Dare to Desire Page 11

  My father dumped me at the mall, never to be seen again. The cold, clinical version. And even then, Madison hadn’t wanted to face her friend after the revelation, but Riley had already inserted herself in Madison’s life and wasn’t going anywhere. She, more than anyone, had taught Madison what a true friend really was.

  She lifted her head and drew a deep breath. “So we went to the mall. My father bought me a soda, and we wandered around the stores for a little while, and then he asked me if I needed to use the bathroom.” Her body shook despite Alex’s secure hold, the day coming back to her in vivid detail. “I went to the ladies’ room, came out…” She couldn’t say the words. To her mortification, a sob came out instead.

  “That bastard,” Alex said, his voice tight, anger evident beneath the surface.

  He embraced her with his entire being, holding her close, but fury vibrated in his big, muscled body. Anger for her. She knew it without him having to explain, and the thought that he cared for her enough to feel that kind of emotion undid her completely. The protective walls that had always kept her apart and distant crumbled around her, and she felt things. Things she never wanted to experience again.

  “No more,” he said into her hair. “Don’t relive it for me.”

  She normally didn’t relive it at all. Didn’t allow herself to remember the intense and all-encompassing pain and loss of that day and every one that followed. But now the dam had broken, and the memories flooded back, along with big, heaving sobs.

  She’d walked out of the mall bathroom, looked around, and her dad had been nowhere to be found. She hadn’t panicked. Not at first. She’d checked all the stores they’d been in. The men’s stores. The food court. Finally she’d returned to the bathroom thinking maybe he’d gone back to find her. Some good Samaritan must have noticed the little girl sitting on the floor outside the restroom crying and called mall security. The rest was a blur, along with the ensuing years of her life spent in foster homes.

  Alex didn’t know how long she sobbed. From the way she cried, he figured it had been forever since she’d let her emotions free, and she exhausted herself in the process. The heavy sobs quieted first. Long after she grew silent, Alex held Madison in his arms, his heart beating hard in his chest. He’d wanted her to trust him, not unleash this kind of grief. Nausea filled him, along with pain that reached to the depths of his soul.

  He stroked her hair, aware of the smallest hiccup or sound she made. Soon her breathing evened out, and he hoped to God she’d fallen asleep. A dreamless, memory-free sleep. She deserved as much.

  But he couldn’t stop his mind from spinning with the story she’d told, the things she’d said, and those she’d left out. Knowing about her past and hearing it from her lips were two very different things. More than anything, he wanted to hunt both her parents down and kill them with his bare hands. But he understood his rage wouldn’t do Madison any good, and he’d have to get himself under control before she awoke.

  When a knock sounded at the door, he slipped out from beside her and accepted her luggage, tipping the man quietly. Then Alex climbed back into bed and eased his arm around her once more.

  In the peaceful silence, he couldn’t help but look at his own life with more appreciation than he ever had before. His family was dysfunctional, but they were his. They were there. Day in and day out, he’d had people who loved him and who he could rely on. He had food to eat, a roof over his head, and though his father was a bastard of the first order, he’d always made sure he and his siblings never wanted for anything. Even Ian and his brothers and sisters hadn’t been neglected.

  Every child had a right to security and love, but the woman in his arms had had none of those things. She wouldn’t want his pity, and in truth, he couldn’t give it to her. Not when he admired her so damned much. She’d overcome her past and become a strong, independent woman. One he wanted to take care of and give everything she’d missed out on for all these years, especially the family she’d been denied.

  Today had been an eye-opener on many levels, from the courageous teenager he’d met to the brave female he loved—

  His thoughts screeched to a halt at the word that had just run through his brain. Yet he couldn’t deny it. For six months, he hadn’t looked at another woman. In the last few weeks, he’d done all he could to show her he’d changed. Now he wanted to give her the security she’d never had and possess her completely. If that wasn’t love, he didn’t know what was.

  * * *

  Madison felt awkward after her emotional breakdown, but to Alex’s credit, he didn’t treat her any differently. She woke up to find the bellman had delivered her suitcase. Other than asking if she was okay, Alex had merely kissed her senseless and left her to get ready for dinner and clubbing afterwards. For her part, she was determined to put the episode behind her and move forward like she always did.

  After dinner, they headed over to Elite, Alex’s cousin’s club. Olivia and Dylan headed for the bar while Alex looked for his cousin. They paused by the dance floor.

  The club was elegant, glamorous, luxurious, and any other name Madison could think of for a New York City hot spot. Black ceiling, gold inlay etchings in the walls, leather banquettes, and open-air decks overlooking the main dance floor.

  “According to the write-ups, when this place first opened, it cost three million.” Alex shook his head. “Thousand-dollar cover charges if the papers can be believed. Gabe doesn’t talk.”

