by Andre, Bella
“The district attorney called me to approve the deal.”
“You’re okay with the five years?”
She nodded. “As long as he’s behind bars and I get a restraining order when he gets out, I’m okay.”
Ian wouldn’t let the man anywhere near her, but it was a discussion for far in the future.
He was more interested in focusing on the present. He lifted the necklace, and she raised her hair so he could replace it on her neck, where it belonged.
“I had the clasp fixed, and they cleaned it too.”
She turned and kissed him. “Thank you.” She touched the pendant. “I feel like you’re always with me when I wear it.”
“Then I hope you’ll feel the same way about its mate.”
She narrowed her gaze, wrinkling her nose in curiosity as he handed her the small box. “Ian?” she asked, her voice trembling.
He understood because his insides were a quaking mess.
Her hands shook as she lifted the top off the box, revealing the match to the pendant in ring form. A pear-shaped diamond that was too big, he knew, but he didn’t care.
Corny as it was, he dropped to one knee. “Marry me,” he said as she stared open-mouthed at the ring.
“Was that a question or a demand?” she asked, half laughing, half crying.
He grinned. “Still working on that part of me.”
She met his gaze, her expression solemn. “I don’t want to change you completely. I just need—”
He grasped her wrist. “I know what you need, and I want to be the one to give it to you.”
“Tell me that includes you keeping control in the bedroom, because there are places I really don’t mind you taking over.”
“Is that a yes to my proposal?” he asked, his heart still hammering hard in his chest.
She wriggled her fingers in front of him. “Yes. Yes!”
He slid the ring onto her finger, grateful his sister had guessed her finger size correctly.
He rose and settled back on the couch, pulling her into his arms.
She sighed and snuggled close.
He didn’t know how long they lay, her heart beating against his chest, but it was long enough for everything inside him to settle and for him to find the peace that had always eluded him.
Peace he sensed he’d now have, every day for the rest of his life, because he’d finally done what he’d always thought was impossible. He’d dared to love. And he had Riley to thank for teaching him how.
EPILOGUE
6 Months Later
Surrounded by his siblings, real and half, Alex nursed a beer as he glanced around his half brother’s apartment. Everyone seemed to be having a good time. The food was phenomenal, Ian having spared no expense. He was doing his damnedest not to follow up every thought of Ian with an expletive or complaint, but old habits were hard to break.
The lovebirds couldn’t take their hands off each other. Considering this was an engagement party, as well as a redo of the family event he’d botched a few months ago, Alex figured that was to be expected.
He wondered how long he had to stay before he could bow out and not have it look suspicious.
“What’s with the scowl?” his sister Sienna asked.
“I’m not scowling.” Was he?
“You’re okay, right?” She wrapped her arms around him for a tight hug.
“Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?”
She frowned at him. “You can fool the others, but I know you. You’re jealous of Ian and Riley, and I’m worried about you.”
Her words hit him where it hurt. “I am not jealous.”
She settled her hands on her hips. “You’ve had Riley to yourself for years. Then Ian comes along and…well, you wouldn’t be human if you weren’t a little envious of what they have.”
Even if he was, Alex wouldn’t admit it out loud. Not even to the sister he loved. “It’s fine. I want her to be happy, even if it is with him.” He nodded toward Ian, doing his best to keep his expression neutral.
“Are you sure you aren’t…a little bit in love with her?” Sienna asked.
Alex blanched. “Hell no. That’d be the same as thinking of you that way.”
Sienna raised one eyebrow. “That was a quick denial.”
“Look, maybe once, a long time ago…” He shook his head, not wanting to remember or even admit that, yeah, he’d once had feelings for Riley. Feelings that had been in no way brotherly.
Then he’d kissed her, she’d freaked out, saying they were such good friends, why ruin it, and he’d agreed. Quickly. Better that than to lose her, which seemed a certainty given that she clearly hadn’t felt the same way about him.
Since then, he hadn’t had to worry about her finding anyone serious, until Ian. His half brother. Well, whatever. The families were making their peace, and he had to live with it.
“Yeah, I thought so.” Sienna clasped her small hand in his. “I just think facing your feelings is better than avoiding them. You don’t have to tell anyone else, but I’m here for you, okay?”
He shook his head hard to clear his thoughts. “Hey, I said maybe, a long time ago. Not anymore. I’m fine.” And he was, except…Ian and Riley’s engagement made the stark contrast of his life clear.
He had his bimbos, and Riley? She had a soon-to-be husband and a life that didn’t include him. Certainly not the way it used to.
“Okay. I’ll accept that for now. I’m going to talk to Mom, okay?”
Another weird thing. Ian had invited their father and Savannah. Talk about making a huge concession and reaching out. Even Alex had to admire the man for that.
“Hi!” Riley walked over, a glass of champagne in hand. “I know you’re not having the best time, but I’m really glad you’re here.”
