Dare to Desire (15 page)

“I’ve been close with Alex since I was a kid. When Avery gave Sienna her bone marrow, the kids got to know each other.”

“Except Ian.”

Olivia shrugged. “My big brother bore the weight for all of us. But Alex? It’s been a long time since anyone but family saw him for just himself.”

“I do,” Madison whispered, thinking of the man who’d knelt down beside the teenager in the wheelchair. The man who’d held her as she’d bared her soul and relived her painful childhood. The man she wanted to feel filling her body tonight.

“I know. And I’m glad.”

“What about you? Why are you leading Dylan around by his—”

Olivia waved her hand, cutting Madison off. “Is it that obvious?”

“No. It was just a guess based on what you’ve said. And not said. He seems like a decent guy.”

“Let’s dance,” Olivia said, hauling Madison to her feet.

“There’s a way to avoid answering,” Madison muttered, thinking Olivia was more closed off than she was.

Before she could hit the dance floor, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist, lifted her into the air, and carried her to a darkened hallway before setting her down.

She turned, already knowing it was Alex. “What was that for?”

He tilted her chin up and kissed her lips. “I’d had enough of your girl time.”

She grinned and slid her arms around his neck. “Does that mean you missed me?”

“Always,” he said, his voice a low rumble as he pulled her roughly against him. Her entire body vibrated with need.

“How long do we have to stay?” she asked, because it was his cousin’s club, and she didn’t want to be rude by suggesting they leave
now
. But she couldn’t wait to be alone with him.

“We don’t. Gabe’s lending us his driver. We can get out of here any time.”

“Now sounds good to me.” She paused for them to say good-bye to Olivia and Dylan before Alex led her out the door.

A private limo and driver waited for them in front of Elite. And once inside the back of the limo, the privacy partition was raised. Alex leaned back in the seat, his arm stretched behind her. “I told him to drive around. I said I’d tell him when to head to the hotel,” he said, his gaze leveled on hers.

“So we’re free to do whatever we want back here?”

He nodded, his finger tracing the line of her dress down her cleavage and back up again on the other side. Her breasts grew heavy, nipples tightening, panties damp. Light music piped in around them, a beautiful melody she didn’t recognize, but it added to the sexy atmosphere.

She knew what she wanted to do. Something she never initiated with any man because it indicated an intimacy she’d never felt before with anyone but Alex. And she felt it again now. More so than when they’d been together before even.

“I want my mouth on you,” she murmured. Turning toward him, she reached for the button on his dark pants. He drew a sharp breath, eyes glittering with heat.

“You sure, Angel?” Alex asked, unable to tear his gaze from hers. The thought of her sucking him in her warm, wet mouth had his cock swelling and his body shaking with need.

“Completely.” She slid off the seat and sank to her knees, then unzipped his pants.

He lifted his hips, and she hooked her fingers into his briefs and worked at his pants, until they fell to the floor around his feet. She maneuvered herself between his legs before capturing his hard cock in her hand.

He looked heavenward, praying for the strength not to come from her hot touch alone.

Eyes wide and focused, she slid her hand up and down his thick length, pausing to swipe a finger over the leaking pre-cum at the head. He let out a strangled groan. If she was going to experiment now, he would be in big trouble.

She bit down on her lower lip, studying him from various angles.

He wanted to bite that lip himself, then devour her mouth and thrust into her body—her mouth or her pussy, he didn’t much care which, he thought, his hips arching up into her tight grasp.

“Not gonna pressure you, sweetheart but you have to do something, or this’ll be over before you begin.”

She leaned down and licked him experimentally. Heat shot through his groin, and he clenched his hands into tight fists. Anything to prevent himself from grabbing her by the hair and pumping into her mouth himself. She wanted to be in control, and he wanted to give her that.

Finally she parted her lips and took him in, enclosing him in moist heat. Fire licked at him from every angle as she ran her tongue up and down his shaft, lingering beneath the sensitive head before bringing him into her mouth so deep he hit the back of her throat.

