Dare to Desire (5 page)

He nodded. He recalled her once mentioning that the man treated her better than her real father ever had. He also remembered asking why she was spending Thanksgiving with Riley and Ian instead of the Graysons. She’d said something about not getting along with her foster brother and not wanting their animosity to intrude on the older couple’s holiday. He wondered now, as he hadn’t then, what she’d done for holidays before her friendship with Riley.

“Daniel, my foster father, he passed away three months ago.” Her voice caught as she spoke.

“I didn’t know.”

She pinned him with a glare but spared him a verbal slap about how he would have been aware had he not pulled away.

Who’d gone with her to the funeral? he wondered. Who’d been there when she’d grieved? And why was he just thinking of these things now? Why had he been so self-absorbed before?

“The problem is that Franny hadn’t been feeling well long before Daniel died,” she said, interrupting his thoughts.

“What’s wrong?”

“She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.” Madison let go of the fork, leaving it to clatter against the plate. “She’s going to need to go into a nursing home soon, and in case she isn’t capable of making that decision when the time comes, she made me her health care proxy and gave me her power of attorney. Not Eric.”

Suddenly the papers on the table became clear. “Your foster brother is taking you to court over her decision.”

Eyes glassy, Madison nodded. “He threatened to claim I exerted undue influence over her to gain her trust, which is ridiculous. It’s just that his own mother doesn’t trust his motives or what he’d do with the house if left to his care. That’s her sole reason for choosing me. I know what she wants, and I’ll respect her wishes.”

Though Alex sensed there was more to the story, he had enough information for now to know what needed to happen next. “We’ll fight him,” he said.

“We?” she asked, stiffening.

“We.” He wasn’t going to argue with her about it either. “Do you have a lawyer?”

She visibly swallowed hard. “No. But I can make some calls.”

“Or you can let me make one for you. I’ve got one on retainer.”

“Of course you do,” she muttered.

He ignored the dig. His wealth had never appealed to her, which, he admitted, had always been part of her allure. Someone who liked him for himself. At least the part of him he’d allowed her to see. He’d kept most of the real Alex shut off, as he always had when it came to most people. Except for the few times he’d dropped his guard.

He folded his arms on the table and leaned forward. “You can Google a lawyer or you can let me call the best. Your choice.”

She glanced down. “I can’t afford the best.”

“I can.”

She looked up, gaze narrowed. “Why are you offering?”

“Because I can afford to pay and you can’t. And because…” He paused. And forced out the words. “Because, despite what you believe, I care.” And he did. He cared about her and always had, which was part of what had sent him running in the first place.

“You have a funny way of showing it.” She slammed her hands on the table, shoved her chair back, and rose from her seat.

And here they were. He’d known they’d reach this point eventually, he just hadn’t expected it to happen so soon. “Sit down,” he said, not looking around to see if they were causing a scene.

“What’s the catch?” she asked.

“Why are you so suspicious?”

Her eyes, which had been glittering in defiance, dimmed. “Because in my experience, nobody gives something for nothing in return.”

And that, he thought, was sad. She might be referring to the people in her childhood, but he’d been the latest to disappoint her. That truth made him want to help her even more. “No catch, Madison. I want to help you.”

She lowered herself into her seat, slowly and obviously reluctantly. But he had her in front of him again. He reached out and grabbed her hand, her warmth seeping into his skin. A shudder rippled through her, telling him she wasn’t immune despite the walls she’d erected to keep him out. And she didn’t pull away. He allowed those small indicators to give him hope.

She let out a sigh. “Why are you suddenly back in my life, pushing for dinners, wanting to help me, claiming you
care
?”

Her eyes filled, and his gut clenched at the sight, reminding him of her pain-filled expression when he’d callously broken up with her months ago.

“Because I do.”

“People who care don’t treat each other the way you treated me.”

His hands curled into tight fists in his lap, beneath the table where she couldn’t see. “I know and I’m sorry.” The word came out easier than he’d thought it would.

