Her stomach chose that moment to rumble, and she frowned. “Where are you, Max?”
She picked up her phone to see if he’d replied. Still nothing and she frowned. It wasn’t like him not to keep in touch, especially if they had plans.
She called Sebastian, wondering if maybe he had information on the final inspection and Max’s whereabouts, but his cell also went directly to voice mail. Weird.
Five more minutes and she’d order up a pizza for delivery, she thought and settled in to watch TV while she waited.
The news switched to coverage on an explosion that had occurred. She frowned. Lately there had been more than a few explosions in the city, some gas related, some arson, while in others, the cause was still under investigation. But given the tenor of the news, she wasn’t surprised.
She raised the volume on the television to find out where the explosion had occurred.
What appears to be a gas explosion reduced the building to rubble. The restaurant, Savage in Soho, belonged to restaurateur Max Savage with head chef reality TV star Sebastian Del Toro.
Her heart began to race and panic set in. Lucy frantically hit Max’s name on her screen, but she couldn’t get past the voice mail. Her phone rang, and her brother’s name flashed.
“Gabe, help me. It’s Max, I—”
“I know. And Decklan’s already in the city, sweetheart,” Gabe said in a strong voice, interrupting her hysteria. “Where are you?”
She pulled in long breaths. “My place. Our apartment, Max’s and mine,” she said, her voice rising.
“Okay sit tight. I’m going to let him know where to come get you. Everything’s going to be okay, Lucy. You hear me?” Gabe asked. Gabe, the one who’d been her voice of reason for as long as she could remember.
Tears were falling and she couldn’t breathe. All she could think of was Max. He’d had back-to-back meetings scheduled at the restaurant. The inspection. A few appointments. He’d been there all day. Which meant he’d been there when the explosion had happened.
Nausea threatened and she jumped up from the couch. She couldn’t just sit around and do nothing, waiting for her brother. She grabbed her bag and ran out of the apartment. She banged on the elevator button, impatient, frustrated, and so damned scared. By the time she made it to the street and scanned for a cab, it had started drizzling, and between the light rain and the hour of the day, taxis were scarce.
Uber. She flipped over her phone, her hands shaking as she tried to swipe and find the app, and her phone slipped and fell to the ground.
“Dammit!”
“Ms. Dare,” the doorman said, joining her by the curb. He bent down and retrieved her cell, handing it to her. “Can I help you?”
“I need… I need…” She couldn’t get the words out, and then she heard a familiar voice call her name.
“Lucy!”
She turned toward her brother’s voice and ran for his police car, jerking the door open and stumbling into the front seat. “Decklan, do you know anything?” she asked.
He reached out and grabbed her hand. “I know that someone was taken to the hospital, but I don’t know who. And I don’t know the extent of their injuries.”
She swallowed hard. “Okay.” Not being alone helped quell the panic.
“I have ears at the site,” Decklan assured her. “So if Max shows up there or is found, I’ll get a heads-up immediately. In the meantime, we can check out the hospital.”
She thanked her lucky stars that her brother was a cop with access to the most up-to-date information. “Let’s do that,” she said, feeling better now that they had a plan. “Maybe Max is there, and he lost his phone. Then he wouldn’t be able to call, right?”
“Right.” Decklan spoke in a strong, certain tone, and Lucy took comfort from that.
If her brother wasn’t jumping to the worst possible conclusion, then neither would she.
She twisted her fingers together in her lap as Decklan swung out into rush-hour traffic. Getting from the Upper East Side to downtown Manhattan in the rain was going to be a long trek, and she mentally prepared herself for the trip.
Unfortunately she couldn’t stop her rampaging thoughts, and those weren’t pleasant. She didn’t want to think about Max being injured or… dead. But having been in this position before, rushing to a hospital, waiting on word, she knew the worst-case scenario was, in fact, possible. Would she be forced to relive her ultimate nightmare? Could God, fate, the universe be that cruel?
Why not, when she’d been that stupid?
Holding back when all he did was give, allowing her fears to control everything she did and said. Or… didn’t say. Like I love you.
She ran a shaking hand through her hair.
“Hey, sis. Max is one tough son of a bitch. He’s going to be okay. There’s no way he wouldn’t do everything he could to come back to you.”
She swallowed hard. “I know. But why? I’ve given him so much less than what he’s given me. I couldn’t even say I love you back. He deserves better.”
“Lucy, you’ve been through a huge trauma at a critical age. Don’t you think maybe you’re being too hard on yourself?” her brother asked, eyes focused on the road as he wove in and out of traffic.
She shook her head. “No, I don’t. Because I realize now, if Max is gone? I didn’t save myself hurt and heartache! I cost myself more.”
All those regrets she’d cautioned Max about having toward his family? She was sitting on a big whopping pile of those now, and she only had herself to blame.
“I love him and he needs to know. He has to know.” She swiped at the tears running down her cheeks.