She slid him out and in, her lips gliding then sucking him deep. With one hand gripping him and pumping up and down, she sucked him like a lollipop, cupping his balls in her free hand. He lost track of her moves and became a complete slave to sensation. His blood boiled in his veins, fucking stars flashed in front of his eyes, and he came so hard he lost track of everything but the unreal orgasm and the woman giving him such intense, all-consuming pleasure.

*     *     *

Madison woke early the next morning, her entire body aching in the best possible way from last night’s
activities
. She stretched in delight. Looking over, she didn’t see Alex. Instead, she saw a note on the pillow beside her.

She picked it up and read out loud. “Hey, beautiful. Went back to my room to shower. If I stayed, I’d have woken you up with my hands on your—” She blushed at the following words, fully aware he was right. If he’d joined her in the shower, they’d never get to breakfast and then their meeting on time. She’d definitely enjoy her morning more though.

She had to admit going with the flow was working for her. By spending time with Alex and not allowing herself to think about the future, she’d fallen into a routine she enjoyed. Much like last time except things were different now.
He
was different. He was attentive and focused on her. No distraction of media or attention to inflate his ego and pull him away from what was important and meaningful in his life.

She pulled out her phone and texted him, letting him know that she was ready for breakfast. A few minutes later, she met up with him outside the elevator banks in the lobby.

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her like they’d been apart for days instead of a little over an hour. “Mmm. I could get used to this,” she murmured against his mouth.

He stepped back and grinned. “You’d better because I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.”

She linked her hand in his. “I need coffee desperately.”

“And I need you.” His looked into her eyes, gaze hot and heavy-lidded.

She swayed toward him, hoping he’d kiss her one more time.

“Excuse me. Alex?” A female voice interrupted them.

Madison turned to see a stunning brunette wearing a wine-colored skirt and matching jacket, waiting for him.

Alex stiffened. “What the hell? Are you following me?”

Madison narrowed her gaze, unsure who the woman was.

“I hate to interrupt—” the woman said.

“Then don’t.” Alex bit out his words in an ice-cold tone Madison had only heard once before, and everything inside her froze at the memory of him breaking up with her in his hospital room.

“Alex, please,” the unknown female said.

“Go away.”

The only woman Madison could imagine him speaking to that way now would be—

“
Rachel
, I believe me not returning your calls speaks for itself.”

Madison closed her eyes, needing a minute to pull herself together to deal with this situation. She was facing the other woman who had meant something to him once. One he was still angry with and bitter over. Did that translate to him still having feelings for her? Nausea kicked in hard. She rubbed her hands against her own skirt, hoping she didn’t look as nervous as she suddenly felt.

“I just need a few minutes of your time,” Rachel said.

“I’m busy.” He immediately pulled Madison closer to him. Today, his gesture of possession didn’t feel as warm or intimate as it had last night. It felt necessary, like he needed to prove to this woman that he had moved on.

But had he? That was the question, and Madison suddenly felt chilled despite his body heat close beside her.

Madison swallowed hard. “Alex, go ahead. See what she wants.”

“Anything you have to say, you can say to us both. This is Madison—”

“Evans. I admire the work you’re both doing with the Thunder.”

Madison narrowed her gaze. How did Rachel know about her?

“How do you know what we’re doing?” Alex asked before Madison had the chance.

“I have a proposal for you, and before I put it together, I had to know what I was up against.” It was hard to know if she meant in business or his personal life, since she looked Madison over before settling her stare on Alex once more.

“How did you know where we were?” he asked.

“You weren’t answering your cell—”

“A number you shouldn’t have had either.”

“I have sources. Anyway, I called the Thunder front office and asked how to get in touch with you. I’m based in New York. I have been since graduation. When they said you were here in the city, I managed to get the hotel name and decided I’d come to see you in person. I was on my way up to your room.”

Neither of them asked how she’d gotten her hands on that. She’d already said she had
sources
.

“You can talk in front of Madison,” Alex said. His frown didn’t ease, and his entire body was stiff beside hers.