“You’re
what
?” she asked, obviously stunned.

He didn’t blame her for being surprised. “I’m
sorry
.”

That one word took the heat out of her eyes, and for that he was glad. After years of people catering to his every want and need, he wasn’t a man used to apologizing. He didn’t do it often, but he’d needed to do it now, bigger and with more feeling than he’d given her so far.

“I’m sorry I threw you out of my hospital room,” he said on a deep breath. “You didn’t deserve for me to break up with you that way, and I regret how I handled things.”

But not that he’d done it, Madison thought, her heart cracking a little more. Still, an apology from Alex was a big deal and something she’d never thought she’d get. “Thank you.”

He nodded. “Now can I call my friend Jon? He’s a damned good attorney.”

She needed help but hated to take from anyone. Years of being dependent on others for the very basics had taught her to value her independence and ability to care for herself. But this situation wasn’t typical, and it wasn’t just about herself. Franny had plans for her land that Eric didn’t support, and Madison would be damned if she’d let him get his hands on the power of attorney and undermine all the good that could come from those intentions.

Her last foster family was unusual in that they had money. They didn’t rely on the state checks, as many of her past families had done. Franny had taken Madison in because she’d wanted a teenage girl around, and Eric had always resented the attention showered on her. As adults, that resentment hadn’t waned. When Daniel had passed away, he’d left the bulk of his money to his wife, but he’d given both Madison and Eric a stipend, something Eric had also begrudged her. The money wasn’t much, but the very idea that an outsider could get her hands on family money galled Eric. He was as nasty to her now as he had been as a child.

Eric worked in construction. He’d owned his own company but had driven that business into the ground during the recession. Still, he had powerful connections with people in their town who wanted his resort idea to go through. And he needed the money it would generate to get himself back on top.

He also had his grandparents’ substantial inheritance, if he hadn’t run through that cash just yet. He meant to get his way. Which meant allowing Alex to pay for top-notch legal counsel was probably a smart move. Not that she liked owing him anything, but there was more at stake than her own ego or sense of independence.

“Okay, you can make the call,” she said. “And Alex?”

“Yes?” he asked.

She met his gaze. “Thank you. Somehow I’ll pay you back.”

“You’re welcome, and I don’t want your money.”

She wasn’t about to turn a gracious gesture into an argument.

“I’ll handle it first thing tomorrow morning. Now will you relax and eat, or do you want it reheated first?”

“It’s fine.” In fact, now that the burden had been lifted somewhat, she was starving. “I’m actually hungry,” she admitted.

He grinned and shamelessly watched her eat. She was too ravenous to even care. A little while later, she’d finished off her pasta, and they’d ordered coffee.

“Alex, it’s so good to see you!” A tall older man wearing a chef’s hat and apron strode over to the table. “My Anna told me you were here. And who is this beautiful woman?”

Alex smiled at the man, then rose to shake his hand and pull him into a brief hug. “Emilio, this is Madison Evans. Madison, this is the best chef closest to my apartment,” he said, laughing. “I’m kidding. The best chef in Miami. He’s a well-kept secret, and considering how often I eat here, I’d like to keep it that way.”

“You flatter me.” The chef turned his dark gaze on Madison. “Nice to meet you, Madison.” He looked her over, ending his perusal with a warm smile. “I’m thrilled to finally meet someone special. Alex is always here alone, but he deserves—”

“Your crème brûlée dessert,” Alex said, interrupting him, for which Madison was grateful.

Neither one of them wanted her labeled as someone special in his life.

“I can take a hint. It seems like only yesterday I wanted to be alone with Anna. Now? A full restaurant makes us happy, and going home at night together makes us content.” He strode off toward the kitchen, humming as he walked.

Madison smiled. “He’s a nice man.”

“One of the best,” Alex murmured, his gaze shifting to hers. An unexpected heat darkened his gorgeous eyes.