Her brother merely squeezed her hand and continued his winding through the city streets, trying to get to the hospital as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Lucy prayed that one way or another, she’d find Max, and when she did, he wasn’t too badly hurt. No matter what, though, she wasn’t leaving his side.
She refused to think of any other alternative.
* * *
Max’s head pounded, his throat felt raw, and his body ached like he’d been thrown to the concrete. Because he had been. One minute he was walking into Savage in Soho, and the next he’d been airborne. He didn’t remember much afterwards, but now he had oxygen in his nose, an IV in his arm, and pain radiating everywhere. He closed his eyes because it hurt to open them, and let everything drift away.
He wasn’t sure how much time had passed when he heard a loud voice. A female voice and a familiar one at that. “If Max Savage is in that room, I want to see him!”
“I’m sorry, but you said yourself you aren’t family.”
“Well, I will be.”
“Not good enough. He’s—”
“It’s good enough for me. And it’ll be good enough for him if you’d just step aside—”
“Lucy?” Max ripped the oxygen from his nose, and, ignoring the throbbing in his head, he yelled again. “Lucy!”
“You see? He wants me.”
Yes, Max thought, he damned well did.
The curtain parted, and Lucy stormed through, coming up to his bed and meeting his gaze. “Max. Thank God.”
A nurse hurried in behind her, but Max waved her away. He didn’t give a shit how much he hurt; his focus was on Lucy.
She wrapped her arms around his and laid her head on his chest. “I saw the news and I thought… I mean, you were supposed to be inside the restaurant, and you weren’t answering your phone. I thought…” She burst into tears, sobbing against him, her tears dampening his skin.
His arms were sore, but he laid one hand across her back, aware of her shaking shoulders.
“Apparently I’m hard to get rid of,” he said wryly. But he knew how badly this experience must have screwed with her head, not to mention her emotions. He wondered how much work he had ahead of him to bring her back emotionally now.
“Don’t joke.” She sniffed and raised her head. Her eyes were red and puffy, her face splotchy, and yet she’d never looke
d more beautiful to him.
He was so damned lucky to be here with her now. And he had Sebastian to thank. If the man hadn’t required bail money, Max would have been inside the restaurant instead of just arriving there when the explosion happened.
“Lucy—”
“Don’t speak. Not a word. Just rest. I’ll do all the talking.”
Sounded good to him. Whatever she had to say, he wanted to hear. As long as it wasn’t good-bye. Because if almost losing him had convinced her to give up on them…
“I love you,” she said, the words sounding thought out and sure.
He blinked, stunned because he’d thought he’d never hear that phrase from her beautiful lips. Hell, he’d convinced himself he could live without hearing it, if it meant still having her in his life. He knew now, as she offered all of herself, that he’d been wrong. Having only part of her would never have been enough.
“I love you too, princess,” he said, his voice gruff.
“I can’t believe I thought keeping my emotions locked up would keep me from being hurt.” She treated him to a smile, but clearly she was still beating herself up. “If I’d lost you, I’d regret all the things I never said, the love I never showed you. I’ve been selfish and I’m so sorry.” Her tears flowed freely once more.
“There’s nothing to apologize for. You couldn’t help your reaction to something so vital being taken away from you. Of all people, I understand.” He drew a breath, doing his best not to cough, cause his head to pound harder, and send that nurse running back in here. “I hurt Cindy in an effort to protect myself. I’m sure as hell not going to judge you. But promise me one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“We put it all behind us and enjoy life from here on out.”
“That I can do. Will you do something for me?” she asked on a shaky breath.
“Name it.”
She lifted his hand, threading their fingers together. “Marry me. I don’t want to waste any more time being afraid of what could be taken away from me. I want to know I’m celebrating the life I do have.”
Max wondered if he’d lost his hearing in the blast. “Did you just say marry you?” he asked incredulously.
She nodded, eyes wide and uncertain.
“Yes.”
Her lips lifted, her smile wide and real.
“But know you’re going to pay for asking,” he said in a stern voice, though inside he felt light and incredibly happy.
“What? Why?”
“Because I’m the one in control, remember?”
“In the bedroom, not out of it!” she sputtered.
He chuckled but ignored her proclamation, figuring she needed a reminder of all the things that worked well in their relationship. “Since you tried to take that control away from me, I’m going to make sure you feel the sting of my hand on your ass, princess.”
Her mouth parted in a soft oh, and her eyes dilated as she thought through his statement… and realized she wanted him to take back those reins. “Fine,” she said on a huff. “As long as you’re mine, I don’t mind letting you think you’re in control.”
He burst out laughing at that, which did cause his head to pound, and he groaned out loud.
“Max, lie still!” Lucy said, this time her tone brooking no argument.
Which was exactly what he appreciated about their relationship, the give and the take. “Whatever you say.”
She pulled up a chair and leaned in close. “How bad is the restaurant?” she asked.
