Dare to Desire (6 page)

W
ith his hand on the small of her back, Alex led Madison out of the restaurant. She wasn’t immune to his touch. Her body came alive, the tingling traveling from his hand straight through to her sex. It seemed her traitorous female parts were more than willing to lead her astray, and she was amazed at how much she wanted to let them.

Darkness had fallen while they were inside the restaurant, and apparently Emilio didn’t splurge on parking lights. Nobody else appeared in the lot, and her car was in a secluded corner, leaving Madison alone with Alex. So now the fates were betraying her too, she thought, as she hit the unlock button on her key fob.

She waited for him to open the car door, her heart pounding in her chest. Instead, he paused at the side of her vehicle, his dark eyes boring into hers.

A quick pivot of his big body and he cornered her against the passenger door, enveloping her in his heat. His hard thighs pressed against hers, and his delicious scent surrounded her, making the urge to bury her nose in the crook of his neck and inhale strong. She curled her hands into fists to prevent herself from acting on the crazy impulse.

He slid his hand around the back of her neck, tilting her head up so she had to meet his gaze. His expression was one of determination. “I want another chance.”

Want filled her every pore. “Alex—”

He shook his head. “I’m not giving up.”

She parted her lips—to disagree, she hoped—and he took full advantage, sealing his mouth over hers, stealing her arguments along with her breath. His tongue tangled with hers, and any rational thought fled in the wake of his kiss. She’d dreamed of tasting him one more time, and he didn’t disappoint. He took over the same way he always had, overpowering. Demanding. And she gave in to him as if she were meant to be his.

His tongue gliding in and out, his mouth mating with hers, he gripped the back of her head in his hand, holding her firmly as he devoured her like he was starving and she was his ultimate meal.

She squirmed, needing to get closer, and each movement brought her pelvis in line with his but not close enough. Using his foot, he kicked her leg wider and settled himself between her thighs, backing her up against the car. His hips nestled into hers, his solid erection hard and unyielding against her pulsing core. She was hot and ready and wanting him.

And God, he felt good. She arched, and he rocked his hips, enflaming her need further. She moaned at the sensual assault on her and the intense sensations rocking her body.

He nipped her lower lip and immediately soothed the sting with his tongue. “Remember that, Angel? How good we are together?”

Her pussy throbbed to the heat of his words. She remembered. God, she remembered everything he made her feel.

“I didn’t hear you. I asked if you remember.” He tugged harder on her hair.

“Mmm-hmm. I remember.”

“And it’s so good, isn’t it? So fucking hot?” He ground his dick into her sex. “Like you’ve never had before?”

“Or since,” she admitted. She hadn’t been with anyone since him. She didn’t know if he understood exactly what she meant, but he groaned at the admission.

The sound triggered a primal need, and desire took over what remained of her rational mind. She gripped his shirt in her hands, pulled him close, and kissed him again. Licking his lips, sucking on his tongue. He tasted a little like the beer he’d been drinking and a lot like the only man she desired.

Heat wound its way through her body, and she melted under the thrust and plunder of his tongue. She’d missed this. She’d missed him.

His hips continued a constant rotation against her pelvis, and dampness flooded her panties, bringing her closer and closer to an explosive orgasm. It wouldn’t take much. His unique taste, his masculine scent, and the hard planes of his chest beneath her hands all made her so aware of herself as a woman. Another roll of his hips, his cock so hard against her clit, and she moaned at the delicious waves tempting her.

So close, so close. Another quick swivel of his hips and a jerk of his hard cock and she’d—

Suddenly she stood alone against the car, confused and frustrated beyond belief. “You’re playing games?” Her fingers touched her swollen lips.

His eyes darkened. “No way, Angel. Not anymore. I said I wasn’t giving up, and I meant it.”

“So…?” She spread her hands. “What’s up with you stopping?”

He grinned. “Believe it or not, this is me being a decent guy. With blue balls, but whatever. Before that kiss, you were against anything happening between us again. So I’m giving you time to digest the fact that not only are we going to happen, but you’re going to want it. When you’re not climbing the walls with the need to fuck me, you can decide you want to give us another shot.”