He shook his head. “I’m having a good time,” he lied. “And I love you. I wouldn’t be anywhere else. You’re happy, so I’m happy.” And that much he meant. Absolutely.
Female laughter captured his attention, and he turned toward the sound. Not far from where he and Riley stood, Ian spoke to a beautiful blonde. She wore a fitted black skirt that hugged delicious-looking curves and a purple satin top that covered more of her than it exposed. He was used to women who flaunted their assets and would definitely consider himself a breast man. He couldn’t see a damned thing about this woman’s cleavage, and yet he couldn’t tear his gaze away. Something about the way she held herself, so tightly composed and not overtly sexual, appealed to him on a visceral level.
Really unlike his usual type too. Huh.
“Who is she?” he asked Riley, thinking that something about her looked familiar.
“You don’t recognize her, do you?” Riley laughed. “That’s Madison Evans, the social worker you met at the hospital after…” Her voice trailed off, and he understood her not wanting to mention or think about her father, who Alex hoped was miserable during his stint behind bars.
“No shit?” He blinked. This woman with the flowing, blonde hair was the same female who’d all but ignored him the one and only time they’d met.
He shouldn’t be shocked though. She’d worn a prim little skirt then, paired with a blouse that hid her assets, and even then, he’d been drawn to her. It’d pissed him off too. Not because she hadn’t recognized him, as unusual as that was in his world. But because she hadn’t given him a second glance. Madison Evans had bruised his ego as much as she’d surprised him by attracting his attention in the first place.
“I know that you saw her for a couple of sessions afterwards, but if she’s your therapist, what’s she doing here?”
“I finished therapy.” Riley smiled. “I really didn’t want to spend years rehashing things. Anyway, Madison and I became friendly, and I don’t have many close women friends.” Riley shrugged, as if that explained it all.
He supposed it did.
“Why are you so interested in her?” Riley asked. “Because I noticed the same reaction the first time you laid eyes on he
r.”
Alex cocked an eyebrow. He’d been wondering that himself. Something about the woman called to him in ways he didn’t understand. He shrugged, deciding he didn’t need to understand, he needed to get her attention.
“Uh oh. What’s that sudden focus in your eyes?” Riley waved her hand in front of his face. “You look… determined.”
He’d been bored at this party, looking for something—or someone—to capture his interest. He’d found her.
He started toward her when Riley’s voice stopped him. “She’s not your usual fare.” Her tone held a wealth of warning.
Alex turned and grinned. “That’s what I’m counting on.”
Dare to Desire – Alex & Madison
Available April 10, 2014
Thank you so much for reading Ian’s story. I would appreciate it if you would help others enjoy this book, too. Please recommend to others and leave a review! The Dare to Love series will continue in 2014 with Alex’s story – Dare to Desire on April 10, 2014.
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Read on for an excerpt from my newest, hottest book to date, DARE TO DESIRE.
Dare to Desire – Alex
Book #2 Dare to Love Series
CHAPTER ONE
Quarterback Alex Dare took possession of the ball the same way he took possession of a woman’s body. With skill, finesse, and the absolute certainty he’d score.
Madison Evans watched the man who’d been in her bed the night before on the huge screen in front of her. She’d joined her friends for Thanksgiving dinner, Riley and her husband, Ian Dare, and Ian’s siblings. With no biological family of her own, Madison appreciated having somewhere to go. Eating alone in a restaurant on a holiday, something she’d done often, held no appeal.
The football game held everyone’s attention. Watching the massive screen, Madison felt as if she were on the field along with Alex, his teammates and the opposing players. Everyone around her joked, laughed and ate the delicious hors d’oeuvres their hosts had supplied.
Someone yelled in complaint. Madison glanced at the television once more. A time out had been called, giving her an opportunity to reflect on the whirlwind couple of weeks she’d shared with the irresistible man.
She’d met Alex when Riley had been brought to the hospital a few months ago, but she’d ignored the quarterback with the playboy reputation in favor of the patient she’d been assigned to treat as the social worker on call.
She’d seen him again at Riley and Ian’s engagement party, where he’d turned on the charm and began an all out sensual assault. Despite her attempts to keep her distance, she’d broken down, given in and ended up in his bed that same night. He didn’t do relationships and she’d steeled herself for the inevitable quick end, which hadn’t happened.
Though Alex played for the Tampa Breakers and lived almost four hours from Miami, he kept his main home there since most of his family was here in town. His apartment in Tampa existed for convenience during the season, when he was either here in Miami, in Tampa, or on the road.
But ever since he’d sweet talked Madison into his bed, he’d made up for any physical distance in other ways. They’d talked on the phone and texted often, including sexting when he was out of town. And wasn’t that new for her? She squirmed in her seat at the arousing memories. They’d had even more time together since luckily, this past weekend, his team had had a bye week, football jargon for a week off. Which meant extra time in Miami. And with her.
