Dare to Desire (Dare to Love 2)

His gaze skimmed over her in return, those chocolate eyes darkening. “You look beautiful, Angel.”

She felt herself blushing. “Thank you. You look pretty hot yourself.”

He grinned. “Ready?”

She nodded. “Just let me grab my purse and the gift.”

He shook his head. “You didn’t have to buy them anything.”

“I can’t show up at your parents’ house empty-handed! What will they think of me?” She stepped into the entry, where she’d left her bag, keys, and a small arrangement of flowers.

“They’ll think you’re amazing just like I do.” He came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. “Damn, baby, you’re nervous?”

She tur

ned to face him, their bodies in intimate contact, her gaze close to his. “Your father owns one of the most luxurious hotels in Miami. Your mother’s been photographed in magazines with him. She’s gorgeous. And you’re their oldest son. Yes, I’m nervous!”

He smoothed his thumb over her lower lip, replacing her nerves with desire. “They’re going to love you just like I do,” he assured her, his gaze hot on hers.

She swallowed hard, not knowing how deeply to read into those words. They weren’t I love you per se, and yet her heart kicked up a silly rhythm of excitement and hope. Damn, how she hated hope. It always knocked her on her ass. And yet … it remained.

A forty-minute drive later, thanks to traffic, they arrived at a well-kept home in a regular neighborhood, similar to Franny and Daniel Grayson’s. Ian’s car was already in the driveway, and Alex pulled up behind him. She stared at the house in silence, trying to process the difference in what she saw and what she’d expected.

“You okay?” Alex asked.

“Yes. I’m just surprised. I thought the place would be bigger.”

“Grander?” he asked, a grin on his face.

“Well … yes.”

He let out an amused chuckle. “Galls my father to no end. His home with Ian’s mother was like a mansion. It turns out, at first, he put Mom up in a regular house so nobody would suspect she was an important man’s mistress.” He snorted, letting her know what he thought of that situation. “Later, when they married, my mother refused to change her lifestyle or ours. She didn’t want us spoiled by money.”

Madison shook her head and smiled. “Turns out your chosen career did that instead.”

He tipped his head back and laughed. “Never thought of it that way, but you’re right. Then it took it all away just as quickly, which is why I appreciate my mother’s down-to-earth ways.”

“Yet you kept the Porsche,” she said, patting the dashboard lightly.

“A man’s gotta have his toys and some luxuries.”

She caught his wink and grinned, unable to resist him when he was playful and fun. Okay, she was never able to resist him.

“Ready to go in?”

She blew out a long breath and smiled. “Actually, I am.”

He led her up the front path, surrounded by perfectly manicured greenery and flowers. He knocked once and pushed open the door.

Alex’s mother greeted them as soon as they stepped inside. Madison recognized the beautiful woman from the photo shoot in a local magazine that had spotlighted her devotion to charitable causes.

“Alex!” She wrapped her arms around her son, pulling him in for a motherly hug.

“Hi, Mom.” He hugged her back before easing out of her embrace.

“It’s been too long,” she chided him. “It’s about time you stopped hiding from the world. And is this the woman I have to thank?”

Madison blushed, certain she hadn’t had anything to do with that change in Alex. More likely, it was Ian’s job that had given him purpose again and made him feel worthwhile.