Dare to Desire (Dare to Love 2)

Madison turned and hit a button to bring her computer to life. She typed in the sports blog that was standard for everyone in the sports world to read. Sometimes Ben hit it head on, and other times, he missed the mark completely. But there was no doubt the man had reach.

The blog came onto the screen along with a set of photographs. Alex and a beautiful blonde Madison recognized as Allison Edwards, the woman he was to screen-test with. In one shot, they were laughing across from one another. In another photo, they were side by side, heads together, obviously talking intimately. And in the third picture, Allison held out her spoon, and Alex’s mouth was open and waiting.

Pain gripped her heart. “Well, that explains the silence.”

“No. Listen to me. I used to work in PR, and I know not everything is what it seems.”

She managed a smile. “I know you’re right. But even if it’s perfectly innocent, I don’t know that I can deal with this part of his life.” Looking at the photos made her nauseous. Not hearing from him left her mind spinning and creating all sorts of awful possibilities.

“Why don’t you take the day off,” Riley suggested. “You’ve had a rough couple of days. Plus the judge is due to rule soon, and you’d have to leave anyway.”

Normally Madison would argue, but not today. “Thanks. I think I’ll do that.”

They rose, and Riley pulled Madison into a hug. “I’ll call you later and check in.”

“Thanks,” she whispered, not wanting to give in to the overwhelming emotions swamping her and cry.

She packed up her bag and headed home, her thoughts on Alex and all the reasons she couldn’t deal with this part of his life. Even if those photographs were deliberately misleading, it didn’t change what was broken inside of Madison. Yes, Alex had proven himself to her over and over, but her insecurities and issues were real and deep-seated enough that she couldn’t imagine living with those feelings of abandonment being brought up over and over again.

* * *

Alex woke up at three, having booked the earliest flight he could manage out of New York the night before. He’d paid a premium, but he didn’t care. He arrived at the airport in Miami and immediately took a cab straight to the stadium.

He’d never been so wired in his life. He’d barely gotten any sleep last night, and taking a six a.m. flight meant he still hadn’t called Madison.

He strode through the hallway leading to his office, needing one thing and one thing only. To see Madison. Everything else could wait.

Riley barreled out of her office, stopping in front him. “You. Me. Talk. Now.”

“No. I need to see Madison.”

“She’s not here. She left early.”

He blew out a long breath. “She’s supposed to be working today. Did something happen with her foster mother or the hearing?”

“Now you’re concerned? Where the hell were you all day and night yesterday?” Riley asked, raising her voice. “Oh, I’m sorry. Snuggling up with your new costar at some new hip place in Manhattan. Too busy to call your girlfriend and check in.”

He set his jaw. “Fucking pictures,” he muttered. “I wanted to get to her first.”

“Did you ever think to try the phone?”

“My flight this morning was at six, and I didn’t get back in last night until almost midnight.”

Riley blew out a long breath. “You blew it, buddy.”

“Don’t tell me she believes what those pictures imply.” He’d been laying the groundwork between them for months now. And though she’d admitted to worrying about him returning to old habits, no way could she believe it would happen in just twenty-four hours.

Riley blew out a long breath. “I don’t think she does.”

Relief swept through him. “Thank God.”

“But that doesn’t mean she can handle what comes along with the famous you.”

He rubbed a hand over his face. “I love her.”

Riley’s expression lit up her entire face. “I knew it! Have you told her?”

“Not exactly but—”