She exhaled a shaky breath. “You left me hanging,” she muttered, unwilling to address what he really wanted from her.

“I left us both hanging.” His voice sounded strained and raw, and for the first time, she realized his restraint was costing him too.

She closed her eyes and blew out a long stream of breath.

His hand slid behind her neck once more, his touch warm and surprisingly gentle.

Her lashes fluttered open as he brushed his lips over hers. “We’re not over.”

She was very afraid he was right.

*     *     *

Madison didn’t sleep well. How could she when Alex’s parting words kept repeating in her brain? Not to mention how she tossed and turned all night. When she was awake, Alex’s kiss played in a never-ending loop in her mind. And when she slept? Fevered dreams of her body’s response had her writhing under the sheets, needing the completion he’d denied her. She awoke in a sweat, her nipples peaked and hardened, her panties soaked with desire, and despite the battery-induced orgasm she’d given herself before bed, she was still sexually unfulfilled and needy. Which had been exactly his point.

He wanted her to want him. Or at least to admit to wanting him. Which she did, damn the man.

She knew that if she gave in, he’d be an attentive lover. He knew his way around a woman’s body, and pleasure was his ultimate goal. Hers before his. She shivered at the reminder of his big, talented hands working her body. Could she keep resisting him if he kept up his sensual assault and deliberate deprivation?

Did she even want to?

She shook her head, knowing she needed more time to think than she currently had, and continued to dress for her coffee date with Riley.

Madison arrived at Starbucks at eleven. She hadn’t seen her friend in too long and was glad Riley had suggested they meet up this weekend. Riley’s appearances at work had become sporadic, and Madison worried about her friend. She arrived to find Riley waiting for her in the back, two cups on the table.

Madison headed directly for her friend. “Hey, stranger! How are you?”

Riley rose and gave Madison a hug. “I’m good. You?”

“I’m fine.” Incredibly horny, but fine. Her situation with Alex wasn’t something she was sure she wanted to bring up over breakfast.

They settled into chairs, and Madison took a long sip of her skinny vanilla latte. “Thanks for ordering. This is delicious.”

She glanced over to see Riley had a tea bag hanging out of her grande-sized cup. “Where’s the Chai Latte you normally love?”

Riley waved her hand in front of her face. “Don’t say those words. God.” She closed her eyes and breathed in deeply.

Madison narrowed her gaze. “What is going on? Are you okay?”

Riley blew out a long stream of air. “I’m pregnant.” Despite her paleness, her eyes gleamed with excitement.

Madison gasped in delight. “What? That’s so amazing!” She popped up from her chair and came around to give her very nauseous friend a big hug.

Riley hugged her back.

“No wonder you’ve been out of the office more than you’re in.” They resettled in their chairs. “Good thing the boss loves you so much,” she said with a chuckle before sobering at the all-too-pale coloring of Riley’s skin. “Is the nausea that bad?”

Riley grimaced. “I wake up, and I think I’m going to die or never stop vomiting. Some days I can see how Kate Middleton ended up in the hospital.” She placed a hand over her stomach. “The good news is that the doctor says I’m almost at the end of it. If I’m lucky.”

“How far along are you?” Madison asked.

“Twelve weeks. Hopefully by fourteen, I’ll start to feel human again. I really want to enjoy the experience, but man, nobody warns you about this.”

Madison took in Riley’s washed-out face. Now that she looked, it was obvious her usually curvy friend had lost weight, and Riley had a knock-out figure.

“I’m sorry. I hope you feel better sooner rather than later, but I’m sure you’ll bounce back.”

Riley managed a smile. “Me too.”

“So how does Ian feel about all this?”

Riley grinned. “Mr. Controlling is even more controlling. He doesn’t get that there’s nothing he can do to make this better for me. But he’s excited about the baby at the end.” She caressed her belly. “And so am I.”

Madison’s heart swelled for her friend. “I’m really happy for you guys.”

“Thanks. So enough about me. What about you? How’s the job?”

Since they’d already had the discussion about Riley blindsiding Madison with Alex at work, she let it go now. There was nothing to be gained by rehashing it.

