden in her file drawer, the tiny sculpture she’d
     stolen from Ash Hunter.
    It was as sensual as ever, and her little self-love the night before hadn’t dampened her reaction to the piece one bit. Even
     now, looking at it made her tingle everywhere. And knowing Ash had crafted something that caused such a reaction in her made
     her excited and scared to see him again.
    Excited because she wanted those hands on her body.
    Scared because she’d stolen from a guy whose life seemed to revolve around defense and security.
    “Well, well, look who’s on time for once.”
    Joy looked up to see