Madison shook her head. “No. You go hear what Rachel has to say. I’ll meet you at our meeting.” She stepped out of his embrace and away from his touch.

“Madison,” he said on a low, unhappy growl.

She moved, putting a hand on his shoulder and whispering so only he could hear. “It’s called closure, and something tells me you need it. Go hear her out.”

Alex grumbled, arguing until he realized she wouldn’t give in. “Fine,” he muttered.

Madison walked away, her stomach in knots, her heart thudding painfully against her chest. But she had no doubt she’d done the right thing. Rachel’s actions had defined Alex’s entire adult life. He needed to come to terms with her rejection. Not to mention, he needed to hear her proposal now and process it alone, without Madison there to cloud his judgment or, heaven forbid, provide him with guilt should he still respond to the attractive woman from his past.

If Madison wanted a future with Alex, and God help her she did, she needed him free and clear of his past and his demons. And free of whatever grip Rachel still held after all these years.

*     *     *

Alex sat down in the hotel restaurant across from Rachel. He didn’t want to be here. He had no desire to sit across from the woman who’d broken his heart and talk about anything. And if he had to be here, he preferred Madison be by his side. He didn’t like the look on her face when she’d told him to go with Rachel.

He ordered coffee and an omelet and waited for her to do the talking. For his part, he had nothing to say. In the ensuing silence, he studied her, noting she’d aged well. Her brown hair was shorter but suited her features. But looking at her now, nothing stirred inside him. Not desire, lust, or even mild wanting. To his amazement, he didn’t even feel regret for what might have been.

So why the hell are you so angry?
a voice that sounded too much like Madison asked.

Pride
, his own internal voice answered. Rachel had hurt his pride by breaking up with him because the life he’d offered wasn’t good enough for her. He hadn’t been good enough for her. Now? He didn’t give a shit.

“Okay, let’s hear it,” he said, giving in and breaking the silence. “What’s so important that you had to track me down here?”

“How have you been?” she asked.

Great. She wanted to make small talk. “I’ve been wonderful. Drafted, MVP, fantastic career until I got knocked in the head a few too many times. But I’ve got a new career path, and all’s well.” He folded his arms across his chest.

She pinned him with her knowing stare, still silent.

He bit the inside of his cheek. “How have you been?” he asked in return.

She smiled. “Fine, thanks. I moved to New York after we graduated. I got a job with an entertainment firm and worked my way up the ladder. I married a Wall Street guy. It was good until it wasn’t. We were divorced last year. I made partner at my firm … and here I am.” She spread her hands out in front of her.

Wall Street. “Well, you got the guy who wore a suit and tie and went into work every day in the same place, same state. Sorry it didn’t work out,” he said, surprised he meant it.

“It happens.” She shrugged. “You know, Alex, I’ve always had one regret.”

He found it difficult to swallow. “Yeah? What’s that?”

“The way we ended. I wish I’d had the courage to tell you all along I didn’t have it in me to be the wife of a ball player. But we got serious so quickly, and because your family lived in Florida, I met them, spent time with them. That put a more intense spin on things. And I didn’t know how to get out of it by then.”

She twisted the napkin between her hands, not meeting his gaze. “Honestly, while we were in school, I didn’t
want
out of it. But suddenly there was graduation, pro offers, and the draft, and you were
proposing.
I wasn’t ready for it.”

“It’s not like you didn’t know I was thinking about it,” he said, reminding her he hadn’t exactly kept his feelings to himself. And she hadn’t argued with his ideas about how they could stay together.

But she hadn’t offered any of her own either, he realized, looking back.

“No. You were always up front. It was me. And I’m sorry.” She forced her eyes up to meet his. “I always regretted not being honest with you, with myself. I’ve carried that burden for years.”

Despite the anger he’d harbored, he felt himself softening toward her. After all this time, did it really matter? They’d each gone their own way, lived their own life. She obviously wanted some sort of forgiveness.

And Madison wanted him to have closure. He had to admit his chest felt lighter, having heard Rachel’s honest words. “It’s in the past,” he heard himself saying. “We should both let it go.”