“Well, I love the challenge of creating something new. And I have my first meeting with some of the players next week, so I’m going to be getting back into the people part of the job that I miss. So all’s well!” Even Madison heard the forced tone of her voice, but what was she supposed to say? She was conflicted and still wanted the man Riley had put her to work with?

“How is it working with Alex?” Riley, ever perceptive, asked.

“I suppose it’s too much to ask you to not bring up his name?”

Riley grinned. “No such luck.”

“You suck,” Madison muttered.

“That’s what best friends are for, to ask the tough questions. So … is he getting to you?”

Madison closed her eyes and groaned. Of course he was getting to her. It hadn’t helped that she’d seen yet another side to him the other night, a softer, giving side. And he’d
apologized
.

“Yoo-hoo!” Riley waved a hand in front of Madison’s face.

She blinked and refocused on her surroundings.

“Okay, I have my answer. That blush on your face and that unfocused look in your eyes tell me everything I need to know.” Riley clapped her hands together and squealed with glee. “So things are good?”

Madison swallowed hard. “I wouldn’t call things good. He seems different, but I can’t imagine trusting him that way again.” She caught the look on Riley’s face and rushed on, wanting to have her say first. “Look, I didn’t get into a relationship with him the first time expecting anything more than an affair. I knew his history, but there were moments when we seemed to be …
more
. And even if he wasn’t ready, how he broke things off?” She shook her head. “That I never expected, and God, it hurt.”

She placed her hand over her stomach and the remembered pain. There was something inherently gut-wrenching about feeling abandoned. It did something to Madison she didn’t know how to get over.

How could she? Any time she felt it, she went back in time. Her father had taken her to the mall for school clothes, a rare occurrence in and of itself because he could rarely afford new things. And then he’d left her there, never to be heard from again.

Her throat swelled at the memory, and she cursed Alex for bringing that horrific moment in her life back in Technicolor
again
. That’s how she’d felt when he’d dismissed her like she was garbage after she’d come to see him at the hospital. If he’d called her soon after, she’d have chalked it up to his own pain and disappointment over the events in his life and forgiven him. But he hadn’t.

“Hey.” Riley put her hand over Madison’s. “I’m not going to minimize what Alex did. I’m not going to tell you he wasn’t an asshole, because he was. I’m also not going to ask you to give him another chance, because only you can decide if he’s worth it. What I will say is that I notice a difference in him too.”

“Really?” Madison hated the hope in her voice.

She hated that her feelings for Alex were still strong enough to put it there. “I thought I noticed small things in our short relationship that indicated he was different with me, but I realized afterward I’d been delusional. The stereotypical female who wanted to be the one to change a guy who couldn’t be changed,” she said in disgust.

“Unless the career-ending injury accomplished what you couldn’t back then,” Riley said carefully. “What if those things you noticed about the two of you
were
real and now he understands what he had—and lost?”

Riley waited, both patient and silent, as Madison digested her words. “You’re saying maybe he has changed. And maybe it’s permanent.”

“I’m saying you won’t know unless you open yourself up to possibly being hurt again.” She shrugged.

“Why would I do that?” Madison asked.

“Because when you trust and it works out, the payoff is more than worth the potential pain.” Riley smiled and patted her still-flat but pregnant belly.

Madison shook her head, unable to fathom being hurt that way again. Sex? Yes, she was tempted to give in and sleep with Alex again, but trust him—or anyone—with her heart? Not happening.

But ready or not, she had to deal with the fact that she and Alex had unfinished business.

*     *     *

Madison tried to visit her foster mother at least once a week, and she stopped by not long after receiving the legal papers from Eric. Luckily, she and Eric kept very different schedules, and she rarely ran into him. This week’s visit hadn’t been an easy one. The live-in health care aide agreed it was time to move Franny into a nursing home. Someplace where she could be monitored constantly.

When lucid, Franny agreed and had already chosen the particular nursing home. They’d been waiting for an opening, and there was one now. Although Franny still had days where sometimes she would know where she was, more times than not, she lived in the past. Madison would begin a conversation only to have Franny pick up the thread, except she’d be talking to someone else. Someone from her childhood or early days of her marriage.