Madison shifted in her seat. “So what did you mean by your apartment? What happened to your house?”

He shrugged. “I sold it.”

She couldn’t have been more shocked. Alex loved his house. Had decorated it to his exact taste, and he’d been so proud to own it. “What? Why?” She couldn’t believe he’d parted with his gorgeous Star Island home.

“You know that program we’re instituting? Post-football planning? Well, even before Ian asked me to help with it, I knew I had to make some serious decisions. I didn’t want to worry about not being able to afford the mortgage.” He looked away, clearly embarrassed about his change in circumstances.

She blinked, proud of his foresight and the fact that he’d sacrifice. “Alex, I’m sorry. I know how much you loved the place.”

He nodded. “I bought it after I signed my first huge contract, but I didn’t grow up with that kind of wealth. I mean, my father had it—his house with Ian’s mother was a mansion but my mom kept us in the middle-class neighborhood where she felt comfortable. And Dad didn’t push because if he bought another huge place, eventually someone would notice him. I’m cool with living within my means and saving for the future.”

Warmth filled her chest as she listened to the pragmatic side of him she’d never seen before. She was curious about his childhood, but now wasn’t the time to ask. “I think that’s brilliant. I know you’ll miss the place but—”

“Actually, I don’t. It was too big for one person. And it was more for my ego than practical purposes,” he said, flushing at the admission.

His reaction only made her like him more, something she didn’t want or need, not after he’d offered his help with the lawsuit, something personal and important to her.

“What does your agent say about other kinds of offers?” she asked, knowing he still had to be marketable in many ways.

“I’ve been one of those asshole clients who didn’t want to discuss anything that didn’t include playing ball,” he said with a wry laugh. “I’m over it now, but I haven’t called him since I told him where to shove his last suggestion.”

She burst out laughing. “That sounds a lot like you.”

He grinned and knocked her breath right out of her chest. It wasn’t fair, the effect he had on her. “My agent is a bulldog though. He keeps trying.”

She didn’t envy him dealing with people like that.

“Aren’t you going to ask me about the other thing Emilio said?” Alex asked.

“I don’t know what you’re referring to,” she lied. She knew exactly what he meant. But to talk to him about the women in his life?

No way.

“He said I haven’t brought anyone here, and he’s right. Maybe you should ask yourself why I brought you.”

A frisson of awareness skittered across her skin. “Alex, this is a bad idea. We had our time, and I’m not sleeping with you again.” Even if he seemed to have changed, even if she desperately wanted to, she couldn’t go there again.

Didn’t trust him with her heart. Hell, she didn’t trust anyone, but he’d done the most damage in her adult life. She’d told Daniel all about Alex, and he’d wanted to meet him. Then Alex had broken her heart, Daniel had died, and Franny’s mind had developed even deeper holes that caused her to slide in and out of the present. Lately she had moments where she didn’t recognize Madison at all.

The last few months had consisted of Madison, all alone, dealing with potential loss yet again, and though Alex was the first one she’d thought of for comfort in her darkest moments, he was also the last person she’d ever call. He was back in her life, but if she let him in this time and he reverted to old patterns, she didn’t know how she’d handle that kind of disappointment and pain.

He rose from his seat, coming around to slide into the booth beside her. One strong arm slid behind her as he pulled her close. “Here’s the thing. I get why you’d say we’re a bad idea, but I don’t agree. You need someone in your life, and I intend to be there.”

She narrowed her gaze. “You really think you’ve changed that much?”

“Do you call being celibate changed?”

She blinked at that, surprised he’d been so blunt. Shocked to her toes that he seemed to be serious. “Assuming I believe you, I have to ask why.”

His eyes focused on her in an unsettling way. “Because I couldn’t get you out of my head.” He slid his hand over hers, the warmth giving her a strong sense of security the likes of which she’d never felt before.

One she didn’t trust. She couldn’t. Except the part of her that had always longed for complete acceptance and a place to belong wanted to believe.

THREE