  Madison blinked in shock. “Just … wow. But it is gorgeous.”

  “My cousin has good taste. So does his sister Lucy. She helped design the place.”

  Madison grinned and met his gaze. His dark eyes devoured her, and she did the same right back. He looked incredibly handsome in black pants and a white shirt, rolled at the sleeves. The unbuttoned shirt revealed tanned skin and gave her an enticing peek at his sprinkling of chest hair.

  He looked over her shoulder, and a wide smile took hold. “There’s Gabe.” Alex led her to the private, roped-off area, his hand hot and branding on the small of her back, open thanks to a deep plunge in the material of her dress.

  The private area was raised higher than the dance floor and bar, and Alex whistled over the music.

  To her surprise, Gabe heard. He rose, disentangling himself from women who hung all over him, though she had to admit he looked bored with them all.

  “Cousin!” Alex said as Gabe strode down a few steps and joined them. “Look at you up high so you can survey your kingdom.”

  Gabe’s lips twitched but didn’t lift in a full-blown grin. In this, Madison could see distinct differences between Alex and Gabe. Gabe was more like Ian, more serious and always in control.

  “It’s about time you showed your face in New York.” Gabe slapped Alex on the back. “Good to see you.”

  “Same. And thanks for coming to all those games. It was always good to have family there.” Once learning about his other cousins, Gabe and his siblings welcomed them with open arms.

  “My pleasure.” He shifted his steely gaze to Madison. “Who is this?”

  Approval laced his tone.

  “Madison Evans.” Alex snaked an arm around her waist in an unnecessarily proprietary gesture she actually liked. “Madison, this is my cousin Gabe.”

  She smiled at the man. “Nice to meet you, Gabe. Actually, I see a little family resemblance.” She extended her hand, and Alex eased it down before tucking her even closer to his side.

  Gabe chuckled. “So that’s how it is.”

  “How what is?” Madison asked.

  “I’ve seen you with women. This one’s off-limits.”

  Before he could reply, Olivia walked over and threw her arms around him. “Hi there, cousin.”

  Madison realized that since Olivia and Alex shared a father, Gabe was the cousin of both of them.

  “Hi, beautiful.” Gabe hugged her tightly, light in his eyes as he looked her over. “Long time no see.”

  “Too long. It’s a good thing
business brought us to New York. Nice place you’ve got here.” She gestured her hand wide, taking in the expanse of the club.

  Pride glinted in his eyes. “I like it. You’re all comped for the night, so enjoy. I’ll come over to check on you later.” With a nod of his head, he turned and walked away.

  Madison blinked. “He’s … interesting. Very Ian-like.”

  Olivia, Ian’s sibling, burst out laughing. “Well said! I knew I liked you.” She hooked her arm into Madison’s free one and pulled her away from Alex.

  “Where are you taking her?” he asked, a scowl on his handsome face.

  “For drinks and girl time. We’ll see you gentlemen in a little while.”

  EIGHT

  Madison found herself sitting at a small private table with Olivia, shots of tequila in front of her. Olivia worked as assistant travel secretary to the team. She also sat in on high-level meetings with Ian because he valued her advice and was training her in all aspects of team business. Madison didn’t know her well, but Riley spoke highly of her, which vetted her enough for Madison. If she was going to drink with her and ultimately let down her guard, she needed that kind of assurance.

  “To what do I owe the pleasure?” Madison asked, gesturing between them.

  “I wanted to get to know you better,” Olivia said.

  “And take a breather from Dylan?”

  Olivia laughed. “And now I know why Riley likes you.” She raised her tequila glass. “Lick, salt, drink, and bite. Ready?”

  “Oh good Lord, you’re really going for this.” Madison shrugged. One or two wouldn’t kill her.

  Madison licked her hand, salted, drank the burning liquid, and immediately bit into the lime wedge to kill the taste.

  “Men are such a pain in the ass,” Olivia said after pulling the lime from between her lips.

  Madison’s eyes watered, and she drew a deep breath. “They can be, yes. They can also be…” She turned her head and found Alex, leaning against a gleaming silver railing, his gaze never leaving her. “Hot.” She turned back.

  Olivia wrinkled her nose. “Exasperating. That’s the word you were supposed to use. But it looks like my half brother got under your skin.”

  “The way Dylan’s gotten under yours?” Madison asked.

  Olivia gestured to another shot, and Madison drank along with her. “Damn men who want too much.”

  Madison shook her head and laughed, but the sound hurt. “That hasn’t been my experience.”

  “I think it is now. Alex hasn’t taken his eyes off of you since I pulled you away.”

  Her cheeks warmed, but Olivia was right. “Things are changing between us,” Madison said, suddenly light-headed from the effects of the liquor.

  “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 stretch
ed 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.