Dare to Desire by Carly Phillips Read Free Book Online

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
    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