He nodded. “I bought it after I signed my first huge contract, but I didn’t grow up with that kind of wealth. I mean, my father had it—his house with Ian’s mother was a mansion but my mom kept us in the middle-class neighborhood where she felt comfortable. And Dad didn’t push because if he bought another huge place, eventually someone would notice him. I’m cool with living within my means and saving for the future.”
Warmth filled her chest as she listened to the pragmatic side of him she’d never seen before. She was curious about his childhood, but now wasn’t the time to ask. “I think that’s brilliant. I know you’ll miss the place but—”
“Actually, I don’t. It was too big for one person. And it was more for my ego than practical purposes,” he said, flushing at the admission.
His reaction only made her like him more, something she didn’t want or need, not after he’d offered his help with the lawsuit, something personal and important to her.
“What does your agent say about other kinds of offers?” she asked, knowing he still had to be marketable in many ways.
“I’ve been one of those asshole clients who didn’t want to discuss anything that didn’t include playing ball,” he said with a wry laugh. “I’m over it now, but I haven’t called him since I told him where to shove his last suggestion.”
She burst out laughing. “That sounds a lot like you.”
He grinned and knocked her breath right out of her chest. It wasn’t fair, the effect he had on her. “My agent is a bulldog though. He keeps trying.”
She didn’t envy him dealing with people like that.
“Aren’t you going to ask me about the other thing Emilio said?” Alex asked.
“I don’t know what you’re referring to,” she lied. She knew exactly what he meant. But to talk to him about the women in his life?
No way.
“He said I haven’t brought anyone here, and he’s right. Maybe you should ask yourself why I brought you.”
A frisson of awareness skittered across her skin. “Alex, this is a bad idea. We had our time, and I’m not sleeping with you again.” Even if he seemed to have changed, even if she desperately wanted to, she couldn’t go there again.
Didn’t trust him with her heart. Hell, she didn’t trust anyone, but 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
With 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.”