Dare to Desire (Dare to Love 2)

She nodded. “Of course.”

“Then please call me Jon. Did you bring the papers?” he asked.

She dug the documents out of her purse and handed them to him. “I also brought the power of attorney and health care proxy. There are other copies filed with my foster mother’s lawyer.”

Jon accepted those as well and gestured for her to sit.

She eased herself into a chair across from his desk. She was nervous as she waited for him to read through her papers and shifted uncomfortably in her seat, taking in his diplomas and wildlife photographs around the room.

Someone knocked on the door, and the sound of it opening had Madison turning in her seat.

“Did I miss anything?” Alex asked, walking inside as if he were expected before shutting the door behind him.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, stunned to see him.

“Good morning, Angel.”

She shivered at the nickname, the sound rolling off the same lips she’d been recently kissed by. Ignoring the sexual tension at work was nearly impossible, and she felt it again now—the subtle tremors in her stomach and the overwhelming feeling of need she experienced whenever Alex was near.

He glanced at his friend. “Jon. Thanks for making time for us.”

“Alex? Why are you here?” she asked again.

The attorney rose to his feet. “Should I give you two some time alone?”

“Yes,” she said.

“No,” Alex countered before searing her with a determined look. “I said we’d handle this, remember? We. I’m here. I would have made it sooner, but I got caught in traffic.” He strode around her and settled into the chair beside her.

“Is there a problem?” Jon asked her.

Madison swallowed hard. “No, no problem.” She didn’t wish to make a scene, so she’d let him stay.

But if Alex thought just because he was paying for the lawyer that he had a right to be part of her personal business, she planned to set him straight later.

Jon refocused on the documents she’d given him, and Madison turned her attention to Alex. He still wore his hair on the long side, but on him, it worked. He sported a button-down shirt and jacket, filling out the material like it had been cut for his broad frame. Just last night, she’d dreamed of the tattoos beneath, covering his tanned skin.

Madison’s mouth grew dry. He’d shaved, and his smooth cheeks made her want to press her lips against his warm skin and breathe him in. She could already smell his cologne, and the scent did things to her that should be illegal during the day while she was fully dressed.

He met her gaze, caught her staring, and his lips turned up in a sexy grin.

Before she could react, Jon spoke, breaking the silence. “I take it you want to fight to hold on to the rights assigned to you?”

She forced her gaze to the lawyer and nodded. “It’s more complicated than it looks. My foster mother’s house is located on property that is surrounded by land owned by the town. It’s been in the family for generations and has been zoned in as a private residence, but with Franny—that’s my foster mother—suffering from Alzheimer’s, she specifically told me when she’s no longer able to make decisions, she wants to go into a home. And she wants to sell the house and have the land dedicated to the town so they can turn it into a rec center for needy kids.

“Why didn’t she handle this when she was capable?” Jon asked.

A logical question. “Because she was always busy with charity and other things, and she never got around to doing it while she was lucid. No attorney would say she’s in her right mind now and change her will. Apparently, Eric, my foster brother, has a deal in the works to sell the land the house is on to a corporation wants to turn it into an exclusive resort on the edge of town.”

Jon took notes as she spoke. Beside her, Alex listened intently.

“Go on,” Jon said.

“Eric claims he wants to enhance the beauty of the land, but that’s not it. He had a drug problem as a teenager, and he’s always run with a fast crowd. Wealthy people, parties with cocaine hidden but available.” She shook her head in disgust. “Anyway, Eric needs the cash influx the resort would provide. He has an inheritance from his grandparents, but he tends to blow through money and likes get-rich-quick schemes with his wealthy friends. There’s no financial interest involved for me. It’s about fulfilling Franny’s wishes. That’s all.” She twisted her hands in her lap until Alex reached over, stilling her with his calming touch.

Unfortunately, his touch also worked to arouse her, and she squirmed uncomfortably in her seat.

Jon cleared his throat. “Okay. According to this, he’s accusing you of exerting undue influence on his mother. How so?”