Dare to Desire (Dare to Love 2)

“Okay, I get it’s not a power drink or sports equipment but…”

“It’s trading on my face or body, not my accomplishments. It’s just not something I want to do.”

“Fair enough. I can’t say I want to share that body with all of America either.” Madison treated him to a sultry smile, reaching out to stroke his cheek.

Alex stilled, well aware this was the first time she’d acted possessive in any real way. The first time she’d felt comfortable reaching out to him as if she really was the other half of a couple. And he liked it.

He grasped her wrist. “That’s not something you need to worry about.” His voice sounded rough to his ears. She did that to him, aroused his protective caveman-like instincts.

“Glad to hear it.”

He turned her wrist toward him and snaked his tongue along the pulse point. Her eyes grew hazy, and her pupils dilated. “If I slipped my hand into your pants, would I find you wet for me?”

Her lips parted, but no sound came out. “I’ll take that as a yes,” he said, running his lips along her bare arm.

A tremor rippled through her, and a glance at her breasts told him her nipples had hardened into tight peaks. Too bad he couldn’t do anything about it here.

He leaned in and kissed her lips. “Now sit back and behave before our travel companions notice you’re overheated and panting for me,” he said with a grin.

She shot him a frustrated look and pulled herself together, shifting in her seat as she glared at him. “You don’t play fair,” she muttered.

“Never said I did.”

“Speaking of our traveling companions, have you noticed that Olivia and Dylan have been huddled back there since after we took off?” Madison asked.

He was glad to notice her voice trembled. She hadn’t shaken off his effect on her that easily.

He shrugged. “They always seem to have something going on between them that nobody knows about.”

“Hmm.”

“Listen, while we’re in New York, I’m going to see my cousin Gabe and his twin, Decklan. Gabe owns exclusive clubs in town, and I thought we could make a night of it. The four of us, if those two are interested.” He jerked his thumb toward the back of the plane.

“Introducing me to family? Careful or I might get the wrong idea,” she said, her tone teasing. But then, as if she realized what she’d said, her face paled. “I did not mean that like it sounded,” she said, turning away, clearly unable to face him.

He shook his head. The frustrating woman still didn’t believe he was serious about her. Convincing her was high on his list. He wasn’t withdrawing at her joke, and he figured he’d just let his actions speak for him.

He grasped her hand in his and laid it on his lap, keeping her close for the remainder of the flight.

* * *

As a group, they checked into the hotel that normally hosted the Thunder when they played in the tri-state area. Dylan and Olivia stopped to say hello to the manager. Madison and Alex waited for their room keys. The plan was for the four of them to meet up for a late dinner.

“I still don’t see why you need your own room,” Alex muttered to her as he accepted the key card.

“Because this is a business trip, paid for by my employer, and I refuse to give them a hint of impropriety.”

“That them you refer to is my half brother, who was sleeping with an employee before he married her,” Alex reminded her.

“It’s not the same thing.” She wanted people at work to respect her. She wanted to respect herself. Sharing a room with Alex wouldn’t accomplish that. “And it’s not up for negotiation.”

“Doesn’t mean I won’t be in your bed tonight,” he said, pressing a kiss to the side of her neck before slipping his hand in hers.

She shivered at the seductive sensation of his lips against her sensitive skin.

“Come. The elevators are over there,” he said, not waiting for an answer, which was a good thing since she couldn’t form a coherent word.