“It’s gone.”
She closed her eyes and sighed.
“Doesn’t matter. Things can be replaced. It’s people that matter.”
“Amen. And whatever happens, I’ll be there to help you rebuild.”
He ran a tired hand over her long tresses. “I’m counting on it,” he said on a yawn. “I’m counting on you.” His heavy eyelids wanted to close, and he stopped fighting the exhaustion.
“You can count on me,” he heard Lucy say. “Now and forever, Max.”
He believed her.
Epilogue
One year later
New York Post
Page Six
Savage in Soho, the newest tapas restaurant in lower Manhattan and brainchild of restaurateur Max Savage and acclaimed reality TV star chef Sebastian Del Torro opened to accolades and five-star ratings this past week. Celebrities abounded at the grand opening. The inside of the restaurant evoked the feeling of the streets of Barcelona, the designer, Lucy Savage, recreating the original interior that was destroyed last year in an act of arson, courtesy of a jealous competitor, Anthony Abbadon, who took outrageous reality T.V. too far. Abbadon pled guilty and is currently serving time.
Many speculated Savage would scrap the project, especially since his chef was dealing with criminal charges of assault and battery at the time. Instead he stood by his longtime friend. Del Torro was eventually acquitted of all charges, and Savage continues his Midas Touch. After the grand opening, Max Savage and his wife, Lucy, left on a delayed honeymoon in Bali, where they are expected to be in seclusion for two weeks. Enough time for babies? Only time will tell…
Thank you so much for reading Dare to Seduce. I would appreciate it if you would help others enjoy this book too. Please recommend and leave a review.
Ready for the next Dare book? For information on DARE TO TAKE, Ella Shaw and Tyler Dare’s story, CLICK HERE.
Don’t miss the DIRTY SEXY series by Carly Phillips and Erika Wilde!
New York Times bestselling authors Carly Phillips and Erika Wilde bring you a dirty, sexy, smoking hot SERIES featuring three bad boy brothers bonded by shocking secrets and their damaged past. Sinful, addicting, and unapologetically alpha, these men are every woman’s erotic daydream … And your ultimate dirty fantasy.
First up: DIRTY SEXY SAINT – Order HERE
Clay Kincaid knows he’s more a sinner than a saint. Especially when it comes to women. With a rough and damaged past that has left him jaded, he doesn’t do committed relationships. But he does like sex—the hotter and harder, the better. He likes it fast and filthy, which is why he refuses to even touch someone as sweet and guileless as Samantha Jamieson. Until he discovers that she likes it just as down and dirty as he does. Let the sinning begin . . .
Are you ready to get Dirty Sexy with a Saint … Order HERE.
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Dare to Love Series
Book 1: Dare to Love (Ian & Riley)
Book 2: Dare to Desire (Alex & Madison)
Book 3: Dare to Surrender (Gabe & Isabelle)
Book 4: Dare to Submit (Decklan & Amanda)
Book 5: Dare to Touch (Olivia & Dylan)
Book 6: Dare to Hold (Scott & Meg)
Book 7: Dare to Rock (Avery & Grey)
Book 8: Dare to Seduce (Lucy & Max)
Book 9: Dare to Take (Tyler & Ella)
*each book can stand alone for your reading enjoyment
**The Dare to Love series is ongoing. Each Dare sibling will get a story!
**Each book stands alone but also reads best in order for maximum reading enjoyment.
*Dare to Surrender, Dare to Submit and Dare to Seduce are about the NY Dare cousins: These are exceptionally hotter type books while at heart still being a Carly Phillips story.
> About the Author
N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips has written over 40 sexy contemporary romance novels. After a successful 15 year career with various New York publishing houses, Carly made the leap to Indie author, with the goal of giving her readers more books at a faster pace at a better price. Carly lives in Purchase, NY with her family, two nearly adult daughters and two crazy dogs who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. She’s a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom. In addition, she’s a Twitter and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers.
Please turn the page for Carly’s Booklist.
CARLY’S BOOKLIST
by Series
Below are links to my series on my website where you will find buy links for each novel!
Click here for a complete list of Carly’s books on Amazon
Dare to Love Series
Book 1: Dare to Love (Ian & Riley)
Book 2: Dare to Desire (Alex & Madison)
Book 3: Dare to Surrender (Gabe & Isabelle)
Book 4: Dare to Submit (Decklan & Amanda)
Book 5: Dare to Touch (Olivia & Dylan)
Book 6: Dare to Hold (Scott & Meg)
Book 7: Dare to Rock (Avery & Grey)
Book 8: Dare to Seduce (Lucy & Max)
Book 9: Dare to Take (Tyler & Ella)
Carly Classics
The Right Choice
Suddenly Love (formerly titled Kismet)
Perfect Partners
Unexpected Chances (formerly titled Midnight Angel)
Worthy of Love (formerly titled Solitary Man)
Dare to Seduce Page 14