They’d spent enough hours together both in and out of bed, that despite knowing his reputation, Madison’s emotions were already involved. Not smart for a host of reasons. If her childhood had taught her anything, it was to keep her feelings locked down tight. She knew better than to get attached to anyone in any capacity. Especially a man like Alex, who didn’t do relationships.
She even knew he was uncomfortable knowing she was spending this holiday with his family, never mind that they’d been her close friends before she’d gotten involved with him. He obviously hadn’t thought through the ramifications of an affair before turning on the charm. But chemistry like theirs didn’t come along every day. They had amazingly hot sex. Awesome, no holds barred, panty-drenching sex. Something Madison never experienced before.
Not to mention, he had a sweet side. He adored his siblings and mother, he was protective of his friends, and he could seduce her with a wink and a smile. Then there were the off the chart orgasms. She wriggled and shifted positions because just the thought was enough to get her motor running. He was that good.
So if she was stupid enough to have developed some feelings for the man, she at least trusted that because of her friendship with Riley and the rest of his family, he’d treat her with care. If not, Riley would kick his ass, and Madison would be all too happy to help.
She didn’t believe in love at first sight. If pressed, she’d have said she didn’t believe in happily ever after, but as she watched him move on the field, her heart gave an unmistakable flutter and she knew she was in trouble.
She forced her gaze to the play on the screen. Ball in hand, Alex scanned the field for his receiver. He obviously found the man he was looking for, and raised his arm, poised to throw.
The next few seconds were a blur. He faked, ducked and ran in the opposite direction only to be charged by a massive hulk of a man on his left. He took a hit and was leveled by opposing players on the right. Madison winced at the force of the blow that took him down. As the men heaped one on top of the other, time out was called.
The dog pile took awhile to sort as each man slowly rose to his feet. All except the player on the bottom. Number twenty two, Alex Dare, lay sprawled unmoving on the field.
***
Alex knew immediately, this hit was different than the others. Things went black for a few seconds too long. Enough to have panic setting in before the blue sky above him came back into view. Thank God. But the pain and the nausea were overwhelming and nonstop. And at some point, he must have blacked out. He woke up in an MRI machine, something he was all too familiar with. The enclosed space and loud banging noises didn’t help the pain. Finally, they pulled him out of the tiny capsule and he answered the requisite questions about day and time, doing his best not to puke or move his head even a fraction of an inch.
Damn, he hurt.
He remembered the start of the game but not the score or the hit. Hell, he didn’t even remember the ambulance ride to the hospital. Not unusual for a concussion and he’d had enough of them to know.
They sent him for more tests and his head pounded with the force of a hundred bass drums. Waves of nausea washed over him, threatening to make him lose his lunch. If he’d eaten lunch. He couldn’t recall.
The team doctor and a neurological specialist were waiting when they finally settled him into a private room. Their expressions were grim and his heart pounded harder in his chest. Physical pain he could endure. What they wanted to tell him? He was deathly afraid that, he couldn’t handle.
The doctors spoke, sharing the news, their words echoing in his brain. He could not afford another hit to the head. One more concussion could lead to permanent brain damage.
Memory loss.
Depression.
Loss of mo
tor control.
Blindness.
The damned doctors used every worst-case scenario they could think of to make their point: No more professional football.
A career ending injury – every player’s worst nightmare.
He refused to talk to the doctors and was grateful when they finally left him alone. For the next hour, he stared at the ceiling of the hospital room, the blinding headache and nausea a constant reminder of loss.
He was twenty-six years old and all he could think was … what now?
***
Six Months Later
Alex woke up in a sweat from the same nightmare he’d had for months after he’d taken the life altering hit to his head. Not only did he relive the moment of impact, the details of which had eventually returned to him, but he actually experienced the searing pain. Six months had passed since that Thanksgiving weekend and he thought that damned dream was behind him. But he should’ve expected it again now since training had begun for the football season and along with it, the renewed feeling that his life was over.
He rolled his tight shoulders, the stress of not knowing what to do next eating at his gut. He sat up in bed and stretched. Maybe he just needed to get laid. After all, he hadn’t indulged in his favorite pastime in far too long. Problem was, every time he picked up his phone, none of the names listed there appealed to him.
Okay one did, but he’d burned that bridge. To the ground, if his best friend and sister in law, Riley was to be believed. Considering the way he’d thrown Madison Evans out of his hospital room, he figured his best friend was right. He winced at the memory, self-loathing filling him for how he’d treated Madison.
He remembered the moment as if it had just happened. After the concussion and the battery of tests, the doctors had insisted on keeping him overnight. Riley, Ian, his brother Jason and sister Sienna had stopped in to see him. He hadn’t been pleasant, but they were family. They had to forgive him. His parents came next and they understood his depressed mental state. The revolving door of visitors made his head spin even more than the injury. He’d assured them all he was just fine and tossed them the hell out. Pity and concern were the last thing he needed. He’d been throwing a big enough party all by himself.
