Page 81 of Dare to Love
“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 afterward, 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 her.”
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.”
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DARE TO DESIRE EXCERPT
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 begun 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 in Miami 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. 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 that 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 had 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 wasthatgood.
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.